Thought...could the sellers be prosecuted? If they are selling something that it's illegal to sell...bad comparison, but I'm sure if someone was selling wacky weed on ebay they would be prosecuted quite quickly! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

Re: pin collectors, here is a site worth checking out:
http://www.fraternitypin.com/

This site is run by Jeff Stern, who is a Sigma Chi, and his girlfriend is a Tri-Delta. If you're in a GLO, he's probably got one of your badges.



------------------
Oh, Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
I'm so happy that I am a
Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
Nobody knows . . . how
happy I am!

I just checked out E-bay and sorry to say Tom, there's two bagde of Lambda Chi up there right now.

Weeeee...he's got no D Phi E!

Hes got tons of mine http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

quote:
Originally posted by Microbiomajor:
I went to my national conference last year (KD) and we had a discussion about all of this. They actually told us it is illegal to sell the pins (badges) because they are actually property of the National Organization, and only borrowed by the member.
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Thought...could the sellers be prosecuted? If they are selling something that it's illegal to sell...bad comparison, but I'm sure if someone was selling wacky weed on ebay they would be prosecuted quite quickly!


Just some more info to consider:

The sellers cannot be prosecuted! Once a trademarked item has reached the second-hand market - i.e. flea market, antique sale, estate sale, eBay, etc., meaning the original owner who purchased it NEW has sold it to someone else, who is now selling it - the trademark rights and copyrights change. The owner of the marks doesn't retain the right to say who may own or purchase any longer.

An example that might be clearer:
If I buy a brand-new "officially licensed" Dallas Cowboys t-shirt from Oshman's Sporting Goods, I pay a price that includes the royalty fee, which the Cowboys get because it is a licensed product and they own the logo.

If my mom later decides the t-shirt is ratty and donates it to Goodwill, who re-sells it for $3, the Dallas Cowboys don't get a cut of that, nor can they tell Goodwill not to sell it.

IMHO: whether or not a badge/pin/manual is being sold on eBay will not change what it means to me and my sisters! A pin collector can buy all he/she wants, but he/she won't have the rights and responsibilities and memories and meanings of the fraternity/sorority.

Now, here's another question...
what's the general feeling about non-ritual Greek stuff on eBay? keychains, hats, frames, etc.? the same merchandise that you can find in your campus store?

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Sterling Greek
Purveyors of Fine Greek Gifts
www.SterlingGreek.com

[This message has been edited by Texas Alum (edited February 10, 2001).]

The reason I brought up about prosecuting the sellers is I have seen people on ebay say "these are my pins from 1962" or whatever. Not only would I like a sister or brother who would do that prosecuted, I'd like them drummed out of the fraternity/sorority because they have no idea what it means. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif I realize a lot of the people who buy these at estate sales have no clue, even though they should. What's next, selling diplomas?

As far as selling the sweatshirts, keychains, etc....that to me really isn't different than the college's Greek store selling them. I mean, it's not like I had to show my member ID to buy something in the Greek store. I guess if you have the world's crappiest greek store ever at your college, it could be convenient, although the shipping charges are probably hideous. To me the best way to find paraphernalia if you don't have easy access is to contact your other chapters.

Delta Zeta National Headquarters has a policy that they will reimburse any sister who "rescues" a DZ Badge from e-bay or elsewhere. They will pay $50 or the actual price of the badge, whichever is lower. We have many individuals who check e-bay regularly to see if any of our badges are up for sale and attempt to buy them back. So far, we've done pretty well, but occasionally one will slip away to some jerk who doesn't know or care how significant that piece of jewelry really is! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif

Lots of times, if a bid goes higher than $50, sisters will chip in together to pay for it. Per Delta Zeta policy, the badge is sent back to headquarters since it is actually property of Delta Zeta and not the individual. If ANYONE finds a DZ badge on e-bay or anywhere else, PLEASE notify me at dzrose93@yahoo.com so that I can try to save it! THANKS!!!

Dear dzrose:

I am so thrilled to see that Delta Zeta is making such an effort to rescue its badges!

I check ebay everyday for Kappa badges and pledge pins, and if I come across any DZ pins, I will definitely contact you!

Panhellenically,

imsohappythatiama

------------------
Oh, Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
I'm so happy that I am a
Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
Nobody knows . . . how
happy I am!

You say this guy is a Sigma Chi? He has over 50 things from SX for sale, he should be booted from his fraternity.

I think you might have misunderstood. . . he isn't selling those Sigma Chi pins, badges, and awards (nor those of any other GLO). He collects them, and he is exhibiting them on the web.

I think that as long as he is collecting his own badges (he is a Sig, after all), that is great--he's keeping Sig badges "in the family" so to speak. I don't think he would ever think of selling the Sig stuff that you see on his site.

Just a little clarification. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
Oh, Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
I'm so happy that I am a
Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma,
Nobody knows . . . how
happy I am!

Yeah that would make more sense, I thought everything he had pictured was for sale.
Thanks for the clarification

Thanks for looking out for us! I'll return the favor if I run across any Kappa badges! By the way, my DZ alum group is working with one of your alumnae chapters in Atlanta to organize a charity event this summer. I haven't met any of your sisters yet, but I'm looking forward to doing so! We meet on March 1st to organize this year's B.A.B.E. (Bring A Bachelor Event)!

I don't know about other Greek Organizations, but in LXA there is a difference between pin and badge. In LXA the pin ( button ) is for a pledge or in our case an Associate Member. When You are initiated, you can then wear a LXA Badge. Of course it will depend on each FRATERNITY/SORORITY. I bought and paid for mine in many ways and it means so very much to me.

------------------
Tom Earp LX Z#1
Pittsburg State U. (Kansas)

In addition to being an Alpha Gam, I am also a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood (www.peointernational.org will answer your questions)--it's a non-collegiate sorority. Anyway, P.E.O. calls the pin an "emblem" and as with most GLOs, it is the property of the organization and is to be buried with the member or returned to headquarters. There are P.E.O. wills, which are forms to fill out to tell your survivors where your emblem is (hopefully in your jewelry box, not left pinned to your blouse from the last time you wore it!) and your preference as to its disposition.

I remember seeing a woman with a PiPhi arrow on her lapel. I asked her what her chapter was. She said, "Oh, this was my mother's. I found it in her jewelry box after she died. I always thought it was pretty, so I wear it." I bit my tongue.

(BTW, I can't get used to seeing badges worn anywhere but on your blouse, over your heart.)