[TheClassifieds Help] Recently Changed Articles

What are the upgrade options?

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:28:48 GMT

The Highlight option

This will give your advert a different style. While it will still appear in the main listings with the free adverts, due to its different styling, it will stand out from the crowd.

This option will cost you R10 for one month after which it will revert to a simple starter edition advert.

Featured Listing

These are adverts that appear in the featured adverts section right at the top of your chosen category page.

Your advert will be seen before anything else on the page and likely to catch the attention of the viewer as it will be one of the first things their eyes are drawn to on the page.

All of this for the cost of R20 for one month after which it will revert to a simple starter edition advert.

Premium Display

With this option you'll get all the features of a Push Start advert (it will appear as a featured advert) but your advert will also then appear in the premium image bar on the home page and relevant category pages.

It really will be the first adverts any visitors see on the site which is amazing exposure as Jump Start adverts see up to 100 times more traffic than regular adverts.

This will cost a total of R40 for 2 weeks after which it will revert to a simple starter edition advert.

Place your advert now.

I left a comment but it isn't showing on the advert, where is it?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:09:03 GMT

Here at TheClassifieds we like to try and protect our users from spam, foul language and distasteful remarks. For this reason, we moderate all comments made on the site except for those made by trusted, approved users. If your comment is not showing, it is most likely awaiting moderation and will be on the site soon. If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact us :)

What are comments on adverts?

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:56:47 GMT

The comment functionality has been added to each advert so that users may be able to communicate more directly with eachother without giving out any personally identifiable information such as email addresses or phone numbers. To use the comment functionality, simply login to your account and get cracking. All we ask is that you keep it polite and clean. Remember, we do moderate comments for inappropriate content.

I would like to edit my advert after I have placed it.

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:25:46 GMT

Once an advert is placed on the system, an email is sent to the email address that you provided. You will find a link that can be used to edit your advert i.e. change the price / add a picture etc. Alternatively you can login to our system and edit your advert from your MyAds page. The edit form looks exactly like the place advert form so you should have no trouble making the changes needed.

I would like to place an advert, how do I do that?

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:24:44 GMT

First click the 'Place Free Ad' button in the top left corner of the page. It's the green one.

Clicking this button will take you to the beginning of the Place Advert process which is split into three easy steps.

Step 1. Ad Information

In this step you will place all the advert's basic information.

Choose a category and sub category that is most suited to your advert. Remember to think of where people might search to find your advert.

Select a region within South Africa eg. Western Cape. Then select a city within that region eg. Cape Town. It is preferable if you are selling an item to go right down to suburb level, eg. Southern Suburbs: Tokai.

Enter a title. Be as descriptive as possible, as this will help your advert appear in searches but try and keep it under 10 words in length.

Enter a price and payment options, remember to only use numbers eg. 1000

Description: Enter your advert text in the space provided. Remember, the more descriptive you are, the better your advert is likely to perform.

Upload images: Simply choose a file on your computer that you would like to be uploaded. Repeat this process to add more.

JPEG|PNG|GIF image formats are supported.

By default you may upload as many as 5 images per advert.

Once you have filled in all this information, click the Next button to be taken to...

Step 2: Contact Information

Name: Please enter the name that you would like to appear on your advert. Please note that people viewing your advert will see this name.

Email: Please supply the correct email as this will be your login username. Your email address will not be made visible to the user unless you want it to be. In that case please check the display box.

Telephone numbers: These are not required except in the event that we would need to contact you. They will not be made visible to the user unless you want it to be. In that case please check the display box.

Step 3: Select your advert type and submit

Firstly, at the top of the page you will see a few random letters in an image box. Enter these letters as you see them into the field alongside. This is just to make sure you're human and not a robot.

Next you will be able to choose whether you would like to place a free advert or purchase one of our optional upgrades. Once you have done so, click the Place Ad link. Your advert has now been submitted and will appear on the site shortly.

I have sold my item or my advert is no longer relevant and I would like to remove it before the expiry date

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:15:13 GMT

The email that was sent to you when you placed your advert contained a link that allows you to edit you advert. If you follow this link you will see that there is an option to remove your advert at the very top of the form. Select this option and your advert will be removed. You can also delete your advert from the MyAds page by clicking on the "Drop" icon over your advert.

I've deleted my advert but it's still appearing on MyClassifieds, why?

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:14:04 GMT

Because of the way search engines index their search results, we need to deactivate an advert for about a week before completely removing it. People will not be able to see your advert in the main listings or contact you through it anymore as the contact form and your contact details will be hidden.

I've been blacklisted, why?

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:57:48 GMT

There could be any number of reasons for this and it will vary with each person. Perhaps your adverts have been viewed as inappropriate or you have broken our rules on scams and spam. The best way to proceed is to contact us via our helpdesk so we can investigate and find out the exact reason why.

I'm having trouble logging in.

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:56:09 GMT

The first question we have to ask is, have you registered or posted an advert with us before? When you register on the site, you will be sent an email to verify your account and you should be able to login. If you have verified your account and still cannot login, please contact us and we will see what we can do. OR When you post an ad on our site for the first time you will automatically be registered and will receive two emails to the address that you provided. One of those mails will contain an automated password that you will use to login. If for what ever reason you have lost your password, click on the â€œforgotten passwordâ€ button, remembering to use your email address as your username. If the forgotten password link fails to work and nothing is working, please contact us.

How do I change my password, details or email address?

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:53:23 GMT

Once logged in, hover your mouse cursor over the "MyAds" button at the top of the page. A drop down list should appear. On this list click the "Profile" link. On this profile page you can change your contact details and password. Simply fill in your new details or new password and submit. If you need more help, don't hesitate to contact us.

How do I register or get an account?

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:43:42 GMT

To register on the site, look to the top of the screen. Here you will see a 'Sign Up' link. Clicking this link will take you to the registration page where you need to fill in your details. Once you're done, submit this form and you will receive a verification email from us for you to activate your account. Another way to register is to place an advert. If it is your first time creating an advert, we create a password for you and give you access to all our features. You will receive this all via email.

There is no contact form, it just says 'This is a PartnerSite Ad' , what does that mean?

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:40:22 GMT

When you see an advert referred to as a PartnerSite Ad this means that it is an advert hosted by one of our partner sites such as bid or buy. To contact the seller of one of these adverts you simply need to click the "Contact the Seller" link which will redirect you to the partner site.

There is a classified I'm interested in, but I don't see contact details anywhere! How do I reply to the advert?

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:16:55 GMT

You are probably looking at the classified in the "list" view. This is where you see a number of classifieds listing in a table, one on top of another. This is a summarised view of the classifieds in a specific category or search which is used for easy reading and comparison.

In order to see the full details of the placed classified, you must click on the subject of the classified in the "list" view. This will take you to the full classified view and display all the details available for the ad.

When all else fails you can contact the seller via our contact bar on the right hand side (if visible). Remember to make sure to enter your email address correctly, as the seller will most likely want to contact you via email.

Please note: Some adverts on our site are from partner sites. These adverts have a button on the right hand side. Clicking here will take you to the partner site where you can contact the owner of the advert.

Where can I contact TheClassifieds or send suggestions for features I would like to see added to the site?

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:13:14 GMT

Simply scroll to the bottom of any page on the site and look for the 'Contact Us' link.

Clicking this will take you to the Contact page where you can fill in a form with your suggestions.

You're also welcome to email your suggestion to info@theclassifieds.co.za (info [at] theclassifieds [dot] co [dot] za

How do I login?

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:09:54 GMT

In the top bar of every page you will see a login button. Once you have clicked on this button, a pop up window will appear. Please enter your email address and the password that we sent to you via email.
You would have only received this mail if you have placed a classified or registered with us before.

I added images to my advert but they're not showing, why not?

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 06:35:46 GMT

Any number of things could have gone wrong during the upload process that will make it difficult for us to figure out the exact cause. Simply go edit your advert and attempt to add the images again. If it still doesn't work, please contact us and let us know with as many details as possible. Also feel free to send us your pictures for us to add to your advert so you don't have to spend any more time than you need to.

Stuff to Swap or Trade Category Safety Tips

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:59:15 GMT

I'm sure we all had a mother that told us: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". Please keep that in mind when viewing the Stuff to Swop or Trade section. While the majority of adverts posted are honest, there are those in between that could be trying to scam you in one way or another. * Be careful of the personal information that you share. Don't reveal where you live or any kind of financial information. If you do need to meet someone, do it in a public place with plenty of people around. If possible, have a friend accompany you. * Beware of hidden costs. Scammers may offer something for free and then tell people they need to pay shipping fees. * Make sure you view the item before you swop for it. Check it's condition and whether it works. * Follow your intuition and trust your instincts. If anything strikes you as odd or you need assistance at any time, please contact us.

Free Stuff Category Safety Tips

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:58:28 GMT

I'm sure we all had a mother that told us: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". Please keep that in mind when viewing the Free Stuff section. While the majority of adverts posted are honest, there are those in between that could be trying to scam you in one way or another. * Be careful of the personal information that you share. Don't reveal where you live or any kind of financial information. If you do need to meet someone, do it in a public place with plenty of people around. If possible, have a friend accompany you. * Beware of hidden costs. Scammers may offer something for free and then tell people they need to pay shipping fees. * Follow your intuition and trust your instincts. If anything strikes you as odd or you need assistance at any time, please contact us.

Students Category Safety Tips

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:57:53 GMT

PLEASE BE CAREFUL EVENTS / SOCIAL EVENTS: Confirm that any events that you see advertised and plan on attending actually exist by phoning the venue or the organiser. Never go anywhere alone as it can be highly dangerous. If you see anything suspicious or inappropriate listed, please contact us to check it out. EMPLOYMENT/PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT: It's unfortunate that in our current economic climate there are people who will take advantage of those simply looking for legitimate employment. These people will offer big rewards with little or no effort. Always be on alert. Verify that the company advertising the job is a real business. If they exist, there will be some kind of information somewhere. SHARED ACCOMODATION: * Be wary of too good to be true offers such as luxurious apartments being offered for bargain-basement rent. * Always inspect the property yourself or, if you can’t, get someone else you know personally to inspect it. * Make your own enquiries and don’t rely on any information provided to you from anyone recommended by the person advertising the property. * Use your common sense and be alert to inconsistencies in stories. Ask questions!

Jobs Safety Tips

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:56:47 GMT

PLEASE BE CAREFUL It's unfortunate that in our current economic climate there are people who will take advantage of those simply looking for legitimate employment. These people will offer big rewards with little or no effort. Please be aware of programmes like those below: PYRAMID SCHEMES Most get-rich-quick schemes also promise that little skill, effort, or time is required. They often assert that wealth can be obtained by working at home. Legal and semi-legal get-rich-quick schemes are frequently advertised on infomercials and in magazines and newspapers. Illegal schemes or scams are often advertised through spam or cold calling. Some forms of advertising for these schemes market books or compact discs about getting rich quick. There is no such thing as easy money. ONLINE GET RICH QUICK-SCHEMES Get-rich-quick schemes that operate completely on the Internet typically promote “secret formulas” to affiliate marketing and affiliate advertising. The scheme will usually claim that it requires no special IT or marketing skills and will provide an unrealistic timeframe in which the consumer could make hundreds of thousands, if not millions of rands. Schemes of this nature usually have catchy titles to encourage potential victims into paying signing up fees. The get-rich-quick scheme will heavily imply that the consumer will be able to earn much more than this small investment when they apply the special, secret techniques revealed in their training material they will send. Such training material is typically in the form of e-books or training CDs. Whilst making money online is always possible, it should be noted that affiliate marketing and advertising are jobs just like any other. Dedication, talent and hard work are all required to make good money in this area. Individuals lacking in those areas may struggle to make an income online The legality of such schemes is often a matter of extreme controversy. This online get-rich-quick scheme can’t be described as illegal outright scams since the majority do send an end product to the user, but they do employ severely misleading sales tactics in order to get victims to sign up. Users should always be aware when signing up for schemes online that promise to show the route to financial freedom, especially if there is an initial investment to be made. OTHER SIGNS THAT A JOB ADVERT IS A SCAM: * The 'employer' will ask for money to invest/deposit in an offshore account etc. No one legitimate would do this. * The advert will not specify job duties and doesn't require you to send a CV. Real employers will want to see what you can bring to their company. Always be on alert. Verify that the company advertising the job is a real business. If they exist, there will be some kind of information somewhere.

Puppy Buyers Safety Tips

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 06:56:02 GMT

*This classified contains some helpful information that has been compiled from various posters: -Breeders should be registered with one of the following associations: KUSA (www.kusa.co.za) or SACBR (www.sacbr.co.za). Breeders may also provide their membership numbers, allowing some buyers to confirm their status. -German Shepherd dogs may be registered with the German Shepherd Dog Federation of South Africa (www.gsdfederation.co.za), the only registering authority in South Africa for registering German Shepherd Dogs recognised by WUSA (World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs)and SV (Vereins fur Deutsche Schaferhunde. -Puppies ONLY leave @ 6-10 wks to ensure proper development (Breed dependant). -Puppies younger than 8 wks MAY NOT be transported by air. -Puppies should be vaccinated, dewormed and possibly micro-chipped before leaving for their new home. -Puppies should look healthy, coat in good condition (not dull). -Puppies stomachs should NOT be bloated! -Puppies should have their own vet book showing their innoculations, deworming and any micro-chip details. -Has the breeder interviewed you AT LENGTH - regarding your lifestyle, any drawbacks and/or negatives of the particular breed? -Beware of PUPPY FARMERS - please do not support them...they are the reason for the UNTOLD number of puppies that end up FOR RESCUE.

Business Services Safety Tips

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:11:41 GMT

When trying to contract business services through classifieds, whether it be online or otherwise, people should always be cautious of possible criminals. * Be careful of who you invite into your home. Always try to verify that a business is legitimate. If possible, speak to people who have used the service and find out how their experience was. * Try and ensure there is some kind of legally binding contract in place when making use of a service. This way, you're protected if the business doesn't deliver and vice versa if you refuse to pay. * Be wary of hidden costs. * If at any time you are made to feel uncomfortable in your communication with a service, walk away and try somewhere else. You need to be happy with the people you are dealing with. If you require assistance or guidance at any point, please contact us so we can help.

Stuff for Sale Category Safety Tips

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:07:37 GMT

BE SAFE When buying or selling something through classifieds, whether it be online or otherwise, people should always be cautious of possible criminals. Here at TheClassifieds, we want our users to have as pleasant an experience as possible so we have compiled the information below to help you on your way. BUYERS: * Pay close attention to the quality of an advert. If it has bad spelling, grammar and punctuation it is best to be wary. Many scammers do not pay much attention to these elements and can give themselves away quite easily. * Be more cautious if the seller is using a free email service such as Hotmail or Yahoo. Most people who use these free services are honest however, because they are so easy to sign up for and keep your real identity a secret through, these are the email services most scammers will use. * Save copies od all of the emails and other documentation involved in the transaction. This way, if you discover an item is counterfeit or the seller has disappeared with your money, you will have something to help you possibly deal with the problem. * Ask the seller questions – the more the better. In other words, find out as much information as you can about the product. * Be careful of how much personal information you divulge. Try to keep it limited to your name and cell number. Imagine the seller is a stranger on the street. If a stranger had to walk up to you and ask you for your ID number, would you give it to them? * Try to verify that the seller is who he/she says he/she is. Try to converse with them over the phone at least once before meeting them. If you do meet them, make sure to do so in a public place and have to have a friend with you. Always let someone know where you are going. * View, test and handle the item before purchasing it. * Research the item you're wanting to buy and make sure you're not going to be paying more than it's worth. Also it will help you to beware of underpriced offers that seem too good to be true. These are most likely a scam. * Try to deal locally. Dealing with sellers in other countries will come with many risks. * Cash is the best method of payment as it keeps the process short and simple. Don't give out any financial information such as credit card numbers. This is very dangerous. * Be careful of sellers who request an advanced payment or shipping costs. * If a seller asks you to wire money, do not do this. * Trust your instincts. If the seller makes you uncomfortable or seems suspicious in any way, do not pursure the deal and rather just walk away. SELLERS: * A buyer may contact you with loads of questions. Try to answer them as honestly as possible and don't feel too annoyed, if they're asking lots of questions about the item, chances are they're legitimate. If it's requests for personal information though, limit how much you give out and be cautious with how you continue the process. * Avoid doing business with people in other countries. They are often scammers and many things can go wrong. * Always try and meet a buyer in person, but do so carefully. Meet in a public place and have a friend accompany you if possible. Always make sure someone knows where you are. Do not allow a first meeting to take place at your home. * Cash is the best method of payment. Do not accept wire transfers. If a deposit is made into your bank account, make sure it has cleared and the funds are accessible – verify this with the bank. Do not release the item to the buyer until you know for a fact that the money is there. * If a buyer makes you feel uncomfortable at any point, rather walk away from the deal. Trust your instincts.

Travel Category Safety Tips

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:04:36 GMT

TRAVEL SCAMS Everyone looks for breathtaking travel bargains, the perfect getaway at the perfect price. Thats what makes it so easy for scam artists out there who prey on your instinct to save money on travel. A few things to watch out for:- * “Offer is for a limited time only”: Become very skeptical of any deal that must be booked immediately. Interestingly, many of those immediate deals often involve trips that are at least two months in the future. Why? Many credit cards have a 60-day limit on challenges for purchases. They want you to recognize your fate only after that time has expired by which time they may have come up with additional charges or perhaps even disappeared completely. * When the names of the seller and travel provider differ: In that case, chances are good you're dealing either with a telemarketer or some other go-between who does not have your best interests at heart. * Advance payment is required without a written contract: Travel payments often are made before a trip, but you are entitled to a written contract stating the product(s) for which you are paying. This is true whether it's a deposit or payment-in-full. Scammers often attempt to gain your trust with friendly phone pitches that result in credit card transactions. Reputable vendors will always spell out their offers in writing. * Discount Travel Clubs. These are very rarely legitimate. Basically, if it's costing you more than a small amount of money for membership, then they are probably scammers.If your travel club is asking for more than a few dollars for membership, they are probably scamming you. Research any of these clubs beforehand and try to find feedback from people who have experienced their service. HOLIDAY ACCOMODATION SCAMS We urge you to exercise caution when booking holiday accommodation especially if it is done via the internet and email Do not be fooled by photographs that show a stunning property. Scam artists often forward false photographs in the hope of further enticing unsuspecting victims. Evaluate the photos carefully as sometimes scam artists are so blatant that they claim a property is located in a particular area but on close inspection it is obvious that the photo was taken somewhere else. Be cautious of advertisements that supply only an email address or a cellphone number. It is in your best interests to obtain as much detail as possible on the person making the offer. Someone that is unwilling to meet or let you inspect the property should be treated with caution. Be cautious when using websites that advertise holiday accommodation services. The majority of these ads are valid but some of them are false.Check the discussion boards on the particular website offering holiday accommodation. Beware of advertisements that provide a discount if a deposit is made via a specific bank's ATM. Also, be careful if the deposit requested is substantially lower than what the rental industry charges. Holiday accommodation scams appear to be increasing as the Soccer World Cup approaches. PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS! If you have any concerns about an advert, please contact us.

Personals Category Safety Tips

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:00:25 GMT

In this day and age where nearly everyone and their grandmother has access to the internet, online dating and personal adverts have become more popular than ever. There are a great many quite legitimate dating service websites that allow members to establish online relationships. Often, these online friendships blossom into genuine long-term relationships. An increasing number of people have found life-partners via relationships started online. Sadly however, scammers have managed to effectively exploit this trend to further their own nefarious ends. Many people around the world have been duped into sending money to Internet fraudsters posing as would-be girlfriends or boyfriends. Some basic safety tips for posting or responding to personal adverts: * Don't use your real name until you feel you can trust someone completely. If possible create a seperate email account or instant messaging account for your personal adverts. These days it's incredibly easy for people to find out many personal things about you through your email address. * Don't give out any personal information when you first meet someone online. Get to know them first and see if you can trust them. Even then, avoid using surnames or giving out your exact address. * Do not assume that the photograph they have is really them or up to date. It could very easily be an old picture or someone else entirely. Scammers will sometimes even use the photographs of previous victims. * Remember you should keep an open mind. Even if you come across someone who is legitimately posting a personal or responding to one, people online can be very selective with the truth about things such as age or weight. * If you would like to progress beyond online communication, begin with a simple telephone call. Don't go straight from email or instant messaging to meeting in person. * If you do decide to meet the person, do it during the day in a crowded place. If possible, take a friend with you and always tell someone where you are going. * If you begin corresponding with a person with a view to a possible romantic relationship, remain cautious even if the relationship seems to be progressing very well. These scammers are very skilled at building trust and know how to make vulnerable victims fall in love with them. Regardless of the strength of your feelings towards a correspondent, you should view any requests for money as highly suspicious. If you do suspect a scam, you may be able to find information on a dating blacklist website such as http://www.thedatingblacklist.com/. These sites publish information and photographs of known dating scammers. Internet dating scammers often used the same names, family details and cover stories in multiple dating scams. Therefore, you may be able to expose a scam by conducting Internet searches on the names used by the scammers or key phrases from their emails.