Newspaper prices in orbit?

This might not be the right place for this post, however it has to do with hiring a maintenance man/caretaker.

I "attempted" to run an ad for a maintenance man/caretaker that I designed myself, and wanted to run for a two week period. It was to be in the classified section (employment) and to run for two weeks. I designed the six inch ad, attached it to an email, and sent it to the newspaper. It would have been in two area papers, serving about 400,000 demographic area. So far so good right? Read on!
I got an email back quoting a price of $904.35 a week. Or double that of over $1800.00 for the 14 days!! Now I don't normally do a lot of newspaper advertising.
So, I am not an expert, or you would say "in the loop" on this stuff. But I am sitting here stunned, and remembered this board. Thought I would bounce it off some of you folk. If you divide $1800.00 by 14, it equals $128.57 a day. Soooo, I phoned up the agent, no, that's the right quote, she says. OK, so I am still living in the mid-70s or 80s in my mind, and I am someone who thinks gasoline should cost $1.50 a gallon, but I can't be that behind, can I?

That's why you should have posted it here for only $50, Herb!

Thanks for your response Brent!!

Isn't this way out of reason? Who could afford those rates? Do any of you still use newspapers?

Herb

Every newspaper in America overcharges for classified advertising, except for obits, which are free if it is just basic info. Isn't that sad? I see a lot of ads on Craigslist and I have used that for part time position openings. But, I agree with Brent - I think there is a higher caliber of applicant on this site you would be happy to meet and hire.

Many and deep thanks to the responses. I guess I need to move forward out of the 80's and start listening to someone other than the Bee Gee's or Moody Blues!

(I remember once running an ad to sell a truck I had, and getting sticker shock over that as well. It was back in the old days.)

So, the newspaper people are raking it in! Good for them. Hopefully the Property Management People will get the same opportunity!!

Thanks
Herb