It looks like Google may have let text link ads back into the rankings again. For the last year or so the site has been hit with a minus 40 penalty: http://www.seoco.co.uk/blog/2008/06/24/text-link-ads-back-in-google/ What do you think? Has Google given up on the war against paid links? Or has TLA turned over a new leaf?
I will never risk on that if TLA is back or not. As general guide, built links natural and better stick to that.
IMO, you are right. Website which are buying and selling links are on top, i have many examples for the same.