Should Paid Directories Be Used?

So I was recently checking out Zacjohnson.com a super affiliates blog and he wrote a good article on the importance of paid directories.  I can remember a few years ago when I was really just getting started writing blogs I took advantage of directories as a good way to get some backlinks.  I have read a lot about this lately and I am seeing a lot of people talking that Google and Yahoo do not weigh these as heavy as they used to.

While you will still get a backlink from a directory submission it is now a matter of is it worth the money.  Directories range from either free to up to $299 for a listing in yahoo or Business. com.  This biggest thing I can say about this is look and see what sites you are competing with and see if they have placed a ink in the top directories.

If you have read my blog at all you know that I work mostly with SEO sites and less with PPC.  This being said I do not deal with directories anymore but I did find a list in Website magazine on recommended submission sites.

So what are your thoughts on paid directories?