[maxawaytoolong]

It's not a few bad ads, it's like every third ad. I went through 15 experiences like what I described above and gave up and found my current place through a friend. I don't find it that "slimy." I just figure this is New York and that's how everything works... there's always some middleman trying to screw you. It's what the entire economy of the city is based upon.

As far as I can tell, almost every price listed by a management company for an apartment in a new development is "net effective," whether they list it as such or not.

[thinkalone]

It's disappointing to hear that you had such a bad experience, and if you're searching at certain price points I can see how you'd hit a bunch of brick walls when trying to find an apartment - having inside knowledge, whether it's through a friend, working directly with a management companies, or having a broker who knows what you are looking for, is always the best way to find a place.

> As far as I can tell, almost every price listed by a management company for an apartment in a new development is "net effective," whether they list it as such or not.

You're right - new developments and management companies are the ones who thrive on advertising net effective prices. They are not officially "brokers," so they are not held to the same guidelines and restrictions that brokers are, and they operate in an uncomfortable gray area when it comes to advertising on CL.