Mundane link building - Who to use?

Looking for some link building to our homepage... Essentially I have two competitors with 20k+ links listed in yahoo and I'd like someone to build/request links on the same pages.

I've seen some posts of offshore companies doing directory submissions (actually used one that turned out fine) but I'd like to know if someone has experience with someone doing this type of work. My gut feeling is that a lot of it is asking for the link and playing the odds that some will add you. Finding someone with experience in how to ask, and possibly what to offer I think would be helpful.

Effectiveness? Rate? Referrals?

Thank you,

Brian
scatstroker@hotmail.com

Success is 99% perspiration. It takes time and effort and that is why so many fail. A little patience goes a long way.
First of all to get good links you have to have something somebody or preferrably alot fo people would want to link to. Content that is unique whether it be game guides NOBODY else has or Photoshop tricks and tips. If it is desirable and really hard to find you can get links quite easy. I am starting to strain clients by this. I like to go for the ones who have the ability to offer this type of scenario.

Visio,

I understand "Content is King" and the "build it and they will come mentality," however the simple fact that competitors have 20k+ links for e-stores without content exceeding product listings really surprised me. What was even more shocking for me is that most of them are themed links - I figured a lot of it would be garbage. Another industry related site that isn't a competitor lists 40k+ in yahoo, same scenerio, an e-store without additional content beyond products and descriptions.

While I understand that themed links are really the only links worth getting there's also something to be said about 20,000 of them. I've organically aquired about 2000 links for my website over the last couple years but it's still a drop in the bucket. We're ranked 3rd-10th for most of our keywords but I want a little 'bump.'

I'd like someone to submit to the sites that my competitors have already submitted to - themed links. If I had the time I'd do it myself but its a mundane task and more time consuming than I'm able to provide. I know many people in this industry focus on specific tasks themselves, I'd like to find someone they use to handle this type of task. Automotive related article writing would be nice too while I'm making requests.

If anyone is interested, or has a referral I'm still looking.

Brian