Bad things to leave

[Thatjaffa]

I know food is not allowed but is money an OK thing to leave?

 

Also , what else is bad to leave.

[+CachinStrattons]

I know food is not allowed but is money an OK thing to leave?

 

Also , what else is bad to leave.

 

There is quite a bit of information on this here:

 

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=307#contents

 

Aside from that... I would suggest using common sense. Do you have children? If so, or even if not, would you be ok with your child finding/seeing/handling what you are leaving in a cache? If not, probably not a good idea

[+briansnat]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

[+Michaelcycle]

I know food is not allowed but is money an OK thing to leave?

 

Also , what else is bad to leave.

 

Almost anything organic can cause problems with animals. I've seen two caches chewed up because they contained candles

[+StarBrand]

Cash, coins, gold, silver - all acceptable.

 

Just use some common sense - if a family with kids or a prisoner on a chain gang would find it objectionable - don't leave it.

[+knowltonGeo]

I know food is not allowed but is money an OK thing to leave?

 

Also , what else is bad to leave.

 

LOL.

 

You can leave as much money, diamonds, etc. as you like.

 

I can't guarantee that I'll be able to honor the "take something / leave something" rule. I hope you will forgive me...

 

In a few caches I've placed, I've left one dollar for the FTF to take and they don't have to replace it. I leave an invitation to go buy themselves a soda pop as a reward for the FTF.

 

But...that is just me. It's not part of the rules to leave something for the FTF. It's not in the rules that FTF is owed anything any more than the 100th to find the same cache. I just do it cuz I want to do it. For me it is part of the fun. I might add that most of the FTF don't take the money. Oh well. Or, they took it and replaced it...which is confusing...but technically the 'right thing' to do.

Edited February 13, 2011 by knowltonGeo

[+Sol seaker]

Anything that can smell or rot so animals may get into the cache. No food or scented items.

 

In my area, anything that will mold is not the best idea either. It's really wet here, and I've rescued a lot of small stuffed animals that were beginning to mold.

 

If you're determined to leave something that can mold, (like a small stuffed animal) then put it in a plastic bag and put it in a cache that gets a lot of visitors.

 

Remember where the cache is also determines what can go in it.

I found a cache where they tried to have a paperback book exchange. That spot was under snow in the winter. The moisture seemed in, and man that was gross. I cleaned it out and later adopted the cache. I had to change it from the book exchange. It's a good idea, in a drier area.

[+Thrak]

It's been suggested in the past that live hamsters not be left in caches...........

[+BuckeyeClan]

Don't leave anything that is a liquid or gel--the container will eventually leak, and get everything inside the cache yucky.

[GOF and Bacall]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

 

Over the counter would not be acceptable either. So, no drugs, period.

[+KI4HLW]

I'm not big on the swag aspect, but every now and then I find something I have to have (Military/police/fire patches and pins are a common one as I collect them), as I want something handy around that I know will always be worth the trade in value I carry crisp $2 bills with me. Small, light weight, and always fun to find!

[+Sol seaker]

something small that I like to carry for swag exchange is foreign coins.

A lot of people like to collect them. They fit in small caches and if what I want is worth more I can leave a lot of them.

It's a little cheaper than 2.00 bills.

[+kwcahart]

I guess it's just me, but why would anyone care what a "prisoner on a chain gang" would think?

[+Kameharem]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

 

I was thinking of leaving fishing flys that I hand tie myself as a sort of signiture item. I was going to put them in a small plastic cup, with a lid, like you would get salad dressing in at a to go salad bar and write my name and date on the bottom. Is that a bad idea?

[HormanClan]

So it is clear what things are Bad with a capital "B" - liquids, drugs, sharps, etc. That's common sense.

 

But what is the line, generally, between a good thing and a bad thing to leave, aka a "McToy"? I'm new to this and I see there's some disdain for leaving behind a McDonalds-ish toy. Yet most everything seems like a McDonalds toy to me...what's the consensus between good and bad?

 

Is good somehow tied to personal connection? Uniqueness? Weirdness? Coolness? And is it thus completely subjective, or are there some basic rules of thumb? TIA.

[+DogPhish]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

 

I was thinking of leaving fishing flys that I hand tie myself as a sort of signiture item. I was going to put them in a small plastic cup, with a lid, like you would get salad dressing in at a to go salad bar and write my name and date on the bottom. Is that a bad idea?

IMHO that would be a great idea...I would LOVE to find a fishing fly because their look will vary from area to area. If it's a safety issue with the hook that people are concerned about perhaps the hook part could be stuck into a pencil eraser.

[+edscott]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

 

I was thinking of leaving fishing flys that I hand tie myself as a sort of signiture item. I was going to put them in a small plastic cup, with a lid, like you would get salad dressing in at a to go salad bar and write my name and date on the bottom. Is that a bad idea?

 

I agree, but as Brian said, no exposed hooks. Erasers or corks will do the job for flies and those little plastic covers are good for the bigger trebles.

[+jmw61]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

 

I was thinking of leaving fishing flys that I hand tie myself as a sort of signiture item. I was going to put them in a small plastic cup, with a lid, like you would get salad dressing in at a to go salad bar and write my name and date on the bottom. Is that a bad idea?

 

There's a gentleman up in Oregon that does that very thing. I have one of his flys.

[+NicknPapa]

Money is fine:

 

Some things that I would say are bad include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (illegal or prescription), live ammunition, fishing lures with exposed hooks, condoms, pornography, fireworks, weapons, or anything illegal.

 

I was thinking of leaving fishing flys that I hand tie myself as a sort of signiture item. I was going to put them in a small plastic cup, with a lid, like you would get salad dressing in at a to go salad bar and write my name and date on the bottom. Is that a bad idea?

 

There is a cacher in this area that does that. He puts the fly in a thimble sized clear plastic container that has a screw on lid. I have no idea where to get the containers but finding the flies is sure neat!

[+NanCycle]

Not being a fisherperson, I don't know how big the flies are, but if they're small enough, a contact lens case could be a good container. (I've got lots of those.) I'd suggest writing on the case that there is a fly inside--open carefully.

[+BuckeyeClan]

So it is clear what things are Bad with a capital "B" - liquids, drugs, sharps, etc. That's common sense.

 

But what is the line, generally, between a good thing and a bad thing to leave, aka a "McToy"? I'm new to this and I see there's some disdain for leaving behind a McDonalds-ish toy. Yet most everything seems like a McDonalds toy to me...what's the consensus between good and bad?

 

Is good somehow tied to personal connection? Uniqueness? Weirdness? Coolness? And is it thus completely subjective, or are there some basic rules of thumb? TIA.

 

I think what is "good" is pretty subjective. I don't think there is anything wrong with "McToys" as long as they are clean, intact, and in good working order. Just keep in mind how long something might possibly sit in a cache, and how fragile it is.

[HormanClan]

So it is clear what things are Bad with a capital "B" - liquids, drugs, sharps, etc. That's common sense.

 

But what is the line, generally, between a good thing and a bad thing to leave, aka a "McToy"? I'm new to this and I see there's some disdain for leaving behind a McDonalds-ish toy. Yet most everything seems like a McDonalds toy to me...what's the consensus between good and bad?

 

Is good somehow tied to personal connection? Uniqueness? Weirdness? Coolness? And is it thus completely subjective, or are there some basic rules of thumb? TIA.

 

I think what is "good" is pretty subjective. I don't think there is anything wrong with "McToys" as long as they are clean, intact, and in good working order. Just keep in mind how long something might possibly sit in a cache, and how fragile it is.

Fair enough - so maybe I'll ask it another way - what causes someone to complain that something is a McToy? That it was cheap, or seemed too easy (they reached into their lunchbag, then threw it in the cache) or too commonly available? Or does it literally mean toys from McDonalds only?

 

In full disclosure, I only ask as I've seen the McToy term on some of the lists of lingo translation. But it has me really hesitant to participate in the swapping aspect of this, fearful I'd piss someone off for the sake of leaving some trinket others find distasteful. I could just leave $10 bills, but I'm pretty sure I'll sour on the whole thing pretty quickly doing that.

 

Am I making a mountain from a molehill?

Edited February 16, 2011 by HormanClan

[+Kameharem]

So it is clear what things are Bad with a capital "B" - liquids, drugs, sharps, etc. That's common sense.

 

But what is the line, generally, between a good thing and a bad thing to leave, aka a "McToy"? I'm new to this and I see there's some disdain for leaving behind a McDonalds-ish toy. Yet most everything seems like a McDonalds toy to me...what's the consensus between good and bad?

 

Is good somehow tied to personal connection? Uniqueness? Weirdness? Coolness? And is it thus completely subjective, or are there some basic rules of thumb? TIA.

 

I think what is "good" is pretty subjective. I don't think there is anything wrong with "McToys" as long as they are clean, intact, and in good working order. Just keep in mind how long something might possibly sit in a cache, and how fragile it is.

Fair enough - so maybe I'll ask it another way - what causes someone to complain that something is a McToy? That it was cheap, or seemed too easy (they reached into their lunchbag, then threw it in the cache) or too commonly available? Or does it literally mean toys from McDonalds only?

 

In full disclosure, I only ask as I've seen the McToy term on some of the lists of lingo translation. But it has me really hesitant to participate in the swapping aspect of this, fearful I'd piss someone off for the sake of leaving some trinket others find distasteful. I could just leave $10 bills, but I'm pretty sure I'll sour on the whole thing pretty quickly doing that.

 

Am I making a mountain from a molehill?

 

the thing is, my 11 year old daughter who goes caching with me only wants to go if I'm looking for large conatiners that are sure to have many of these "mctoys" in them because she enjoys going through the "treasures" and doesn't care where they came from or how "cheap" they are. She has a collection of rubber ducks, picture coins, and other trinkets to trade and I wouldn't say any of them are of value to anyone but her.

 

I have to search for micro caches on my own.

[+Ike 13]

Bubbles are bad. They evenyually leak and ruin the contents

[+BuckeyeClan]

Fair enough - so maybe I'll ask it another way - what causes someone to complain that something is a McToy? That it was cheap, or seemed too easy (they reached into their lunchbag, then threw it in the cache) or too commonly available? Or does it literally mean toys from McDonalds only?

 

In full disclosure, I only ask as I've seen the McToy term on some of the lists of lingo translation. But it has me really hesitant to participate in the swapping aspect of this, fearful I'd piss someone off for the sake of leaving some trinket others find distasteful. I could just leave $10 bills, but I'm pretty sure I'll sour on the whole thing pretty quickly doing that.

 

Am I making a mountain from a molehill?

 

I think people use the "McToy" term to describe any cheap plastic toy; frankly, McDonald's has some of the better toys, better than a lot of dollar store toys. I think the disdain comes from the tendancy to find these types of cheap plastic toys in bad shape. Either people are digging through the toy box and leaving their broken junk items, or the toys are getting broken in the cache. My kids like to trade items. Sometimes we leave "McToys", sometimes they find a "McToy" in a cache that they like. Don't worry about upsetting people, just use your common sense and don't leave broken stuff, and try to trade for items of similar value. We carry a variety of items of different value and size, so we always have something to trade if the kids find something that they like. My husband and I don't usually trade, except for signature items. Don't over-think it! The fact that you are aware of the complaints, and are worried about annoying people, tells me that you aren't likely to trade unfairly. Just have fun with it!

[+knowltonGeo]

It's been suggested in the past that live hamsters not be left in caches...........

 

:::: whispers fiercely :::: "Crap!!!"

[HormanClan]

I think people use the "McToy" term to describe any cheap plastic toy; frankly, McDonald's has some of the better toys, better than a lot of dollar store toys. I think the disdain comes from the tendancy to find these types of cheap plastic toys in bad shape. Either people are digging through the toy box and leaving their broken junk items, or the toys are getting broken in the cache. My kids like to trade items. Sometimes we leave "McToys", sometimes they find a "McToy" in a cache that they like. Don't worry about upsetting people, just use your common sense and don't leave broken stuff, and try to trade for items of similar value. We carry a variety of items of different value and size, so we always have something to trade if the kids find something that they like. My husband and I don't usually trade, except for signature items. Don't over-think it! The fact that you are aware of the complaints, and are worried about annoying people, tells me that you aren't likely to trade unfairly. Just have fun with it!

This makes perfect sense. Thanks, and thanks to kameharem. I just didn't want to be blindsided over a trinket

 

I have kids too and I can see, over time, this becoming the aspect they like the most. So I wanted to get a good feel for it before I start swapping things in caches.

[+kpanko]

I guess it's just me, but why would anyone care what a "prisoner on a chain gang" would think?

Actually, we care about what the prison staff would think.

 

I remember hearing a story about geocaches getting a bad reputation because they contained "weapons" and prisoners might find them.

 

Even a small pocketknife could be a problem if a violent prisoner found it.

[+Ike 13]

I gurantee if a prisoner finds any cache with a pen they can fashion a weapon from it. If they can make a paper crossbow and a gun from plumbing a pen would make a nice shank.