Yeh AD in the paper is the way to go. I place one often. havent picked up anything for a while though.
Youll definately pick up project games, thats why they get sold on - game dies and sits there looking messy and eventually the wife wants it out. Divorce or seperation circumstances can lead to really cheap pins. i once picked up 2 for $10. Lady refused to take anymore money than that. Of course this was done to REALLY piss off the ex husband, his loss - my gain. My first 30's pin came from one of my ads too.
One problem here though - most of the sellers have scrolled through Ebay and are convinced that the pin is a retirement fund. As such, ive found that responses to ads have fallen dramatically or ridiculous prices being asked.
But heres a run down of some of what ive picked up through ads.
Lost World - $120
Zac magic castle - $170
Flash - $150
Firepower - $100 ( had termites!!)
Judge Dredd - $400
..and the best one of all .... Gtb Solar Ride + Gtb Top Score - $10
Good luck - i only posted this as i saw you are NOT Brisbane based - dont want too much competition!!! LOL!! 
Just sold my FT and have placed ads in local papers. Hoping I score some bargains as well.
:)
