First, this is not eBay, Craigs List, or Freecycle. It is more of a members monitored and "self-controlled" website that will hopefully, not get out of control. This means we are trusting all of you to behave, act appropriately with regard to the rules we have and not abuse this website. We do have the ability
to suspend, or ban members and block ISP's if warnings we may send are not heeded. We also have the ability to check the history of listings from a member. We also depend on other members to notify us of an inappropriate listing, at which time it will be reviewed and action taken will be decided upon by us.
We depend on other members because, unlike the other free site network, there are no Moderators for a listing to be reviewed before publishing. In one respect this prevents some anal retentive Mod from being on a power trip, or becoming a control freak and refusing to list your item, or delaying publication of listings for "cherry picking" the best items for themselves
and friends, which has been a complaint of some group members from the other free site's network. This was set up intentionally, so that there is no possibility of anyone associated with Pocono Bay having an advantage over the general public. That said, our method does leave a door open for abuse by some who may use this site in a way it is not intended. Hopefully, that door will not have to be slammed shut.
Tell us! Should you feel a member has taken a free item for purposes of resale without disclosing their intentions to you, or have actually seen the item being resold, please inform us. We will monitor their activity. Your suspicions may be well founded if they pick up your item
in a car or truck loaded with other items, or you find it displayed at a flea market.
GENERAL RULES
NO ALCOHOL, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, TOBACCO, or other items the state of Pennsylvania or federal law has deemed illegal to possess, sell, or transfer without authority.
Firearms with the exception of those weapons deemed illegal by Pennsylvania or federal law are permitted for listing. It will be the sellers responsibility to ensure the laws of the state of Pennsylvania are followed when conducting the transfer of ownership, specifically, PA Uniform Firearms Act Title 18 Crimes Code 6111.(c).
Solicitations or requests of any kind of a sexual nature will result in an immediate ban. This means no requests or offers of a "personal" massage. This is not someone's "List." If you are a legitimate licensed masseuse please submit your information (including license#) for submission to our business listings. No puritan made this rule, as we love a "happy ending", but if that is the business you are in, you need to sell it on a site that is more suitable (or contact me privately, if you offer free samples).
Attacking anyone, whether due to a deal gone bad on this site, or unrelated topics such as political, religous, racial, etc., will result in a suspension or a ban dependent upon the offence. Repeat offenders will certainly be banned.
If you have a problem about a member notify us, we will request "their side" of the dispute. If a member continuously fails to meet an agreement, or fails to respond to us they will be banned.
Multiple postings of the same item in the same category or multiple categories is not allowed. Posting a listing with multiple items and then creating a listing for each individual item is not allowed. Choose your best category. Post the item(s) once. Warning - suspension - ban.
NO URLS to a website or business names will be included in any Free, Buy, Auction, or Yard Sale listing unless you have purchased some form of advertising with us. Purchase a banner ad or text link for your business HERE.
NO ADVERTISEMENTS for a business will be listed in the Free, Buy, Auction, or Yard Sale listings.
NO LINKS may be inserted in any Free, Buy, Auction, or Yard Sale listing that directs a visitor away from Pocono Bay.
NOTE: The only exception to the above 3 rules is for CHARITABLE organizations that submit a copy of their Charity Tax ID they received from the IRS.
PLEASE MAINTAIN YOUR LISTINGS THROUGH YOUR USER CONTROL PANEL! (Your mother doesn't work here. Please clean up after yourself.)
FREE AREA RULES
Unlike the other free site, we do not hold back your offers or requests for review, so please check it thoroughly before listing it.
Like the other free site, you can not post "Wanted" listings for high value items, such as cars, motorcyles, etc. Allowing such would result in the site being flooded with some ridiculous requests. We are setting a limit of $500(MSRP) in value.
Don't ask for new, unopened, or unused items. If a reply offers you a new item, great! Just don't request it.
Unlike the other free site, you can state the reason you want the item. Without trying to appear cold-hearted though, we only ask you try not to write a novel for the reason. Keep it brief, such as, "My son's bike was stolen. Looking for any color 13" boy's bike."
Unlike the other free site you are not asked to offer an item in order to request an item. Just don't abuse the amount of requests if you aren't offering items, as you may be suspected of reselling.
You may list as many wanted or offered items within a single listing. However, expect responses to be lower and please edit your listing as each item is removed from the list.
Offering to buy an item from a member who lists it for free is not allowed. There are members who will report you because they really are looking to give it away to someone who needs it and can't afford to buy it. You will be warned only once.
Unlike the other free site you are in control of your own listings. There is no need to revise your listing to "Received" or "Taken". Simply delete the listing using your control panel.
Unlike the other free site, we will never accept sponsorship from Waste Management, Inc.
Notice To Flea Marketers: The majority of you buy from yard sales and such for reselling, which is great business smarts. However, there are a few in the business of taking free items to resell them. Don't do it from this site without disclosing your intentions to the giver of the item. If found to be doing so, there is no second chance to remain a member on Pocono Bay. Your supply line will be cut. If the giver of the item has no takers from those who may need the item for their own use, then they will likely get back to you. Simply tell them that should they not get a response, you are willing to pick it up for resale purposes.
BUY & AUCTION AREA RULES
Simple.
Be honest about the item if you are selling.
Complete the sale when made (both parties).
Auction listings should not be ended early. While it is understandable that an item may break, numerous removed auctions are an indication of having a private offer to buy it accepted, or you have sold it elsewhere. This is not fair to others who patiently wait for the auction to complete. If you list an item for auction, please remove it from any other venue of sale (if it is the only one available). Excessive auctions you end early will result in a suspension of your privledges.
If a deal goes bad, inform us. DO NOT post your complaint by creating a listing to post it. We will hear both sides.
Too many complaints about a buyer or seller (or no response to our inquiry) and the member will be banned. This isn't eBay. Bad eggs won't last long.
If you have been scammed, by either a seller, or an advertiser (no product, no service performed, etc.) please inform us immediately. This is not Craig's List. It will not take multiple incidents to remove them and in the case of services not rendered we will assist authorities in prosecution, should they request it.
NOTE:
We recommend buyers use a form of payment that would prevent a loss of money due to a scammer.
That is, if paying by cash, or money order, pick up the item. Other methods such as electronic payments have avenues to report fraud and be refunded. Check with your banking institution regarding their check policy.
We recommend sellers do not mail or turn over possession of an item until cash is in hand (check cleared, money order cashed, electronic payment arriving in your account). If offered a check or M.O. in person you have every right to request I.D. and record the information.
We can not refund money or compensate for items that were not paid for. We are not involved in the payment process, as they are independent service/institutions and not an entity of Pocono Bay. We are also not involved in the transfer of ownership of the items.
YARD SALE RULES
Who needs rules for a yard sale listing?
O.K., maybe one for businesses. Please do not describe your business sales as a Yard Sale, Moving Sale, or other descriptive that tries to hide the fact you are anything other than a business. We understand the costs of advertising are restrictive for many small businesses, but this website was created with us "common folk" in mind.
You are more than welcome to list your items individually in the sales section, following the rules of a non-advertisement listing (no links, no business name).
These rules are subject to change as conditions and activity may warrant. Please review them periodically to stay up to date.
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