How it works
The Plain Exchange is a classified ads service for Holmes County, Ohio that runs on plain text messages. No smartphone, no app, no internet needed — any phone that can send a text works. The commands below all get texted to (330) 960-7170.
Get the ads
Text SUBSCRIBE to (330) 960-7170. You’ll get new ads bundled into short digests, up to four times a day — morning, noon, afternoon, and evening. It’s free. Reply STOP any time to quit, or HELP for help.
When an ad has a picture, the digest says so. Reply PIC 1234 (the ad’s number) and the picture comes back to you by text.
Get the ads by email
Prefer email? The email edition carries the same ads with the pictures right in the message, twice a day. Sign up here — every email has an unsubscribe link.
Post an ad
Text your ad to (330) 960-7170 starting with the words AD NEW. Say what you’re selling, the price, and how to reach you. Attach a picture if you’d like — picture ads cost more credits than plain ones. Keep it under 250 characters.
AD NEW Horse cart for sale, $1,000 OBO. Good shape. Call 330-555-0142. Mt. Hope.
Every ad is read and approved by a person before it runs. Once approved, your ad goes out in the next digest and is listed on this website for 30 days. You’ll get a text with your ad’s number when it’s in. New members start with 3 free ads — picture or plain.
Manage your ad
Sold it? Text SOLD 1234 and the listing is marked sold. Want more eyes on it? Text BUMP 1234 and it runs again in the next digest. Forgot your ad numbers? Text MYADS.
Credits
Ads use credits; checking, browsing, and getting digests are free. Text CREDITS any time to see your balance. Buy credit packs on this website, or text BUYCREDIT 10 to buy with a card you’ve saved — you’ll be asked to reply YES to confirm before anything is charged. You can also call (330) 960-7170 to set up payment by phone or mail.
All the commands
| Text this | What happens |
|---|---|
| SUBSCRIBE | Start getting the ad digests. Free. |
| STOP | Stop getting digests. Reply START to come back. |
| HELP | Get this list of commands by text. |
| AD NEW your ad text | Post an ad. Attach a picture if you have one. |
| PIC 1234 | Get the picture for ad number 1234. |
| STATUS 1234 | Check if an ad is still available or sold. |
| SOLD 1234 | Mark your ad sold (your ads only). |
| BUMP 1234 | Run your ad again in the next digest. |
| MYADS | List your ads and their status. |
| CREDITS | Check how many ad credits you have. |
| BUYCREDIT 10 | Buy a credit pack with your saved card. |
Commands work with or without a slash, capitals or not — ad new works the same as AD NEW. Print this page and keep it by the phone.