TNLN or Trade?

[+Clan Ferguson]

Hello out there in Cache-land.

 

I have issues over TNLN as it relates to geocaching. I don't want to get in to it here but what I do want to know is...

 

When you find the cache,

 

Do you TNLN or do you trade?

(virts/locationless and Mircos aside.)

 

Me. I always trade.

 

Cache On!!

 

James

"Big Dog"

-Clan Ferguson

[umc]

I Like to trade but recently in a cache I visited there was not a darn thing worth trading, everything was used and dirty. Now normally I would like to trade up but I didn't see the point in this circumstance. I would rather trade nothing than add to the junk.

 

[NightHiker]

I don't usually trade anything. However, when I bring my family or friends they always trade.

 

My fun comes from the planning, hiking, searching, not the exchanging. I always sign the logbook and post my find on the web, but almost never trade.

[+GatoRx]

If I see something that I like, I'll rummage through my bag for something to trade. If not, its a sign the log, TNLN sort of thing (unless the cache is looking pretty bad, in which case I'd try and leave something to spruce it up.)

[+PI Joe]

I do like to move the travel bugs around and I do sometimes help replenish caches that have gotten a little "thin" but I don't usually take anything for myself. Now, when My Three Sons (3,7, & 9) are caching with me (or should I say treasure hunting) we bring things for them to exchange.

 

TxHipowr

[+Nurse Dave]

If I see something interesting, I'll trade, and I feel I bring nice stuff. If I open up the box and see plastic toys and a golfball, I shake my head, sign the log book and walk away.

 

---I will stand out, I am a raven in the snow.

[dboggny]

SR, my wife likes to trade, i dont trade. she enjoys trading.

 

SR and dboggny. my mother in law rides a broom!

[+Squirrel Nut & Beersnob]

If there's something interesting, I'll trade. If I'm not interested in anything, I'll leave a little something unless it's already stuffed. (I recently got a bunch of cheap-but-might-be-interesting-to-someone keychains, and some other *unused* stuff for free.)

 

I walk the Maze of Moments, but everywhere I turn to, begins a new beginning, but never finds a finish..

[Rickfur]

I always try to leave something... But I rarely take anything, (unless I find a pin... I collect those)

 

Generally, the caches that are 2 mile hikes or longer seem to be loaded with *really* nice stuff. If I'm heading out to one, I'll stop by the store and grab something decent just for the occasion (left DVD movies, tool kits, snakebite kits, etc)

 

The shorter ones I usually take nothing but I'll leave a koosh ball, or keychain or something...

 

I remember my first few caches, I left a DVD in one and a screwdriver set in another, and they guy behind me traded a buck for each... I was a *little* torqued

 

Contents Under Pressure...

[Rickfur]

I always try to leave something... But I rarely take anything, (unless I find a pin... I collect those)

 

Generally, the caches that are 2 mile hikes or longer seem to be loaded with *really* nice stuff. If I'm heading out to one, I'll stop by the store and grab something decent just for the occasion (left DVD movies, tool kits, snakebite kits, etc)

 

The shorter ones I usually take nothing but I'll leave a koosh ball, or keychain or something...

 

I remember my first few caches, I left a DVD in one and a screwdriver set in another, and they guy behind me traded a buck for each... I was a *little* torqued

 

Contents Under Pressure...

[+ApK]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Clan Ferguson:

 

Me. I always trade.

---

 

Often there's nothing of interest to me, so I TNLN, otherwise, we carry a box of cache prizes with us, and we trade, but will either not mention it, or more usually log it only as TSLS, as I want the cache contents to be a suprize, and I have no interest in getting into debates on whether what I traded was an "up" or a "down" trade. I trust my own taste and values.

 

ApK

[Dru Morgan]

If my daughter is with me, I will trade something because she will invariably see a toy that she wants. But, I am getting away from really caring what is inside the caches. If I see something I might take it.

 

Lately, I have gone to the 99cent store and picked up a whole basket full of goodies. Little grooming kits, office supplies, tire gauges, tools, flashlights, watches, cards, games, you name it. For $20, I am stocked up and always have something fitting to drop in a cache I visit.

 

Serious cachers needed! www.theheavenlyhost.com/geocache

[+Markwell]

Wow. Dru is doing the EXACT same thing I am, except I go to the Dollar Store.

 

When the kids are along, I trade. Just me - no, unless there is something phenomenal in the cache. Then I leave three or four goodies to replace the one that I took - always something useful is left if I trade.

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

[BassoonPilot]

I usually only trade Where's George dollars (out here, there are usually two or three in every cache,) but if there are none in the cache, I usually take nothing and leave one or two Georges.

 

I've TNLN twice when I left my wallet in the car, a couple of times when I felt the cache had been compromised because the logbook indicated the last couple of visitors had left Georges and there were none to be found in the cache, and on a couple of very rare occasions when I felt the cache was a complete waste of time ... though I would never write that in a log/logbook.

[BassoonPilot]

I usually only trade Where's George dollars (out here, there are usually two or three in every cache,) but if there are none in the cache, I usually take nothing and leave one or two Georges.

 

I've TNLN twice when I left my wallet in the car, a couple of times when I felt the cache had been compromised because the logbook indicated the last couple of visitors had left Georges and there were none to be found in the cache, and on a couple of very rare occasions when I felt the cache was a complete waste of time ... though I would never write that in a log/logbook.

[+ApK]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BassoonPilot:

I've TNLN [. . .]on a couple of very rare occasions when I felt the cache was a complete waste of time ... though I would never write that in a log/logbook.

---

 

>

 

ApK

 

[This message was edited by ApK on September 24, 2002 at 10:34 AM.]

[+ApK]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BassoonPilot:

I've TNLN [. . .]on a couple of very rare occasions when I felt the cache was a complete waste of time ... though I would never write that in a log/logbook.

---

 

>

 

ApK

 

[This message was edited by ApK on September 24, 2002 at 10:34 AM.]

[+welch]

if i had the foresight to bring items with me, then ill trade, even if theres nothing i wanted ill just leave whatever i brought just so i dont have to carry it back out.

but if i didnt bring an item(s), or the cache is full and i dont take anything, then its just TNLN.

 

[Rigour]

If I TNLN, it's an editorial comment on the contents of the cache.

[+Centaur]

If you have taken something you like out of one cache, and you ever put that item back in another cache?

-Centaur

 

[BassoonPilot]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ApK:

 

>

 

Ha! If I did, it must have been one where I forgot my wallet. (That's my standard answer, and I'm not changing it for anybody.)

[BassoonPilot]

quote:

---

Originally posted by ApK:

 

>

 

Ha! If I did, it must have been one where I forgot my wallet. (That's my standard answer, and I'm not changing it for anybody.)

[+Cachier]

I've been to some caches that were pretty-well picked over. I always take along something newly purchased from Walmart or Dicks to contribute thats worth at least a buck or two. I usually don't take anything unless it appeals to me in some way. There was this neat rubber chicken in a cache in South Jersey that I've been having some great fun with. The adventure of finding and logging the cache usually makes up for any boring contents.

 

"When you find it, its always in the last place you look."

[+Cachier]

I've been to some caches that were pretty-well picked over. I always take along something newly purchased from Walmart or Dicks to contribute thats worth at least a buck or two. I usually don't take anything unless it appeals to me in some way. There was this neat rubber chicken in a cache in South Jersey that I've been having some great fun with. The adventure of finding and logging the cache usually makes up for any boring contents.

 

"When you find it, its always in the last place you look."

[kurtuleas]

For me it's the hunt, not nessasarily whats in the cache. Some of the best caches that I have found are micros with not much in them.

 

KURTULEAS

[+Jamie Z]

My first couple of finds, I wasn't completely familiar with the concept, so I didn't trade anything.

 

Then I got all gung-ho about caching and started bringing along trade items, but I think I only traded once, maybe twice before giving it up. I simply learned that there was never anything in a cache that I truly wanted. ...except once, and it ended up turning my neck green.

 

When I've cached with other people, some of them like to trade, some don't. One time, I had to walk back about a mile to the truck to get a decent trade item because my friend Kristin just had to have that harmonica.

 

In total, of all my 100+ finds, I think I've probably traded about five times, and only once when I was alone.

 

Jamie

[+Jamie Z]

My first couple of finds, I wasn't completely familiar with the concept, so I didn't trade anything.

 

Then I got all gung-ho about caching and started bringing along trade items, but I think I only traded once, maybe twice before giving it up. I simply learned that there was never anything in a cache that I truly wanted. ...except once, and it ended up turning my neck green.

 

When I've cached with other people, some of them like to trade, some don't. One time, I had to walk back about a mile to the truck to get a decent trade item because my friend Kristin just had to have that harmonica.

 

In total, of all my 100+ finds, I think I've probably traded about five times, and only once when I was alone.

 

Jamie

[GrandpaCannon]

I think Trading adds something to the game and makes it more fun. As others have mentioned if my kids are with me they always trade. If, however, there is nothing that I want then I may just sign the logbook and leave. Or if I have some neat item that I think some one else will like then I leave that for a fun find for someone. Sometimes the cache is a theme cache and I don't have anything that fits the theme. If I am feeling really creative I will make up a story on how the item I left really did fit the theme even though it may not be obvious to the casual observer. I enjoy reading logs and seeing picutres taken by other cachers much more than I do trading, but I like to do both if possible

[+VentureForth]

quote:

---

Originally posted by NightHiker:

My fun comes from the planning, hiking, searching, not the exchanging.

---

 

Planning??? My planning consists of grabbin' my GPS and hoppin' in the car.

 

Of course, I've been bit many-a-time doing that...

 

---------------

Go! And don't be afraid to get a little wet!

[+VentureForth]

quote:

---

Originally posted by NightHiker:

My fun comes from the planning, hiking, searching, not the exchanging.

---

 

Planning??? My planning consists of grabbin' my GPS and hoppin' in the car.

 

Of course, I've been bit many-a-time doing that...

 

---------------

Go! And don't be afraid to get a little wet!

[+Clan Ferguson]

My issues around TNLN

 

Cache On!!

 

James

"Big Dog"

-Clan Ferguson

[+VegasCacheHounds]

Well, when caching as a team, we usually trade, and we always trade up (at least in our eyes or in retail value) when we do.

However, when I am on travel alone, I don't really plan ahead, I just go if and when I have the oppertunity, so I generally TNLN on the road.

For me, its about the hunt, but the trading is fun as well, and I enjoy seeing what other folks have left.

 

Shannon

 

VegasCacheHounds

[Rubbertoe]

I've made a few posts over there as well, but I wanted to add this here.

 

It seems that several people are saying that TNLN hurts a cache somehow. I can't understand how this is supposed to be accurate.

 

If someone TNLN's a cache - it is as if they hadn't even been to the cache at all! How can this be a negative thing for a cache. They aren't leaving anything different in the cache, so they aren't running the risk of someone thinking they didn't trade fairly... and whatever contents were there before them are still going to be there after their visit.

 

So, I see absolutely no harm in TNLN visits to people's caches... and I can't see how people can attribute the decline of a cache due to TNLN visits, either.

 

Click the Toe...  and please stop confusing your opinion with fact, ok?

[Rubbertoe]

I've made a few posts over there as well, but I wanted to add this here.

 

It seems that several people are saying that TNLN hurts a cache somehow. I can't understand how this is supposed to be accurate.

 

If someone TNLN's a cache - it is as if they hadn't even been to the cache at all! How can this be a negative thing for a cache. They aren't leaving anything different in the cache, so they aren't running the risk of someone thinking they didn't trade fairly... and whatever contents were there before them are still going to be there after their visit.

 

So, I see absolutely no harm in TNLN visits to people's caches... and I can't see how people can attribute the decline of a cache due to TNLN visits, either.

 

Click the Toe...  and please stop confusing your opinion with fact, ok?

[+VentureForth]

Maybe something along these lines may need to be visibly incorporated in the physical cache itself. Have seen the No McToys logo. Got a chuckle outta that one...

 

But really, the community involved here in the forums probably represents less than .1% of the entire geocaching community. At that, we probably tend to be the creme de la creme of the bunch - always trashing out, never creating new trails, always trading up, and never, ever hiding a cache on NPS land.

 

The true reality is that I have been to several caches where there is literally nothing but crap. One I went to recently, I left something but took nothing. Hope it doesn't get wet and rust. Then the cache will be full of red, dingy, muddy crap.

 

I try to make my 'Welcome to Geocaching' note in the cache quite prominent - on colored paper and heavily laminated. On the back, in big red letters, I gently print the basic requirements - trade for like value, no food, etc.

 

---------------

Go! And don't be afraid to get a little wet!

[+Web-ling]

If I see something I want, or if the cache is too full and needs to have a large item removed, I'll trade.

 

Otherwise, I usually take nothing, but leave something.

 

Usually, the only time I TNLN is if the cache is too small or too full for what I have with me.

 

[+worldtraveler]

Finding a Gladware (or cheaper/more flimsy) container.

 

When just adding a “Where's George” would triple the value of the cache, I'm not inclined to leave anything more than my signature. Most others get my signature item (an assortment of foreign coins) and occasionally something extra like a travel bug, “Where's George”, etc. Few items interest me enough to take.

 

Worldtraveler

[+worldtraveler]

Finding a Gladware (or cheaper/more flimsy) container.

 

When just adding a “Where's George” would triple the value of the cache, I'm not inclined to leave anything more than my signature. Most others get my signature item (an assortment of foreign coins) and occasionally something extra like a travel bug, “Where's George”, etc. Few items interest me enough to take.

 

Worldtraveler

[+worldtraveler]

Finding a Gladware (or cheaper/more flimsy) container.

 

When just adding a “Where's George” would triple the value of the cache, I'm not inclined to leave anything more than my signature. Most others get my signature item (an assortment of foreign coins) and occasionally something extra like a travel bug, “Where's George”, etc. Few items interest me enough to take.

 

Worldtraveler

[+Criminal]

If there's something I like, based on "cool" value and not monetary value, I will trade.

 

if the cache has nothing of interest i will take nothing and leave something.

 

If the cache is full of junk I will take nothing and leave a few somethings.

 

If your house catches afire, and there aint no water around,

If your house catches afire, and there aint no water around,

Throw your jelly out the window; let the dog-gone shack burn down.

**Huddie Ledbetter**

[+georgeandmary]

Took a walk, left my signature.

 

Took my time, left with a smile.

 

Took a picture, left my foot prints.

 

 

george

 

Remember: Half the people you meet are below average.

[+Jamie Z]

Ferguson,

 

"Hork." Good word.

 

Jamie

[+Jamie Z]

Ferguson,

 

"Hork." Good word.

 

Jamie

[+OzzieSan]

Yes.

 

others no!

 

[+OzzieSan]

Yes.

 

others no!

 

[TT120]

I go to the dollar store and stock up on goodies to trade when the kids are with me but if I'm alone, I always leave a George and sometimes might take something if it looks cool.

 

TechnoGEEK

[djjd]

as I haven't been caching in ages due to work, and even then only got in a half dozen or so caches before getting too busy with my new business:

 

I don't cache for goodies. I frankly couldn't care less about goodies. I cache for the outing - a trip to somewhere I wouldn't likely visit, with a friend or loved one with whom I would rarely go for a walk let alone a hike. I cache for the personal challenge. I cache for the "tech-toy" aspect of messing with a GPSr. I cache for many reasons, a number of which I haven't even bothered to list here. Heck, I've even cached without logging, and have also hunted locations outside of caching (have you tried MinuteWar?)

 

You seem to have decided that caching without trading goodies is not caching. This means that:

 

a) you have become hyperfocused on just one (and a materialistic one, at that) of a wide number of great reasons to geocache

 

and/or

 

you feel the need to lift yourself above others by deeming _your_ idea of geocaching to be the only correct way of geocaching

 

Neither are good. I suggest you take a step back from the threads you have started and ask yourself exactly why you are geocaching in the first place, and then ask yourself why you feel the need to pidgeon-hole the world of geocaching into your personal definition thereof.

 

djjd

[umc]

Ok, TT120 its enough with the eyebrows please kill them and TNLN.

 

[umc]

Well, if we're not trading then we're just Letterboxing.

 

[+15Tango]

For me, it depends on the cache, and what I have with me. I've been to a couple with nothing but crap in a gladware container, and the log is the back of the geocaching notice sheet, so I didn't trade. On the flip side, I've been to caches full of great stuff, and the plastic dinosaur I have with me to trade just isn't worthy of anything already in the cache. I went to a cache this weekend that was plundered, with just an empty tupperware container sitting there, so in that case, I put in what I could gather from the car, along with a log book and pencil, and of course took nothing. The change machine at work dispenses "silver" dollars--right now, I can get a 3-7 mix of Susan B. Anthony and Sacagewea with $10, and I'll usually stock up before I go caching, and I'll use that as the basis for deciding if I want to trade or not. Would a gold dollar be a fair trade for what I want from the cache, and vice-versa?

 

Think Globally, Act Locally