People Hanging On To Tbs

[+The Seegert Seekers]

We released our first TB (TBN344) 3-19-06. It traveled with one person and was picked up by another on

5-4-06, that's when our TB stopped. It's still in the hands of the same person. We have sent several

e-mails asking for a update on when it would be released but have received no replies . Is there anything else we can do about this, will Geocaching.com do anything about it. I see that the same person that has our TB also has had another for awhile too.

 

Thanks for the input!

[+Team Dubbin]

There is nothing you can do about it.

[Keystone]

Moving from "Geocaching Topics" to "The Travel Bug" forum. In passing, I will note that Geocaching.com doesn't typically get involved in individual travel bug issues unless there is a TOU violation, etc.

 

In the TB forum you will hear some tips on how to deal with your present situation. Best of luck to you and your TB.

[+BlueDeuce]

Sometimes bugs are held for a bit. We don't always know the situation of the current holder, so don't automatically assume the worst for your bug.

 

Personally I don't even begin to concern myself about a bug being held until a good full three months goes by. Then I'll send a nice note asking if they were planning on placing the bug soon or would they like me to take it off their hands.

 

Then if no response, I might follow up with another note once every month or two.

 

Several emails within the first 30 days might be seen as pestering. You don't want to annoy people

 

The best thing to do at this point is to just wait. That cacher will probably get back online here pretty soon.

[+Mary&Dave]

Agreed. It looks like the person who has your bug hasn't been caching in about a month. They're probably hanging onto it until they find a suitable cache.

 

Have patience. Send a nice note if you wish (start by thanking them for moving your bug), but I certainly wouldn't give up hope.

[+Beffums]

I agree with what Blue Deuce and Mary&Dave wrote. Just had one additional thought. You commented that the cacher had not responded to your e-mails. It's also possible that they never got them. Some e-mail systems will take all of the geocaching.com e-mails and dump them into a junk mail folder. So, don't think "oh no, now I've ticked them off and they'll NEVER move my bug - yikes!"

 

If you've already e-mailed them, then at this point, I think the best you can do is wait. If they got the earlier e-mails and ignored them, then another likely won't make a difference. If the earlier e-mails got lost in a junk/spam folder, then this one likely will too. If 2-3 months have passed (i.e, mid-August), and your bug still isn't moving, then you can try searching for other cachers who might personally know them. I would wait a bit on doing that though - give them a chance to move it on their own first.

 

Good Luck!

[honeysuckle]

We released our first TB (TBN344) 3-19-06. It traveled with one person and was picked up by another on

5-4-06, that's when our TB stopped. It's still in the hands of the same person. We have sent several

e-mails asking for a update on when it would be released but have received no replies . Is there anything else we can do about this, will Geocaching.com do anything about it. I see that the same person that has our TB also has had another for awhile too.

 

Thanks for the input!

well this was my first find, I am Honeysuckle, we my famely and I found a cache in St. Louis with a bug that wanted to go to florida we all agreed that he had a good chance to go there by the way of Rhode Island ,because a lot of new Englanders go there, well I took it home, but it rained for almost a week ,then my finder would not work then it rained somemore I got a new one this morning ,after it rained again,and everything was wet, I found the cache in the park in Riverside and send the TB on his way to florida.

I felt really bad holding him hostage for 2 weeks but I had not much chioce, so the question, " how long should one hold on to a bug???? I would say " let him run as soon as you can, maybe if there was a place you can write to, in your state,when you have a problem ,would be good. On the other hand how many times does it happen that one has problem like I did.

" is there a national "helpline"????

I am very new at this too, I am sorry if someone is upset, the bug I found also wanted to go to ALL states. so by coming to R.I. he got one more stop in his journey. Thank you all Honeysuckle

[+BlueDeuce]

well this was my first find, I am Honeysuckle, we my famely and I found a cache in St. Louis with a bug that wanted to go to florida we all agreed that he had a good chance to go there by the way of Rhode Island ,because a lot of new Englanders go there, well I took it home, but it rained for almost a week ,then my finder would not work then it rained somemore I got a new one this morning ,after it rained again,and everything was wet, I found the cache in the park in Riverside and send the TB on his way to florida.

I felt really bad holding him hostage for 2 weeks but I had not much chioce, so the question, " how long should one hold on to a bug???? I would say " let him run as soon as you can, maybe if there was a place you can write to, in your state,when you have a problem ,would be good. On the other hand how many times does it happen that one has problem like I did.

" is there a national "helpline"????

I am very new at this too, I am sorry if someone is upset, the bug I found also wanted to go to ALL states. so by coming to R.I. he got one more stop in his journey. Thank you all Honeysuckle

 

Normally you should try to place a bug into a cache within two weeks. If you can't meet that timeline drop the owner a quick email. I have yet to hear an owner complain about getting status about their bug. Sometimes life gets in the way of caching and it takes a little longer to get back out on the trail. No harm in that. Most owners are cool with the delay as long as they know that their bug hasn't been forgotten.

 

If you truly can't get the bug back in action for a while, contact an active local cacher, or your local caching group for support. Or contact the bug owner for assistance

 

Heck contact me, I'll take any bug you got!

 

One of the best things to do is to give the bug royal treatment. Follow it's goal or just take it somewhere and post stories of it's travels. Post pictures and just have fun with it.

 

I'd rather have my bug held by a cacher for a month posting travel details once a week than have it sitting in a cache waiting to be moved.

[+Bullwinkle]

Well, I released a Travel Bug 3 years ago and he really packed on the miles until the "Eye Guys" got hold of him two years ago and he hasn't moved since.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=14975

 

I sent an email last summer and received a reply saying that they would release him soon....

Earlier this year ( a few months ago) I sent another email and was assured that they would release him soon...

Somehow I don't believe the "Eye Guys" care one little bit.

 

Bullwinkle

(ticked off in New Brunswick)

[+BlueDeuce]

I hear you.

 

Let me hit the flip side. Sometimes people don't do what they should do and they lead us on waiting for them.

 

Honestly, the only advice I can give is to build a buffer. Ultimately there is not much difference between a lost bug and someone admitting to holding it forever.

 

A bug's life a chancy, They are held too long, sit too long, lost, stolen, or forgotten. If you want to enjoy a TB's travel you'll have to except the delays, or release enough that you hear from some within your timelines.