When planters opt out of having their boxes rated, I am tempted to conclude it's because they know they plant lousy boxes.

Wow, is it me, or are you just stuck on stupid?

That is why I like it when people rate my boxes (or at least when the local boxers do). I like to plant boxes that people will like. If the local boxers rate my boxes, I don't know what ratings they gave, but I can look at the box rankings and get an idea of what types of boxes I should be planting more of.

I find that I enjoy planting much more when I plant boxes I enjoy rather then boxes that I think others will enjoy.

I am disappointing in how many boxes in places do not take the opportunity that a dry spot provides to really up it on the presentation.

Good point. I have not yet planted an indoor, but I have considered it and am researching several different possible containers that would be much more fun than a lock & lock!

I am even more disappointed to see the clue for a box at a planter's favorite restaurant and not take the time to talk to the owner and hide it inside the place,

I wonder if sometimes it's the idea of not wanting to be told "no" and then have the proprietor be on the lookout for something they would have otherwise not thought about? Also, if the place has more than a few employees there is the concern that some, especially newer, employees may not know what is going on and may cause an awkward situation. Those have both been considerations for me.

I find that I enjoy planting much more when I plant boxes I enjoy rather then boxes that I think others will enjoy.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. If I plant without investing my excitement and joy about the final product, I know finders will enjoy the box less. Every one of my boxes has a story and where else can I say "it's all about ME." So if someone doesn't want to know me, they shouldn't be looking for my boxes. I like to think my boxes are entertaining and make you think. Besides, "you can never make everyone happy, so you might as well make yourself happy."

Wow, is it me, or are you just stuck on stupid?

Takin' lots of abuse here, but I still haven't seen any other good reason for opting out of having your boxes rated. "I just don't condone it" is perfectly fine, but I'd like to hear why you just don't condone it.

Takin' lots of abuse here, but I still haven't seen any other good reason for opting out of having your boxes rated. "I just don't condone it" is perfectly fine, but I'd like to hear why you just don't condone it.

Actually, I don't opt out, you can rate my boxes and I rate others. It does not negate the fact that what you wrote was just about the stupidest thing I have ever seen, and I have written some stupid things myself.

I agree with Miss Moon here. I don't believe in rating boxes. Alot of it is subjective, anyway.

Jaxx

I am not sure about the rating system I certainly have found blue diamond rated boxes that I thought were just so-so and I have found boxes with no diamond that were outstanding... I rate sporatically and I think that effects how your rating is counted *Shrug* I mean to say I only rate a box if I was really wow-ed or it really sucked - otherwise I don't rate at all. But you can rate my boxes, I do somtimes look at the ranking of my own boxes, however some of my longer hike boxes have never been found, and I know they are boxes I would enjoy finding... (revolutionary redoubts comes to mind) My Blue Diamond boxes are all about location (which I think is as it should be) .... I won't change the way I am planting because of ratings, I think I plant what I like to seek (maybe most planters are like this?)... longer walks and hikes and/or great locations and clues with little "a-ha's" and of course cemeteries. I mostly subscribe to Miss Moon's feelings on the rating system (the only diffrence being I allow my boxes to be rated and somtimes I am compelled to hit 5-4 or 1) - it's there but I am not sure its good for much, after all there is no icon for a sucky rated box (the reverse blue diamond)

LBM

I rate sporatically and I think that effects how your rating is counted *Shrug* I mean to say I only rate a box if I was really wow-ed or it really sucked - otherwise I don't rate at all.

Your ratings won't count if you rate sporadically. Check the quality of your vote her: http://www.atlasquest.com/boxes/traditional/ratingstats.html

What didn't appeal to me, of course, was the fact that there's no way you can hand-make one of these things, they would always have to be store-bought. Still, at a place with crabs, that might be kinda neat.

i've seen LBs with two stamps that are related. what about a stamp AND crab hole punch that go together. that would be cool!

what about a stamp AND crab hole punch that go together.

Hmmm. Already carved a crab stamp, it served proudly for a coupla years and then went missing. Perhaps carving another is in order.

Thinking more about it, perhaps that punch could be a bonus box.

OK, I"ve letterboxed for another month, and I understand how to use a 1. I feel like I'm at work.