A bunch of you already know about Craig's List. If you don't, here's an article on them:

http://www.fortune.com/fortune/technology/articles/0,15114,1135386-2,00.html

And here's Judy's Book, which is what my Herdomain group has done casually for years--recommend the best/fastest/most efficient A/C-restaurant-doctor etc. to friends.

http://www.judysbook.com/