+Team Hemisphere Dancer Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I was given a Geocoin by someone I met through geocaching. The terms of the gift were to put it out into the world and let it travel. So I did. The day after I put it out it was picked up by another cacher and logged it as a find. They have had it now for 3 weeks and I am getting a bit nervous about it dissapearing forever. Looking at the profile of the folks that picked it up I don't beleive that they intend to steal it but may just be sitting on it. How much time should I allow before I contact them and how would I approach them while still being polite about it? Maybe I am just a nervous newbie, but the coin is really cool and would like for it to travel around quite a bit. Quote Link to comment
+AtlantaGal Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Well, I usually send a polite email after about 4 weeks. Sometimes it takes more than one email too. A person was holding one of my TBs for 2 months before they finally set it back out into a cache recently. Quote Link to comment
+Teamhawaii1981 & blueicyrose Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I generally email people after two weeks and say: "Hey how is it going? I am the owner of TB/Coin X. I usually send people an email after they have had my travelers for over two weeks just to make sure they still have the item. No rush, just wanted to make sure it will make its way back to a cache. Thanks, see you on the trails." Quote Link to comment
+The_Proffens Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I generally email people after two weeks and say: "Hey how is it going? I am the owner of TB/Coin X. I usually send people an email after they have had my travelers for over two weeks just to make sure they still have the item. No rush, just wanted to make sure it will make its way back to a cache. Thanks, see you on the trails." Thats a really good way to put it. I know that I was just holding on to a coin for way to long and finally got it back out there yesterday! Sometimes things just happen and people need a polite nudge Quote Link to comment
+Geo Gypsy Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 The last time I responded it was taken way out of context so I will attempt this again. geocaching.com policy is 14 days......if it is that important I do not think sending a friendly remnider is out of context at all...... at least at that point they can acknowlege therere intent...... At that point after another 3-4 weeks email them again and go from there....... Now the sad part of this is that it is a geocoin and the odds are it will wind up missing and you probably will not even know who took it...... Hopefully it has a long life........I like to see geocoins in the field...... Quote Link to comment
+The_Proffens Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 Now the sad part of this is that it is a geocoin and the odds are it will wind up missing and you probably will not even know who took it...... That's a good point and since the user who has it did log the find for the coin you do have a very good chance that it will make it back out there. Good Luck!! Quote Link to comment
+SunshineGang Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I generally email people after two weeks and say: "Hey how is it going? I am the owner of TB/Coin X. I usually send people an email after they have had my travelers for over two weeks just to make sure they still have the item. No rush, just wanted to make sure it will make its way back to a cache. Thanks, see you on the trails." I aggree after two weeks I might send them a polite "how is it going" message such as this one. It never ever pays to be less than curtious. Your message should always assume they have a good reason for not dropping it. If you adgiatate them in any way you are only gonna minimize the chances of your bug getting logged any time soon. Who knows they could log it into a cache online then drop it in the trash can. So even after six months you still want to have the same tone, "hows it going.... just wondering the status of my travel bug........." etc Quote Link to comment
+GeoHills Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 After about a month, I send them an e-mail that says: Thou Shall Not Steal It seems to get the coin moving. Quote Link to comment
+Bluejaytoo Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 How courteous should I be after a year? The only two coins I placed have been MIA that long, and I know one of them was logged as being picked up. Quote Link to comment
ParentsofSAM Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 How courteous should I be after a year? The only two coins I placed have been MIA that long, and I know one of them was logged as being picked up. I would send them an email like GeoHills words it: After about a month, I send them an e-mail that says: Thou Shall Not Steal It seems to get the coin moving. It can't be anymore stolen than a year out of circulation, so you really have nothing to lose if that pisses them off. Quote Link to comment
+Team Hemisphere Dancer Posted February 13, 2006 Author Share Posted February 13, 2006 Thanks for all the Ideas. I'll prolly wait on the "Thou Shall not Steal" line. I was mainly interested in how much time to wait. But I will send out a note to them soon. I had a bad feeling right after I placed it into a cache. Kind of a "buyers remorse." Or should I "coin" the phrase "Coiners Remorse" Quote Link to comment
+GrnXnham Posted February 13, 2006 Share Posted February 13, 2006 I've had MANY TB's kept by other cachers for 2-3 months before releasing them back into the wild so I would let it go for much more than three weeks. Remember that not everyone gets out caching every weekend. The last time I picked up a coin I had it for about a month because I wanted to make sure I put it back into a cache that was "worthy" of a geocoin. Quote Link to comment
+Paul & Ros Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 I would check out the holders GC.com profile and see whether they had been caching again since the day they picked up your coin. Some people only manage a trip every once in a while so it is not unusual for them to hold on to items for a month or so. Others go every weekend so the turnaround should be much faster. I had a TB held up for several months as the holder became ill. If they have logged caches since the pick up them some of the emails above would be in order but bear in mind that they may genuinely be waiting for a suitable cache for your coin rather than leaving it just anywhere. If they have logged the pickup I would imaging it is unlikely they would be blatent enough to keep the coin intentionally. Quote Link to comment
+Team Hemisphere Dancer Posted February 19, 2006 Author Share Posted February 19, 2006 (edited) I was just at a Geocaching event yesterday and met someone who vouched for the folks holding the coin.So I am a little more relaxed about it. So thanks to all of you for helpig out with this question. Edited February 19, 2006 by Team Hemisphere Dancer Quote Link to comment
+ventura_kids Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 We have a cacher "Tommy Trojan" who acknowledges each travel bug at every movement. If you grab one of his 'items', you can expect a thankyou email with a reminder to help move the item on its way promptly. This takes one day. So go ahead and thank.... and remind. Quote Link to comment
+DresselDragons Posted February 19, 2006 Share Posted February 19, 2006 It is still winter, and I've noticed so sharp decline in the movement of our TBs since it got cold. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.