Whose idea was it to split sub categories of Web directories into "paid" and "free" directories? With all the whispers I've heard about Google possible cracking down on paid links it doesn't help to have a bullseye placed on a directory's backside inviting Google to take aim at it. Why not General Directories with free, recipricol, donations, and paid all together? Don't a lot of free directories end up becoming recip or paid directories later in their life any way? Just a thought.
Before this turns into another google banning directories thread, WE ARE NOT SELLING LINKS, WE SELL WEBSITE REVIEWS! and read the full page http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/how-to-report-paid-links/
Absolutely Its just a small fee that you pay to the editor of directory who is Reviewing your site, editing description, adding meta tags and selecting an appropriate category for you. (If you already haven’t done all that correctly) Sometimes just clicking on “Approve†saying … “Yea… You deserve to be listed there†But certainly in any case, he has to check all that stuff. Just my $0.02