Cache inside business not permitted. Event inside business. OK.

[+Knight2000]

Cache inside an unnamed business or cache that even mentions the named business -Not permitted.

 

Event inside a named business - permitted.

 

Doesn't seem to add up to me. It seems like a double standard.

[+Isonzo Karst]

Yep, double standard. One standard for event caches, and one standard for other caches. Fairly straightforward.

[+Wooden Cyclist]

GCN8W4 Noah's Ark is a traditional inside a business and nobody seems to complain.

[+ADTCacheur]

GCN8W4 Noah's Ark is a traditional inside a business and nobody seems to complain.

People probably don't care because the rule is mainly to prevent advertising using caches.

[+StarBrand]

Seriously - you can't see the difference??

[GOF and Bacall]

Cache inside an unnamed business or cache that even mentions the named business -Not permitted.

 

Event inside a named business - permitted.

 

Doesn't seem to add up to me. It seems like a double standard.

 

No double standard. Same rules apply to everyone.

 

GCN8W4 Noah's Ark is a traditional inside a business and nobody seems to complain.

 

Some things do slip through. That and this wasn't such an issue in 2005. I don't even know for sure it was a violation back then.

[+Knight2000]

I see the differences and I see the double standard. As noted many times before grandfathered caches have no bearing on future cache placements.

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

Not quite sure what you're trying to say...calling it a double standard would inply that you feel that there's something wrong with one of them? so...

 

Would you like to see regular Caches allowed in businesses, or...

 

Would you like to see event Cached NOT allowed inside businesses?

 

What correction would you like to se, so that we know what points to make when arguing over it?

Edited May 4, 2010 by WRITE SHOP ROBERT

[BCProspectors]

No double standard. Same rules apply to everyone.

Same rules apply to everyone, but not to all caches. Event caches are a completely different type of cache. As mentioned before there's one standard for caches and another for event caches.

[GOF and Bacall]

The OP seems to be trying to suggest that there is something unfair going on. My point is that there isn't. As I said, same rules apply to everyone.

 

So K2k, what is it you are driving at?

[+narcissa]

The cache pages for events can't be used to advertise the business, they are only supposed to state the location.

[+tozainamboku]

GCN8W4 Noah's Ark is a traditional inside a business and nobody seems to complain.

That's an old cache. It used to be you could sometimes get a cache approved inside a business if you could demonstrate it was not commercial. Now it is assumed that a cache in a business is commercial. Some might still slip through, others may be getting an exception from Groundspeak.

 

At the time the change was made, Groundspeak lackeys explained that of course it doesn't apply to events. However what you can put on the event page is very limited to avoid any appearance of commercialism. For example you can't put a link to the business's website or use their logo. Event listing prices and menu choices might raise a flag for some reviewers.

[+Touchstone]

Ya, don't even get me started on, say, a "buried" Event in an underground bunker vs. a buried cache

[knowschad]

Would you really want that "double standard" eliminated? And if so... in what way? Would you prefer that commercial caches be allowed, or that no events can be held inside of businesses?

[+ngrrfan]

Cache inside an unnamed business or cache that even mentions the named business -Not permitted.

 

Event inside a named business - permitted.

 

Doesn't seem to add up to me. It seems like a double standard.

Wait a sec....... if the log book is outside the business.......

 

Once you sign the log, where you go is your business. If you want to go inside the establishment to partake of refreshment, or restroom facilities.... so be it. No double standard as I see it.

[+narcissa]

Event listing prices and menu choices might raise a flag for some reviewers.

 

This has definitely been an issue with events in our area. It can be a nuisance at the publishing stage, but it's for the best. We hold some of our events at restaurants, but there's no purchase necessary.

[+ngrrfan]

Event listing prices and menu choices might raise a flag for some reviewers.

 

This has definitely been an issue with events in our area. It can be a nuisance at the publishing stage, but it's for the best. We hold some of our events at restaurants, but there's no purchase necessary.

Now everybody stop for a second and think....... How are the events actually published?

 

Usually it is something similar to this:

 

"Blah Blah event at (insert favorite eating establishment here) on the 43rd of May at 01430 hours."

 

Now does it actually SAY that the event is INSIDE the establishment? Nope, you just assume that it is.

[+Max and 99]

We have caches inside businesses here. They never get muggled so TBs are perfectly safe!

[+Knight2000]

I'm not arguing. I'm just bringing up what I see as a big inconsistency. I'm not upset about any of it. It just doesn't make sense to me. If I had to choose a side I would say that caches should be permitted in/around businesses as long as a purchase is not necessary or something along those lines but that had nothing to do with this thread. I only considered it after one of you asked.

 

The events I have seen do mention restaurants in particular. I have no problem with that at all. In reality though, unless discussed prior to the event with the management, it would be wrong attend an event at a restaurant and not patronize them. So it seems that to attend said event you must patronize the business unless prior arrangements have been made or you are rude.

 

No double standard. Same rules apply to everyone.

Same rules apply to everyone, but not to all caches. Event caches are a completely different type of cache. As mentioned before there's one standard for caches and another for event caches.

If you read the guidelines they say "Guidelines that Apply to All Cache Types" and event is listed under the cache types so there are in fact one set of guidelines that apply and not two.

 

If the same rules apply to everyone then they are most certainly not consistent. You've never been to an event at a particular restaurant where it is explicitly mentioned?

 

If a event cache is allowed at "Restaurant Yummy" then why can't a cache be placed inside said location? Why couldn't the cache be placed outside and called "Restaurant Yummy"? Why couldn't you be required to go inside and ask the proprietor for a clue to finish the "Restaurant Yummy" multi?

 

I'm just bringing this up as a point of discussion. I know in the past I have had to remove my reference that I made for a book that I used mentioning that it was sold at the historical society. (It is a somewhat rare book. You won't find it on Amazon. Local stuff.) We were asked to remove brand names such as "Snapple" and "McDonald's". This may just be reviewer preference.

 

I'm not mad, irritated, or anything like that. It's just a point that I noticed. I'm not the only one as a another cacher and I spoke of this a year or two ago. Think about it. You want to go to the event but you don't really have the extra cash so you don't go. Why not just allow commercial caches? You don't have to get every cache so why would it matter? It's just something to ponder.

[4wheelin_fool]

Events are different from traditional caches. Any advertissing is incidental. Caches which are indoors do not use GPS tracking anyhow. Library caches are just a aberration.

 

Technically, if the event in not a reoccurring one, then it falls under the definition of a temporary cache also, and should not be listed..

Edited May 4, 2010 by 4wheelin_fool

[+ngrrfan]

Think about it. You want to go to the event but you don't really have the extra cash so you don't go.

OR... you could be like a friend of mine.... They'll go and not make a purchase.

 

Like I told them tho... "at least buy a soda and nurse it all night."

[+ngrrfan]

 

Technically, if the event in not a reoccurring one, then it falls under the definition of a temporary cache also, and should not be listed..

According to this......... There are not, nor will there be, any 10 year anniversary events this month.

[+popokiiti]

We applied to place a cache in a business, permission had been granted by the owner, but the reviewer was unable to publish it as it would be against the rules. Having seen a TB Hotel in a business downtown, we thought it was OK. Wrong. Some caches are in businesses, having been placed before the rule change, apparently. I see the cache mentioned by the OP was placed March 28/2005, so it could be one of those. I think the reviewer said they were grandfathered now.

[+Knight2000]

 

Technically, if the event in not a reoccurring one, then it falls under the definition of a temporary cache also, and should not be listed..

You sound like me! When we first attended events I logged them with a note because an event isn't really a geocache and while we don't collect numbers I do like them to be accurate. Of course then your record of attended events is incorrect. You can't win!

[GOF and Bacall]

This is a lot like saying that doctors use double standards when treating patients. Of course they do. Men and women are not built the same. (thank the maker!)

 

If these things are the biggest worries you have you lead a blessed life.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

We have caches inside businesses here. They never get muggled so TBs are perfectly safe!

 

I have seen lots of cache listings in more remote places (typically not in the U.S.) where the container was not only inside business but the cache description specifically indicated one should ask a caretaker to see the container. Personally, I'm glad that GS allows these caches to remain as they're often the only caches available to find within hundreds of miles.

 

As is the case for many of the guidelines which have a grey areas it's often about the language used in the description. For example, for an event cache it's acceptable to mention where the event is taking place but not acceptable to suggest that attendees bring money to purchase something while attending.

[+Knight2000]

If these things are the biggest worries you have you lead a blessed life.

I'm not worried about it.

 

As is the case for many of the guidelines which have a grey areas it's often about the language used in the description. For example, for an event cache it's acceptable to mention where the event is taking place but not acceptable to suggest that attendees bring money to purchase something while attending.

On the flipside shouldn't it be ok that a cache is mentioned in/near a business and not suggest that the business be patronized?

 

While an event may not specifically mention to patronize a business it would be poor manners not to. Although not said it seems implied. What would a restaurant owner do if we held an event there and no one patronized them?

[+Touchstone]

Why not just allow commercial caches?

 

It appears that the Guidelines DO allow for a limited case-by-case exception for Commercial Listings:

 

Commercial caches will not be published on geocaching.com without prior approval from Groundspeak.

 

The way that is worded, I would assume that it's pretty much useless to discuss the point with a Reviewer. Perhaps further clarification can be gleaned from Miss Jenn's post from a couple of years ago can help illuminate the situation on how Events are handled differently:

 

Guideline Changes & Clarifications....

 

From that excerpt, I infer that there are some situations that the Reviewers can handle directly, while others will require Groundspeak approval before being Published.

 

I don't read it as an inconsistency, but rather a different layer of control to avoid turning Listings into billboards for businesses.

 

FWIW, we had a rather heated discussion in our local Forums regarding a cache inside a business, where the employees were getting rather snarky about handing over the cache that was behind a counter, and not getting some sort of compensation in return. That's the point where the fun really gets sucked out of my day

[+narcissa]

 

While an event may not specifically mention to patronize a business it would be poor manners not to. Although not said it seems implied. What would a restaurant owner do if we held an event there and no one patronized them?

 

Why would it be poor manners? Geocaching events are meant to be open to everyone, and not everyone can afford to eat in a restaurant every time there's an event. We have a number of attendees at our monthly event who only get a drink, or nothing at all. We hold our events in restaurants that are willing to accommodate that. If a restaurant wasn't willing to accommodate that, we wouldn't have the event there.

[+Knight2000]

While an event may not specifically mention to patronize a business it would be poor manners not to. Although not said it seems implied. What would a restaurant owner do if we held an event there and no one patronized them?

Why would it be poor manners? Geocaching events are meant to be open to everyone, and not everyone can afford to eat in a restaurant every time there's an event. We have a number of attendees at our monthly event who only get a drink, or nothing at all. We hold our events in restaurants that are willing to accommodate that. If a restaurant wasn't willing to accommodate that, we wouldn't have the event there.

As I mentioned before it would be rude unless previous arrangements were made with the management. I am sure this has happened although I have never noticed it mentioned on event cache pages. Since it isn't mentioned one should not assume that this arrangement has been made.

 

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

[+ArcherDragoon]

While an event may not specifically mention to patronize a business it would be poor manners not to. Although not said it seems implied. What would a restaurant owner do if we held an event there and no one patronized them?

Why would it be poor manners? Geocaching events are meant to be open to everyone, and not everyone can afford to eat in a restaurant every time there's an event. We have a number of attendees at our monthly event who only get a drink, or nothing at all. We hold our events in restaurants that are willing to accommodate that. If a restaurant wasn't willing to accommodate that, we wouldn't have the event there.

As I mentioned before it would be rude unless previous arrangements were made with the management. I am sure this has happened although I have never noticed it mentioned on event cache pages. Since it isn't mentioned one should not assume that this arrangement has been made.

 

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

 

hmmm...

 

Can someone explain Irony to me???

 

.

.

.

Commercial Caches

Commercial caches will not be published on geocaching.com without prior approval from Groundspeak. A commercial cache is a geocache listing or geocache which is perceived by Groundspeak, Groundspeak's employees, or the Volunteer Geocache Reviewers as having been submitted to geocaching.com with the principal or substantial intent of soliciting customers or generating commercial gain. The geocache is presumed to be commercial if the finder is required to go inside a business, interact with employees, and/or purchase a product or service, or if the cache listing has overtones of advertising, marketing, or promotion.

 

Additionally, links to businesses, commercial advertisers, charities, political or social agendas, or the inclusion of their associated logos are not permitted on cache descriptions without prior permission from Groundspeak.

.

.

.

 

Just highlighting the interaction part...

 

As for having an event "inside" a business...I see the difference...

Edited May 4, 2010 by ArcherDragoon

[+42at42]

I'm not arguing. I'm just bringing up what I see as a big inconsistency. I'm not upset about any of it.

 

Slow news day I guess.

[4wheelin_fool]

 

Technically, if the event in not a reoccurring one, then it falls under the definition of a temporary cache also, and should not be listed..

You sound like me! When we first attended events I logged them with a note because an event isn't really a geocache and while we don't collect numbers I do like them to be accurate. Of course then your record of attended events is incorrect. You can't win!

 

I was just kidding.

My numbers are very inaccurate anyhow, and I prefer it like that. They only reflect the bare minimum that I remembered to log online under this account.

[4wheelin_fool]

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

 

How about the police station? The dispacher could have a bunch of papers with information on them. The cachers would have to go in and ask about it. It would educate law enforcement on caching, plus they could glean information on how the average cacher looks and acts.

[+northernpenguin]

Major difference between a cache and an event, in my eyes is simple:

 

The business is told to expect 50 cachers to show up at 1pm on May 3rd. The business knows all about it, all employees are (typically) briefed and everyone has fun. When the initial hide is 'placed' it fades away into a memory after a short time.

 

A traditional cache is placed inside a business, it is there for a length of time. Over time, this can be forgotten until a cacher shows up out of the blue. Now we have to rely on the employees all knowing about it (not the one person who gave permission, who happens to be off on vacation that day). When a cacher shows up and starts looking under tables and in planters or what-not, we don't want people making panicked phone calls about strange behaviour inside. Businesses are funny places - and touchy about people skulking around looking in strange places (think theft deterrent / competitive spying / pervert paranoia).

 

Caches placed outside a business are another ball of wax (and outside the scope of this thread)

[+Knight2000]

hmmm...

 

Can someone explain Irony to me???

Go ahead. Explain it smarty pants. So what, I'm a liar?

 

I am much more aware of this guideline because of this idea but it in no way has any bearing on this thread. I know this isn't going to change. (I'm not even saying I want it to.) It was just a point for discussion. I have had that idea for years but never posted a thread before. I'm not trying to change anything to suit a cache idea. I'm just noting an inconsistency.

 

Sometimes these forums are just too much.

[+Knight2000]

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

 

How about the police station? The dispacher could have a bunch of papers with information on them. The cachers would have to go in and ask about it. It would educate law enforcement on caching, plus they could glean information on how the average cacher looks and acts.

It's an idea. I like the idea of coming to X location and asking for someone like. George. George cache. Then they could get an envelope or something. Maybe I'll have a treasure map inside.

 

We do have caches at the local police station, fire station, and historical society. It has worked like references for a job when trying to work with another public entity. They have vouched that cachers have not been a problem and only good experiences have been had.

 

That's an idea. I'll have to shake it around in my head a bit to see if it could be made more exciting. I don't like the idea of using a business for the idea but it certainly is a place where someone would be most of the time.

 

Maybe I can get a roaming homeless guy to help out. That would be something.

[+Knight2000]

Major difference between a cache and an event, in my eyes is simple:

 

The business is told to expect 50 cachers to show up at 1pm on May 3rd. The business knows all about it, all employees are (typically) briefed and everyone has fun. When the initial hide is 'placed' it fades away into a memory after a short time.

 

A traditional cache is placed inside a business, it is there for a length of time. Over time, this can be forgotten until a cacher shows up out of the blue. Now we have to rely on the employees all knowing about it (not the one person who gave permission, who happens to be off on vacation that day). When a cacher shows up and starts looking under tables and in planters or what-not, we don't want people making panicked phone calls about strange behaviour inside. Businesses are funny places - and touchy about people skulking around looking in strange places (think theft deterrent / competitive spying / pervert paranoia).

 

Caches placed outside a business are another ball of wax (and outside the scope of this thread)

Those are great points, especially the point in red. What is more refreshing it it lends to the discussion of this thread.

 

I'm not sure the cache outside the business matters much. You still couldn't mention the name of the business as it is [sometimes] permitted in event listings.

[GOF and Bacall]

If these things are the biggest worries you have you lead a blessed life.

I'm not worried about it.

 

As is the case for many of the guidelines which have a grey areas it's often about the language used in the description. For example, for an event cache it's acceptable to mention where the event is taking place but not acceptable to suggest that attendees bring money to purchase something while attending.

On the flipside shouldn't it be ok that a cache is mentioned in/near a business and not suggest that the business be patronized?

 

While an event may not specifically mention to patronize a business it would be poor manners not to. Although not said it seems implied. What would a restaurant owner do if we held an event there and no one patronized them?

 

I am still not entirely sure what the point of this thread is. Are we just suposed to be taking our OCD out for a spin?

 

I was at an event the other day. It was at a Greek restaurant. I didn't purchase anything there and I don't feel the list bit bad about it.

 

The allowance for the business name on a cache page was a concession to the nature of event caches. There have been many debates over just where the line is between legit cache information and commercial content.

[+Knight2000]

I am still not entirely sure what the point of this thread is.

 

There have been many debates over just where the line is between legit cache information and commercial content.

Forums are for discussions. No agenda necessary.

Edited May 4, 2010 by Knight2000

[+humboldt flier]

I'm not arguing. I'm just bringing up what I see as a big inconsistency. I'm not upset about any of it. It just doesn't make sense to me. If I had to choose a side I would say that caches should be permitted in/around businesses as long as a purchase is not necessary or something along those lines but that had nothing to do with this thread. I only considered it after one of you asked.

 

The events I have seen do mention restaurants in particular. I have no problem with that at all. In reality though, unless discussed prior to the event with the management, it would be wrong attend an event at a restaurant and not patronize them. So it seems that to attend said event you must patronize the business unless prior arrangements have been made or you are rude.

 

No double standard. Same rules apply to everyone.

Same rules apply to everyone, but not to all caches. Event caches are a completely different type of cache. As mentioned before there's one standard for caches and another for event caches.

If you read the guidelines they say "Guidelines that Apply to All Cache Types" and event is listed under the cache types so there are in fact one set of guidelines that apply and not two.

 

If the same rules apply to everyone then they are most certainly not consistent. You've never been to an event at a particular restaurant where it is explicitly mentioned?

 

If a event cache is allowed at "Restaurant Yummy" then why can't a cache be placed inside said location? Why couldn't the cache be placed outside and called "Restaurant Yummy"? Why couldn't you be required to go inside and ask the proprietor for a clue to finish the "Restaurant Yummy" multi?

 

I'm just bringing this up as a point of discussion. I know in the past I have had to remove my reference that I made for a book that I used mentioning that it was sold at the historical society. (It is a somewhat rare book. You won't find it on Amazon. Local stuff.) We were asked to remove brand names such as "Snapple" and "McDonald's". This may just be reviewer preference.

 

I'm not mad, irritated, or anything like that. It's just a point that I noticed. I'm not the only one as a another cacher and I spoke of this a year or two ago. Think about it. You want to go to the event but you don't really have the extra cash so you don't go. Why not just allow commercial caches? You don't have to get every cache so why would it matter? It's just something to ponder.

>> I tend to agree, I stumbled upon a very unique historical fact and tribute to the deceased gentleman involved. The fact and tribute was inside a place of business run by the grandson of the party in question. Submitted the cache and got smacked on the knuckles. BUMMER. A bigger bummer is that this bit of history will not be seen by a greater range of folks.

[+wimseyguy]

So are we having a real discussion about this or just stirring the pot today?

If it is the former, IK already posted a very succint answer in post #2.

If it is the latter, then grab this:

[Motorcycle_Mama]

Let's ratchet back the rhetoric and vitriol a few notches, folks.

 

Personal attacks are not warranted nor permitted.

 

Thanks for your cooperation.

[GOF and Bacall]

I am still not entirely sure what the point of this thread is.

 

There have been many debates over just where the line is between legit cache information and commercial content.

Forums are for discussions. No agenda necessary.

 

OK then. We are just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Thanks for clearing that up. I'll play along.

 

I think that the dichotomy in the way the rules apply to event caches and other type is necessary do to the differing natures of those caches. Most of us can reason out that a certain amount of latitude is given to application of the guidelines to make things run smoother. If we start pushing the bounderies sooner or later TPTB will find it necessary to add more rules or tighten down on the way the rules are applied or both. Does anyone really want that?

[GOF and Bacall]

Let's ratchet back the rhetoric and vitriol a few notches, folks.

 

Personal attacks are not warranted nor permitted.

 

Thanks for your cooperation.

 

I hope no one was taking anything I was saying as negative. I was honestly just trying to get on the same page as the OP. I felt that a better understanding of what the OP was getting at would help the discussion. It did for me if not anyone else.

[GOF and Bacall]

I'm not arguing. I'm just bringing up what I see as a big inconsistency. I'm not upset about any of it. It just doesn't make sense to me. If I had to choose a side I would say that caches should be permitted in/around businesses as long as a purchase is not necessary or something along those lines but that had nothing to do with this thread. I only considered it after one of you asked.

 

The events I have seen do mention restaurants in particular. I have no problem with that at all. In reality though, unless discussed prior to the event with the management, it would be wrong attend an event at a restaurant and not patronize them. So it seems that to attend said event you must patronize the business unless prior arrangements have been made or you are rude.

 

No double standard. Same rules apply to everyone.

Same rules apply to everyone, but not to all caches. Event caches are a completely different type of cache. As mentioned before there's one standard for caches and another for event caches.

If you read the guidelines they say "Guidelines that Apply to All Cache Types" and event is listed under the cache types so there are in fact one set of guidelines that apply and not two.

 

If the same rules apply to everyone then they are most certainly not consistent. You've never been to an event at a particular restaurant where it is explicitly mentioned?

 

If a event cache is allowed at "Restaurant Yummy" then why can't a cache be placed inside said location? Why couldn't the cache be placed outside and called "Restaurant Yummy"? Why couldn't you be required to go inside and ask the proprietor for a clue to finish the "Restaurant Yummy" multi?

 

I'm just bringing this up as a point of discussion. I know in the past I have had to remove my reference that I made for a book that I used mentioning that it was sold at the historical society. (It is a somewhat rare book. You won't find it on Amazon. Local stuff.) We were asked to remove brand names such as "Snapple" and "McDonald's". This may just be reviewer preference.

 

I'm not mad, irritated, or anything like that. It's just a point that I noticed. I'm not the only one as a another cacher and I spoke of this a year or two ago. Think about it. You want to go to the event but you don't really have the extra cash so you don't go. Why not just allow commercial caches? You don't have to get every cache so why would it matter? It's just something to ponder.

>> I tend to agree, I stumbled upon a very unique historical fact and tribute to the deceased gentleman involved. The fact and tribute was inside a place of business run by the grandson of the party in question. Submitted the cache and got smacked on the knuckles. BUMMER. A bigger bummer is that this bit of history will not be seen by a greater range of folks.

 

Have you tried contacting GS to ask for a variance?

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

 

hmmm...

 

Can someone explain Irony to me???

That's not it...Many threads like this are started after the OP feels cheated/slighted in some way. This one is not started as a post-incident rant. It looks like the OP is looking for ideas and clarification on how to incorporate live interaction without bumping against the rules.

 

Commercial Caches

Commercial caches will not be published on geocaching.com without prior approval from Groundspeak. A commercial cache is a geocache listing or geocache which is perceived by Groundspeak, Groundspeak's employees, or the Volunteer Geocache Reviewers as having been submitted to geocaching.com with the principal or substantial intent of soliciting customers or generating commercial gain. The geocache is presumed to be commercial if the finder is required to go inside a business, interact with employees, and/or purchase a product or service, or if the cache listing has overtones of advertising, marketing, or promotion.

 

Additionally, links to businesses, commercial advertisers, charities, political or social agendas, or the inclusion of their associated logos are not permitted on cache descriptions without prior permission from Groundspeak.

.

.

.

 

Just highlighting the interaction part...

 

As for having an event "inside" a business...I see the difference...

 

Also note the bolded "Presumed" part. That would mean that they would make that determination if they had no contrary information. If you get permission first(by demonstrating that it's NOT a commercial interaction) then the presumption can be thrown out the window(if GS wants to).

[+WRITE SHOP ROBERT]

 

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

What kind of interaction did you have in mind? Would if be gathering info, or having the Cache handed to the finder? This kind of Cache is known as a Gatekeeper Cache. I've seen them in Libraries, Tourism Offices, Visitor Centers...and businesses(grandfathered, the two I've heard of/found were inside Barber Shops

[+Knight2000]

This thread is not in response to anything although I do admit that I am really trying to do a cache that requires interaction with a live person and this is harder to do without using a business. Even if it was permitted I don't think I could find a suitable business. I think a library is my best bet. Maybe city hall... I've had this idea for years and have yet to make it come to fruition.

What kind of interaction did you have in mind? Would if be gathering info, or having the Cache handed to the finder? This kind of Cache is known as a Gatekeeper Cache. I've seen them in Libraries, Tourism Offices, Visitor Centers...and businesses(grandfathered, the two I've heard of/found were inside Barber Shops

I haven't really thought it through as I have yet to imagine a way to make it work.

 

It would not be having the cache handed to the finder. (Isn't that how that elusive cache is in some tropical area, placed in '01?) We'd have to make it more exciting than that!

 

That's great that you have seen them. I haven't heard of any around here.

 

Maybe it could be in conjunction with a mystery-multi where you need to solve a murder to find the cache? Go around town and gather clues... My concern is that you have a place that is so big things get fumbled up. I do have an idea for two places that might work. Maybe it could be to get a verbal clue or just get an envelope. I'm not sure but I'm always glad to hear some ideas...

Edited May 6, 2010 by Knight2000