The Laughing Wolf

For Something Utterly Ridiculous

I am looking at moving, and at selling off some items. So, I call the Huntsville Times and inquire about some classified ads. The rates are steep and they base their price off the prices being charged. Okay, not happy, but I get the info and compose some ads and e-mail them in to find out how much, etc. I just got back a reply stating that they ads can’t be run as is, because the URL I have in the ads lists more than what I advertise with them. In short, unless I am willing to list everything including price, for a very nice price (for them), no go on the ad. Or, I have the option of doing WWW pages that only list what is listed in the ad (with an implication of no links to the “real” pages). The kicker to me was the following: The third option is to leave off the URL and give it to people when they call. Now, for 9 days I am looking at app. $55 for the ads sans URL, and possibly more than $100 if I list every item. Or I can waste time developing special pages just for them. By contrast, I just placed ads in the regional ad paper for a grand total of $44 and they will run in print and online for a month. Think I am going to save my money and not bother with the nickel and dimes…

LW

UPDATE: Just heard back, and they will run the ads as is with the URL for 9 days -- Only $169.90. I declined. Forgot to mention earlier that my $44 for two regional ads also got both ads featured placement, borders, and highlighted in the online version.