Getting Permission from Property Owner

[RebekahJP]

I believe I have found a great spot for a geocache. It is on the property of a favorite classy restaurant with grounds that are very "park like" with walking paths, a footbridge, a pond and fountain, etc. It's a beautiful place and a great restaurant. The closest existing cache is a mile away. I'm wondering how to get in touch with the owners do how to ask permission, should I send a letter explaining what I want to do and why and asking him to contact me? Is there a basic letter already made up for this, like the note to muggles that is placed in caches? Suggestions?

[+briansnat]

Probably the best way to do it is to go there when it isn't busy and ask to speak to the owners in person.

 

Also, be aware of the guideline regarding commercial geocaches. There is no prohibition regarding caches on commercial property, but the cache can't mention the business. Nor can it encourage or require finders to enter and/or interact with employees and owners.

[+Mockingbird559]

Many of my hides are on private property with owner permission. It is HUGE help to have them have some sort of trust in you before you ask for permission. Maybe an intro from a mutual friend, or from previously knowing the person.

 

Then I scope things out and have a general idea what I would do. I have a binder of pics, etc that show what the game is about.

 

Then I meet them and say " I have something for you that is easy, fun and FREE." When they hear FREE, EVERYONE says "I like Free".

 

Then tell your story about what you want to do. If they say no, that's it. Say think you and be gone. (I have never been refused) I had a business change hands a while back. The new owner who I did not know, said, "leave it there. I kinda like knowing it is there"

 

Then provide a copy of the cache page. After about two weeks I print the cache page with FTF logs and give it to the property owner. Then print out the cache page, with logs, about every 5-6 months to show them what is happening and remind them that the cache is still there. Most everyone puts the printout on the employee bulletin board so everyone can know about the cache.

 

Cache Happy

[RebekahJP]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on making any connection to the restaurant, but I understand you're supposed to choose a location that people would be happy to discover as they discover your cache, instead of an LPC in a Walgeens parking lot or some such.

 

If the owner has heard of geocaching it'll be a piece of cake, I'm just pondering how the conversation will go if he's like, "what the heck is geocaching?"

[Albert0]

...how the conversation will go if he's like, "what the heck is geocaching?"

There are a couple of download and print brochures out there for that question -- the one I thought was good for site owners is on http://geocacher-u.com/ ... look around the site a bit and you'll probably find multiple useful things.

 

The brochure I like is “Let’s Go Geocaching!” and it's the first item in the "Downloads and Printables" menu on the right margin of the page http://geocacher-u.com/?page_id=31

[+justintim1999]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on making any connection to the restaurant, but I understand you're supposed to choose a location that people would be happy to discover as they discover your cache, instead of an LPC in a Walgeens parking lot or some such.

 

If the owner has heard of geocaching it'll be a piece of cake, I'm just pondering how the conversation will go if he's like, "what the heck is geocaching?"

 

Good plan. Just be prepared to give them a quick overview of what geocaching is and what to expect. Bring a few containers or even a laptop or smart phone to show them. a picture is worth a thousand words. Also make it clear that you'll be the one maintaining everything. If they have any problems they simply contact you and you'll take care of it. you'd be surprised at how excited some land owners get when they fully understand what geocaching is and how it works. They will also appreciate the face to face contact and the fact that someone will be watching over everything. Building that trust factor with the land owner/manager as well as your local reviewer is most important.

 

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

[RebekahJP]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on making any connection to the restaurant, but I understand you're supposed to choose a location that people would be happy to discover as they discover your cache, instead of an LPC in a Walgeens parking lot or some such.

 

If the owner has heard of geocaching it'll be a piece of cake, I'm just pondering how the conversation will go if he's like, "what the heck is geocaching?"

 

Good plan. Just be prepared to give them a quick overview of what geocaching is and what to expect. Bring a few containers or even a laptop or smart phone to show them. a picture is worth a thousand words. Also make it clear that you'll be the one maintaining everything. If they have any problems they simply contact you and you'll take care of it. you'd be surprised at how excited some land owners get when they fully understand what geocaching is and how it works. They will also appreciate the face to face contact and the fact that someone will be watching over everything. Building that trust factor with the land owner/manager as well as your local reviewer is most important.

 

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

Thanks, Justin. That's a good idea, I can bring my iPad and show them the app or even one of the quick intro videos.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on making any connection to the restaurant, but I understand you're supposed to choose a location that people would be happy to discover as they discover your cache, instead of an LPC in a Walgeens parking lot or some such.

 

If the owner has heard of geocaching it'll be a piece of cake, I'm just pondering how the conversation will go if he's like, "what the heck is geocaching?"

 

Good plan. Just be prepared to give them a quick overview of what geocaching is and what to expect. Bring a few containers or even a laptop or smart phone to show them. a picture is worth a thousand words. Also make it clear that you'll be the one maintaining everything. If they have any problems they simply contact you and you'll take care of it. you'd be surprised at how excited some land owners get when they fully understand what geocaching is and how it works. They will also appreciate the face to face contact and the fact that someone will be watching over everything. Building that trust factor with the land owner/manager as well as your local reviewer is most important.

 

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

Thanks, Justin. That's a good idea, I can bring my iPad and show them the app or even one of the quick intro videos.

 

Worth thinking about.

 

IF they make an account of their own, they can put your cache on to their Watch List, and then they will get an email whenever anyone logs the cache... (So long as you don't make it Premium Member Only)

 

BUT! Keep in mind the logs may only be TFTC, and they will get ALL the logs posted to the cache, Good, Bad and Indifferent.

[+justintim1999]

Thanks. I wasn't planning on making any connection to the restaurant, but I understand you're supposed to choose a location that people would be happy to discover as they discover your cache, instead of an LPC in a Walgeens parking lot or some such.

 

If the owner has heard of geocaching it'll be a piece of cake, I'm just pondering how the conversation will go if he's like, "what the heck is geocaching?"

 

Good plan. Just be prepared to give them a quick overview of what geocaching is and what to expect. Bring a few containers or even a laptop or smart phone to show them. a picture is worth a thousand words. Also make it clear that you'll be the one maintaining everything. If they have any problems they simply contact you and you'll take care of it. you'd be surprised at how excited some land owners get when they fully understand what geocaching is and how it works. They will also appreciate the face to face contact and the fact that someone will be watching over everything. Building that trust factor with the land owner/manager as well as your local reviewer is most important.

 

Nothing ventured nothing gained.

 

Thanks, Justin. That's a good idea, I can bring my iPad and show them the app or even one of the quick intro videos.

 

Worth thinking about.

 

IF they make an account of their own, they can put your cache on to their Watch List, and then they will get an email whenever anyone logs the cache... (So long as you don't make it Premium Member Only)

 

BUT! Keep in mind the logs may only be TFTC, and they will get ALL the logs posted to the cache, Good, Bad and Indifferent.

 

Good point. I have set up basic accounts for individuals who wanted to follow the activity of the cache on their property. It's good for two reasons. First it allows the land owner to (hopefully) see first hand how much people are enjoying the land and the cache. Second it gives the cache owner a little more incentive to make sure that the cache is being maintained knowing that someone is watching.