Warturtle

I almost always put something in a cache, and only take things out if I want them. I've taken some fish hooks (in a bag of course), a stuffed animal for my sister, and some other trinkets, but more often than not I TNL something.

Actually, you may be surprised about that. How much is your mortgage payment? To the OP... years ago, when this was all first starting, Jeremy Irish made a public commitment to keep a free version of geocaching, and to date, he has kept that commitment. But that commitment is probably not as altruistic as it may sound. He is a smart businessman who realizes the benefit of free samples when it comes to getting paid customers that want more features and benefits. Besides, I really don't think any business decisions like that will be made in these forums. Zero, but my income isn't exactly large either

What? This would make geocaching less popular. The fact that newbies have a chance to experience geocaching with a free membership before they go spend money. If geocaching was only premium, then newbies would buy the membership only to see they go outta interest. Then they would still have to pay the fee. So I say noooooo. 100% of experienced cachers started their geolife as a basic member. BTW, its been a while since ive seen you post. What if you got a FREE trial membership, for say, 60 or 90 days before you decide if you want to continue and pay or not? I don't think that making it premium would help quality hides so much, as people with money can hide just as crappy as people with out. But, it might help people respect the game more if you have to pay to play it. With the expense of the equipment (GPS or Smart Phone) I'd find it hard to believe someone couldn't afford 30 bucks for the year. I paid the premium membership, and b/c my equipment is so old, I'm not sure that I'm getting that much out of it (like, now downloading to my GPS, I have to print everything I'm going to find) but I feel like I'm supporting the game. I'm currently in High School. You can bet that even with a few months free trial, I wouldn't want to shell out 30 bucks for an online thing. Money means different things to different people, and to a high schooler 30$ means a lot more than to an adult.

Absolutely not. I never would have gotten into this, and I would never have convinced any of the people I already have to join. This is a great thing for lots of people without much money, including young families. Taking geocaching away from that many people would be just terrible.

Please read it before you reply.

Same here, except less for karma, and more for not having to lug it all the way back

For those of you following this thread, here was the response: Maybe I'll make a decoy sprinkler box...

I would obviously make it known in the cache description that you do NOT need to dig to get it.

Oh, ok, I guess I just restocked the cache, then!

a Travel Bug or a GeoCoin? Today I found my first TB, and I traded a magazine for it... is that fair?

I realize that the rules state you cannot bury caches, but what if the cache is buried so it is sticking out and the top of the ammo box is at ground level? This cache would be on my own property, so national forest rules don't apply.

Are there caches on Airplanes? That would be pretty cool...

Honestly, I don't think anything is going to get hurt with a black cat unless you are holding it in your hand and it goes off, or you throw it into a dry field that has been doused in gasoline.

Here's one .. Hard to get much detail in only 75 pixels square! Another with a little border.... Wait ... I'll turn the bird around.... I think it looks better to have the bird looking into the forum ... Thank you very much, I like the background too

I find that my GPS is for some reason very inaccurate with the geocaching option, so instead I write down coordinates and match it with the listing on the GPS.

I've only been caching for about a week, but the two swags that I've gone home with and been really happy about is a Millard Fillmore Prexibux and some Fishing Snells.

Could I have a bird (maybe something like a Black-Breasted Grosbeak of Lazuli Bunting... something native to Utah), holding a GPS OR Ammo Box in it's feet? EDIT: Or it could be landed on a ammo box, that would work too...

It may have been archived before being found, or just never published. Talk to the local reviewer.

I just had a great idea for swag today. It has to be in a pretty big container, but magazines that you have already read work pretty well! They can be $8+ to buy, but become useless once you have already read them, so I put one in the cache I just visited.

Yes, Groundspeak does provide them with a free Premium membership in exchange for their fine services. It appears I have been MISINFORMED!! New excuse: I just don't have the money but wait this information is conflicting, didnt a few other people say Groundspeak could not give them a premium membership as that would be a form of payment and therefore would not make them volunteers? I am one thoroughly confused newb.

After six caches, I've already ripped off skin on branches, and fell into a thistle. Nothing near as bad as broken bones or that copperhead, though!

Yes, Groundspeak does provide them with a free Premium membership in exchange for their fine services. It appears I have been MISINFORMED!! New excuse: I just don't have the money

How can they be volunteers if you pay them a membership? They can't be. You would call them moderators or reviewers.

I vote this most puzzling post of the day. What exactly is confusing about it? And just you think are the platinum members? ...What?

Although I'm new I would like to comment on one of your points. I find it DISGUSTING that the volunteers are not given premium profile! I will now not buy membership because I don't want to support administration that is that unethical. I will continue to geocache, but that is just POOR.