Missing Trackables

[+Vinous]

When one vists a cache where a trackable should be, but isnt what is the correct process to correct the cache contents?

[+kunarion]

When one vists a cache where a trackable should be, but isnt what is the correct process to correct the cache contents?

If you carefully checked the container, it's good to type “Saw no trackables” in your log (especially if nobody else has logged that). If there are some listed ones, some there that aren't listed, a decent inventory might be appreciated. Don't post Tracking Numbers, only coin names and their Reference Numbers. Look at the logs, and if cachers say “No Trackables”, that's a sign that you won't find any.

 

Also add a log note to the coin's page. It isn't always apparent to a coin owner whether a coin is in fact in the container. I once asked about one of mine, and was told “No it's gone”, and “Yes it's still there” (a stuffed animal that occupies half an ammo can ).

 

Some people take coins, and take an especially long time to log doing so. Once they do, everything's correct. If it's verified gone by someone who went to the trouble of making sure, the Cache Owner or the Coin Owner can “Mark It Missing”. Various Groundspeak Volunteers also can do this.

 

Some coins are completely different objects from the original coin (for various reasons). Some are coin “tags” with an attached item, some without, and the tag may be loose at the bottom of the junk in the container. Some are just a small laminated piece of paper. If I have doubts (and who has lots of time to pick through a mass of trash in an ammo can?), I'll spread it all out and take a picture.

Edited April 4, 2014 by kunarion

[+Droo]

Simply stated just indicate in your Found It log that the trackables are not there. You could even click on the trackable's icon and post a note to it which informs the owner. This serves to notify other cachers of your observations and creates a timeline: logged into cache on date A, second or third finder after that date indicates it's no longer there so previous finder(s) MIGHT know what happened ... owner can contact that cacher to find out status of their traveler.

 

The tracking system relies on the good will and also the competence of cachers using it. If folks don't know what they are doing or don't care you can bet there will be many errors and loose ends. Owners of the cache or of the geocoin or travel bug can remove a missing traveler from a last logged position into what is known as an "unknown location". But it's not wise to do so only days after "did not see geocoin" note is posted to a cache. It's usually best to be patient and let whoever picked it up to get around to logging it out before tossing it into the "Lost and Unfound" bin.

[Space*Cadet]

When one vists a cache where a trackable should be, but isnt what is the correct process to correct the cache contents?

 

Unless you are the Cache owner or the Trackables owner, you cannot correct the inventory. All I do is add a message in my log that the trackable listed in the cache inventory was not present. I also post a note to the missing trackable's page, that I did not see their TB or GC in the cache when I logged it. That's it! It's up to the Owner of either the cache or the traveler to mark it missing.