Barcode stickers

[Kirsty&Chris]

We are new to this and have had fun so far but are confused about something. We went geocaching yesterday and, whilst we did find two or three physical caches, we also found two or three barcode stickers where there should have been caches. For example, for one of the locations, the cache was described on our app as a 'magnetic container' which was an 'easy find' but when we got to the location all we found was a sticker (and we don't know how to scan them). We gave the area a forensic search but found nothing else, so we can only assume the sticker WAS the cache. Have some physical caches been replaced with stickers? Is someone going around stealing the caches and putting a sticker in their place for some reason? Is a barcode sticker ever considered an acceptable cache by the geocaching community? Any help much appreciated.

 

PS we didn't mark these as 'finds' but should we have done?

[+JohnCNA]

There is another geo-location game that uses bar code stickers instead of caches. This other game is not related to geocaching or Groundspeak. Unfortunately, some people put them near (and sometimes inside) geocaches. That's what you found. You didn't find the geocache.

[+cerberus1]

We are new to this and have had fun so far but are confused about something. We went geocaching yesterday and, whilst we did find two or three physical caches, we also found two or three barcode stickers where there should have been caches. For example, for one of the locations, the cache was described on our app as a 'magnetic container' which was an 'easy find' but when we got to the location all we found was a sticker (and we don't know how to scan them). We gave the area a forensic search but found nothing else, so we can only assume the sticker WAS the cache. Have some physical caches been replaced with stickers? Is someone going around stealing the caches and putting a sticker in their place for some reason? Is a barcode sticker ever considered an acceptable cache by the geocaching community? Any help much appreciated.

 

PS we didn't mark these as 'finds' but should we have done?

By guideline, physical caches must be a container with a log. A QR code isn't it.

We've seen QR codes as stages of multis.

- That's not saying someone decided to circumvent the system. You may just be bad at finding 'em.

But yeah, it could be someone thought they'd pull a fast one and (so far) got away with it.

It's also possible you found a game piece to another location game not associated with this site.

[+cerberus1]

PS we didn't mark these as 'finds' but should we have done?

Did you sign a log? If so, it's a find.

[+ChileHead]

Different game.

 

As somebody on facebook put it, the other game is "about as much fun as scanning your own groceries"

[Pup Patrol]

We are new to this and have had fun so far but are confused about something. We went geocaching yesterday and, whilst we did find two or three physical caches, we also found two or three barcode stickers where there should have been caches.

 

Different game called munzee.

 

For example, for one of the locations, the cache was described on our app as a 'magnetic container' which was an 'easy find' but when we got to the location all we found was a sticker (and we don't know how to scan them). We gave the area a forensic search but found nothing else, so we can only assume the sticker WAS the cache.

 

For the actual cache that is listed on Groundspeak, you should post a "DNF" log (did not find).

 

A proper geocache should have a log book or scroll for you to sign.

 

Have some physical caches been replaced with stickers?

 

No.

 

Is someone going around stealing the caches and putting a sticker in their place for some reason?

 

Not necessarily. Some folks put their "other game" things INSIDE caches. Or...you didn't find the cache, or the cache is missing.

 

Is a barcode sticker ever considered an acceptable cache by the geocaching community?

 

No.

 

PS we didn't mark these as 'finds' but should we have done?

 

No, you didn't find the cache. You should log it as "DNF".

 

If the cache owner is paying attention, the DNF log(s) will alert him/her to potential problems/maintenance issues. IE...the cache container is gone.

 

 

B.

[Pup Patrol]

Some helpful links:

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=25

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache (this is helpful to finders, too)

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=19

 

Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines

Last Updated: February 17, 2015

http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx

 

B.

[+bflentje]

Maybe it's just a good old fashioned multi-stage cache? Not sure if it was mentioned what resulted from scanning the barcode but that would be the best indicator to what you have found.