SWAG

[+KnottyPineRanch]

I am looking to order some printed wooden nickels, and I am wondering if there are some guidelines as to what I can put on them. I have a part time hobby, and I have a website that coincides with that hobby, so am I within the GC guildelines if I use wooden nickels that have my website address on them? Or do I need to stick to using phrases like, "This cache found by Hayewe" ? What classifies swag as being "commercial"? If I find a cache with a drink chip (usually plastic or wooden nickel) from a local drinking establishment with their website on it, is that in violation of the GC rules?

 

I can't find the portion of the guidelines that would clarify this for me. If someone has the link to it, that'd be great also. Thanks!

[+OpenTrackRacer]

Those guidelines apply to caches, not swag. The only real guidelines for swag involve dangerous items such as knives and lighters.

 

It's your GeoNickel so put on it whatever you'd like.

[+StarBrand]

Swag has no commercial restrictions. You should use good taste and common sense but there are no guidelines for commercial trade items.

 

The commercial restrictions are for the wording of the cache listing page and the physical placement of a cache.

[+minxyy]

sure I saw a long discussion thread about this way back when I first started geocaching....last year lol and it appeared that the consensus was that it had to be 100% free ...so vouchers for a whole free pizza from a nearby pizza shop or a free conservatory were allowed BUT 10% off or buy one get one free vouchers were not as they tied folk into a commercial contract! Feel free to disprove me if I've remembered it wrong as it was a long time ago and I can't find the thread at the moment! ...so looks like your nickle would probably be ok if it only had website on it! n if I'm wrong sure as sure someone'll let us know!

[+peajay84]

sure I saw a long discussion thread about this way back when I first started geocaching....last year lol and it appeared that the consensus was that it had to be 100% free ...so vouchers for a whole free pizza from a nearby pizza shop or a free conservatory were allowed BUT 10% off or buy one get one free vouchers were not as they tied folk into a commercial contract! Feel free to disprove me if I've remembered it wrong as it was a long time ago and I can't find the thread at the moment! ...so looks like your nickle would probably be ok if it only had website on it! n if I'm wrong sure as sure someone'll let us know!

 

A person has the option of leaving the swag coupon there if they don't want to get 10% off or BOGO somewhere. If I found a 10% off coupon for Pizza Hut I'd snag it right up because I know I'll use it since I eat there alot. If I found a 10% off coupon for Burger King I'd leave it there because I never eat there. It's swag, just becuase it's there doesn't mean you have to take it or use it. KWIM?

[+wimseyguy]

There isn't a guideline covering commercial material left as swag in a cache. However, I'm not sure that using caching to drive business to your website/pizza shop/garage is a.) a very good usage of your resources, and b.) will be very well received by the finders of your swag promotional items.

 

I own a restaurant management and catering company, and would never think to use caching to generate sales here. YMMV

Edited April 28, 2008 by wimseyguy

[+chasecity]

I haven't been caching for all that long but honestly I agree with a comment above that says that you aren't obligated to take anything that you find in a cache.

 

Some examples - I found a wooden nickel for a free beer at a nearby bar once. I snapped it up but I can see where some parents wouldn't want their children to take that. But it shouldn't have been offensive to anyone.

 

When I first started caching I had a stack of Chick-Fil-A coupons that were Get a free breakfast entree when you bought a coke. I moved to area where there are no chick fil a restaurants. These coupons had no expiration date since they were given to me by a franchise owner after a rather unfortunate incident. I think I left one in the first 10 or so caches I found (along with other swag). If you don't want to pay $1.29 for a coke and get a $3.49 biscuit for free then don't take the card out and leave it for someone who will appreciate a discount.

 

I don't think leaving things with expiration dates is a good idea because they will eventually turn into geo-trash if no one picks them up before they expire, but I don't see anything wrong with sharing a good deal with fellow cachers.

[+Pat in Louisiana]

I try to leave items related to my state not myself.

 

Examples: