Raiding your own cache.

March 22, 2007

I have noticed that a few local cachers raid their own caches when someone drops coins that they really want to find. I thought things like coins and such were supposed to be for the people that worked hard to come find a cache, not for the owner that already knows the cache location to just swing by and snatch up. Has anyone else noticed cachers doing this? (and or) Do you think that people should be raiding their own caches?

22k · March 22, 2007

Traveling coin and bugs are meant to move and can be moved by anyone, cache owner or otherwise.

March 22, 2007

But that would make sense if the cache is one that is rarely visited and the owner is moving along a trackable that has been trapped there for a long time. The scenario that I am talking about it when the owner rushes out to beat other cachers.

1.4k · March 22, 2007

But that would make sense if the cache is one that is rarely visited and the owner is moving along a trackable that has been trapped there for a long time. The scenario that I am talking about it when the owner rushes out to beat other cachers.

I can see how you might have been a little disappointed in missing the coin you were looking for. Consider the owner of the coin for a moment. As long as the cache owner moves the coin along, does it make a difference to him? No, probably not. That said, I personally would have just discovered it in my cache and left it there. I think coins in your caches are a good thing because they attract traffic. I am one of those who likes for people to find my caches.

March 22, 2007

Once a traveller gets placed in a cache, it's fair game for anyone to pick up and move along. I regularly raid nearby caches I've already found for coins. When I do, however, I try to leave a coin from my inventory in its place so the next cacher still has a coin to find.

March 22, 2007

But that would make sense if the cache is one that is rarely visited and the owner is moving along a trackable that has been trapped there for a long time. The scenario that I am talking about it when the owner rushes out to beat other cachers.

I can see how you might have been a little disappointed in missing the coin you were looking for. Consider the owner of the coin for a moment. As long as the cache owner moves the coin along, does it make a difference to him? No, probably not. That said, I personally would have just discovered it in my cache and left it there. I think coins in your caches are a good thing because they attract traffic. I am one of those who likes for people to find my caches.

Just to clear a few more things up. I wasn't disappointed in missing a coin. I don't trade coins. Don't really care if they even exist or not. I just thought it was odd that local cachers are rushing to their own caches to snag rare coins. I don't see the point in being in such a hurry to find a cache that you yourself put out.

3.9k · March 22, 2007

Traveling coin and bugs are meant to move and can be moved by anyone, cache owner or otherwise.

I agree, and feel that this also applies to trade items, aka swag. When I was visiting Houston, Texas last year, I brought along a couple of imprinted Psycho Urban Cache refrigerator magnets (which are somewhat sought after locally), and placed them in two caches which I found. For at least one of those caches, I mentioned in my online find log that I filed that nite from my hotel room that I had placed the magnet in the cache as a trade item. Early the next morning, the cache owner went out and grabbed the PUC refrigerator magnet from his cache. I was very tickled when I read his log later that day stating that he had done so. He later wrote to me that the magnet will adorn his refrigerator door for a long time to come! To me, this was a wonder, a fun and grace-filled moment, and not something to complain about!

38.2k · March 22, 2007

Unless the owner is taking the coins and keeping them for his collection, I don't see the issue.

March 22, 2007

I guess I was wrong. Geocaching isn't about finding cache that take you to interesting places and find interesting stuff when you get there. It's about getting cool things no matter how you do. Even if it's by waiting for that email to come in that something you want has been put in a cache that not only you know where it is but it is in fact your cache. I guess the responses that I have gotten remind me of why its best to just find cache and not get caught up in whats in them.

8.9k · March 22, 2007

I often go out to get items left in my caches...hey, how else am I to get them if I let them go by??? Wait and hope they get placed somewhere close by??? Usually they are TBs or coins, but....

A cacher left a Christmas present coin in my Cache Across America cache around Christmas, I saw it was in there and RAN out the door to get it!! I left one of my Rockin Roddy's Cachestalkers coin in it's stead! These coins were both unactivated and left as presents!! What, since I am the lowly cache placer, I'm not worthy of getting a present now and then??? I felt even more deserving as I had just finished placing 20 unactivated coins into different caches for "presents" myself!!

March 23, 2007

OK, I'm going to light the flame.....

Just to clear a few more things up. I wasn't disappointed in missing a coin. I don't trade coins. Don't really care if they even exist or not.

If you don't care, than why even start this thread?

I guess I was wrong. Geocaching isn't about finding cache that take you to interesting places and find interesting stuff when you get there. It's about getting cool things no matter how you do.

I have gone to both my caches and caches I've already visited, to grab a TB or coin that I want to move along or just get an icon. I don't do the 'discover' thing.

I can also say that the main reason I go caching is to visit places I would not have gone before and, maybe, see interesting things. I don't think that moving TBs or coins is contradictory to visiting interesting places.

March 23, 2007

I too am guilty of going to my own caches to discover a cool Geocoin or TB. I don’t take any (have not found any un-registered ones yet, those I might be tempted to take) but I also have been known to go to my own caches to drop off TB’s and coins that I’ve brought in to the area from somewhere else. I’ve hit most of the local caches so I might as well drop ‘em off in my own if I don’t have plans to go geocaching with in the next few days. Got to keep those trackables moving.

1.3k · March 23, 2007

I guess I was wrong. Geocaching isn't about finding cache that take you to interesting places and find interesting stuff when you get there. It's about getting cool things no matter how you do. Even if it's by waiting for that email to come in that something you want has been put in a cache that not only you know where it is but it is in fact your cache. I guess the responses that I have gotten remind me of why its best to just find cache and not get caught up in whats in them.

It's about both.

Vinny and Sue Team said it best. Think about it from the perspective of the TB or coin owner, or the person who left a unique item behind in a cache. They are probably thrilled that the owner was interested enough to make a trip to pick up the item in question.

In addition, I have had people return to one of my caches to retrieve TBs after they had already found it. Were they wrong? I didn't think twice about it.

Besides, even though the owner knows where the cache is, there is nothing stopping other cachers from going out to to find it. Realistically, in most cases, it only gives the owner a slight advantage. I have found most of my caches in five minutes or less.

18.9k · March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

It's not bait if the owner rushes out smae day coin is dropped. And WHERE IS THE SPORT? Where is the sport in finding your own cache!

18.9k · March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

It's not bait if the owner rushes out smae day coin is dropped. And WHERE IS THE SPORT? Where is the sport in finding your own cache!

There is none - the issue is not the sport of it or the fun - the issue is the trackable item's owner and the desire to meet it's goals and keep moving. All of that outweighs the "reward" aspect you cited earlier.

1.4k · March 23, 2007

I guess I was wrong. Geocaching isn't about finding cache that take you to interesting places and find interesting stuff when you get there. It's about getting cool things no matter how you do. Even if it's by waiting for that email to come in that something you want has been put in a cache that not only you know where it is but it is in fact your cache. I guess the responses that I have gotten remind me of why its best to just find cache and not get caught up in whats in them.

One thing to remember (and you will be constantly reminded of it in these forums if you forget) is that there's a lot of ways to play the game and a lot of ways to get enjoyment from it. There's no right or wrong in any of it. I think you have the right attitude about not having large expectations for the contents of caches.

March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

It's not bait if the owner rushes out smae day coin is dropped. And WHERE IS THE SPORT? Where is the sport in finding your own cache!

There is none - the issue is not the sport of it or the fun - the issue is the trackable item's owner and the desire to meet it's goals and keep moving. All of that outweighs the "reward" aspect you cited earlier.

But the next cacher to search out and find that cache is just as capable of carrying out the item's owners wishes. I don't see why the owner of the cache needs to be the person to move it unless the cache is not being found and the owner of the cache wants to help the item along.

1.4k · March 23, 2007

OP don't take this the wrong way but after 1100+ finds, have you not figured things out yet? I look at it this way, the cache is mine including everything that is in the cache and if I want to go and grab a coin, TB, special signature item (if I want it) I will go and get it.

First come first serve just like FTF's hmmmm should I wait for someone else to find it before I do?

1.3k · March 23, 2007

<snip>

I don't see why the owner of the cache needs to be the person to move it unless the cache is not being found and the owner of the cache wants to help the item along.

If you've read the responses and still don't get it, then you probably never will. That's okay. You don't have to agree. We all have our own perspective. Happy caching!

1.1k · March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

It's not bait if the owner rushes out smae day coin is dropped. And WHERE IS THE SPORT? Where is the sport in finding your own cache!

It's not about "finding your own cache", they do it because they want to "find" the coin or bug that's IN the cache. If someone drops a rare coin in my cache you can bet I'll log it, although I personally would leave it in my cache afterwards for someone else to move withing a resonable period of time.

March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

It's not bait if the owner rushes out smae day coin is dropped. And WHERE IS THE SPORT? Where is the sport in finding your own cache!

It's not about "finding your own cache", they do it because they want to "find" the coin or bug that's IN the cache. If someone drops a rare coin in my cache you can bet I'll log it, although I personally would leave it in my cache afterwards for someone else to move withing a resonable period of time.

And I don't see anything odd about that. Its when the owner rushes out and takes what they find. They don't give others a chance to even see it. I know it's not about finding your own cache, duh, but if you hid the cache then you know where it's at and there is no sport in beating someone else to grabbing the coin.

March 23, 2007

OK, so the owner sees that a certain item is in his/her cache. The owner got this information either from an email or by looking at the GC site. Once that log is posted, anyone can see that that item is there. So, anyone, including the owner, can rush over there and grab the item.

Just like a FTF, the fastest person gets it.

March 23, 2007

Plenty of people retrieve trackables from caches they have already visited, , there is no "find" there but I don't see any problem with it. An owner grabbing an item is the same thing and no problem.

March 23, 2007

OK, so the owner sees that a certain item is in his/her cache. The owner got this information either from an email or by looking at the GC site. Once that log is posted, anyone can see that that item is there. So, anyone, including the owner, can rush over there and grab the item.

Just like a FTF, the fastest person gets it.

Well since they are an owner they automatically get an email. The only others that would get an email are those watching it. Since rare coins get dropped typically in random caches other cachers would have to be watching all caches to no when a coin has been dropped. And when a person is FTF they typically don't know where the cache is since that would be the SPORT IN IT! The owner on the other hand knows where the cache is so they just walk up and snatch the coin. If it was like being FTF then think about the owner of the cache logging a find before anyone else because they found it when they hid it. Now that I think about it that's a pretty good analogy so thanks for bringing that up!

22k · March 23, 2007

But that would make sense if the cache is one that is rarely visited and the owner is moving along a trackable that has been trapped there for a long time. The scenario that I am talking about it when the owner rushes out to beat other cachers.

My bugs are meant to move not sit waiting until someone gets around to their fair share. If I have to choose who moves my bug I pick the first person who can help it. The fact that 'some other' cacher didn't get to move it really doesn't concern me.

March 23, 2007

I think I see what the OP is getting at. Rather than running out and snatching the coin or bug he would like the owner to wait for a couple weeks before moving them along, thereby giving other visitors the chance to go grab it themselves. Makes sense to me, but I really don't see a problem with owners moving the coin anytime they feel like it. That's what trackables are for.. moving.

1.1k · March 23, 2007

I see little difference between re-visiting my cache or another that I found before. The goal is to keep a trackable going and moving - not to use them as "bait" for addtional visits.

It's not bait if the owner rushes out smae day coin is dropped. And WHERE IS THE SPORT? Where is the sport in finding your own cache!

It's not about "finding your own cache", they do it because they want to "find" the coin or bug that's IN the cache. If someone drops a rare coin in my cache you can bet I'll log it, although I personally would leave it in my cache afterwards for someone else to move withing a resonable period of time.

And I don't see anything odd about that. Its when the owner rushes out and takes what they find. They don't give others a chance to even see it. I know it's not about finding your own cache, duh, but if you hid the cache then you know where it's at and there is no sport in beating someone else to grabbing the coin.

I personally agree with you in theory, but since they do own the cache and tere are no stipulations or guidelines frowning on the practice it falls to peer pressure. If people start refusing to place coins in caches hidden by these people they may change, if they don't there is nothing else you can do.

March 23, 2007

I have caches that are ten miles from my house. Since it is all urban driving, it's at least 30 minutes to get there and more to walk to the cache.

So, let's say that I'm constantly watching my email for people to visit my caches. It still takes me 30+ minutes to get there to grab that item. If, at the same time, I see that email, another cacher that lives one mile from the cache, sees the post for that special item, who will get there first?

I don't constantly watch my email. So, in the real world, anyone can get there first.

1.4k · March 23, 2007

try this - geocoin home If you go to the home page and select trackable items (left side) then click on "geocoin home" it takes you to a nice page that shows all the geocoins that are close to home.

You can search for TB's from the geocaching maps page and select only travel bugs & then click on the map page again.

22k · March 23, 2007

try this - geocoin home If you go to the home page and select trackable items (left side) then click on "geocoin home" it takes you to a nice page that shows all the geocoins that are close to home.

You can search for TB's from the geocaching maps page and select only travel bugs & then click on the map page again.

Sweet, I never noticed that.

If you'll excuse me, I need to dash out to one of my caches.

1.4k · March 23, 2007

try this - geocoin home If you go to the home page and select trackable items (left side) then click on "geocoin home" it takes you to a nice page that shows all the geocoins that are close to home.

You can search for TB's from the geocaching maps page and select only travel bugs & then click on the map page again.

Sweet, I never noticed that.

If you'll excuse me, I need to dash out to one of my caches.

I never noticed that either. Can anyone tell me how to use to track coins in my hometown? I can move the map around but once I do there's no coins.

March 23, 2007

I'm with the OP on this one. I don't expect I'll run out to my caches to grab things I want ... just doesn't seem right. I place my caches for the enjoyment of others, what fun is that if I'm going to go out and nab all the good stuff. I can wait until good stuff turns up in a cache I want to hunt. To each their own I suppose, but it seems a bit shady.

Chris

March 23, 2007

I have noticed that a few local cachers raid their own caches when someone drops coins that they really want to find. I thought things like coins and such were supposed to be for the people that worked hard to come find a cache, not for the owner that already knows the cache location to just swing by and snatch up. Has anyone else noticed cachers doing this? (and or) Do you think that people should be raiding their own caches?

As said, TB and coins got to move regardless of whom moves it.

Besides cache owner worked harder to set the cache than the finder isn't ?

And the fact that someone finds a cache does not entitle him to any kind of "price" ! I feel that this is why some people tends to take items of higher value than the one they put in the cache. See an other thread regarding this.

The reward of geocaching is the fun we gain from it, be it a finder or a cacher. It isn't a lottery.

Edited March 23, 2007 by Suscrofa

March 23, 2007

I never noticed that either. Can anyone tell me how to use to track coins in my hometown? I can move the map around but once I do there's no coins.

Go to the "My Account" page, then click on "Update Home Coordinates".

8.9k · March 23, 2007

So....if we as hiders are not allowed to go after items in our caches, should we just stop hiding so it won't seem innapropriate?? We should somehow be penalized for all our hard work at hiding?? Maybe our hard work isn't the same as your hard work of...what??? Going onto the computer, entering coords and then taking a pleasant walk in a park??? (my situation, others are different of course).

Maybe it would be a bit "shady" if, after going after an item (in my case an unactivated coin), I didn't leave an item of equal value...I did! I also often leave MANY more items when visiting a cache than what I take (usually not much if anything)...ANY CACHE! For anyone to say it isn't right to do this...well, you're opinion!

You must not be a TB hunter!!

March 23, 2007

Easy there Roddy! To paraphrase, I said "I won't ... to each their own"

I think your ? key is sticking.

Chris

March 23, 2007

So....if we as hiders are not allowed to go after items in our caches, should we just stop hiding so it won't seem innapropriate?? We should somehow be penalized for all our hard work at hiding?? Maybe our hard work isn't the same as your hard work of...what??? Going onto the computer, entering coords and then taking a pleasant walk in a park??? (my situation, others are different of course).

Maybe it would be a bit "shady" if, after going after an item (in my case an unactivated coin), I didn't leave an item of equal value...I did! I also often leave MANY more items when visiting a cache than what I take (usually not much if anything)...ANY CACHE! For anyone to say it isn't right to do this...well, you're opinion!

You must not be a TB hunter!!

Your right I'm not a "TB Hunter!!!" I mentioned that earlier that I never even trade anything when finding a cache. My only point to this posting was there is little sport in rushing out to beat others to items that you want in your own cache. If you disagree that fine, I also agree with the statements about there are many ways to enjoy Geocaching. SO, if your having fun then more power to you. I just didn't know why owners of caches were doing that.

March 23, 2007

As the owner of a cache, your only responsibility to a cache is to ensure that it's hidden well enough to stay hidden and not intruding on someone else's property illegally. After that, it's really what you feel.

I remember on my first cache feeling the similar way, so I swapped a TB for one I took, only to have the next cacher run off with it for a few months without a log. In my point of view, if you can move a coin or bug along in an assured manner, who cares if you own the cache?

8.9k · March 23, 2007

I know Muddy, but then you add the "a bit shady" comment....I may leave a big shadow, but I'm far from shady!

What "sport" do you see me taking out of this sport?? My heart was pumping faster than any FTF I had been out to find. Imagine: I awaken, fire up the computer and low and behold...a coin in one of my caches! WOW...one I wanted too!! I jump up, head reeling..."I didn't get this email last night when it was logged, I sure hope it's still there!!".

Imagine my frantic attempt at getting dressed and such, my rushing out the door in the snow and sleet to get out there ASAP, hoping one of those watching the listing (or another cacher in the area) didn't already beat me to it! Lack of sport??? Anyone could have beat me to that coin, I was lucky enough to get there first!! There were three other cachers that visited after me.

March 23, 2007

I know Muddy, but then you add the "a bit shady" comment....I may leave a big shadow, but I'm far from shady!

What "sport" do you see me taking out of this sport?? My heart was pumping faster than any FTF I had been out to find. Imagine: I awaken, fire up the computer and low and behold...a coin in one of my caches! WOW...one I wanted too!! I jump up, head reeling..."I didn't get this email last night when it was logged, I sure hope it's still there!!".

Imagine my frantic attempt at getting dressed and such, my rushing out the door in the snow and sleet to get out there ASAP, hoping one of those watching the listing (or another cacher in the area) didn't already beat me to it! Lack of sport??? Anyone could have beat me to that coin, I was lucky enough to get there first!! There were three other cachers that visited after me.

If you really want the coin and are worried that the owner is going to grab it, wait around until they show up and reveal the cache, and then jump them! For an additional bit of sport, rehide the cache somewhere else and leave their car keys in there...

22k · March 23, 2007

Imagine my frantic attempt at getting dressed and such, my rushing out the door in the snow and sleet to get out there ASAP, hoping one of those watching the listing (or another cacher in the area) didn't already beat me to it! Lack of sport??? Anyone could have beat me to that coin, I was lucky enough to get there first!! There were three other cachers that visited after me.

Great, now I have this cartoon image of you scrambling around your house, throwing too hot coffee down your throat (steam shooting out your ears of course), your car sliding down the wrong street as you over-shoot the corner, not lifting the latch on the cache so you strain to pull it open in your rush.

Very entertaining. :anitongue:

March 23, 2007

Imagine my frantic attempt at getting dressed and such, my rushing out the door in the snow and sleet to get out there ASAP, hoping one of those watching the listing (or another cacher in the area) didn't already beat me to it! Lack of sport??? Anyone could have beat me to that coin, I was lucky enough to get there first!! There were three other cachers that visited after me.

Great, now I have this cartoon image of you scrambling around your house, throwing too hot coffee down your throat (steam shooting out your ears of course), your car sliding down the wrong street as you over-shoot the corner, not lifting the latch on the cache so you strain to pull it open in your rush.

Very entertaining.

Add to that a muggled cache, and we have ourselves a winner :anitongue:

1.4k · March 23, 2007

I think if a cache owner sometimes places coins and TB's in his or her own caches, then it is OK to sometimes take others out and move them. Otherwise, unless they've been "trapped" in there for months or more, doesn't seem right......

20.7k · March 23, 2007

Well, the cache certainly belongs to the cache owner. He can remove it completely at any time, so certainly he is free to remove or add any individual items at any time.

March 23, 2007

Well, the cache certainly belongs to the cache owner. He can remove it completely at any time, so certainly he is free to remove or add any individual items at any time.

I guess that's another difference in views that I have. The way I see it that the cache that I have placed belong to those that find it. I am just the caretaker of the cache. When it needs maintenance I am there to fix it, but other than that it belongs to the visitors.

20.7k · March 23, 2007

Well, the cache certainly belongs to the cache owner. He can remove it completely at any time, so certainly he is free to remove or add any individual items at any time.
I guess that's another difference in views that I have. The way I see it that the cache that I have placed belong to those that find it. I am just the caretaker of the cache. When it needs maintenance I am there to fix it, but other than that it belongs to the visitors.

That's the exact argument that cache thieves use. Edited March 23, 2007 by sbell111

1.1k · March 23, 2007

I know Muddy, but then you add the "a bit shady" comment....I may leave a big shadow, but I'm far from shady!

What "sport" do you see me taking out of this sport?? My heart was pumping faster than any FTF I had been out to find. Imagine: I awaken, fire up the computer and low and behold...a coin in one of my caches! WOW...one I wanted too!! I jump up, head reeling..."I didn't get this email last night when it was logged, I sure hope it's still there!!".

Imagine my frantic attempt at getting dressed and such, my rushing out the door in the snow and sleet to get out there ASAP, hoping one of those watching the listing (or another cacher in the area) didn't already beat me to it! Lack of sport??? Anyone could have beat me to that coin, I was lucky enough to get there first!! There were three other cachers that visited after me.

If you really want the coin and are worried that the owner is going to grab it, wait around until they show up and reveal the cache, and then jump them! For an additional bit of sport, rehide the cache somewhere else and leave their car keys in there...

That won't work against me, my super protective dog would spot you long before you could jump me. :huh:

March 23, 2007

Well I'm certainly not a cache theft. I'm not entirely sure what that is, but it sounds awfully dreadful, and I can assure you I am not. My point was simply that I put out caches for the enjoyment of fellow geocachers, not for as much mine. I really don't like how people on this forum like to twist your words around. I'm not try to tell people that the can't do something. I'm not saying you can't do whatever you want with YOUR cache. I was just curious as to how others felt about people raiding their own caches. So state your opinion but please don't tell me that mine is wrong.

1.1k · March 23, 2007

Well, the cache certainly belongs to the cache owner. He can remove it completely at any time, so certainly he is free to remove or add any individual items at any time.
I guess that's another difference in views that I have. The way I see it that the cache that I have placed belong to those that find it. I am just the caretaker of the cache. When it needs maintenance I am there to fix it, but other than that it belongs to the visitors.
That's the exact argument that cache thieves use.

Exactly right. I bought the containers I used, I bought the SWAG and the log book, I placed it for others to FIND, they're still mine though, and I could pull them and keep everything in them, except trackables, and be well withing my rights as cache owner.

Raiding your own cache.

Recommended Posts

Join the conversation