Getting Started Using the
Southern Maryland Classifieds

Our Most Frequently Asked Questions are hi-lighted in Yellow

Browse Ads

  • Browse ads by clicking on any category (General Merchandise, Vehicles, etc).  The numbers next to the categories and subcategories tell you how many ads are in that category.

  • To see the complete ad, click "Details" to the right of the ad you'd like to see.

  • To see ALL of the ads in a category without having to click on a subcategory one-by-one, just use the "Browse ALL Ads" link that appears just above the subcategory links.

  • To browse ALL ads in a category in a simple list like the old system, go to http://classifieds.somd.com/html/english/.

  • You do not need to register or log in to browse ads.

Registering for an Account

  • You must register for an account in order to post ads.

  • To register, click on the "Register for an Account" link at the top of the main classifieds page.

  • Be sure to double check your e-mail address.  Without a valid address, you will not be able to receive your password or any replies to your ad.

  • Once you've registered for an account, you can Log In or Out using the link on the blue menu bar of the main page.  You will also need the initial password that is sent to you via e-mail.

  • The initial password is mailed immediately upon successful registration.  You should receive it with minutes depending upon your e-mail system.  If you do not receive it, you may have entered your address incorrectly or it may be getting trapped in a filter somewhere in your e-mail system.

  • If you forget your username or password, click the "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password" on the Log In screen.  Your information will be sent to the email address you supplied when you registered.

  • You can update your account information, including your password, by logging in, then making any changes on the page that immediately follows the successful login.  If you are already logged in, just click on the "Login/Logout" link in the blue menu bar.

Post Ads

  • Be sure to read and understand the Posting Rules and Prices.

  • Post ads by clicking on the "Place Ads" link on the blue menu bar.

  • Choose the category that best fits your ad.

  • Fill out the form, choose any options you'd like and click "Preview Ad".

  • Review your ad and cost summary.

  • If you have changes, click the Back button on your browser and make changes. 

  • If you're satisfied with your ad, click "Post My Ad".

  • If you've selected features that require payment, please fill in all fields.

  • We accept Visa & MasterCard for payment.  American Express and Discover will be available soon.

Enhance Your Ad With a Photo or Multimedia

  • Once you have posted your ad, you'll have the option of adding a photo, sound file or video file.

  • There is a $2.50 charge for each photo or multimedia file you add.

  • Photos can be up to 50Kbytes and no larger than 500 x 500 pixels.

Responding to Ads

  • To reply to an Ad, go to the detailed view of the Ad.

  • In the "Contact Information" part of the detailed Ad is a link called "Click Here to E-Mail the Advertiser."

  • When you click on this link, a new email message window will open already addressed to the advertiser.  Type your message in the e-mail window and send it.

  • Depending on your browser, you may be left at a blank page.  Just press the "Back" button at the top of your browser to go back to the previous page.

  • If you do not get a mail window when clicking on the link, you do not have your web browser configured to work with your e-mail program.  To test this, click here.  If you do not get a new e-mail window addressed to test@somd.com, you need to contact your ISP to determine how to configure your system.

  • If the "Click Here to E-Mail the Advertiser" link is not working for you, the advertiser may have included his phone number in the "Contact Information" or the "Text of Ad."  Also, be sure to check the "Text of Ad" for an e-mail address that you can just cut and paste into your e-mail program.

Modifying or Deleting Your Ad

  • Make sure you are logged on

  • Browse to your Ad and view the detailed Ad page

  • Click on the "Modify this Ad" or "Delete this Ad" link and follow the instructions.

Alternatively, you can do it this way:

  • Modify or delete your ad by clicking on "Edit Ads" on the blue menu bar.

  • Click on the category of the ad you'd like to modify or delete.

  • Select the button of the action you'd like to take.

  • Find your ad by the Ad Number or you can display all the ads you've posted in that category.

  • At the left of the ad you'd like to modify or delete, click the link for "Modify this Ad" or "Delete this Ad".

  • Scroll down to the "Modify" or "Delete" dialog.

Auto-Notify

  • Auto-Notify is a personal search agent.  It runs once a day at 06:00 a.m.  It will send you an e-mail listing all ads posted in the previous 24 hours that match the search criteria you have defined.

  • You can define more than one search agent.  But, each search agent can only search one category.

  • The search agents will auto-terminate after 30 days.

  • There is no cost for using the Auto-Notify feature.

  • Click the "Auto-Notify" link on the blue menu bar at the top of the page.

  • Select the category that best fits your ads.

  • Click "Create An Agent".

  • Fill in keywords, separated by a space.  For example, If you'd like to be notified when someone posts an ad for a washing machine, you might type washer washing machine as your keywords.

  • Fill in the rest of the form and click "Send Me Matching Ads".

  • You can also modify or delete your Auto-Notification by clicking "Modify Agent" or "Delete Agent" in the Auto-Notify Options screen.

  • You will receive an e-mail confirming the setup of your agent.  It will include the section where the agent will run and it's ID number.  Please keep this email in case you need to change or delete the agent.  In a future version, we will make it easier to find your agents without having to know the number.

  • Click Here for a brief tutorial on setting up search agents.

Putting Ads on Your Checklist

  • You can use the checklist feature to mark certain ads for future reference.

  • When you see an ad you'd like to put on your checklist, click the box to the right of the ad.  This puts a check in the box.

  • You will receive a popup window that tells you the ad has been placed on your checklist.  Please wait for this confirmation before checking another ad!

  • Review your checklist by clicking "My Checklist" on the blue menu bar.

  • To remove items from your checklist, simply uncheck the box by clicking in it.

Alert Admin

  • If you feel that an ad is in violation of our Rules of the Road, simply click the "Alert Admin" link to the left of the ad in question.

  • You will be asked to enter a short message explaining why you feel the ad is inappropriate.

  • All alerts will be kept confidential.

Classifieds Etiquette

  1. Please don't use inappropriate language in your ads.

  2. Please don't use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS IN YOUR AD. This is the internet equivalent of SHOUTING and is considered rude.

  3. Please don't repost your ad in the same section any more than once every 3-4 days as a method to float it to the top of the ads.  If you want extra visibility, there are several options that you can purchase at a reasonable cost.  If you do repost an ad, please be kind enough to delete the old ad.

  4. Please don't use a long string of characters !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TO BRING ATTENTION TO YOUR AD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This is also considered rude.  If you want extra visibility, there are several options that you can purchase at a reasonable cost.

  5. Please don't post your ad in inappropriate categories, i.e. seeking child care in the employment section.  Habitual abusers will have their account suspended.

  6. Please do not post an ad asking another advertiser to contact you.

  7. Please don't post ads in order to criticize another ad or harass an advertiser.  Persons who violate this policy will immediately have their account suspended without advance warning.  If you feel the need to editorialize, please do so in the Forums.

  8. When you have sold the things you are advertising or your ad is no longer relevant, please delete your ad.