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Classified Ads
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Here's a quick guide for using the Yankee Lady's Corvette Classified Ads.
- Viewing and Searching for Ads
- Posting Ads and Signing Up
- Changing and Deleting Ads
- Advanced Features (html code, hyperlinks, photos)
- Go to Classified Ads
Anyone can view and search for ads.
Click the View button on the entry screen.
On the search criteria form....
Beginners
Select a Model Year from the dropdown menu.
Select a Type of Ad choice from the dropdown menu.
Press the Submit Search Parameters button.
Advanced/ Experienced Users
To zero-in on a particular item or year, type a keyword in the Ad field. If you're looking for 1963 only, type 63. That way, you'll see ads for just that year. Need a radio? Type the word radio in the Ad field. Don't type too many keywords or your search will probably come up empty. Also, this is a simple keyword match--Boolean and/or/not logic is not allowed.
Use the Highest and Lowest acceptable price to limit items to within your price range--but beware, some ads have no info in the Price field.
Use the Posted within how many days field to only look at recent ads, or to check back on an ad you remembered seeing two months ago.
Don't use the Exact match field unless you really know what you're doing on a search. Asking for an exact match, more often than not, displays no ads because something you specified didn't match exactly. Been there, done that--couldn't buy the shirt because the ad for it didn't get displayed. <g>
To post an ad, you've got to sign-up with a username and password. Once you do, the Classified system remembers your name and e-mail address, so you don't need to keep retyping it for each ad you post. Your username and password also let you change and delete ads you post. (Yippee! You've finally got the most requested feature I couldn't give you before!!)
The sign-up form is pretty straight forward, but here's a few hints.
The first time you try to post an ad, you'll be asked to enter your Username and Password. Just click the Sign Up button to begin.
CAPS COUNT on both your Username and Password. If you type upper and lower case letters in these fields when you sign up, you'll have to type them whenever you logon. This is the most common logon problem!!!
Whatever you type in the First Name and Last Name fields appears on your ads. It's a good idea to view a few ads to see what info they contain before signing up.
- Your E-mail address appears as a hyperlink on your ads. When folks click on it, they can send you an e-mail message. Be sure to type your e-mail address correctly so folks can contact you!! The format for an e-mail address is:
userid@aol.com
Your user name appears before the @ separator, and your isp or domain name is followed by a period, then a 3-character suffix (com, org, edu, net).
Click the Submit button when you've entered all the information. Then you're ready to start posting ads.
Find and click on a Submit an Ad button to start the posting process. You'll then see a logon screen where you enter the username and password you chose when you signed up. Remember, your username and password are case-sensitive--CAPS COUNT.
Here's some hints for filling in the fields when you post an ad.
Model Year lets you pick a range of years into which your ad can be grouped. You also indicate whether you're ad is for a Vette or Parts.
Use the Other choice for manuals, magazines, toys, models, clothing, or anything that isn't associated with a model year group.
Use the ALL choice for items that should be posted in every category. I'd recommend this only for items such as tools, radar detectors, alarms, trailers, and other items that would genuinely be of interest to folks searching in each of the individual categories. Ask yourself the following 2 questions before choosing ALL -- If I were only interested in a midyear car or parts, would this item be of interest? If I were only interested in a new C5 car or parts, would this item be of interest? If you can honestly answer "yes" to both those questions, choose ALL.Phone Number is optional, but if you want serious responses, include a number (including area code and country code) where you can be contacted. You can include additional numbers in your Ad text.
Type of Ad lets you specify whether you're selling or buying. Please don't confuse the issue by posting the same ad in both places.
Price is optional, but here's how it's used. When someone searches the ads, they can specify a minimum or maximum price and only view ads that fall within that range. Sooo, if you want to attract price conscious customers--or keep-away folks who can't afford your stuff, use the price field. You can always qualify your price information in the Ad field--you know, repeat the price and add "best offer above" or "will negotiate."
Ad is where you type your ad text. Yes, you can (and should) separate paragraphs by pressing the Enter key twice. Also, think about the words you type. Folks can type a keyword in this field when they search for ads. Include any words you think might help folks find your car or parts. "Lots of 73 parts" doesn't give much information. If you don't want to include a jumbo list, at least say whether they're "interior," "body," "engine," or "exhaust" parts. You get the idea.
When you're finished entering your ad info, press the Submit button. Notice that you didn't need to enter your name or e-mail address? That's because once you did your logon, the Classifieds already knew who you were--and will add that info for you. (Two finger typists and hunt-and-peckers may cheer now.)
You can change and delete the ads you post! And, it's now your responsibility to clean up after yourself once you sell or buy something. (Ok, so I'll periodically and zap very old ads--but I'd really rather not--because I risk deleting an ad for something that's still wanted or for sale. Please help me out on this one and delete your old ads.)
To change an ad you've first got to logon, then find your ad. You see and use the same Search screen that you use when you view ads. The only difference is that the Classifieds system only looks for your ads to match your search criteria.
When your matching ads are displayed, each has a radio button in a column to the left. Choose an ad to change by clicking on its radio button.
Make your changes on the ad form at the bottom.
Double-check the Model Year and Type choices to be sure they're correct.
If you need to change the text of your ad, retype it. Experienced users can also copy and paste the new text from a text document they created offline.
Change your phone number by typing the correct number.
There's some information you can't change. If you don't see a change field, you can't change that piece of information.
To delete an ad you've first got to logon, then find your ad. You see and use the same Search screen that you use when you view ads. The only difference is that the Classifieds system only looks for your ads to match your search criteria.
When your matching ads are displayed, each has a radio in a column to the left. Choose one or more ads to delete by clicking the radio buttons. Then, press the Submit button.
These features and tips are for experienced and advanced users only.
Your classified ad can contain html code. Use <center> </center> to center text, for example.
Your classified ad can contain hyperlinks. Use the full
URL address as shown in the following example.
<a href="http://www.yankeelady.com/index.htm">Yankee Lady Main
Gate</a>
Your classified ad can contain photos. Use the full
URL address as shown in the following example.
<img src="http://www.bspear.com/dogs/tigger/tigger-face.jpg">
You cannot change your e-mail address. For those familiar with databases, the e-mail address is a key field. If you change service providers, delete the ads with your old e-mail address then repost them with your new address.
Copyright 1997 Barbara Spear
