Free online classified ads are a great way to get a big bang without a big budget.

It doesn’t matter if you are a small business or not.  Everyone is feeling the financial pinch.  Now businesses are looking for new ways to promote their business or product at the smallest cost.

Free online classifieds is a great way to do this!  It is a great way to increase your business visibility and you have the option of linking to your own page to draw more people to your Web site.  And, the best part, it’s of no cost to you.  You can easily target new customers with out spending a dime.

Here is an article called, ”Do FREE Online Classifieds Work?” This is not only a great article about why you should use the free classifieds, but it also tells you a few tips on how to use them effectively.

Real Estate companies now focus on online advertising.

I found this article the other day and thought it was really interesting.  The recession is affecting many businesses and no one feels it more than the real estate market. Many real estate companies are looking for new ways to promote their houses and reach their target audiences in the most efficient way possible. 

Century21 has decided to adapt their traditional marketing to fit the struggling market.  Nationally Century21 will no longer spend money on television advertising and will switch all of their marketing to the Internet.

With most businesses leaning more on the internet these days, I think it is a great idea for the real estate market to renew their marketing goals.  With all of the opportunity for video and customizable searching, the internet is ideal for expanding the opportunities for real estate companies. 

If you are trying to sell, or even rent, one of your properties, we can help you connect to your customers online.  Let us help you get the most out of your online ads! 

What to look out for this season.

Most people do a lot of their holiday shopping online these days.  People are growing more and more comfortable buying and selling things online, but that doesn’t mean you can let your guard down while searching for the perfect gift online.  Unfortunately the holidays can mean a hay day for online scammers.  Don’t let these scams turn your holiday sour!

Name a Star
Stars are named by the International Astronomical Union and most of them only have numbers.  Websites that claim to sell you the name of a star have no more right to do it than your mom does.  Although it’s a great idea and you get a pretty certificate, it will not go on anything close to any “official registry.”  Save yourself the trouble and just print out a certificate of your own. 

Fake Websites
      Be careful of websites created for businesses that don’t even exist.  Always check with the Better Business Bureau if you have any doubts about a company’s credibility.  Any Web site that sends you unsolicited too good to be true emails is usually a scam site with no good scamming emails.  Trust your gut.  If it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

Going Out of Business Sales
In this market be careful when you shop online at company’s website that says it is going out of business.  These sales are usually final.  With so many stores actually going out of business, many people are selling their gift certificates online.  Before you buy a gift certificate from someone online, double check to make sure that the store will still be there when you will be ready to use your new plastic card.  No one likes to waste money!

Fake Charities
Unfortunately this happens too much around the Holidays.  Although we would like to think it never happens out there, many people will make up charities and pocket your kind donation. Most of these scams are solicited over the phone or door to door.  The Federal Trade Commission has some great tips about protecting yourself from these scams.  It tells you to ask the important questions such as the name of the charity, what percentage will go to support the described cause, and ask for them to verify the authorized solicitation.  And, of course, don’t provide any personal information until you have checked all of the information and always make sure you have a receipt!

Ten things best bought new.

Some used items are wonderful finds, sold at a great price.  This is a follow-up to last weeks post about items you should always buy used online.  However, there are items are worth shelling out a few extra dollars to buy new.  Here are a few items that we think you should stay away from buying second hand.

1. Bedding.  You shouldn’t even consider buying used bedding of any kind.  Used mattresses, sheets and pillows are all things that should be off limits.  Think how hard it is to clean a mattress.  Do you really want to sleep in a stranger’s germs?  A mattress should be changed every 5 years anyway.  Here is a link that will further explain why you, and only you, should be the owner of your bedding.
2. Plasma TVs.  This is one item buyers should be very careful about purchasing.  Used plasma TV’s will no longer be under warranty, so you’ll have do a lot of research and personally check out the TV before you buy it to make sure it is in good condition.  When plasma screens are damaged they either leave permanent ghost marks on the screen or no longer turn on at all.  The repairs might cost you more than you bargained for. 
3. Swimsuits.  You wouldn’t want to wear someone else’s underwear.  Its the same concept with a swimsuit.  Something that close to your body is a one time ownership deal.  Enough said.
4. Car seats.  Children grow out of most of their things very quickly and it can be easy to buy used items to save a little money, however you should never buy a used car seat.  Sometimes cars can be wrecked and put back together but they will never be the same.  The same goes for a car seat.  You don’t know what the seat went through with it’s previous owner or how long it has left in it’s life span. Your child’s safety is worth spending a few extra dollars on a new one.  You can always save a little extra by buying them a used toy.
5. Laptops.  These computers are made to take with you where ever you go and from this they get a lot of wear and tear.  The more times you take your laptop with you the more opportunity you have to bump it or even drop it.  And laptops are expensive.  If you are considering buying a used laptop, make sure it has an extended warranty.  That way if it has been dropped one too many times at least you won’t be out of pocket.
6. Lawn Mowers.  Mowing the lawn is a laborious task.  It can be hot and exhausting.  Nothing is more frustrating than using your whole body to continuously pull the chord to a lawn mower that won’t start in the dead heat of summer.  Save yourself a few curse words. Lawn Mowers don’t last a lifetime, but buying them new might ensure that they will at least have a longer life span.
7. Camcorders.  If it is a moment that you want to keep in time forever than don’t take the chance of missing it.  Camcorders are hand held items where the user is focusing on something else other than their surroundings so, let’s face it, they get dropped and bumped.  And it always seems that there is no minor repair when it comes to something that has a lens.  Make sure you buy a camcorder that is new and drop free so that you don’t miss the moments you want to cherish later.  And extended warranty here isn’t a bad idea here either.
8. Styling products.  Never buy used make-up or hair products.  When you apply make-up to your face the make-up collects germs, dirt and oil.  Don’t apply someone else’s germs to your face.  The same applies for hair care products.  Many diseases can be spread by sharing any kind of styling brush.  You might save some money on the products, but you might have to spend extra money on lice shampoo.
9. Software.  Be careful when you buy used software.  CD’s can often be scratched or unreadable.  Make sure you buy software that is compatible with your system.  And be careful that the software you are buying doesn’t have a license for one time use. 
10. The obvious.  If it looks questionable, then it probably is.

As we would recommend when purchasing anything off the Web, use your best judgment.  Make sure you do your research and whenever possible purchase used items that come with warranties.

What are some items that you think should never be purchased used? 

Advice from the experts on things that you should always try to buy from someone else instead of from the store.

The classifieds can be a scary place.  It can sometimes be tough “window shopping” through the classifieds and wondering what is safe to buy and what isn’t.  Some things are common sense.  Buying used underwear?  No.  Never.  Buying a used coffee pot?  Of course!  I know I’ve sold stuff that hadn’t even been used for 1/3 of the price it was being sold in stores for.  As long as you are buy smart, buying used items is a great way to find amazing and unique stuff at a great price.

I love to read what other experts have to say on the topic of buying used.  Here is a great article by Sara Noel that might help you along TheFreeWay.

12 Things You Should Buy Used

Buying used isn’t for everyone, and that’s terrific news. That means there’s more for the rest of us. The prices on just about everything are out of control, so more and more people are practicing frugality to beat the high cost of living. While some people will continue to buy things new, many admit they wish they hadn’t wasted the money.

Let’s consider everything you’ve bought brand shiny new in the past year. How much do you think you could have comfortably bought used? I’ll share my top-12 list of everyday items you can buy used, so you can potentially save hundreds of dollars this year. Not only that — they often have enough usable life for you to pass them on, too. Think price and planet.

TOYS AND GAMES: Wash used toys, and they’re as good as new. Many kids quickly grow tired of toys or simply outgrow them, so there’s never a shortage of them available used or free. Preowned video games are sold at a considerable discount. You can trade back your old games, too. Consider just bikes and outdoor play equipment, and the savings add up quickly. Many youth bikes, scooters and roller blades are rarely used before outgrown. And how many times have you seen Little Tikes items at garage sales and even on the curb?

BABY ITEMS: Babies grow fast, so clothing (this can be applied to the entire family) and gear can be found cheaply secondhand. If you’re buying gear, check for recalls at http://www.cpsc.gov and http://www.recalls.gov. Let people know you’re open to hand-me-downs, too. What you save can go straight to the baby’s college fund.

CARS: Let someone else take the depreciation hit. To avoid problems, research before buying. Know the value of the car, and get a mechanic’s inspection and opinion. Test drive and check the car’s history at Auto Check (http://www.autocheck.com).

RECREATIONAL ITEMS: Campers, boats, motorcycles, jetski and athletic and fitness gear are some of the higher ticket items that should be bought used for a considerable discount. Heck, You can even look for hot tubs, too. The best part? You can use these items and often trade up later.

MUSIC AND MOVIES: Cassettes, CDs, DVDs and instruments are often sold after the owner has lost interest. It’s difficult to know whether a child will maintain interest in an instrument, so buying used is a practical decision. Used instruments can be donated at places such as Charity Music Inc. (http://www.charitymusic.org/websiteindex.html). Instruments are loaned at no charge to disadvantaged children.

HOUSEWARES: Even professional designers look for secondhand accessories. You can find great deals for your home on items such as appliances, tableware, linens and framed art, to name a few — all for a fraction of the cost.

FORMAL DRESSES: It’s become fashionable to wear used vintage formal gowns. Teens attending the prom have a chance to wear a unique dress that was probably worn only once by someone else. Consider paying it forward after the prom by donating it. The Glass Slipper Project (http://www.glassslipperproject.org/yostate.htm) has a listing of programs that accept them. Help make the prom special for someone else.

FURNITURE: Consider floor models to get deep discounts. Antique furniture is interesting and unusual. For next to nothing, you can find quality used furniture that needs only upholstering or a little sanding or paint. Furnishing an office can be expensive, but with liquidations, closeouts and plenty of resellers, it doesn’t make sense to buy new.

CRAFT SUPPLIES: Whether it’s small items like yarn or big items like a kiln, craft hobbies don’t have to be hard on your wallet. Have craft supplies collecting dust? Consider joining a craft swap. Swap-bot (http://www.swap-bot.com) has swap listings and helps organize swaps.

BOOKS: Textbooks are expensive, so buying used cuts costs. Places such as Abe Books (http://www.abebooks.com) can help you find titles for less. Or try Direct Textbook (http://www.directtextbook.com) which compares prices from 30 bookstores. Between libraries, used bookstores, garage sales and thrift stores, books can be found cheap or free. You can buy books or donate to help support literacy at Better World Books (http://www.betterworldbooks.com). Consider swapping books you’re done reading and pick up some you want to read by visiting Paperback swap (http://www.paperbackswap.com) or your local used bookstore. Before throwing books away, consider donating them to organizations such as Books for Soldiers (http://www.booksforsoldiers.com) and Books for the Barrios (http://www.booksforthebarrios.com).

GARDENING SUPPLIES: Split perennials with friends, neighbors and family. Place an ad looking for used reclaimed and repurposed materials such as brick, mulch, grass clippings, stones/rocks from farmer’s fields and wood. You might be able to get these items free, too. Shop garage sales for tools and garden machinery such as mowers, saws, hedge clippers, etc.

HOUSES: Many older homes are better constructed and have more character than their newer counterparts. In many areas, they are on larger lots, on a street where all the homes are architecturally different and with mature landscaping, too. Often, buyers can get more features for their money in an older home than by building new. You might find hidden treasures, too.

What items do you think are best to buy used?  We want to hear from you!  Send in your comments to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Also coming this week:  10 Things you should NEVER buy used