paying membership elitist?

[+narcissa]

I had "a member" tell me paying the Groundspeak membership of $30 was elitist and that every cache should be open to everybody to find.

I think somebody wishes they lived in a socialist paradise where they could set the rules for proper human behavior. Why, in such a world they'd be elite for having the proper thinking.

 

There, I said it.

It's not often you can become "elite" by paying only $30! That's a bargain!

 

And why can't that member come here and speak for himself/herself??

 

It's hard to type on the forum when you're a figment of someone's imagination.

[+wmpastor]

I had "a member" tell me paying the Groundspeak membership of $30 was elitist and that every cache should be open to everybody to find.

I think somebody wishes they lived in a socialist paradise where they could set the rules for proper human behavior. Why, in such a world they'd be elite for having the proper thinking.

 

There, I said it.

It's not often you can become "elite" by paying only $30! That's a bargain!

 

And why can't that member come here and speak for himself/herself??

 

It's hard to type on the forum when you're a figment of someone's imagination.

You mean like a ghostly sock puppet??? Shocking!

[4wheelin_fool]

I had "a member" tell me paying the Groundspeak membership of $30 was elitist and that every cache should be open to everybody to find.

I think somebody wishes they lived in a socialist paradise where they could set the rules for proper human behavior. Why, in such a world they'd be elite for having the proper thinking.

 

There, I said it.

It's not often you can become "elite" by paying only $30! That's a bargain!

 

And why can't that member come here and speak for himself/herself??

 

It's hard to type on the forum when you're a figment of someone's imagination.

You mean like a ghostly sock puppet??? Shocking!

 

I don't see any evidence of how they could be making it up. There have been numerous threads about the topic over the years, enough to fill an entire page, along with several that are locked, out of wmpastor's bumping reach..

[+narcissa]

I don't see any evidence of how they could be making it up. There have been numerous threads about the topic over the years, enough to fill an entire page, along with several that are locked, out of wmpastor's bumping reach..

 

Yes, and most of those topics amount to the same thing - feigned outrage by premium members, with very few (if any) non-premium members actually complaining.

[Andronicus]

Back to the Original Question...

How can it be eletist when basic members can find and log them. I was a Basic Member for about 2 years before I upgraded. I triangulated and found 3 Premium Member caches while still a basic member (and triangulated several more that I didn't get around to finding). The ONLY exclusion is viewing the cache page. That doesn't really seem like eletism to me.

 

Seems to me GS should ban all further threads on this topic. In fact this is likely the 3rd most discussed topic, and it is totally without merrit.

[+GeoBain]

Seems to me GS should ban all further threads on this topic. In fact this is likely the 3rd most discussed topic, and it is totally without merrit.

 

I don't think there is anything elitist about being a premium member but I also see no reason to ban discussion of it. But if they do decide to ban topics based on frequency of discussion, this will likely turn into a ghost town.

[Andronicus]

Seems to me GS should ban all further threads on this topic. In fact this is likely the 3rd most discussed topic, and it is totally without merrit.

 

I don't think there is anything elitist about being a premium member but I also see no reason to ban discussion of it. But if they do decide to ban topics based on frequency of discussion, this will likely turn into a ghost town.

Exelent, so all can keep saying the same things we have been saying for the last several years continualy untill GS dies 87 years from now.

[+wmpastor]

I had "a member" tell me paying the Groundspeak membership of $30 was elitist and that every cache should be open to everybody to find.

I think somebody wishes they lived in a socialist paradise where they could set the rules for proper human behavior. Why, in such a world they'd be elite for having the proper thinking.

 

There, I said it.

It's not often you can become "elite" by paying only $30! That's a bargain!

 

And why can't that member come here and speak for himself/herself??

 

It's hard to type on the forum when you're a figment of someone's imagination.

You mean like a ghostly sock puppet??? Shocking!

 

I don't see any evidence of how they could be making it up. There have been numerous threads about the topic over the years, enough to fill an entire page, along with several that are locked, out of wmpastor's bumping reach..

Bump!

 

There's no doubt that some feel this way - it's just that the view of a tiny minority is being waved like a red flag in front of a bull! Someone needs more drama, & this thread caters to that need. It's one step above pro wrestling.

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Yes, and most of those topics amount to the same thing - feigned outrage by premium members, with very few (if any) non-premium members actually complaining.

 

Not necessarily the basic members who are complaining. I remember this one from a while back; sometimes even premium members shy away from apparent elitism:

 

You're kidding right? You are a premium member and you don't do or want to see PM caches?? You're trolling right? Good grief!! Get a life, or better yet, a hobby.

 

No I just think caches should be for everyone. Limit features on the web site but not physical caches.

So I do not look for or support "only for us" caches or log them if I do accidentally find one.

If they did not show up in map view I could ignore them completely.

I have been a paying member nearly from the beginning because I love geocaching and want to support the infrastructure.

 

Incidentally, I don't mind premium caches, despite having only a basic membership, myself. I'm much less concerned with being excluded from any group than I am with forced association, which scares me. That's the general trend, too. Exclusion for any reason is tending to become less socially acceptable.

[+GeoBain]

Seems to me GS should ban all further threads on this topic. In fact this is likely the 3rd most discussed topic, and it is totally without merrit.

 

I don't think there is anything elitist about being a premium member but I also see no reason to ban discussion of it. But if they do decide to ban topics based on frequency of discussion, this will likely turn into a ghost town.

Exelent, so all can keep saying the same things we have been saying for the last several years continualy untill GS dies 87 years from now.

 

Why not? When you tire of the discussion, stop posting.

[+wmpastor]

Seems to me GS should ban all further threads on this topic. In fact this is likely the 3rd most discussed topic, and it is totally without merrit.

 

I don't think there is anything elitist about being a premium member but I also see no reason to ban discussion of it. But if they do decide to ban topics based on frequency of discussion, this will likely turn into a ghost town.

Exelent, so all can keep saying the same things we have been saying for the last several years continualy untill GS dies 87 years from now.

 

Why not? When you tire of the discussion, stop posting.

Most of what we say is a repeat of what we said over the last several years - and yet we love hearing ourselves say it. What others say? Maybe yes, maybe no. Yes for sure if they agree with us!

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

I don't see any evidence of how they could be making it up. There have been numerous threads about the topic over the years, enough to fill an entire page, along with several that are locked, out of wmpastor's bumping reach..

 

Yes, and most of those topics amount to the same thing - feigned outrage by premium members, with very few (if any) non-premium members actually complaining.

Complaining is a PM benefit for the elite, we can't have the freecacher hoi poloi complaining. Let them eat coordinates.

[4wheelin_fool]

I don't see any evidence of how they could be making it up. There have been numerous threads about the topic over the years, enough to fill an entire page, along with several that are locked, out of wmpastor's bumping reach..

Bump!

 

There's no doubt that some feel this way - it's just that the view of a tiny minority is being waved like a red flag in front of a bull! Someone needs more drama, & this thread caters to that need. It's one step above pro wrestling.

 

Well, it keeps coming up because, frankly it's true. Premium members are elitists. I was at an event not too long ago and I was a bit disturbed when another geocacher let loose a burst of flattulence. I checked, and they were indeed, a premium member. I reminded them of proper premium member conduct, and told them that if it continued, I would notify Groundspeak and ask to have their premium membership suspended. They apologized and explained that it was due to an unfortunate combination of Valium and bean burritos. If they were a regular member I wouldn't have said anything at all.

Also, a few months ago, I was pulled over for doing 87 in a 65. I asked the officer if he's heard of Freemasonry. He said that he had. I then told him that I was not a Freemason, but an official Groundspeak Premium member and mentioned that the police chief might be one also. He then asked me to watch my speed and apologized for stopping me. It's nice being elite.

[+wmpastor]

I don't see any evidence of how they could be making it up. There have been numerous threads about the topic over the years, enough to fill an entire page, along with several that are locked, out of wmpastor's bumping reach..

Bump!

 

There's no doubt that some feel this way - it's just that the view of a tiny minority is being waved like a red flag in front of a bull! Someone needs more drama, & this thread caters to that need. It's one step above pro wrestling.

 

Well, it keeps coming up because, frankly it's true. Premium members are elitists. I was at an event not too long ago and I was a bit disturbed when another geocacher let loose a burst of flattulence. I checked, and they were indeed, a premium member. I reminded them of proper premium member conduct, and told them that if it continued, I would notify Groundspeak and ask to have their premium membership suspended. They apologized and explained that it was due to an unfortunate combination of Valium and bean burritos. If they were a regular member I wouldn't have said anything at all.

Also, a few months ago, I was pulled over for doing 87 in a 65. I asked the officer if he's heard of Freemasonry. He said that he had. I then told him that I was not a Freemason, but an official Groundspeak Premium member and mentioned that the police chief might be one also. He then asked me to watch my speed and apologized for stopping me. It's nice being elite.

So you suggest handing the officer an unactivated geocoin tb with your license??

[4wheelin_fool]

So you suggest handing the officer an unactivated geocoin tb with your license??

 

No. That would be bribery.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

We need a PM Geocacher ring and pass grip.

Edited August 17, 2014 by TheAlabamaRambler

[+The_Incredibles_]

The other benefit of being eletist that nobody has mentioned is that you don't need to find caches anymore.

 

They find you.

 

That's right, for just 8 cents/day, all you need to do is get to GZ and caches will leap right into your waiting hands.

 

I got 70 smilies today before lunch and I didn't even break a sweat.

 

That's what you can expect when you're elete.

[+the_divepirate]

"Have you seen how much it costs to tune up a bike?"

 

Not to mention the cost to tuna fish.

 

Tuning a casserole is an even bigger mess!!!

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Tune a casserole...

[+K13]

I just received this note from HQ, after having found only 6 non-PMO caches this month.

 

Welcome to the upper echelon of geocachers.

 

Sort of diminishes some of the the elite-ness of being a Premium Member.

[+wmpastor]

The other benefit of being eletist that nobody has mentioned is that you don't need to find caches anymore.

 

They find you.

 

That's right, for just 8 cents/day, all you need to do is get to GZ and caches will leap right into your waiting hands.

 

I got 70 smilies today before lunch and I didn't even break a sweat.

 

That's what you can expect when you're elete.

We feel your pride in those 70 smileys before lunch. Then again, we read about it in at least two threads. Maybe you should mention it in the Speaking Thread too!

 

Caches jumping out - that awaits the next generation of GPS' rs.

 

Of course you didn't break a sweat - you're near the north pole!

[Way Ward One]

It is the United States Military that established, owns and maintains the world wide GPS. At some point in the 1990's the Military made a portion of the technology available to the general public. It was shortly after that when the "For Profit" business Geocaching.com emerged and organized this great sport. Thank you Groundspeak!

 

Original memberships were ONLY free ones as one should expect since it is quite probably illegal for Groundspeak to profit from the works of our Government who created GPS. It is further questionable that Groundspeak now profits from Premium Membership Only caches which are hidden on Public Lands. Now, I am no lawyer, but it is wrong that a public patron who pays an access fee to a park must also pay a fee to Groundspeak to search a geocache hidden there. I am not opposed to Premium Membership. I am opposed to Premium Membership Only geocaches.

 

Additionally, fewer and fewer trackables can be found in NON-premium member caches as these are moved out of "Public" circulation and into the realm of Premium. Perhaps the word "elite" is too offending, but how else could you describe this new "Class" of geocacher? I don't believe Groundspeak envisioned this ugly face when they created Premium Membership, but it is here and it is growing uglier by the day.

[+tozainamboku]

.. it is quite probably illegal for Groundspeak to profit from the works of our Government who created GPS.

Tell that to Google, Facebook, Apple, AT&T, Verizon, etc.

 

The next thing you'll be claiming is that the Government has the right to collect geolocation data on it citizens because it's their GPS system

[+cerberus1]

It is the United States Military that established, owns and maintains the world wide GPS. At some point in the 1990's the Military made a portion of the technology available to the general public. It was shortly after that when the "For Profit" business Geocaching.com emerged and organized this great sport. Thank you Groundspeak!

 

Original memberships were ONLY free ones as one should expect since it is quite probably illegal for Groundspeak to profit from the works of our Government who created GPS. It is further questionable that Groundspeak now profits from Premium Membership Only caches which are hidden on Public Lands. Now, I am no lawyer, but it is wrong that a public patron who pays an access fee to a park must also pay a fee to Groundspeak to search a geocache hidden there. I am not opposed to Premium Membership. I am opposed to Premium Membership Only geocaches.

 

Additionally, fewer and fewer trackables can be found in NON-premium member caches as these are moved out of "Public" circulation and into the realm of Premium. Perhaps the word "elite" is too offending, but how else could you describe this new "Class" of geocacher? I don't believe Groundspeak envisioned this ugly face when they created Premium Membership, but it is here and it is growing uglier by the day.

Have you ever done a pmo cache? They're often no different than any other.

Way too many other caches to worry about 'em.

I went on "all nearby caches" on one you last found (in '12...) and there were only 4 out of 100 that were pmo.

- Doesn't sound so elitist to me...

 

I don't believe that trackables are heading en masse to pmo caches.

We're seeing fewer and fewer trackables everywhere, due to folks not spending the time to learn what to do with them, logging them incorrectly (or keeping 'em).

[+wmpastor]

On the comment above, it seems there are less trackables in *any* caches. The number is down, I think. People are having problems with TBs. Those seem on the upswing. Why? I have my theories and so do you (or not).

 

[+wmpastor]

I am not opposed to Premium Membership. I am opposed to Premium Membership Only geocaches.

Okay, so under your view of ethics, what benefits is GS "permitted" to give members who are willing to pay for them?

 

And where exactly do your rules leave the concept of free enterprise?

 

And please, no demeaning and baseless remarks about premium stuff being being ugly. Cachers who don't respect caches and other cachers are the problem (whatever their background).

 

Just curious - do you boycott sports events and concerts because those with more expensive tickets get better seats??! Sounds horribly elitist to me!

 

[+fbingha]

Wow, is this an argument from 2003?

 

What part of "listing service" do you not understand? Groundspeak does not stop you from finding pmo caches.

 

I suspect most people who hide pmo today do it to stop the free app people from compromising their hides. That is the only reason I do it. It is definitely less elitist now than it ever was due to that darn free app. It is about survival.

Edited October 28, 2014 by fbingha

[Way Ward One]

I am not opposed to Premium Membership. I am opposed to Premium Membership Only geocaches.

Okay, so under your view of ethics, what benefits is GS "permitted" to give members who are willing to pay for them?

 

And where exactly do your rules leave the concept of free enterprise?

 

And please, no demeaning and baseless remarks about premium stuff being being ugly. Cachers who don't respect caches and other cachers are the problem (whatever their background).

 

Just curious - do you boycott sports events and concerts because those with more expensive tickets get better seats??! Sounds horribly elitist to me!

 

What benefits for Premium Membership? How about: "Unlock new features that will make your geocaching experience even better, ....., advanced mapping, custom searches, offline geocaching and more." But not to include "premium-only caches"

 

The concept of free enterprise is at the heart of the creation of geocaching.com but when they created Premium Memberships, Groundspeak overstepped with PMO caches.

 

The "ugly" I speak of is the formerly non-existant division of geocachers who "Have" vs those "Who Have Not" When challenged, the "Haves" always come out with guns blazing because they have something at risk (PMO caches in this case). And I heartily agree with you about the disrespecting participants being the problem.... just look at the disrespect my comments have garnered! (Yours NOT among these)

 

Boycott sporting events because of better higher priced seats? The creator of the event is entitled to whatever revenues the spectators are willing to pay. And Groundspeak is entitled to revenues from its creations. Groundspeak did not originally charge members for access to members' created geocaches located on public lands utilizing public domain technology. But when they created Premium Membership Only caches, they birth to a second "Class" of geocachers. Before..... we were all the same, but now.....

[+Crow-T-Robot]

 

Boycott sporting events because of better higher priced seats? The creator of the event is entitled to whatever revenues the spectators are willing to pay. And Groundspeak is entitled to revenues from its creations. Groundspeak did not originally charge members for access to members' created geocaches located on public lands utilizing public domain technology. But when they created Premium Membership Only caches, they birth to a second "Class" of geocachers. Before..... we were all the same, but now.....

 

Groundspeak doesn't hide premium member only caches. They give premium members the option to hide/list them and as far as I know, no one who has ever hidden a PMO cache has ever made a single dollar off of it. I'm sure it was Groundspeaks dream that PMO caches would dominate the scene and that for anyone who wanted to find geocaches using their website, they'd have to pay for a membership or be left with the odd cache here and there that was not premium. That hasn't happened. Not even close. I doubt that PMO caches make up even 5% of the total number caches listed on geocaching.com. Those cachers who buy premium memberships do so because of the other features offered but the ability to create PMO caches is usually an afterthought and rarely used.

[+niraD]

.. it is quite probably illegal for Groundspeak to profit from the works of our Government who created GPS.

Tell that to Google, Facebook, Apple, AT&T, Verizon, etc.

And don't forget the Evil Corporations™ like Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, TomTom--and others--who have been profiting (I say, they have been PROFITING!) from the manufacture of GPS devices for years!

 

Or the Evil Corporations™ like Rand McNally, Thomas Guide, DeLorme, MapQuest--and others--who have been profiting (I say, they have been PROFITING!) from the publication of information about public roadways for decades, roadways that they did not build and that they do not own!

 

I say, you got Profit!

Profit with a capital "P"

And that rhymes with "T"

And that stands for Trouble!

[4wheelin_fool]

A second class of geocachers for only $30 per year is a bit cheap. That's half a tank of gas, or less than $3 per month. This argument gets more and more comical every year. Essentially the site is communist based, with an infusion of capitalism to keep it running, and by definition capitalism is elitist. However I don't know how much elitist 60 cents per week is, but its not much. Nobody can find every cache, so why would anyone complain about the PMOs?

[4wheelin_fool]

Additionally, fewer and fewer trackables can be found in NON-premium member caches as these are moved out of "Public" circulation and into the realm of Premium. Perhaps the word "elite" is too offending, but how else could you describe this new "Class" of geocacher? I don't believe Groundspeak envisioned this ugly face when they created Premium Membership, but it is here and it is growing uglier by the day.

 

You haven't logged any finds in 2 years and yet are complaining that there are PMO caches out there. Trackables are often left in PMO caches to prevent people from stealing them. Yes, there are people who drive fancy cars and have good jobs, but yet steal napkins from restaurants, as well as ketchup packets to empty into their ketchup bottles at home, and keep a McDonalds cup in their car for lifetime free refills. These probably are the same ones who steal trackables and coins because they are shiny.

[Mr.Yuck]

 

Boycott sporting events because of better higher priced seats? The creator of the event is entitled to whatever revenues the spectators are willing to pay. And Groundspeak is entitled to revenues from its creations. Groundspeak did not originally charge members for access to members' created geocaches located on public lands utilizing public domain technology. But when they created Premium Membership Only caches, they birth to a second "Class" of geocachers. Before..... we were all the same, but now.....

 

Groundspeak doesn't hide premium member only caches. They give premium members the option to hide/list them and as far as I know, no one who has ever hidden a PMO cache has ever made a single dollar off of it. I'm sure it was Groundspeaks dream that PMO caches would dominate the scene and that for anyone who wanted to find geocaches using their website, they'd have to pay for a membership or be left with the odd cache here and there that was not premium. That hasn't happened. Not even close. I doubt that PMO caches make up even 5% of the total number caches listed on geocaching.com. Those cachers who buy premium memberships do so because of the other features offered but the ability to create PMO caches is usually an afterthought and rarely used.

 

Per the bolded text, I would love to see Groundspeak release the overall percentage of PMO caches. It varies wildly, let me tell you. I've seen area's where it's darn near 50%, and just because "everyone else does it". I believe if Swine Flew stops by, he can give us the overall percentage for Oregon, and I seem to remember that being about 13%. With near 50% regions scattered about. In most of Europe, I'll bet the percentage is very low.

[+wmpastor]

I would love to see Groundspeak release the overall percentage of PMO caches.

 

Any college statistics major with an open weekend could give a highly accurate estimate of that %.

 

(1) set parameters to seek a worldwide random sample of caches from the site

 

(2) determine how large a sample you want - the larger the sample, the greater the accuracy or "confidence level"

 

(3) count premium and non-premium caches in your sample

 

And bing!, you've got your top-secret, proprietary information.

[+narcissa]

The only thing worse than a needlessly bumped thread is a needlessly bumped thread with a really bad spelling error in the title.

[Way Ward One]

The only thing worse than a needlessly bumped thread is a needlessly bumped thread with a really bad spelling error in the title.

And thank you Infallible_ for your discussion bump! This has wandered from topic, "paying membership eletist?"

 

Of primary focus is that all was well with geocaching before the advent of Premium Members Only caches. However, with the inauguration of Premium Member Only caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Haves vs Have-Nots, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

 

It is significant that of all the benefits of Premium Membership, only Premium Membership Only caches ignite derision in the community. Remove PMO caches and there is no Divide.

 

Here's a question for you... Would you purchase a Premium Membership if it offered everything it now does except Premium Members Only caches?

[+narcissa]

The only thing worse than a needlessly bumped thread is a needlessly bumped thread with a really bad spelling error in the title.

And thank you Infallible_ for your discussion bump! This has wandered from topic, "paying membership eletist?"

 

Of primary focus is that all was well with geocaching before the advent of Premium Members Only caches. However, with the inauguration of Premium Member Only caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Haves vs Have-Nots, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

 

It is significant that of all the benefits of Premium Membership, only Premium Membership Only caches ignite derision in the community. Remove PMO caches and there is no Divide.

 

Here's a question for you... Would you purchase a Premium Membership if it offered everything it now does except Premium Members Only caches?

 

The "inauguration" was some years ago.

 

They aren't an issue in my community.

[+thebruce0]

The only thing worse than a needlessly bumped thread is a needlessly bumped thread with a really bad spelling error in the title.

Wow, I hadn't even noticed that until now!

[+thebruce0]

Of primary focus is that all was well with geocaching before the advent of Premium Members Only caches. However, with the inauguration of Premium Member Only caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Haves vs Have-Nots, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

---

all was well with geocaching before the advent of Lamp Post caches. However, with the inauguration of Lamp Post caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, lazy urban caching vs caching for nature and the sites, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

---

all was well with geocaching before the advent of Cemetery caches. However, with the inauguration of Cemetery caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, disrespectful cachers vs respectful cachers, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

---

all was well with geocaching before the advent of profile statistics. However, with the inauguration of profile statistics, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Numbers cachers vs cachers who just love to cache, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

---

all was well with geocaching before the advent of Smartphone caching. However, with the inauguration of Smartphone devices, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Smartphone cachers vs GPSr cachers, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

---

all was well with geocaching before the advent of.......

Edited October 28, 2014 by thebruce0

[+cerberus1]

Here's a question for you... Would you purchase a Premium Membership if it offered everything it now does except Premium Members Only caches?

PQs, Bookmarks and Notifications are what most cough up the bucks for.

PMO caches are pretty-much an afterthought...

- Didn't you read any of this thread?

[+cerberus1]

It is significant that of all the benefits of Premium Membership, only Premium Membership Only caches ignite derision in the community. Remove PMO caches and there is no Divide.

Please provide an real (not an opinion piece) example.

[+The Leprechauns]

Of primary focus is that all was well with geocaching before the advent of Premium Members Only caches. However, with the inauguration of Premium Member Only caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Haves vs Have-Nots, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

 

It is significant that of all the benefits of Premium Membership, only Premium Membership Only caches ignite derision in the community. Remove PMO caches and there is no Divide.

 

Here's a question for you... Would you purchase a Premium Membership if it offered everything it now does except Premium Members Only caches?

2002 called. They want their thread back.

Edited October 28, 2014 by The Leprechauns

[+narcissa]

I feel sad that I missed the inauguration of PMO caches. Was there a party?

[+cheech gang]

I look in the mirror and all I see is an emboldened self-anointed elitist. Where else can you get such a deal for only $30!

[+The Leprechauns]

I look in the mirror and all I see is an emboldened self-anointed elitist. Where else can you get such a deal for only $30!

Golly. Plenty of places. Like here, for starters.

[+cheech gang]

I look in the mirror and all I see is an emboldened self-anointed elitist. Where else can you get such a deal for only $30!

Golly. Plenty of places. Like here, for starters.

 

DANG! I wish I hadn't already spent my one and only $30 bill on this Groundspeak fiasco...

[+BCandMsKitty]

I had a regular non member cache muggled over the weekend. my premium caches are still doing fine. I mentioned that fact on a local caching page. I had a member tell me paying the Groundspeak membership of $30 was elitist and that every cache should be open to everybody to find. I know around my area about 50% of the regular non member caches that had swag or trackables in them are destroyed. seems the premium member caches are always in really good shape and fewer of them are muggled. I have desided all my caches will be premium member caches from now on out.

Not elitist ... common sense, depending on your area and experience.

Bolded part is just nonsense!

[+fbingha]

Within a 48km radius from my home, there are 669 geocaches. (Really terrible huh???)

 

Anyway, of that 669 geocaches, 191 are premium only, which is about 28%.

[4wheelin_fool]

The only thing worse than a needlessly bumped thread is a needlessly bumped thread with a really bad spelling error in the title.

And thank you Infallible_ for your discussion bump! This has wandered from topic, "paying membership eletist?"

 

Of primary focus is that all was well with geocaching before the advent of Premium Members Only caches. However, with the inauguration of Premium Member Only caches, this great sport increasingly suffers. Lines have been drawn up, Haves vs Have-Nots, and the more emboldened and self-anointed are quick to blame the other, further exasperating issues. Groundspeak created this obscene environment and they can fix it.

 

It is significant that of all the benefits of Premium Membership, only Premium Membership Only caches ignite derision in the community. Remove PMO caches and there is no Divide.

 

Here's a question for you... Would you purchase a Premium Membership if it offered everything it now does except Premium Members Only caches?

 

The self anointed haves celebrated the obscene inauguration well before you joined. Perhaps you could post your views under your regular account? Otherwise it's an obvious poorly veiled attempt at drive by trolling.

[Andronicus]

I had a regular non member cache muggled over the weekend. my premium caches are still doing fine. I mentioned that fact on a local caching page. I had a member tell me paying the Groundspeak membership of $30 was elitist and that every cache should be open to everybody to find. I know around my area about 50% of the regular non member caches that had swag or trackables in them are destroyed. seems the premium member caches are always in really good shape and fewer of them are muggled. I have desided all my caches will be premium member caches from now on out.

Bolded part is just nonsense! As the owner of a cache, I get to pick who should be able to find it. I may not want freeloaders to have access to the cache. Maybe I don't even want geocaching.com members to have access. Maybe, only members of my local Jr. Forest Wardens troop. Since it is my cache, that is my choice.

 

With believes like yours, I am surprised you have door locks on your house and cars. Shouldn't all houses be open to everybody to sleep in? Every car open to everybody to drive?

 

PS you don't need a premium membership to find PMO caches. Try messing around with the different search options until you find one that lets you play "hotter/colder". I used that way to find more than one PMO caches before I was a PM. You can also log your PMO cache finds using the well documented "Back Door" method.