Help Wanted on Google Base

Some customers think the hype for Google's (GOOG Quote) newest product is off-base.

When the search-engine giant unveiled its free listings service, Google Base, press reports proclaimed it would revolutionize classified advertising and siphon off a lucrative business from newspaper publishers. But some users say Google Base so far has failed to live up to its extravagant billing.

"Google in the past has had very well-thought-out products," says Kyle Tinsley, the president of Google Base advertiser ifreelance.com, which matches freelance professionals with companies. "This doesn't appear to be along the same lines." ...