elfre Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 I retrieved a proxy travel tag from a cache yesterday and the part including the logging code is a laminated paper photocopy of the original travel tag, with a non-waterproof keyring attached. After several years of travelling from cache to cache the plastic has de-laminated and left the tag paper, including the logging code, exposed to the elements. I think it's not going to be long before the code deteriorates to the point that it's not readable any more. I'd offer to try getting it relaminated but I'm not intending to go shopping in the city any time soon (and also if it didn't work then I'd've potentially destroyed someone else's trackable). Any suggestions for a cheap but reasonably durable proxy tag replacement solution that a lazy person could get delivered from ebay or wherever and offer (as a freebie, obviously) to the travel tag's owner? Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) I retrieved a proxy travel tag from a cache yesterday and the part including the logging code is a laminated paper photocopy of the original travel tag, with a non-waterproof keyring attached. After several years of travelling from cache to cache the plastic has de-laminated and left the tag paper, including the logging code, exposed to the elements. I think it's not going to be long before the code deteriorates to the point that it's not readable any more. I'd offer to try getting it relaminated but I'm not intending to go shopping in the city any time soon (and also if it didn't work then I'd've potentially destroyed someone else's trackable). Any suggestions for a cheap but reasonably durable proxy tag replacement solution that a lazy person could get delivered from ebay or wherever and offer (as a freebie, obviously) to the travel tag's owner? If you have or can find a simple "keychain" fob or pendant or even a piece of plastic, you could write the tracking number on that in a contrasting color using a paint pen or marker, attach it to the rest, and place it. Did the TB Owner specifically agree to the repairs? If not, place it as is. If so, the TO may have a suggestion about the repairs. Wrapping the card with clear packing tape might work until a more permanent fix can be made. Can you mail the whole thing back to the TO? It's a copy, so the TO may be able to construct a better copy. Edited March 2, 2017 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
elfre Posted March 2, 2017 Author Share Posted March 2, 2017 Did the TB Owner agree to the repairs? If so, the TO may have a suggestion. Wrapping the card with clear packing tape might work until a more permanent fix can be made. Can you mail the whole thing back to the TO? It's a copy, so the TO may be able to construct a better copy. If you have or can find a simple "keychain" fob or pendant or even a piece of plastic, you could write the tracking number on that in a contrasting color using a paint pen or marker, attach it to the rest, and place it. I put a note about the condition of the tag in the retrieval log. I haven't contacted the owner directly yet because I thought it would be better to offer them some suggested solutions, ranging from "do nothing" to "do something", than merely present them with a problem. I hadn't considered taping the laminate but that would probably extend its life for a while. I've definitely got plastic tags that would take paper in one side and marker on the back. I was just wondering if some genius has come up with a more lasting solution. It seems a pity to mail a four-year-old bug back to Canada from the UK though, especially because if this one dies they can just release a third version then. Luckily it's not my bug so I don't have to make any decisions. Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) I've definitely got plastic tags that would take paper in one side and marker on the back. I was just wondering if some genius has come up with a more lasting solution. For my revived coins and TBs, and for my new ones, I have two kinds of durable tags. The TBs are placed by me with the attached durable "tag". I don't rely on a finder to make the tag for me. One is a keychain fob, and I can print info for the double-sided tag. It snaps together pretty solidly, but it's not waterproof. So I've tried various methods to seal the seam. I haven't been able to tell which might last in the wilds, since my TBs get stolen almost immediately . Based on the real-world lifespan of a TB, I have to admit that an unprotected piece of paper would work just as well. Another thing I tried is ordering a bunch of individually engraved metal tags, and they're about $2 each. They come in a selection of finishes. Those companies come and go, so that tends to require a new search each time. I have a couple more kinds of tag possibilities. I have copper and brass (or cheapie metal that eBay called "copper") blank tags that are designed for earrings or small pendants. I hand-engrave or metal-stamp them, so it's quite possible to stamp a tracking number. A friend of mine used a copper "gardening tag" and stamped the reference number in big bold letters for some TB he found when the actual tracking number was unreadable on the peeled laminated paper. That would have been great except, yeah, he used the reference number instead of the tracking number, so all I could do when I found it was log a Note. Edited March 2, 2017 by kunarion Quote Link to comment
+cerberus1 Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 ...Did the TB Owner specifically agree to the repairs? If not, place it as is. If so, the TO may have a suggestion about the repairs. Wrapping the card with clear packing tape might work until a more permanent fix can be made. Can you mail the whole thing back to the TO? It's a copy, so the TO may be able to construct a better copy. +1 Sorta agree. If it's in really beat condition, we'd attempt to contact the TO to see what they'd like to do with it. Maybe they'd like to put out (yet) another to replace it too. If no response, we'd probably put it in a baggie that fits, drop it in another cache, and move on. Quote Link to comment
elfre Posted March 2, 2017 Author Share Posted March 2, 2017 Thanks for the suggestions. You've helped me consider the possibilities. I've messaged the trackable's owner. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Please remember that commercial promotions are not allowed in the Travel Bug forums. Some posts have been edited or removed. Thank you, Eartha Groundspeak Volunteer Quote Link to comment
+little-leggs Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 I have in the past bought communal proxy , but they went missing too so I have now opted to make my own copper copy tags , 1 set of metal stamps and a hand full of scrap off cut of copper pipe hay presto TB back in the game . Quote Link to comment
+cerberus1 Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 (edited) 18 minutes ago, little-leggs said: hay presto TB back in the game . Cool. But hey, is that ever a church key... (Noticed the hook and changed the log ) Edited April 26, 2018 by cerberus1 addifications 1 Quote Link to comment
+little-leggs Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 1 minute ago, cerberus1 said: Cool. But hey, that's not a church key... No your right , but it will open the box which holds the corkscrew , Quote Link to comment
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