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Trackable becoming "de-activated"?


ApertureN7

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Picked up a trackable from a cache last weekend and when I went to log it (via # search), it was listed as "unactivated". Weird. The trackable is listed in the cache's inventory, so I tried logging from there and got "tracking number does not match".

 

1)There are no "mistakable" characters, so I am sure I'm putting in the right code.

 

2)Others have moved it and one person discovered it less than a month ago.

 

I contacted the CO to perhaps re-register(?) it, but I see they haven't logged any finds since May.

 

Any further steps I can take? Or is there a way to remedy this? I hate to hold on to it for too long, I had somewhere I planned to leave it this week while I'm traveling.

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Despite your confidence, what you describe sounds exactly like what could happen if you had the wrong number. I can't remember all the confusing numbers, 'cuz there are always more than I expect, but in addition to the obvious i/1 and o/0, the others I can think of are b/8, s/5 and q/o/0, and with a worn TB, I've even had trouble with 8/0 and 7/1. (I did a quick search, and I was surprised not to find a definitive list somewhere, since this comes up so often.)

 

Assuming you still can't see any problems, and since you've already tried the owner, you might try asking the last person to log the TB. I suggest sending what you think the code is along with a link to the TB's page. By sending the code, he can tell that you're looking at the traveler even as he sees why your number's wrong. And, of course, he can confirm you have the right number, if something else is broken. (Of course, I'm assuming the last finder wrote down the number like all good geocachers should, but you might have to check with people logging further back in time.)

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Is this all regarding OU Bobcats , picked up from Orlando Airport TB Hotel , that you logged last weekend (14 Nov.)? Or by chance some other one? The next and only Find was on 16 Nov., a micro that shows a TB in the inventory... but I actually doubt that it is or was even there.

 

Your (cache) log at the Orlando cache says:

I took the Ohio TB, but it's currently in the car so I'll log it shortly.

 

At any rate, the OU Bobcats TB is in your inventory at this time.

 

I see through your profile no other trackable contact possible during that weekend or any time later.

 

 

Are you sure that you haven't logged it yet? On the face of what I see, you have.

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Is this all regarding OU Bobcats , picked up from Orlando Airport TB Hotel , that you logged last weekend (14 Nov.)? Or by chance some other one? The next and only Find was on 16 Nov., a micro that shows a TB in the inventory... but I actually doubt that it is or was even there.

 

Your (cache) log at the Orlando cache says:

I took the Ohio TB, but it's currently in the car so I'll log it shortly.

 

At any rate, the OU Bobcats TB is in your inventory at this time.

 

I see through your profile no other trackable contact possible during that weekend or any time later.

 

 

Are you sure that you haven't logged it yet? On the face of what I see, you have.

 

No, the trackable in question is called "Zoltan the Zombie" and it is from the cache "Fear Factor Urban Wetlands" which is my most recently found cache(11-16). If you go to the cache page (GC1AM3F) you can see that this is still listed in the cache's inventory and NOT in my inventory. Additionally I left a note on the page of that cache that I have the trackable, but am unable to move it into my inventory.

 

I can't log this trackable into my inventory because the tracking number is coming up as "not activated".

 

I'm not sure if you are seeing my profile correctly because I have visited 3 caches since Orlando TB Hotel. Additionally, I did move OU Bobcats into my inventory very shortly after my log as promised (as you can see).

 

If it was in my inventory there wouldn't be a problem, that is the whole point of my question :P

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No, the trackable in question is called "Zoltan the Zombie" and it is from the cache "Fear Factor Urban Wetlands" which is my most recently found cache(11-16). If you go to the cache page (GC1AM3F) you can see that this is still listed in the cache's inventory and NOT in my inventory. Additionally I left a note on the page of that cache that I have the trackable, but am unable to move it into my inventory.

 

I can't log this trackable into my inventory because the tracking number is coming up as "not activated".

 

I'm not sure if you are seeing my profile correctly because I have visited 3 caches since Orlando TB Hotel. Additionally, I did move OU Bobcats into my inventory very shortly after my log as promised (as you can see).

 

If it was in my inventory there wouldn't be a problem, that is the whole point of my question :P

Yes, my boo-boo. I did not think to look in the multi-cache list.

 

It does seem to be a quandary.

 

I do know that you can read the number on the tag -- you have already stated such, BUT the fact that others have successfully logged it, suggests that you may not be reading the number correctly. I've done it, so have many others, I suspect that future loggers will also.

 

In dim light (or none at all), use a flashlight to direct a sidelight across the number. It may reveal a character different than what you see with direct light. If the alphanumeric code contains an O or 0, that is always suspect; 3 and 8 and B are sometimes problematic; Z and 2 can also be confused.

 

Edit to add: Even if you have read the number correctly, go ahead and transfer those above (if any) and try logging it. You may get a surprise.

Edited by Gitchee-Gummee
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I do know that you can read the number on the tag -- you have already stated such, BUT the fact that others have successfully logged it, suggests that you may not be reading the number correctly. I've done it, so have many others, I suspect that future loggers will also.

 

In dim light (or none at all), use a flashlight to direct a sidelight across the number. It may reveal a character different than what you see with direct light. If the alphanumeric code contains an O or 0, that is always suspect; 3 and 8 and B are sometimes problematic; Z and 2 can also be confused.

 

Edit to add: Even if you have read the number correctly, go ahead and transfer those above (if any) and try logging it. You may get a surprise.

 

Unfortunately the only possible mistakable character on this one is a "B" which I have tried as an 8, though it is fairly clear (This trackable is very new and in very good condition) and that letter is one of the 1st two (which I think both have to be letters?) I even had a friend try and search it on their account with no luck. :blink:

 

I contacted someone from Groundspeak to see if they can figure it out, because I think it has to be some sort of weirdo glitch. I appreciate everyone's input!!

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Unfortunately the only possible mistakable character on this one is a "B" which I have tried as an 8, though it is fairly clear (This trackable is very new and in very good condition) and that letter is one of the 1st two (which I think both have to be letters?) I even had a friend try and search it on their account with no luck. :blink:

 

I contacted someone from Groundspeak to see if they can figure it out, because I think it has to be some sort of weirdo glitch. I appreciate everyone's input!!

 

Stupid question... You're not trying to enter TB61ZYJ as the tracking number are you? :unsure:

(It's the public reference number, not a tracking number)

 

Otherwise B could be 8 or a bad 3

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...that letter is one of the 1st two (which I think both have to be letters?)

Tracking numbers of a TB can be ANY combination of letters/numbers. Only geocoins require two leading alpha characters.

 

Geocoin do not need two leading alpha characters. They can have all number or combinations of letters and numbers. One vendor used 4k as his prefix. The batch of coins I just received has prefix is 14.

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...that letter is one of the 1st two (which I think both have to be letters?)

Tracking numbers of a TB can be ANY combination of letters/numbers. Only geocoins require two leading alpha characters.

 

Geocoin do not need two leading alpha characters. They can have all number or combinations of letters and numbers. One vendor used 4k as his prefix. The batch of coins I just received has prefix is 14.

I stand corrected. :o

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Unfortunately the only possible mistakable character on this one is a "B" which I have tried as an 8, though it is fairly clear (This trackable is very new and in very good condition) and that letter is one of the 1st two (which I think both have to be letters?) I even had a friend try and search it on their account with no luck. :blink:

 

I contacted someone from Groundspeak to see if they can figure it out, because I think it has to be some sort of weirdo glitch. I appreciate everyone's input!!

 

Stupid question... You're not trying to enter TB61ZYJ as the tracking number are you? :unsure:

(It's the public reference number, not a tracking number)

 

Otherwise B could be 8 or a bad 3

 

Nope. Using the tracking number on the TB itself. Tried 3 as well, but as I've said this trackable is in very good condition and relatively new.

 

I triple dog swear I am putting in the correct code, you guys! :blink: I wish I could post a picture, but I've now had 4 different people see it in person and see what I'm seeing. This is driving me crazy!

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Could that second letter be a 6? I'm betting it is, but I'm not going to say why. (Don't worry, I'll drop you a private message.)

 

dprovan, you are officially my hero. FINALLY a solution. :D

 

Apparently he was attached to a DIFFERENT tag and somehow that tag was lost or taken :sad: (was not in the cache to the best of my knowledge, poked around pretty good looking for a tag at first, figured he didn't have one bc the number on his back and the trackable page doesn't have one)

 

Okay, so I went out to my car across the parking lot in the rain to get this guy for a picture and prove to you all that I am not crazy! This is not his tracking number on the back. I don't know what this number is for :rolleyes:

 

jHntGMz.jpg?1

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Glad it's sorted. But.

 

It IS it's Tracking number... But, as you say Not activated.

Why use an unactivated TB to replace a 'lost' TB?

It's not even a "Travel Bug". Well maybe it was once attached to an official "The Travel Bug" barcode bug dogtag, to make it a "TB". But the pictured item is a trackable tag itself. It also has a "www.cachebuddies.net" inscribed on it, which reminds to ask when a Topic like this comes up if the item is in fact a "The Travel Bug" dogtag, or if it has some inscribed website, when that essential info isn't forthcoming. :anicute:

Edited by kunarion
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Could that second letter be a 6? I'm betting it is, but I'm not going to say why. (Don't worry, I'll drop you a private message.)

 

dprovan, you are officially my hero. FINALLY a solution. :D

 

Apparently he was attached to a DIFFERENT tag and somehow that tag was lost or taken :sad: (was not in the cache to the best of my knowledge, poked around pretty good looking for a tag at first, figured he didn't have one bc the number on his back and the trackable page doesn't have one)

 

Okay, so I went out to my car across the parking lot in the rain to get this guy for a picture and prove to you all that I am not crazy! This is not his tracking number on the back. I don't know what this number is for :rolleyes:

 

I just did a search on the tracking number in that photo. It is new. i.e. not yet activated. Better remove that photo. Someone is likely to use the number from the photo and activate that trackable, making it thiers.

 

I don't know whay an unactivated trackable was in that cache. Maybe a cacher left it as a trade item. Maybe a cacher forgot to activate it. Who knows. If you really care here is what I would do

 

1) activate the trackable so that no one who may have seen the photo you posed can steal it by activating it first.

2) contact previous finders of that cache and ask them if they know anything about it

3a) if you find the owner, adopt the trackable back to them

3b) if you don't find the onwer, I guess it is finders keepers.

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Interesting. I don't feel like that much of a hero, since I only found the key but didn't solve the mystery.

 

So this is definitely a TB. "Cache buddy" is a confusing name because I'd expect something called a "buddy" to stick with its buddy, not flit from "buddy" to "buddy", but I see that it's some kind of brand name (http://www.geoswag.com/trackables/trackable-tags/cache-buddies/zoltan-the-zombie-travel-tag.html). It looks like someone attached this to a standard tag thinking it wasn't trackable on its own.

 

Since the owner was unresponsive, my vote is for activating it and moving on. When something like this happened to me, I made the traveler all about the events that led to me finding it and working out how it got there. In this case, I'd post a note to the current Zoltan page pointing to the the new page based on the actual Zoltan. (Yeah, and certainly be willing to adopt it over if the owner comes asking for it.)

 

By the way, I thought the skull in the picture you posted in the log was really cool when I thought it was what Zoltan was attached to, so maybe you should consider sending the skull out into the wild as the trackable!

 

You should definitely get rid of the image you posted here in the forum, if it isn't already too late. Don't worry, I've already saved a copy so I can discover Zoltan after you activate him. :)

 

Thanks for a fun story!

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It asked me for some other packaging number when I tried to activate him so...who knows. I was going to destroy that number and replace it with his "real" number, so as not to create confusion. I really don't know why the TO would attach him to another tag (hence my confusion, weird mileage, ect).

 

You are all heros!! This had me pulling my hair out. So happy I can move him along now

 

By the way, I thought the skull in the picture you posted in the log was really cool when I thought it was what Zoltan was attached to, so maybe you should consider sending the skull out into the wild as the trackable!

 

I'm glad you thought it was cool :lol: Unfortunately it's wayyyy to big to send along. BUT I am going to get my own first TB this weekend so now I may have to theme it that way

 

Edit: I guess you can't edit after a certain time? I can't edit my older posts

 

Also you cannot activate that number, I even tried "retrieve activation code" XD so I won't worry about the picture

 

Anyway! THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!!

Edited by ApertureN7
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It asked me for some other packaging number when I tried to activate him so...who knows. I was going to destroy that number and replace it with his "real" number, so as not to create confusion. I really don't know why the TO would attach him to another tag (hence my confusion, weird mileage, ect).

 

You are all heros!! This had me pulling my hair out. So happy I can move him along now

 

By the way, I thought the skull in the picture you posted in the log was really cool when I thought it was what Zoltan was attached to, so maybe you should consider sending the skull out into the wild as the trackable!

 

I'm glad you thought it was cool :lol: Unfortunately it's wayyyy to big to send along. BUT I am going to get my own first TB this weekend so now I may have to theme it that way

 

Edit: I guess you can't edit after a certain time? I can't edit my older posts

 

Also you cannot activate that number, I even tried "retrieve activation code" XD so I won't worry about the picture

 

Anyway! THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!!

The Activation code can be obtained from the Cache Buddies webpage.

 

Nothing is too big to attache to a travel bug. I saw one that had a fridge door. I don't think it got left in many geocaches. It mostly went from event to event, getting passed between cachers that way.

Edited by Andronicus
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The Activation code can be obtained from the Cache Buddies webpage.

 

Nothing is too big to attache to a travel bug. I saw one that had a fridge door. I don't think it got left in many geocaches. It mostly went from event to event, getting passed between cachers that way.

PM sent to OP regarding activation code.

 

Also, I know that fridge door. I brought it from Great Falls, MT to Calgary (where Andronicus probably saw it) then had someone drive it to Vancouver Island when I flew there for Island Spirit 2012.

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