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You can use MySpace as a resource to connect you with jobs, apartments, and the odd comic book you never thought would show up in your lifetime. These classified ads work just like the ones in the back of your local newspaper, with a few key exceptions:
- Anybody in the world can read them
- You can get an instant response from anybody regarding your item or service
Browsing the ads
Click the Classifieds link at the top of your MySpace profile page to get started. There's a huge list of available categories, as well as links for posting your own ads.
The ads displayed automatically default to your hometown for your convenience, but you can click the Change City link to see other available listings. This link can be helpful if you're moving to a new city and need to see some available apartments.
The Classifieds screen allows you to sort out ads either by entering a keyword or selecting a category. Clicking a top-level category from the drop-down menu shows you all the entries in that category. After you click the Search button, your results appear on the screen.
 | Take a look at those drop-down lists to get a feel for what usually shows up in the category you're searching. It's also possible somebody put the item you're looking for in the wrong category. Checking around may help you find it. |
Click the ad you want to see, and go from there. The ads should include a firm or negotiable price, a description of the item, and contact information from the seller. If it's something you're interested in, go ahead and contact the seller. MySpace hosts the ad, but it's not an auction service along the lines of eBay — it's up to you to make it work.
 | Be careful when contacting sellers; take precautions that enable you to see or receive the item in question before you send money. As often as not, you're dealing with strangers — and although MySpace is a pretty friendly place, you don't want to get ripped off! |
Replying to ads
Each ad is linked to a MySpace profile, so the easiest way to respond to an ad is to click the seller's profile from the ad and send that person a message. If they've included other contact information in the ad, you can also try that. Just include a brief mention of the ad and your interest, and wait for a reply. Don't be obnoxious by sending several messages or demanding a reduction in price. If the seller is open to negotiation, he or she will usually say so in the ad — and if the seller says the price is firm, don't be a pain by trying to dicker anyway.
Posting an ad
Time to get rid of some old clothes or that ugly coffee table? You can post a free classified ad on MySpace! Just click the Post Ad link on the main Classified page and then fill in the information on the screen.
MySpace requires ads to follow a few guidelines. These guidelines are designed to prevent people from posting the same ad in multiple categories or posting the same thing several times in a row and cluttering the screen. It also prevents people from posting adult content or scams. Use the drop-down menus to select the correct category and subcategory for your item (that coffee table, for example, would fall under For Sale and Furniture), and enter the price range you're looking for and the neighborhood or city you're located in.
Now, enter a descriptive subject and a description of the item. You can also upload a picture of the item for buyers to check out. Click the Preview link to see what your ad will look like to potential buyers and then either click Edit to change it or Post to see your ad made public.
 | People looking at your ad can contact you through your MySpace profile. You can add other contact information to your ad if you want, but keep anything you don't want people to know about you out of the ad. |
Managing your ads
By clicking the My Ads link on the Classifieds page, you see a list of all the ads you've posted. From here, you can click each ad to modify or delete it. Take ads down after the sale has been conducted to avoid clutter and confusion down the line. You may also want to change ads that have been up for awhile to attract new interest. Make sure the information in your ad is always current.
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