Little Quest - One Down

[+Foinavon]

I have been away for a week when I logged on again this morning I was rather suprised to see that "Michael" had archived my LQ-Cheshire cache. What a shame, it was a good one and people seemed to like it. One of the rangers had signed the log so the owners were at one stage happy about it. I am not going to query/complain about the decision itself but it was rather sudden, and who exactly is "Michael", is he a reviewer or a specialist archiver? It would be nice to have at least some communication telling me what the problem was.

[Deceangi]

From the Archive Log, it would appear that Groundspeak have been contacted by the Landowner to request that the container be removed. As it was placed without their permission, in all such cases it is the policy of Groundspeak to Archive the cache.

 

As for

 

and who exactly is "Michael", is he a reviewer or a specialist archiver?

 

Michael is employed by Groundspeak as a Community Relations Specialist, as such he is generally the person who deals with such complaints.

[+dino-irl]

Michael is a Groundspeak Lackey (employee) which is on his profile page. It says on his log why it's been archived but it may be worth contacting him via his profile to see who complained and why. It could be a mistake?

[+Pharisee]

Is the cache still in place and if not, what has happened to the two 'travellers' that are listed as being in residence? I have an interest in one of them.

[+Foinavon]

Is the cache still in place and if not, what has happened to the two 'travellers' that are listed as being in residence? I have an interest in one of them.

 

I don't know if its actually still there or not. The landowners ask that the cache be removed but its the listing that gets removed not the actual cache so really the landowners request is not met! I presume it's the Thelwall Eyes nature reserve. I hold my hand up here , I did not know it was on their land. The reason for this is that this nature reserve is behind a large fence with several locked gates. You have to approach them to get permission to even get in. I certainly didn't place it behind any locked gates. I assumed their boundary ended with the fence. I do usually make a habit of obtaining adequate permissons for my caches and have approached several landowners in the past.

[+pklong]

Oh dear. Are you going to be able to put a new one out / relocate it soon, so that the Little Quest doesn't remain incomplete for too long?

[+dino-irl]

Is the cache still in place and if not, what has happened to the two 'travellers' that are listed as being in residence? I have an interest in one of them.

 

I don't know if its actually still there or not. The landowners ask that the cache be removed but its the listing that gets removed not the actual cache so really the landowners request is not met! I presume it's the Thelwall Eyes nature reserve. I hold my hand up here , I did not know it was on their land. The reason for this is that this nature reserve is behind a large fence with several locked gates. You have to approach them to get permission to even get in. I certainly didn't place it behind any locked gates. I assumed their boundary ended with the fence. I do usually make a habit of obtaining adequate permissons for my caches and have approached several landowners in the past.

It would be good PR for you to make contact with the landowner and explain why the cache was placed there, especially if you can show that you normally make a habit of doing things properly. At the very least it'll make them slightly better disposed towards geocaching but you never know you may even get the chance to replace the cache with their permission

 

Sounds to me like they've removed the container and contents as that's probably how they got an email address to contact Groundspeak.

[+Delta68]

Sounds to me like they've removed the container and contents as that's probably how they got an email address to contact Groundspeak.

 

Sounds like a good reason for any cache setter to put their own contact details most prominently on/in a cache so that any queries can be raised with the setter first rather than going straight to the head honcho

[markandlynn]

Sounds to me like they've removed the container and contents as that's probably how they got an email address to contact Groundspeak.

 

Sounds like a good reason for any cache setter to put their own contact details most prominently on/in a cache so that any queries can be raised with the setter first rather than going straight to the head honcho

 

Or the gagb contact numbers and email addy.

 

 

Committee email:

 

You can contact the committee at the following address:

 

gagbcommittee at gagb dot org dot uk

 

By Phone:

 

GAGB has set up a phone message service on 07092 040 416. This can be used to contact the GAGB committee.

 

In addition, any UK cacher is welcome to display the above number on their caches. Any messages we receive concerning a cache will be forwarded to the cache owner via the relevant cache listing site (eg www.geocaching.com).

 

Calls are charged at 37.5 pence per minute (ppm) at peak times, 25 ppm evenings and 12.5 ppm weekends.

 

http://www.gagb.org.uk/misc/contact.php

[+PopUpPirate]

Church caches are the easiest to get permission for... just say a little prayer

 

Sorry it's gone Paul - I think the reaction has been far too hasty here, it doesn't sound like you've been consulted. OK I don't know the full story, but if for example you had received permission off the Countryside Ranger for the area, but then someone else on site made contact with Groundspeak, well.... it wouldn't be fair, would it?

 

For the record, I put mine where existing agreements are in place.

[+L8HNB]

What ever the politics, hope you get it, or something/somewhere similar, up and going soon.

 

We enjoyed the walk, broke our journey on the way up to Heywood, might be a good excuse to stop off again

 

It was our #19 LQ - sort of lost the plot a bit since that w/e, need to get the proverbial digit out.....

 

L&H

[+HazelS]

This is the exact reason I won't use the GAGB phone number...

 

I believe something similar happened when a landowner contacted the GAGB and they are alleged to have said - ok just remove the cache.

 

I'd prefer it if the landowner contacted me directly, and I can say - well I have the permission of xyz, or if, for example it's someone new, I can show you what caching is about etc...

 

I just prefer the personal touch

[+PopUpPirate]

It would've been common decency for Michael to have contacted you, as well, Paul.

[+Pharisee]

This is the exact reason I won't use the GAGB phone number...

 

I put the GAGB number and my caching 'name' on all my caches.

 

Just a couple of weeks ago a muggle found one of my ammo can caches right out in the open (no idea how it got there) and handed it in to the local council office. They phoned the GAGB... GAGB contacted me... I went and collected the cache. No sweat, no stress. It does exactly what it says on the tin.

[+PopUpPirate]

GAGB did a great service with my Pixelation Final, too

[+Foinavon]

Well I retrieved the box this morning so the travel bugs are safe. It was not the Eye's reserve who complained indeed their wardens signed the log and seemed quite interested in the whole thing. Somebody else was not happy and they put an entry in as well, so now I know. Now a little moan if I may.

 

I have no problem with the cache being archived and have no antipathy towards the landowners (who gave me a chance to come and get it). My grumble is the manner in which it gets done. Its archived thats it, all you need to know, no courtesy of a prior contact at all. Trying to get information about the situation is like getting blood out of a stone. I made a honest mistake but many of us cache setters are paying customers of Groundspeak we go to time and effort and expense to set these caches and without us there is no buisness for them. As I understand it the habit of archiving caches with no feedback is what made the Australians form a breakaway geocaching organisation. I am not suggesting that will happen here (and I don't want it to), it goes to show that people find it annoying!

 

The lesson I have learned from this is to put my own or GAGB's contact details prominently in the stash note!

[+HazelS]

My one of parents' caches had "sailed away" during a high tide, and a passer by picked it up, rang my dad on the spot and as he was home, he was able to go out and meet the guy there and then. He intoduced him to caching, and he is now a cacher.

 

I just think that if you put on the GAGB it'd sit on someone's answerphone, then on their desk til they had time to get round to doing it etc, then leave you a message etc....

 

Just think it's quicker having your own details on it!!

[Deceangi]

This comes from personal experience of using the GAGB Contact No, I had a container stolen from a 30-40 minute walk in, or a very steep scramble down. The stash note had my player account name, GC No of the cache and the GAGB Contact No on it with the costs of the calls.

 

The person who stole it actually phoned the No and left a message for me , offering to return the container for a Million Dollars and supposedly his mobile phone No. He also left a extremly unpleasant note at the cache site. Needless to say I never attempted to ring the mobile No.

 

I'm just glad to say that this person did not have access to my personal contact phone No. By using the GAGB Contact No, allowed separation between this person and myself. If the person had been genuine I would have been in a position to make contact with him.

[+HazelS]

Yeah.... I guess you have a very valid point, Dave...

 

I suppose there are pro's and cons on both sides!

[+The Wombles]

As I'm the person who set up the GAGB phone service I thought I'd offer some insight into how it works.

 

It's provided by a company called YAC, incoming messages are converted to an email .wav file and emailed to the GAGB's designated contact point. A couple of us have performed this task in the past, currently it's Bill.

 

If the incoming message contains sufficient information to contact the cacher directly then we email that person with the gist of the message (we can't forward the original because the GC.com email system won't take attachments).

 

Sometimes caches aren't clearly marked with the caching name or waypoint number, and sometimes the finder doesn't pass this on, in which case we need detective work before we know who to send it to.

 

As has already been pointed out, we set this up to ensure that there is a workable contact system which doesn't make personal contact details public. There will usually be a delay in passing communications on due to people working. It's a facility which we offer free, voluntarily and if people prefer not to use it and make their own arrangements than of course that's their decision.

[+HazelS]

I'd just like to make it clear that I was NEVER suggesting that it wasn't a good service, or that the people operating it were lazy, etc etc... I am a human being too, and a busy one at that, so I know the pressures people are under on a day to day basis...

 

I was merely pointing out that PERSONALLY I prefer to use my own contact details.

 

I have been scalded by reviewers in the past for giving my own personal opinion in the forums, but I'm sorry - I believe a forum is there for opinions... and I only gave my own feelings on the subject.

 

I have no problem with others using the facility, I would just prefer the personal touch... but that can be said for most of my work too - I rarely send an email when a phone call would suffice etc...

 

I never expected a bloomin slagging match!!!

[+Stuey]

I never expected a bloomin slagging match!!!

 

Ouch Hazel. I think you've missed the point of Dave's email. I found it very interesting, describing how it works and the processes behind the swervice. I definitely don't see any slagging, and having met Dave a few times I can hear his voice in my head calmly explaining it.

 

Now, do you want to get back in that bed and get out of the other side.... and relaxxxxx

[Lactodorum]

I have been scalded by reviewers in the past for giving my own personal opinion in the forums, but I'm sorry - I believe a forum is there for opinions... and I only gave my own feelings on the subject.

We try and allow ALL opinions here and generally are very reluctant to intervene. If/when we do intervene it is only because we perceive a breach of guidelines. Sorry if you've been "whacked" in the past Hazel but there's nothing in this thread to worry anyone - well at the moment anyway so feel free to keep expressing opinions everyone.

[+MartyBartfast]

As I'm the person who set up the GAGB phone service I thought I'd offer some insight into how it works.

 

 

I'd heard of the service before but didn't know how it works, thanks for the explaination. I think I'll follow it up and put the number in my caches next time I go out for a maint visit.

 

M: