Business Cards In Caches

[+TetrAmigos]

We've been caching for over 2 years now, though we havn't cached steadily for some time (new kid, inujury, etc. etc.). We recently got back out caching again, much to our relief. Last evening we visited this cache here: Why Em See Aye (GCGG24)

 

It was a great cache, with lots of little knick-knacks packed into a flat AOL case (infamous for soaking their contents). Everything was dry, and amongst the contents was a Real Estate agent's business card. I was under the impression that "advertising" (and yes, this card was very much an advertisement) in caches was forbidden. I was tempted to remove the card and mail it back to it's owner, when I realized that the owner was a Florida resident. Clearly being in a California cache, this person was most likely not advertising just pointing out that he'd hit a CA cache from Florida.

 

What's the rule of thumb to govern this sort of scenario?

[+BlueDeuce]

What's the rule of thumb to govern this sort of scenario?

 

This is what I do when I find 'questionable' items in a cache - Trade even, Trade up or Don't trade at all.

[+Renegade Knight]

You can leave your biz card as your way of saying you visited the cache. I use mine for notes, as biz cards, book markers, door jamming devices, and an entire assortment of things. If you actually carry them they are just handy.

 

The cache itself can't be a soliciation for business. A cache named "Come use Fly By Night Real Estate" where you have to "Just call us at 555-1234 and after you sit through our seminar you will be given the coordinates". to find it... Breaks the rule.

[FlagFinder]

theres a lot of well what you call advertising in caches you know pens paper for logs magnets bumper stickers caribiners and much more so i dont think its against the rules but certainly i would not trade somthing for a lil piece of paper unless it was offering somthing for free.

[+BlueDeuce]

i would not trade somthing for a lil piece of paper unless it was offering somthing for free.

 

That's the trade even part. You'll have to judge it's worth yourself.

Edited January 7, 2007 by BlueDeuce

[+gof1]

Seems to me that these items are meant to say "This is me and I was here."

I don't think it is meant to be a "Come buy a house from me." kind of item.

I don't take it to seriously.

[+TetrAmigos]

That's a good point. Out here, the caches are very kid friendly so we tend to take nothing, and usually leave a Trace Amigos signature Peso.

 

Ok, so business cards are OK? That's really good to hear. It's a neat way to cache when you are out of town, that's for sure. More than anything, I was intrigued to see a Floridian caching in Thousand Oaks -- but between you and I (and anyone else on these forums) I wouldn't put a card with my picture on it in a cache!

[+BlueDeuce]

Ok, so business cards are OK?

 

Well, they're not - not OK. I think if you are going to leave something about yourself put a little more effort than just your company provided business card. Make your own, put your username on it at least, make it a collectible for somebody.

[+TetrAmigos]

Naturally, but alas that's only a suggestion and the few that I've seen are just plain ole' business cards.

 

I did see one about 2 years ago that listed the owner as a certified "Beer Consumption Specialist". Now THAT'S funny.

[+BlueDeuce]

[+The Leprechauns]

The relevant guideline is Cache Contents:

 

Use your common sense in most cases. Explosives, fireworks, ammo, lighters, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs, alcohol or other illicit material shouldn't be placed in a cache. As always respect the local laws. Geocaching is a family activity and cache contents should be suitable for all ages.

 

Food items are ALWAYS a BAD IDEA. Animals have better noses than humans, and in some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because food items (or items that smell like food) are in the cache. Even the presence of mint flavored dental floss has led to destruction of one cache.

 

Was the business card edible, explosive, inflammable, very sharp, covered with cocaine residue, or soaked with whiskey? If so, then we've got a problem.

 

Now, CACHES cannot be commercial in nature. If a real estate agent placed a container in the parking lot behind their office, with contents consisting of business cards and trinkets with the agency's logo, that would be a listing guidelines violation.

[FlagFinder]

Naturally, but alas that's only a suggestion and the few that I've seen are just plain ole' business cards.

 

I did see one about 2 years ago that listed the owner as a certified "Beer Consumption Specialist". Now THAT'S funny.

this whole forum reminds me of that eposode of scrubs last thursday where the janitor goes around giving people business cards that list various jobs

[+Woodbutcher68]

I've got business cards from my woodcraft business and cards from my "Real" job. I'd use them if the log was damaged or missing.

I found one in a cache today from a police officer.

[Aushiker]

Ok, so business cards are OK?

 

G'day

 

I don't know if this happens much on your side of the ditch, but way out here in the West a lot of cachers have made up their own geocaching "business cards" which they generally laminate. They would be considered signature item but in the form of business card which they leave in caches that they have found.

 

Regards

Andrew

[+Renegade Knight]

.... we tend to take nothing, and usually leave a Trace Amigos signature Peso.

 

Ok, so business cards are OK? ...

 

That coin is good swag. As for the Biz card they are 'ok' but not what I would call exciting. Now a geocaching signature card is something cool.

[+TetrAmigos]

I agree.

[dlsknight]

Thought it was wierd myself when I opened my first cache with a few business cards inside. One even had the fellows picture and was a business card. Also stumbled on one that had a company ID badge in it, hmmm

 

I do think making up your own Geocaching cards would be kewl. Will have to send some ideas over to my lil brother and see what he can come up for me. If I can talk him into it will post it here. Will have to start carrying around with me the mini ziplocks and just start placing the ones I find inside to keep them dry.

[+TexasGringo]

I have business cards made for GeoCaching.

 

They say "Guru4Hire - Geocacher" and "Dallas, Texas".

[+Bill & Tammy]

I suppose the only issue I have with leaving a business card in a cache is that unless they are a collectable signature item they tend to remain in caches forever collecting moisture, grunge etc. until they deteriorate to a point that they should be thrown out. Of course if they are laminated or made of a durable material this shouldn't be a concern.

[+TetrAmigos]

I suppose the only issue I have with leaving a business card in a cache is that unless they are a collectable signature item they tend to remain in caches forever collecting moisture, grunge etc. until they deteriorate to a point that they should be thrown out.

 

Exactly!

 

P.S. to the Others: And for the record, this topic is regarding business cards that are actually business cards and not personal item cards.

[Grawp]

Have to agree with the business card scenario. We were caching yesterday and found business cards in three caches. The containers weren't entirely waterproof, casing the cards to become a tangled mess of papier-mache in the bottom of the box.

 

Added to that - one of the cards was ink-jey printed, the ink had run and caused staining as well. Yeuch!!!

 

We made up a simple, laminated card, printed in colour, with our nickname and an "African" image on the front. The rear has a "Grawp was here, thanks for the cache" and a photograph of an African animal (evrything from elephants to dung-beetles).

They have proved to be popular with finders as we are forever being asked for more.

 

The cost was minimal. We printed the cards ourselves, laminated by a print-shop. They are a bit larger than a standard business card - no advertising - just a simple "we were here" presence in the cache.

Edited January 8, 2007 by Grawp