Trackable grabbed but cannot log it elsewhere

[+uglytrio]

Help!  I grabbed a trackable down in TX on vacation.  Brought it home and looked it up on its own page.  Says it is the possession of the owner, but it was in a cache (now with me).  I cannot seem to figure out how to log this trackable as "grabbed" since it is still "with owner".  This will keep me from moving it on as well.  All I get as options is "Discovered it" or "Write a note".  I have messaged the owner, but they have not responded.  Any suggestions?  Or am I missing a way to do this, doing something wrong?

[+hzoi]

If it's been a bit, I'd say just grab it and visit it to the cache where you found it.

[+kunarion]

1 hour ago, uglytrio said:

Help!  I grabbed a trackable down in TX on vacation.  Brought it home and looked it up on its own page.  Says it is the possession of the owner, but it was in a cache (now with me).  I cannot seem to figure out how to log this trackable as "grabbed" since it is still "with owner".  This will keep me from moving it on as well.  All I get as options is "Discovered it" or "Write a note".  I have messaged the owner, but they have not responded.  Any suggestions?  Or am I missing a way to do this, doing something wrong?

 

Here's a page about how to log a Trackable:

https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=30&pgid=151

 

If that doesn't work, either post the Reference Number (the number that starts with "TB" in the top right corner of the Trackable's page, NOT the Tracking Code), or ask the Help Center.

 

Another option, if for example the Owner has placed into his Collection or something, where it's impossible to log it properly, is to place it in a cache.  Make a log note or Discover log.  Done.  

Edited February 12 by kunarion

[+uglytrio]

I know how to grab and log a typical trackable.  The problem here is that the owner did not log it into the cache they placed it into and I grabbed it from.  So even if I just place it in a new cache I guess I could see if I could use the "Discovered it" option there on its page and bring it "alive again" so its page can then document its travels?

[+kunarion]

1 hour ago, uglytrio said:

I know how to grab and log a typical trackable.  The problem here is that the owner did not log it into the cache they placed it into and I grabbed it from.  So even if I just place it in a new cache I guess I could see if I could use the "Discovered it" option there on its page and bring it "alive again" so its page can then document its travels?

 

It's tough for me to guess what the issue is without specifics.

 

You should ask the Help Center:

https://www.geocaching.com/help/

But be aware that they will also need you to reveal more information. 

[+TriciaG]

The TB is set as Non-Collectible (or is it Collectible? I forget which is which), meaning it's meant to stay in the possession of the owner and not travel from cache to cache.

 

Discover it, write what's going on in your log, and dump it in another cache for someone else to deal with.

Edited February 13 by TriciaG

[+MtnGoat50]

On 2/12/2025 at 9:14 AM, uglytrio said:

I know how to grab and log a typical trackable.  The problem here is that the owner did not log it into the cache they placed it into and I grabbed it from.  So even if I just place it in a new cache I guess I could see if I could use the "Discovered it" option there on its page and bring it "alive again" so its page can then document its travels?

Based on what you've said the only thing that makes sense to me is that the owner has made it collectable and has put it in their collection. When a trackable is in a collection the only logging options are, Write note and Discover.  I can't think of any other situation where those are the only two options.

 

Does it say it's collectable on the TB page?

If you'll provide a link to the listing or the reference number (NOT the secret tracking number) so everyone can look at it, that would be helpful. 

To fix the problem the owner needs to move it to their inventory and make it NOT collectable. 

[+uglytrio]

I went to an event and got some help.  It is a collectable and that solves that.  Thanks to all who responded.

[+CAVinoGal]

I am tagging on to this thread because it is a current discussion, the title of a new thread would be the same, and the situation is very similar.  The resolution will be different because the TB I picked is showing "The owner hasn't set their collectible preference."  For reference, the TB in question is https://coord.info/TBGTGH an oldie, first released in July 2004.  Note - the gallery does show the actual TB code in a couple of pictures, though all the logs appear to be genuine travels and drops and retrieves.  Also note the TB I have in my hands has a laminated tag and a different bauble attached than the original and what's shown in the photos....

 

In November 2010, the owner marked it as "Missing", as it had been placed in a cache in June 2008, and reported as not being seen in the cache in August 2008.  Then, in May 2021 it was grabbed by a cacher and began moving again, through a few cachers who dropped, retrieved, visited caches in Massachusetts, Hawaii, New York, California, New Jersey, and back to California where it was placed in a cache in October 2021.  It was discovered there in February 2023, then I came along on 3/15/2025, seeking the Pi Day souvenir. 

 

Only having the app at that point, I looked up the TB and saw it was listed as "Missing", so I grabbed it, and figured I'd log a drop and retrieve where I found it when I got to my computer later that evening.  That's when the fun (and investigation) began.  It shows on the cache page as being in my hands, and it shows up in my inventory.  BUT, the only options are Write Note and Discover - I can't place it in the cache I found it in order to retrieve it, though it shows it WAS dropped in that cache in May of 2021, and discovered there once before I grabbed it.

 

I have contacted the Trackable owner but have not yet received a response.  I could do as others have suggested - just put it in another cache and let someone else deal with it.  But that's not me or how I play the TB game - and it currently is in MY hands, and I want to fix this and make it right!!  Ideas?  Suggestions?

 

[+kunarion]

10 hours ago, CAVinoGal said:

I am tagging on to this thread because it is a current discussion, the title of a new thread would be the same, and the situation is very similar.  The resolution will be different because the TB I picked is showing "The owner hasn't set their collectible preference."  For reference, the TB in question is https://coord.info/TBGTGH an oldie, first released in July 2004.  Note - the gallery does show the actual TB code in a couple of pictures, though all the logs appear to be genuine travels and drops and retrieves.  Also note the TB I have in my hands has a laminated tag and a different bauble attached than the original and what's shown in the photos....

 

In November 2010, the owner marked it as "Missing", as it had been placed in a cache in June 2008, and reported as not being seen in the cache in August 2008.  Then, in May 2021 it was grabbed by a cacher and began moving again, through a few cachers who dropped, retrieved, visited caches in Massachusetts, Hawaii, New York, California, New Jersey, and back to California where it was placed in a cache in October 2021.  It was discovered there in February 2023, then I came along on 3/15/2025, seeking the Pi Day souvenir. 

 

Only having the app at that point, I looked up the TB and saw it was listed as "Missing", so I grabbed it, and figured I'd log a drop and retrieve where I found it when I got to my computer later that evening.  That's when the fun (and investigation) began.  It shows on the cache page as being in my hands, and it shows up in my inventory.  BUT, the only options are Write Note and Discover - I can't place it in the cache I found it in order to retrieve it, though it shows it WAS dropped in that cache in May of 2021, and discovered there once before I grabbed it.

 

I have contacted the Trackable owner but have not yet received a response.  I could do as others have suggested - just put it in another cache and let someone else deal with it.  But that's not me or how I play the TB game - and it currently is in MY hands, and I want to fix this and make it right!!  Ideas?  Suggestions?

 

 

This may be something to ask in the Help Center.  Sometimes there is database weirdness with these things.

 

If it was once marked "Collectible" and next placed into a "Collection", and even if that were undone, the text "The owner hasn't set their collectible preference" would no longer be available.  So I think it has never been in a Collection.  The issue with not having a suitable selection of logs might be a glitch.

 

 

Edited March 17 by kunarion

[+CAVinoGal]

7 hours ago, kunarion said:

This may be something to ask in the Help Center

OK-just sent the story and info via Help Center form.  We'll see what their response is.  And still nothing from the TB owner, who last logged on to geocaching.com in January 2024, and last found a cache in 2011.

 

[+kunarion]

2 minutes ago, CAVinoGal said:

OK-just sent the story and info via Help Center form.  We'll see what their response is.  And still nothing from the TB owner, who last logged on to geocaching.com in January 2024, and last found a cache in 2011.

 

 

I know it sat around for years, but seeing such an ancient relic with just 100 logs... it makes me curious if a site issue somehow developed.  From your description, it's like it became Collected without the paper trail.  It's kind of mysterious!

 

OK, there's probably a logical explanation.  I just haven't thought of what that explanation  is.  

[+CAVinoGal]

What I find confusing is that someone placed it in the cache where I found it (GC1FG4E) in 2021, according to the trackable's page and logs, and it was, indeed, in that cache.  But the cache inventory showed no trackables, and when I input the TB code, it said the TB had been marked "Missing" (Using the official geocaching app on my phone).  I simply grabbed it, which seemed to work, as it's now in my inventory and the TB page shows it in my hands.  Later, on the website on my computer, trying to rectify things, is where I ran into the weirdness.

 

The trackable map shows all the visits and drops as listed on the cache page, but I have no options to drop or retrieve!!!

 

UPDATE: I was able to drop and then retrieve it using the app - so it's all good.  Though I do prefer logging on the computer; guess for this one TB I will use the app when I drop it.  At least I can log notes if needed!!.

Edited March 17 by CAVinoGal
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