Jeep Tb Attrition

November 22, 2005

I ran some numbers last night and found that nearly 2/3 of the Yellow jeeps are out of circulation (defined as more than 90 days with no activity).

The White jeeps are doing a bit better, with 1/3 out of circulation, but they've only been out five months.

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

Logged in the Last 30 Days 513 13% of the Number released

Logged in the Last 90 days 892 36% of the number released

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 607

Logged in the last 30 days 1691 38% of the number released

Logged in the last 90 days 2958 67% of the number released

2.1k · November 22, 2005

We've got a yellow jeep in stock.

I have a trading policy for yellow jeeps. I hold the one I have until another one comes across our cache path. That way the next visitor to the cache still gets a jeep and we get a new one.

I just made a trade last week but prior to that it had been almost one year since the last jeep came to our area. Wonder how long I will be holding the one currently in our posession.

November 23, 2005

I have a YJTB that I picked up in a cache last week. I have dropped it in an upcoming event where I will release it. The last one I found and then put in a cache disappeared.

The one I have now is a sad looking little thing. Its rollbar is crushed, and it has a rubberband holding its windshield on.

November 23, 2005

I have a trading policy for yellow jeeps. I hold the one I have until another one comes across our cache path. ...
I just made a trade last week but prior to that it had been almost one year since the last jeep came to our area.

As stated here:

Geocaching - Travel Bugs - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there any Travel Bug etiquette?

Use the Golden Rule when you find a Travel Bug. Most owners would rather see their travel bugs do a lot of travelling, so try not to hold on to a travel bug for too long. If you plan on holding onto the bug for more than 2 weeks, make sure to send a courtesy email to the owner letting them know.

I understand the email part might not apply,

but I am sure that when Jeep released those Travel Bugs,

they intended them to move about every other week,

with the additional benefit of a contest for GeoCachers

from the United States of America.

November 23, 2005

We've got a yellow jeep in stock.

I have a trading policy for yellow jeeps. I hold the one I have until another one comes across our cache path. That way the next visitor to the cache still gets a jeep and we get a new one.

I just made a trade last week but prior to that it had been almost one year since the last jeep came to our area. Wonder how long I will be holding the one currently in our posession.

Saying that you have a yellow jeep "in stock". Is just like saying "I have some stolen property in stock".

The jeeps are TRAVEL BUGS. Not for you to keep and only release when you get a new one. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you always keep one, this limits the number that other cachers can see.

Do the right thing and let it go.

8.8k · November 23, 2005

Don't hold bugs if you can help it.

Do contact owners if you end up holding one.

Do not make rules for TBs visiting your caches without contacting the owner first. TB's have goals and languishing in a cache wiating for a "RULE" to be followed is not one of them.

February 9, 2006

2/9 Update - The number of active Jeeps drops lower. 4 of 5 Yellow Jeeps and 1 of 2 White Jeeps haven't been active in the past 90 days.

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

Logged in the Last 30 Days 446 11% of the Number released

Logged in the Last 90 days 769 20% of the number released

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 607

Logged in the last 30 days 1191 27% of the number released

Logged in the last 90 days 21535 48% of the number released

February 10, 2006

I'd be curious to know what the ratio of 'disappeared' to 'still active" for regular tb's currently is, to see how it matched up with the jeep statistics. (but that is a task for someone far less afraid of numbers than I am...)

February 10, 2006

At the end of the day, i picked up a normal TB about 2 months ago but as i have not cached anywhere more than 5 miles from the origional location i dont see the point of placing it.

May not be the right thing to do but, i feel distance is more important than time.

February 10, 2006

I ran some numbers on all TB's. From the TB search page, I clicked find on a blank name for owner and found:

139,744 Activated Travel Bugs and Coins

46,120 Have a log within the last month, 33% of the total.

Gathering the stats was tedious as TB's only get displayed 20 at a time. I didn't have time to check how many of the active bugs have never been dropped, or how many are marked missing. By the time I gathered my counts, the number of bugs activated increased by 6.

3.3k · February 10, 2006

At the end of the day, i picked up a normal TB about 2 months ago but as i have not cached anywhere more than 5 miles from the origional location i dont see the point of placing it.

May not be the right thing to do but, i feel distance is more important than time.

If I was the owner, I'd be asking you to drop the TB off. While it is sitting in your possesion, nobody else has a chance to pick it up and move it. And out of town cacher could have visited your area, and taken that TB with him, if it was in a cache.

February 10, 2006

Why is it that people think YJTB are different than other TBs? When I find a TB, I add it to my watch list to see where it goes. I had one YJTB I dropped off and the next person that grabbed it turned it into a personal TB and started dipping it in caches and not releasing it. Oh well.

February 11, 2006

We've got a yellow jeep in stock.

I have a trading policy for yellow jeeps. I hold the one I have until another one comes across our cache path. That way the next visitor to the cache still gets a jeep and we get a new one.

I just made a trade last week but prior to that it had been almost one year since the last jeep came to our area. Wonder how long I will be holding the one currently in our posession.

Too long. It's mighty selfish of you to assume you should be in possession of one at all times.

3.2k · February 12, 2006

I am not much of a travel bug nut... just like to find caches, but today I found a yellow jeep.. or at least I think it is what is being discussed in this thread. A small "matchbox" sized yellow jeep with a 5 digit number under the drivers side running board. Would love to log it, but how? The TB page claims it doesn't exist. Is it possible one of the "never released" ones described here? If so should I claim it as mine and start it on it's way.. or just pass it on as another toy??

PS... realized I can't log it on as mine... it doesn't recognize it at all.. so I guess it is just a yellow jeep trade trinket heading out to confuse someone else :lol:

Edited February 12, 2006 by edscott

February 12, 2006

Yellow Jeeps that I have found or seen do have that typed number on bottom. That number as far as I know does nothing. The ones I have seen have a actual travel bug tag hanging from them. Send Jeep on its way, no way to track it any longer.

February 19, 2006

Why is it that people think YJTB are different than other TBs? When I find a TB, I add it to my watch list to see where it goes. I had one YJTB I dropped off and the next person that grabbed it turned it into a personal TB and started dipping it in caches and not releasing it. Oh well.

Well, I'm a newbie, but seems to me the YJTB's are different. They were released by Jeep as part of a contest in 2004. The contest is over. Do we think someone at Jeep is sitting home watching them all move yet? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

2.4k · February 19, 2006

Why is it that people think YJTB are different than other TBs? When I find a TB, I add it to my watch list to see where it goes. I had one YJTB I dropped off and the next person that grabbed it turned it into a personal TB and started dipping it in caches and not releasing it. Oh well.

Well, I'm a newbie, but seems to me the YJTB's are different. They were released by Jeep as part of a contest in 2004. The contest is over. Do we think someone at Jeep is sitting home watching them all move yet? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If you read the goal any yellow Jeep, you'll notice it says this:

"Move me to another cache so I can meet another geocacher."

Not "Keep me."

6.5k · February 19, 2006

Why is it that people think YJTB are different than other TBs? When I find a TB, I add it to my watch list to see where it goes. I had one YJTB I dropped off and the next person that grabbed it turned it into a personal TB and started dipping it in caches and not releasing it. Oh well.

Well, I'm a newbie, but seems to me the YJTB's are different. They were released by Jeep as part of a contest in 2004. The contest is over. Do we think someone at Jeep is sitting home watching them all move yet? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

So if I find a Tb thats owner hasn't logged in the last couple months Its free game for a me to steal?

They were released with the plan to travel, and thats would they should be doing. If they wanted them kept it was a waste of time and money to get tags for them. How well someone is keeping tabs on them should NOT matter. Maybe I should go see if there are some unlocked cars in the walmart parking lot? <_<

February 19, 2006

My point was, that the contest is over. This may be why so many are disappearing. YJTB's are FROM a contest held in 2004, WJTB's from the 2005 contest. Haven't seen a white yet and I'm unable to find out any more information from how the 2004 contest worked. Can anyone fill me in? Just started this great sport in January, so I have much to learn.

1.1k · February 19, 2006

The contest is over, however the Jeeps continue to advertise for Jeep as long as they continue to circulate, and advertising is why Jeep released them to begin with.

I just wish I could find a white Jeep to buy, I keep finding Jeeps but none that are identical to the TB's. <_<

February 19, 2006

Part of the problem is that jeeps seem to be collectibles, like trackable geocoins. Items that were meant to travel often are taken without being logged, never to reappear. In the jeeps' case, many disappeared during the contest period, most likely ending up on a unethical cacher's personal trophy shelf. Honestly, the real value of these trackables lies in seeing where they go, and when they disappear, that stops cold.

Maybe jeep isn't watching the individual bugs, but I was. That is, until the four yellow and two white jeeps that briefly crossed my path were 'collected'...

1.3k · February 20, 2006

I personally started 9 of the White Jeeps in the world. I know one that is lost in a rock yard called Devil's Marbleyard because the cache was destroyed. I think the other 8 are safe and still traveling. As for my personal TB's I stopped buying and putting them out because I think over half of mine went missing. That is highly annoying. I pick up bugs, and try to help them travel as much as I can while I have them. If they have a goal, I try to help it out.

1.1k · February 20, 2006

While scouting out caches to do on my way home from Florida I saw a cache with a yellow jeep listed. No way is that yellow jeep in the cache I thought to myself. Imagine my surprise when I saw it in the cache. I "groped" it and left it there for someone else to steal :lol:

February 20, 2006

This guy is holding 1 of each. DesertRogues It won't be too long and there won't be any to find.

June 11, 2006

This person is holding 16 White Jeeps! Jeep Hog

It's pathetic in my book. :blink:

June 12, 2006

Bottom line, any item that is or has been deemed a TB is just that, a travel bug! The nature of TB's is to TRAVEL!!!!! If the TB no longer has a mission or goal, send the owner a message asking about a new goal. If there is none or no reply in a reasonable time, give it a short term goal and PUT IT BACK OUT THERE!!! Isn't that what geocaching is all about?!?!?!

2.7k · June 14, 2006

This person is holding 16 White Jeeps! Jeep Hog

It's pathetic in my book.

Maybe he is just waiting until he finds 16 WJTBs in one cache so that he can swap them all at once. :laughing:

1.1k · June 19, 2006

This person is holding 16 White Jeeps! Jeep Hog

It's pathetic in my book.

I just sent GarretJax22 the following message. Maybe everyone do the same.

RELEASE THE JEEPS! They want to see new caches.

8.8k · June 19, 2006

As much as it pains us to see someone holding travel bugs too long, please read the Terms Of Use for the www.geocaching.com site wherein it states:

"You and not Groundspeak, are entirely responsible for all content that you upload, post or otherwise transmit via the Site. You agree not to:

(j) "Stalk," harass, or otherwise harm another Site user. "

And the www.geocaching.com forum guidelines .

Please don't suggest that everyone start harassing someone, no matter how much you want to see the Jeeps back on the road. This could lead to accounts being suspended, or even banned, if it went that far. It's not a good idea.

June 25, 2006

6/25 Update

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

Logged in the Last 30 Days 370 9% of the Number released

Logged in the Last 90 days 678 17% of the number released

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 525

Logged in the last 30 days 905 20% of the number released

Logged in the last 90 days 1570 35% of the number released

June 25, 2006

think about it. Yellow jeeps have been out a year longer than the whites. if you had stats from a year ago for the yellows it would be more accurate. and its not always the geocacher's fault jeeps go missing.

22k · June 25, 2006

think about it. Yellow jeeps have been out a year longer than the whites. if you had stats from a year ago for the yellows it would be more accurate. and its not always the geocacher's fault jeeps go missing.

well maybe, but this this a big factor:

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 525

1.3k · June 25, 2006

think about it. Yellow jeeps have been out a year longer than the whites. if you had stats from a year ago for the yellows it would be more accurate. and its not always the geocacher's fault jeeps go missing.

well maybe, but this this a big factor:

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 525

How do you know that the first person to get them didnt log them?

6.5k · June 26, 2006

6/25 Update

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

Logged in the Last 30 Days 370 9% of the Number released

Logged in the Last 90 days 678 17% of the number released

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 525

Logged in the last 30 days 905 20% of the number released

Logged in the last 90 days 1570 35% of the number released

Thanks for figuring this out, very interestting to look at.

However, I think you might change 'never released' to 'never logged'. Its not like Groundspeak has a thousand yellow jeeps sitting around....

Also, you might note your percentages use the number that were ever 'logged', not the total number :rolleyes: .

June 27, 2006

The contest is over, however the Jeeps continue to advertise for Jeep as long as they continue to circulate, and advertising is why Jeep released them to begin with.

I just wish I could find a white Jeep to buy, I keep finding Jeeps but none that are identical to the TB's.

Check here. I do believe that is the exact toy used for the 2005 contest .... and for less than the cost of a travel bug tag

http://www.gear.jeep.com/item.asp?category...tegorylevel1id=

June 27, 2006

6/25 Update

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

Logged in the Last 30 Days 370 9% of the Number released

Logged in the Last 90 days 678 17% of the number released

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 525

Logged in the last 30 days 905 20% of the number released

Logged in the last 90 days 1570 35% of the number released

Thanks for figuring this out, very interestting to look at.

However, I think you might change 'never released' to 'never logged'. Its not like Groundspeak has a thousand yellow jeeps sitting around....

Also, you might note your percentages use the number that were ever 'logged', not the total number .

Another thing that would be highly relevant is the number of Jeeps that were logged in conjunction with an event as opposed to being found in a real cache. I bet that 2/3rd's of the logs were from events and that the Jeeps weren't out in physical caches to be found. Probably a bunch of the ones that were logged were circulated at Geowoodstock.

June 27, 2006

As much as it pains us to see someone holding travel bugs too long, please read the Terms Of Use for the www.geocaching.com site wherein it states:

"You and not Groundspeak, are entirely responsible for all content that you upload, post or otherwise transmit via the Site. You agree not to:

(j) "Stalk," harass, or otherwise harm another Site user. "

And the www.geocaching.com forum guidelines .

Please don't suggest that everyone start harassing someone, no matter how much you want to see the Jeeps back on the road. This could lead to accounts being suspended, or even banned, if it went that far. It's not a good idea.

I dont see how asking some one to release 16 Jeep TB's would be considered "Stalking, harassing or harming" them. If it was a "Release the jeeps or I'll come hunt you down you worthless scum!" That would be different. Or how about since we are pushing the rules so much, why does Groundspeak not send them an email informing them of the proper use of a Travel Bug? If we must enforce the rules it must be applied to everyone.

22k · June 27, 2006

As much as it pains us to see someone holding travel bugs too long, please read the Terms Of Use for the www.geocaching.com site wherein it states:

"You and not Groundspeak, are entirely responsible for all content that you upload, post or otherwise transmit via the Site. You agree not to:

(j) "Stalk," harass, or otherwise harm another Site user. "

And the www.geocaching.com forum guidelines .

Please don't suggest that everyone start harassing someone, no matter how much you want to see the Jeeps back on the road. This could lead to accounts being suspended, or even banned, if it went that far. It's not a good idea.

I dont see how asking some one to release 16 Jeep TB's would be considered "Stalking, harassing or harming" them. If it was a "Release the jeeps or I'll come hunt you down you worthless scum!" That would be different. Or how about since we are pushing the rules so much, why does Groundspeak not send them an email informing them of the proper use of a Travel Bug? If we must enforce the rules it must be applied to everyone.

This person is holding 16 White Jeeps! Jeep Hog

It's pathetic in my book.

I just sent GarretJax22 the following message. Maybe everyone do the same.

RELEASE THE JEEPS! They want to see new caches.

"Maybe everyone do the same." was what the harassment warning was for.

Bombarding one cacher with emails is a no-no.

Edited to include full quote.

Edited June 27, 2006 by BlueDeuce

July 6, 2006

Just wanted to share a great story about 2 Jeep TB (1 white, 1 yellow) I sucessfully got back in circulation. On ocassion I check on the TB that I move along. I checked on them last evening and found that someone was holding (since April) a Jeep TB I moved. I saw a Jeep on their profile and looked to see how many other ones they were hoarding. I saw they had one of each color in their possession for a long time. I also noted that they had the Geocacher's Creed linked from their profile. I sent and email kindly asking them to remove the Geocacher's Creed or drop the TB since one of the Ideals to Protect Integrity was "Don’t collect traveling items meant to stay in the game. This is tantamount to stealing". I received and email through geocaching.com stating:

"Hey thanks for the heads up. You are so awesome! I dropped the TB's for you and

updated my homepage... you should check it out."

I know this is a family website but if interested check out the homepage for this profile:

http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=ea...07-4a1ac4af5e6c

WARNING WARNING WARNING - YOU MAY GET OFFENDED!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least there are now 2 more Jeeps to try and pick up. That is if they were actually put into the cache.

andGuest

1.4k · July 6, 2006

"Don’t collect traveling items meant to stay in the game. This is tantamount to stealing"

Does the Creed say that ? <_<

My own reaction is simple, whenever I see that geocachers moniker attached to a log or a cache I will view it with great distaste. Players who take and keep the jeeps are the same people who take and keep geocoins, they detract from the game and they destroy the trust of the geocaching community, they seem incapable of comprehending simple theft.

If you see a jeep TB being held captive by someone you are looking at a person who really thinks they have the right to deprive every other geocacher in the world of the opportunity to log that item as the owner intended, they are simply self centered geothieves.

There are many simpletons who think that keeping a jeep TB bestows some glamour, the only thing it bestows is a black mark on their character that every other geocacher in the world can see. These geothiefs should be ashamed to display a link to the Geocacher's Creed.

When you see a jeep TB that is being held captive and the geothief is displaying it at an event, display your scorn. Make sure to request that the jeep geothiefs let the jeeps go.

If everyone goes and looks at the profile you have linked they will see that these jeeps may not be back in play, as distasteful as it seems it appears that they have been kept. I didn't see a link to the Creed though, maybe they have stopped paying lip service to something they do not practice.

July 6, 2006

At least there are now 2 more Jeeps to try and pick up. That is if they were actually put into the cache.

andGuest

Looks like they were put in a cache called the Isle of the Dead - Australian Travel Bug Graveyard in Tasmania. <_<

Edited July 6, 2006 by Vertigoat

6.5k · July 6, 2006

"Don’t collect traveling items meant to stay in the game. This is tantamount to stealing"

Does the Creed say that ?

Sorta, but I think it uses different wording. geocreed.info

...Be Considerate of Others
If you place a traveling item into the game, attach a tag that describes its goal, so that others can help it along. If you pick up a traveling item with a tag describing its goal, move the item toward its goal if possible. Contact the owner if you hold a traveling item for more than a couple of weeks or so.

July 6, 2006

"Don’t collect traveling items meant to stay in the game. This is tantamount to stealing"

Does the Creed say that ?

Sorta, but I think it uses different wording. geocreed.info

...Be Considerate of Others
If you place a traveling item into the game, attach a tag that describes its goal, so that others can help it along. If you pick up a traveling item with a tag describing its goal, move the item toward its goal if possible. Contact the owner if you hold a traveling item for more than a couple of weeks or so.

Look farther down, it says it verbatim.

1.4k · July 6, 2006

it says it verbatim

Imagine that! <_<

I have added notes to both of the jeeps placed into the graveyard.

I wonder if Homer knows he is being discussed in this forum ?

People often underestimate the intelligence of the geocaching community, I never do.

Some actually think a few clicks is all that they need to do to protect their "good name".

These are jeeps that have been taken and kept against the owner's wishes. Dumping them in the graveyard is the 3d equivalent of dousing them with gasoline and torching them just because.

I also consider the dumping of the jeeps a clear admission of understanding. There is apparently nothing wrong with the intellligence trying to cover up the activity, see, geocachers do catch on.

When you see a jeep TB being displayed at an event and you know that it has been taken and is being held captive against the owner's wishes, display your scorn. Make sure to request that the jeep geothiefs let the jeeps go. :unsure:

July 6, 2006

You should have sent them the link for this post:

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=136819

6.5k · July 7, 2006

"Don’t collect traveling items meant to stay in the game. This is tantamount to stealing"

Does the Creed say that ?

Sorta, but I think it uses different wording. geocreed.info

...Be Considerate of Others
If you place a traveling item into the game, attach a tag that describes its goal, so that others can help it along. If you pick up a traveling item with a tag describing its goal, move the item toward its goal if possible. Contact the owner if you hold a traveling item for more than a couple of weeks or so.

Look farther down, it says it verbatim.

:unsure: your right, I missed it. I blam it on being in the 'Integrity of the Game Pieces' section

December 18, 2006

12/17 Update

Yellow Jeeps 5001

Never Released 1061

Logged in the Last 30 Days 370 9% of the Number released

Logged in the Last 90 days 678 17% of the number released

White Jeeps 5000

Never Released 525

Logged in the last 30 days 905 20% of the number released

Logged in the last 90 days 1570 35% of the number released

December 19, 2006

Interesting figures, can you do the same with the green Jeeps?

Zilvervloot.

December 19, 2006

I've been geocaching for several months with a friend and I've found and still have a WJTB and a GJTB, but not a YJTB. Does anyone out there want to trade a yellow one for a green or white one? I've tried to find them at Wal-Mart, but our local store never has any of them.

December 20, 2006

Ha Ha EugeneJeep !!!!!!!!!!!!!

You had me going there for a minute!

Edited December 20, 2006 by FourGremlins

Jeep Tb Attrition

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