Everything here is organized around the most common tasks people actually need help with, from finishing a profile to posting an ad, promoting an event, or managing a subscription.
Create an account, recover access, finish your profile, and update your information.
Jump to account helpCreate ads, update listings, upload photos, feature posts, and understand pending status.
Jump to classifieds helpPost events, manage updates, and review promotion options without hunting through menus.
Jump to event helpManage email settings, understand paid support, avoid scams, and reach support when needed.
Jump to subscription helpUse these answers when you need help creating an account, signing in, finishing your profile, or updating your account details.
You can create an account with your email address, or by signing in with Facebook or Google.
To create an account with your email address, follow this link and complete the registration form. New registrations require your first name, last name, email address, city, state, zip code, and password. After your account is created, we will send a confirmation email. You must click the link in that email before using your account.
To create an account with Facebook, go to the login page and click 'Login with Facebook'. Facebook may only return limited account details, so after signing in you may still need to finish your profile before posting ads or events.
To create an account with Google, go to the login page and click 'Login with Google'. Google may also return only limited account details, so you may need to finish your profile after signing in.
Please note: Accounts created through Facebook or Google still need a complete profile before posting. If any required profile details are missing, open 'Account Settings' and finish your information there.
Some accounts, especially ones created through Facebook or Google, are missing one or more required profile fields.
Before you can post ads or events, your account must include at least your first name, last name, email address, city, and state.
To update this information, sign in and open Account Settings. Save your changes, then return to your dashboard, classifieds, or events page.
If you've forgotten your username or password, we can help you retrieve them. Follow this link, enter your email address, and click on 'Get Password'. You should receive an email from us within a few minutes. If you don't see the email in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders.
Once you've logged into your account, click 'Account Settings' from your dashboard.
You can update your name, email address, phone number, address, city, state, zip code, password, and account email preferences there.
If you change your email address, we will send a new verification email to confirm it.
These answers cover how to create, edit, remove, photograph, and promote your classified ads.
Once you've logged into your account, navigate to 'Classifieds' and click on 'Create Ad'.
Choose whether the ad is for personal or business use. Personal ads are free to post, while business ads (such as employment, services, inventory, etc.) are paid. Please note that posting business ads as personal is against our Terms of Service Agreement, which could lead to ad removal and potential account bans. You will be prompted for payment after creating a business ad, and it will be published only after payment is confirmed.
Some categories require additional information. For example, 'Garage Sale' ads need time and dates, while 'Rental' ads ask for the number of rooms and pet policy. Make sure to select the correct category and subcategory for your ad.
Be descriptive when filling out the title. For instance, instead of a vague 'For Rent', use '2 Bedroom, 1 Bath in Alton For Rent' to provide more details.
In the description, include as much information about the item as possible, such as your phone number or a way to text you. Avoid listing email addresses to protect against bots and spammers. Mention the item's location too, like where the garage sale or rental property is situated. We will not publish the location unless you consent to it.
The price field cannot be left blank and may be entered as 'FREE', '$50', or '50 per month', for example.
The last step in ad creation involves deciding whether to display the location on a map. Enter the address and select 'Show Map and Address on ad'. If the location isn't recognized, you can manually adjust it by clicking on the map.
After logging into your account, go to 'Classifieds' and click on 'Edit Listing'. You can then make any desired changes to your ad. After making changes, click 'Save Ad' to update your listing. Please note that if your ad is pending approval, you cannot change its status at this time.
You have two options to remove an ad: either delete it or set its status to 'Draft'.
To permanently delete the listing, log into your account, go to 'Classifieds' and click on 'Delete Ad'. Deleting an ad removes all data, including pictures. This option is suitable for items that are permanently sold.
To temporarily remove your ad from visibility, log into your account, navigate to 'Classifieds', click 'Edit Listing', and then set the status to 'Draft'. When you are ready to republish the ad, you can change its status back to 'Published'. This method is especially useful for landlords who may wish to reuse an ad after a lease period ends.
After logging into your account, navigate to 'Classifieds' and click on 'Manage Photos'.
The Photo Manager is divided into two sections: the top section is for adding new photos, and the bottom displays photos already attached to the ad. Here, you can change their order, remove them, crop them, or rotate them as needed.
To attach photos, click on the 'add files' button. If you're using a desktop, you can also drag and drop photos into the file queue area marked 'Drag files here'.
When you're ready, click 'start upload'. After the upload is complete, the photos will appear under 'Photos'.
You can attach an unlimited number of photos to an ad and add or remove them at any time.
Featuring your ad boosts its visibility. For more details, see Pricing.
After logging into your account, navigate to 'Classifieds' and click on 'Feature'. Choose the desired level of promotion, enter your credit card details, and click 'Pay now'.
Once the purchase is successful, your ad will be featured. You will receive an email confirming the purchase. If you require a receipt, you can download it from 'Receipts'.
If you are a business and have not yet paid for your listing, your ad will be set to 'Draft' mode and remain pending until payment is received. Once payment is made, your ad will be published.
If your ad is pending because your account is incomplete, sign in and open Account Settings. Make sure your first name, last name, email address, city, and state are filled in and saved.
Use these answers for event creation, editing, canceling, deleting, and promotion questions.
After signing in, open 'Events' and click 'Create Event'.
Your email address must be confirmed before you can post events. If your account is missing required profile details, update your first name, last name, email address, city, and state in Account Settings first.
When creating an event, fill in the event category, title, description, start and end date/time, venue name, venue address, city, state, and zip code. You can also add one image, a ticket link, a ticket price, and an optional link-out button.
The event location map updates from the address information you enter. If the map pin is off, you can adjust it before saving.
After signing in, open 'Events' to see your current event list.
Use 'Edit' to update event details such as the title, description, dates, image, venue information, or links.
Use 'Cancel Event' if the event is no longer happening but you still want it to remain visible as canceled.
Use 'Delete Event' to remove a non-featured event entirely.
Open 'Events', find your event, and choose the promotion option shown for that event.
Current event promotion options and pricing are listed on the Pricing page. Packages may include homepage placement, event section placement, daily email inclusion, social promotion, and additional featured coverage depending on the package selected.
If you need a larger event promotion package, call 618-465-9850 for help.
These answers explain the difference between account email preferences and the paid RiverBender subscription.
Email subscriptions are separate from the paid RiverBender subscription.
To change your newsletter and account email preferences, sign in and open Account Settings. You can manage daily updates and other available email options there.
To start or manage your paid RiverBender subscription, sign in and open 'Subscription' from your dashboard.
From there you can subscribe, review your next billing date, view receipts, pause your subscription, or continue a paused subscription.
If you need help with billing or receipts, contact support@riverbender.com.
Use these reminders to stay safer when buying, selling, and communicating through classifieds.
Do not provide payment to anyone you have not met in person.
Always deal face to face.
Never wire funds (e.g. Western Union) - anyone who asks you to do this is a scammer.
Don't accept cashier/certified checks or money orders - banks cash fakes, then hold you responsible.
Transactions are between users only, no third party provides a "guarantee."
Do not rent or purchase sight-unseen; that amazing "deal" may not exist.
Never give out financial information (bank account, social security, paypal account, etc).
If you are defrauded by someone you met in person, contact your local police department.
If you are still having issues or need additional assistance, you may open a support ticket by sending an email to support@riverbender.com.
The fastest next step is usually to finish your profile in Account Settings, then try the action again. If you still need help after that, email support@riverbender.com and include the page you were on plus what you were trying to do.