Parking Lots Caches

[+loonyalana]

I was considering placing my first cache- well a micro, in a parking lot. My fiance owns a business there, but, there are other businesses too. Could I just use his permission on parking lot space around his business? Or would I have to talk to the landlords of the entire shopping center? Thanks!

[+El Diablo]

I'm not a laywer, but I would think that his lease gives him rights to the parking lot. However there may be restrictions as to the activities that he is allowed to happen in the parking area.

 

What worries me is all the other parking lot caches that don't have permission from any tennant to place a cache. Parking lots are not public. They are there for patrons.

 

However. Like I said, I'm not a laywer.

 

El Diablo

[huntin_4_cache]

I don't know about anyone else, but if I owned a business, I would encourage things that would draw people in...the closer to my business the better!

[+ganlet]

this is touchy. it all depends to me what the buisness the parking lot is for. i recently found a cache in the back of a banks parking lot. while there is a specific reason for the cache being at that bank i got alot of strange looks geocaching around a bank, no matter how hard i tried to look normal (i didnt take the gps outside of my car just guestimated the distance and direction then pretended like i was on the phone.)

[+Renegade Knight]

Parking areas are places of public accommodation. Any place that accommodates the public is a valid location to consider placing a cache.

 

That does not mean you should.

 

For example the Department of Homeland Security and Abuse of Personal Freedoms would not have much use or desire for a parking lot cache. A Baskin and Robins probably would welcome one.

[+badlands]

Like El Diablo, I'm not a lawyer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

 

If it's it's in a stripmall or something like that I wouldn't worry too much but I'd probably want the local business owners to be aware of it. If the parking lot is for a single business I'd make sure to get permission.

 

Just my opinion.

[+Confucius' Cat]

I don't know about anyone else, but if I owned a business, I would encourage things that would draw people in...the closer to my business the better!

 

My concern, as a business owner (which I am not), would be that the people looking for the cache could be perceived as persons "casing" the place. This applies mainly to business that did NOT give permission or otherwise do not know about the cache. Something to consider if you only get permission from ONE of the businesses.

 

Searching for a cache in a frequently populated public place is ALWAYS suspicious.

 

Parking lot caches are valid and acceptable, but not really a good idea in most cases. They are a frequent source of "run ins" with the law.

 

Personally, I will generally give a parking lot cache about 5 minutes and try not to look like I'm looking for something- and if the coordinates lead to a lamppost, I pretty much write it off. Such caches are fun and clever hides... the FIRST time you find one. After that ho-hum.

[+timk54]

There is a cache inside the local Library. The coordinates take you to the front door and the hint directs you to a certain book near the back of the library where an envelope is hidden. The envelope contains the log. On the outside of the envelope is clearly printed the Geocaching purpose. We really enjoyed hunting for this cache. I'm suprised more business owners dont do something similar to encourage newcomers to their businesses.

Even a parking lot cache draws in business. My team has dined at IHOP, eaten a burger at Carl's, Got a cold coke at a DQ. All after finding a nearby cache.

Hide them and they will come.

[+Confucius' Cat]

I'm suprised more business owners dont do something similar to encourage newcomers to their businesses.

Even a parking lot cache draws in business. My team has dined at IHOP, eaten a burger at Carl's, Got a cold coke at a DQ. All after finding a nearby cache.

Hide them and they will come.

Yes, but placement for this purpose violates guidelines.

Edited April 20, 2006 by Confucius' Cat

[+timk54]

I'm suprised more business owners dont do something similar to encourage newcomers to their businesses.

Even a parking lot cache draws in business. My team has dined at IHOP, eaten a burger at Carl's, Got a cold coke at a DQ. All after finding a nearby cache.

Hide them and they will come.

Yes, but placement for this purpose violates guidelines.

 

You are absolutely correct. Keep it commercial free.

[nobby.nobbs]

i would have thought that car parks are private property that patrons are invited to use while they are shopping... within the usual guidelines, this is how they can clamp your car if you leave it there too long or park and shop elsewhere.

 

so no unrestriccted access given or implied.

 

if in this case the leaseholder has no other restrictions then they should be able to give permission to use the car park for a cache. but i'd check just out of curiosity as i would be suprised if there weren't some rules for the car park.

 

not a lawyer..just thinking that's all.

[+timk54]

i would have thought that car parks are private property that patrons are invited to use while they are shopping... within the usual guidelines, this is how they can clamp your car if you leave it there too long or park and shop elsewhere.

 

so no unrestriccted access given or implied.

 

if in this case the leaseholder has no other restrictions then they should be able to give permission to use the car park for a cache. but i'd check just out of curiosity as i would be suprised if there weren't some rules for the car park.

 

not a lawyer..just thinking that's all.

 

I Think we should stop making an issue here. I would imagine that there are very few caches planted on private property with written consent from the owner. I can almost hear the insurance consultants comment now. "We have a negetive exposure here"

[nobby.nobbs]

see your point but the guidelines say permission must be given and an opinion was aked or so i said what i thought would be usefull.

 

what harm can be done to check? if they turn out to be really anti caching then it's probably to find out before placing and potentially bringing a world a grief down on the partner.

 

just my 5pence worth

[+Adrenalynn]

My new one waiting for listing is on private property, in a parking-lot. Yes, I have written permission from the establishment, and was invited to attend the manager meeting to explain to the managers what was about to happen.

[+sbell111]

see your point but the guidelines say permission must be given and an opinion was aked or so i said what i thought would be usefull.

As much as I would like to see this thread wither and die, that is not what the guidelines state.

[+Team Cotati]

I was considering placing my first cache- well a micro, in a parking lot. My fiance owns a business there, but, there are other businesses too. Could I just use his permission on parking lot space around his business? Or would I have to talk to the landlords of the entire shopping center? Thanks!

 

I doubt that the property owner/manager has authorized the leaseholders to act on his behalf wrt what is allowed/disallowed on his property.

[nobby.nobbs]

see your point but the guidelines say permission must be given and an opinion was aked or so i said what i thought would be usefull.

As much as I would like to see this thread wither and die, that is not what the guidelines state.

 

so how do you interpret "By submitting a cache listing, you assure us that you have adequate permission to hide your cache in the selected location"?

 

not looking for an argument, maybe i misunderstand that phrase. i'm just erring on the side of caution and suggesting that adequate permission be sought first to save unneeded aggravation later.

[+Team Cotati]

see your point but the guidelines say permission must be given and an opinion was aked or so i said what i thought would be usefull.

As much as I would like to see this thread wither and die, that is not what the guidelines state.

 

so how do you interpret "By submitting a cache listing, you assure us that you have adequate permission to hide your cache in the selected location"?

 

not looking for an argument, maybe i misunderstand that phrase. i'm just erring on the side of caution and suggesting that adequate permission be sought first to save unneeded aggravation later.

 

Lawyer happiness.