Putting up a cache for a company?

[Gabeman26]

I am friends with someone from a company that does Chiropractic solutions. They are big in the community and they would like to put a geocache by their office.

 

I myself do not own any caches but I do want to help them out. What are the guidelines for doing this as a company?

[+noncentric]

Before hiding a cache, be sure to read the Geocache hiding guidelines.

 

In particular, you'll want to carefully review the section about "Cache page content".  A cache placed near a business with the business's permission is generally fine, but placing that cache in order to promote/advertise the business is probably not.  Your local Reviewer is generally your best resource for questions about what is allowable.

 

Quote

No commercial content

Cache pages perceived as commercial will not be published. Commercial content includes any of the following characteristics

• Overtones of advertising, marketing, or promotion
• Suggests or requires the finder do any of the following
  • Go inside a business
  • Interact with employees
  • Purchase a product or service
• Name, links, or logos of the following
  • Businesses
  • Commercial products
  • Competing games or cache listing services
• Links or logos of agencies and organizations (including nonprofit organizations), unless needed for permission

 

 

[+Max and 99]

I wold think that a cache at the business but outside would be more acceptable by the reviewer.

[+Wet Pancake Touring Club]

First, read up on the commercial guidelines in the Help Center. noncentric posted a great guide, and provided a link.

 

As for a company putting out caches, so long as they follow all the guidelines, this shouldn't be a problem. I know of churches, counties, cities, and other organizations that put out caches, why not a commercial business. Again, so long as they follow the guidelines.

 

There are other things I would take into consideration, such as the surroundings. Would the cache be near a strip mall, or shopping center? Cachers go after caches at all hours of the day. Would they get stopped by law enforcement for snooping around at 1:00AM?

 

Good hiding areas near businesses may be difficult to find. What camouflage would be needed to keep the cache from getting stolen? A container in a flower pot may be problematic for a number of reasons. A bird house cache may be a better cache. And, let's not forget the unofficial rule for placing geocaches.

"When you go to hide a geocache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the geocache, then find a better spot."

briansnat, Charter Member

 

There are other ways that a company could support the local geocaching community. Consider organizing a reward trail, or even an officially sponsored GeoTour. Find a specific set of geocaches, write down a pass phrase on a 'passport', and provide a trackable geocoin for completion of the passport. The company could provide funding for the geocoin. There is a separate forum for GeoTours & Reward Trails.