A new website based in the Poconos that enables customers to post their listings for free has been launched.

Introduced on Oct. 1,

www.poconobay.com is one of more than 40 websites of different varieties and subjects operated by Matthew Dees, webmaster of Pocono Bay.Dees said he, along with a friend from Mobile, Alabama, developed the website script, which offers auctions, sale items, free items and yard sale listings at no fee.However, Dees, who resides in Palmerton, said the site is being offered to Northeastern Pennsylvania residents only, which encompasses 10 counties.As part of the site, Dees said all listings can be made without a fee, and no percentage of the sale price is taken by Pocono Bay, including eBay type listings.Dees said the website was "designed to support itself on donations and advertising versus eBay, that takes a percentage and charges a listing fee.""Pocono Bay does not "moderate" offers of free items vs. Freecycle, which holds back listings until they can be reviewed by "Mods" who have a first look at everything submitted for free," Dees said. "Pocono Bay listings of free items from members are immediately posted and then reviewed so that everyone has an equal opportunity to obtain the item from the giver."Dees said Pocono Bay intends to be vigilant in monitoring items placed in the "For Sale" section, which he added is different from the auction section.People who have too many complaints will be suspended or banned, he said, while ISP's can be tracked and blocked, and assistance will be forthcoming to authorities that wish to prosecute."In this economy, we both felt that offering such a site was a good way to give back to our respective communities," he said. "Anyone who would like to visit PoconoBay.com, will see that a member need only register to obtain an individual account."All basic listings for any item, with no limit to the amount of items they list, or the price they set, will incur a fee, Dees said. In turn, they keep all the money and that money stays in the local area, he said.