Here's an interesting article about how Google treats paid links:

Does Google Frown On Links From Paid Directories?

Some important factors are:

1. Does the web directory reject URLs? Getting links on the link farm / free-for-all sites can hurt your ranking quite a bit. You should make sure that the site for directory just doesn't accept all website submissions.
2. What is the quality of the sites listed in the directory? You should find directories that specialize on a topic that's related to your website.
3. What is the purpose of the fee that they charge? You want a directory that does evaluate what content is put into their website directory.

So Google does not frown on links from paid directories as long as those directories are legit and the amount paid goes toward a real review of ths site and not just for a place to get listed to increase ranking (like a link farm).