Protocol to "Grab" a TB

[+mellers]

I found a TB in a cache the other day, but noticed it wasn't on the inventory. No problem, I thought, someone probably hasn't got around to logging it yet.

 

A few days passed with no log, and I did some more investigation. I can see exactly what happened. The TB was picked up by someone (the next and only person to visit that cache after the person who dropped it off) and dropped in the cache I went to, 1 day later. This person is also the only person to have been to both caches in the right time frame, but hasn't logged his transfer of the TB.

 

Now I know I can just "grab" it from where it is, but I don't want to put anyone's nose out of joint by not giving them enough time to register their part in its journey. I also think it's nice that a TB's on-line record actually reflects where it went and who was involved. So I e-mailled him (politely) about a week ago to ask if my guess was correct and did he want to log it (IN and OUT) of the 2 caches involved. I even offered to send the tracking number.

 

I've not heard anything and am just wondering what the protocol is for how long I should leave it before chasing him, or just grabbing it. He's cached every day since, so it seems he might be either ignoring my message or not have got it.

 

And if I grab the TB, how will that reconcile with me not having been to the cache I'm supposed to have grabbed it from? That bit does confuse me a bit.

[+castagnari]

Moving from "UK & Ireland" forum to "Travel bug" forum

[+The Blorenges]

I think you've done exactly the right things and you've waited long enough. From what you say, the previous cacher has had over a week to do the drop-off log and/or respond to your email.

 

I would now grab the TB from the other cache, then give it a 'Visit' (dated the day you retrieved it) to the cache where you found it so that its journey is kept on track. You will have the options to either 'Retrieve it from [the cache where it is showing]' or 'Grab it from somewhere else', so you can select the latter. It will not record that you've been to a cache that you did not find.

 

It's good to be polite and allow cachers time to catch up on their logging but I feel 7 - 10 days is long enough to wait.

 

MrsB

Edited January 23, 2012 by The Blorenges

[+Delta68]

Moving from "UK & Ireland" forum to "Travel bug" forum

 

Why?

 

A UK cacher asking a question to the UK caching community about a TB picked up in the UK

 

Protocol might be different in different parts of the world...

[+Malpas Wanderer]

Moving from "UK & Ireland" forum to "Travel bug" forum

 

Why?

 

A UK cacher asking a question to the UK caching community about a TB picked up in the UK

 

Protocol might be different in different parts of the world...

 

Yeah....in other parts of the world they just pick them up and keep them

 

Back to the OP, Grab it ...place it in the cache you retrieved it from...retrieve it again...and get on with life.

 

Coin and TB owners want to know where their items are, timely logging is essential.

 

If the placer really wished to be part of the record he would have acted responsibly.

[+NanCycle]

I think you've done exactly the right things and you've waited long enough. From what you say, the previous cacher has had over a week to do the drop-off log and/or respond to your email.

 

I would now grab the TB from the other cache, then give it a 'Visit' (dated the day you retrieved it) to the cache where you found it so that its journey is kept on track. You will have the options to either 'Retrieve it from [the cache where it is showing]' or 'Grab it from somewhere else', so you can select the latter. It will not record that you've been to a cache that you did not find.

 

It's good to be polite and allow cachers time to catch up on their logging but I feel 7 - 10 days is long enough to wait.

 

MrsB

 

I agree with MrsB completely. You have waited quite long enough--longer than I probably would have.

[+castagnari]

Why?

 

A UK cacher asking a question to the UK caching community about a TB picked up in the UK

 

Protocol might be different in different parts of the world...

 

 

Because the question was about a travel bug.

And regardless or geographical location a travel bug should be treated the same.

Edited January 23, 2012 by castagnari

[+hzoi]

I think you've done exactly the right things and you've waited long enough. From what you say, the previous cacher has had over a week to do the drop-off log and/or respond to your email.

 

I would now grab the TB from the other cache, then give it a 'Visit' (dated the day you retrieved it) to the cache where you found it so that its journey is kept on track. You will have the options to either 'Retrieve it from [the cache where it is showing]' or 'Grab it from somewhere else', so you can select the latter. It will not record that you've been to a cache that you did not find.

 

It's good to be polite and allow cachers time to catch up on their logging but I feel 7 - 10 days is long enough to wait.

 

MrsB

 

I agree with MrsB completely. You have waited quite long enough--longer than I probably would have.

 

I also agree with MrsB on all points. (It's hard not to, usually!)

[team tisri]

I found a TB in a cache the other day, but noticed it wasn't on the inventory. No problem, I thought, someone probably hasn't got around to logging it yet.

 

A few days passed with no log, and I did some more investigation. I can see exactly what happened. The TB was picked up by someone (the next and only person to visit that cache after the person who dropped it off) and dropped in the cache I went to, 1 day later. This person is also the only person to have been to both caches in the right time frame, but hasn't logged his transfer of the TB.

 

Now I know I can just "grab" it from where it is, but I don't want to put anyone's nose out of joint by not giving them enough time to register their part in its journey. I also think it's nice that a TB's on-line record actually reflects where it went and who was involved. So I e-mailled him (politely) about a week ago to ask if my guess was correct and did he want to log it (IN and OUT) of the 2 caches involved. I even offered to send the tracking number.

 

I've not heard anything and am just wondering what the protocol is for how long I should leave it before chasing him, or just grabbing it. He's cached every day since, so it seems he might be either ignoring my message or not have got it.

 

And if I grab the TB, how will that reconcile with me not having been to the cache I'm supposed to have grabbed it from? That bit does confuse me a bit.

 

My view - if someone has logged their cache find online they could have logged the TB drop online at the same time. If you dropped them a note and they didn't respond, a couple of days is fine. Yes, you might send it just at the time they started a journey from NZ to UK with no internet access along the way but it's not as if this stuff is life-or-death or anything.

 

If someone hasn't logged the cache find it may be they are on holiday and without internet access.

 

Either way I'd grab the TB, log it into the cache where you found it (to keep the mileage reasonable accurate) and then retrieve it again and move it on. You might upset someone but they'll get over it.

[+eusty]

I had one grabbed off me the other week, I dropped it off one day, and he found it next day and grabbed it straight away!! A bit keen for my mind...

 

 

 

[+mellers]

Why?

 

A UK cacher asking a question to the UK caching community about a TB picked up in the UK

 

Protocol might be different in different parts of the world...

 

 

Because the question was about a travel bug.

And regardless or geographical location a travel bug should be treated the same.

Can I just mention at this point, that "Why?" might have been my first question too....

 

Yes, this included information about a travel bug, but I did actually ask for the protocol, which can often be unique to a society or culture. The protocol in the States, say, could be quite different to that which we expect in the UK. What SHOULD happen, isn't necessarily what DOES happen. My MAIN question was in fact about the opinions of UK cachers of how long should I wait. The length of time to wait for someone to get back to you is very much a cultural thing, on a par, say with something like 'personal space'. It is well documented that other cultures have differing views on what is and is not socially acceptable in these areas.

 

However, as a moderator, you decided to move it and that's that. but I think it would have been helpful to include a link to the board you had sent it to. It's taken me this long to find it again. May I suggest as a matter of assistance to posters, that when posts are moved like this a link be provided so that the originator can check for replies. Just a thought.

 

That said, thank you to all who have replied.

 

Some names I have recognised from the UK forum, and whose opinion I will weigh accordingly. Yet another reason for asking the question among those who I have seen reply to other threads in a regional forum and about whose advice I have formed my own judgement on who is likely to give the reasoned and sensible replies... It's what we do as human beings all the time when we ask for advice - because judging the quality of the response is all the more difficult when it is given by those from whom one has never heard before.

[+The Blorenges]

If you scroll down the UK forum page you'll see that the title of your topic is still listed there, with an arrow next to it and marked "Moved". By clicking on it there in the UK forum it automatically brings you over to this forum.

 

With regards to "protocol". Don't worry - Geocaching is a worldwide game and the "guidelines" regarding how/why/when to move trackables is the same whether you're in London, England or London, Ontario, or London Island (aka Cook Island, apparently).

 

I, and several other 'regulars', partcipate often in answering questions in this forum about all aspects of TBs - The advice/suggestions given are just the same, regardless of where the OP comes from.

 

MrsB

[+castagnari]

I think it would have been helpful to include a link to the board you had sent it to.

 

If you scroll down the UK forum page you'll see that the title of your topic is still listed there, with an arrow next to it and marked "Moved". By clicking on it there in the UK forum it automatically brings you over to this forum.

 

As usual, i can not add too or improve on, MrsBs response

[+Walts Hunting]

Here comes the other side of the story. If I find a bug I grab it. If it is not listed as being in the cache I found it then I go back to my log and dip it. That gets everything correct. Do it which ever way you want.