Evaluating your RC vendors
 

What did you all think about the vendors at your respective RCs? Were you pleased with them? Were their prices too astronimical for your budget? Any concerns? Sorority sisters, if you haven't had your conference yet, pay closer attention to them and report back to us your findings.

I was :mad: at one because I wanted this particular item. He told me it was a certain price, I was like :cool:. Maybe, if I come back closer to the end of the conference, the price would be reduced. Puhlleeze, that so and so went UP on the price. I was too outdone.

It seemed to me that there were not too many vendors. I can remember where there were many more vendors at a conference. Maybe the reason was that our sisters in Florida were also having their RC at the same time we were.

:confused:

BTW, was the vendor that sold the "AKA" cross-trainers there? One of my chapter members still has not received her shoes that she ordered from the RC LAST year. :eek:

The Great Lakes Regional Conference is at the end of this month. I'll let you know when I return.:)

Cali
 

Far West Regional Conference starts two weeks from Wednesday. I will pay attention to the vendors, and report back.
:cool:

Sorors:

I thought the vendors were fine at Central Regional Conference, though I was only looking and making my list of wants for Boule. There was more space this year (due to the larger venue) than last, and it seemed like we had many more non-paraphenalia vendors selling items like leather goods, clothing, shoes, etc. (which was fine, except that I got my heart broken by trying on a sharp pink suit whose skirt was just a little too tight!).

I saw the sneaker vendor at our conference, but since I've never ordered from them, I can't speak to your chapter soror's issue with shoe delivery, Soror 2D.

Soror 2D, I think we had your vendors

It seemed to me that there were not too many vendors. I can remember where there were many more vendors at a conference. Maybe the reason was that our sisters in Florida were also having their RC at the same time we were.



THANKS for letting us borrow some. There were plenty of vendors at our SARC, but then again I do not have anything to reference it to as it was my first. The shoe guys were there but they had many shoes there with them to sell, we had very few of the non-nelia vendors there for the most part the prices were decent, we had this one vendor who keep telling everyone that the jogging suits they were selling were the last one, but even on the last day she was still selling them to peps, go figure.
I don't know if any of u guys every experienced this but on the last day the vendors were there, a bunch of Delta's were up in there and we trippin ( we were like was that a delta i just saw) I mean they were nelia down, it was about eight to ten of them up in there acting like they belonged, I thought is was a little tacky, especially with them knowing that it was an AKA event...
:confused: :confused: :confused:

Being that I am a neo, I was buying stuff left and right, incense, jewelry, bags, pillows, t-shirts, most vendors were selling their t-shirts for like $5, I bought shirts for my sons (inspiring Alpha, KAY), my niece (an AKA girl (no choice Mom and Aunt)), my Mom because she is so proud of her girls, and plenty for me.... Hey I was even able to obtain the ever so popular APOLOGY shirt...

I CANT WAIT 4 Boule, hopefully I will find some more new stuff.

Cant help that Neo"itis" :D :D :D

Girrrrrl... I am loving that shirt! :D My LS's that went to regional conference bought them for everybody on our line. Trust they will be worn at some choice events... ;) How much did you pay for it?

Sorors, what is the "Apology" shirt? I didn't notice anything like this at CRC.

Yes...it is rather cute...
 

I have the shirt as well...the only thing I hate is that you know there's going to be a DST Apology, SGRho Apology and ZPHIB Apology shirt. It takes away when you have all orgs. with the same dang on shirt on with basically the same message...........


A few years ago, I stopped buying shirts like that. I simply opted to buy the ones that say AKA -- 'cause you know our letters simply 'speak' for themselves. ;)

Re: Yes...it is rather cute...
 

Yes soror I agree with u on that... but for soror DG and all other sorors who have not seen the shirt, it goes like this
on the front it states:
The Apology
on the back it states:
I'm Sorry You're Not A Member Of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
I'm sorry you're not an AKA.
I'm sorry you'll never be an AKA.
I'm sorry pretty girls wear twenty pearls.
I'm sorry you can't say, "skee-wee."
I'm sorry men like me and you want to be like me.
I'm sorry the grass is always greener on the AKA side.
I'm sorry life is a reflection of the choices you've made.
I'm sorry you didn't make the right choice.
I'm sorry some things never change.
I'm sorry the truth hurts.
I'm sorry you're sorry

It is just the preeeeeeeeetiest shirt ....

Skeeeeeeeeee Weeeeeeeee to all my wonderful sorors that I have met and to all those I have yet to meet...

I don't remember that shirt.

Now, the vendors are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. It would not have surprised me if we would have seen other greeks in the room. I did see a Delta on her way, I assumed to the public luncheon. She simply had on a rhinestone pin. I didn't see any "groups of anyone", but Sorors.

When they have their convention in your area, you too probably can venture out to their vendors, you don't have to be all "para out". :p

vendors....
 

one of my friends & i helped out a vendor before at a conference, and while it may be that there were several conferences going on at the same time, the cost to attend can be a huge factor also...i remember being told by the person we were working for that members (i won't name which conference/organization it was) will often wait & come back toward the end of the conference looking for discounts...we were, under no circumstances, suppose to offer those types of discounts...however, discounts were given based on the volume of merchandise purchased...now i don't understand why any vendor would raise their price (unless that item was going like hotcakes)....it's just that you need to look at it from the vendor's point of view...they are there to make money....& just like you're looking for a "price break", so are another 20-30 people every hour...it costs them money to attend, just like it costs you (& i'm sure it's actually a whole lot more than it cost you)...especially when you figure in the cost of the license, the merchandise, transport to & from the conference, the room & board, labor (i didn't work for free ;))...and, when the vendor revealed to me how much some of the licenses of the different orgs cost (woo doggy!)...just a different point of view...

Jacked up prices ANYWAY!
 

They are making their money. If the market wasn't lucrative, they would be in another line of business.

<<<They are making their money. If the market wasn't lucrative, they would be in another line of business.>>>

hey, you know the vendor i worked for is in another line of business in addition to this vendoring thing (so, i guess that proves my point :confused:)....and, maybe the prices are "jacked up anyway" to offset the discounts that people seem to want...

Not necessarily want, many of the vendors WILLINGLY advertised reduced merchandise and were more than willing to NEGOTIATE.

Yes, I'm going to want a reduced price, especially If I go around the bend and ANOTHER vendor has the SAME item for a cheaper price. I was PO after I found out that a Soror was selling something I had purchased from another vendor at a cheaper price. :rolleyes:

I hear ya...
 

and, can understand where you're coming from...I'd venture to say that most vendors are very small businesses, run (as i eluded to before) only on a part time basis. So, vendor A may have purchased more widgets than vendor B...thereby allowing vendor A to undercut vendor B's prices...they all have markups...to cover their operating costs & to make a little profit (can't grow a business by only breaking even)...Also, you know, it may be the flea market-like setting that makes people feel it's appropriate to haggle...

Have you ever seen those pins or t-shirts that say "I buy Black, I give Back"...The Black dollar has power indeed, but I don't think that the whites, koreans, japanese, etc. really fear us taking that "power" elsewhere...because they know that we'll go to joe "white guy" & pay exactly what he has posted as the price...while we'll go to dexter "dred" & ask for a hook up....I believe it's the "my brotha, my sistah" stigma...which, can help explain why you might find customer service and/or goods to be sub-par at some Black businesses...Just because we two happen to be the same race doesn't mean you should put any less than your best foot forward...it kind of goes along the lines of what's his name that sold BET...that was his business, he received a lucrative offer for it & jumped at the offer...some screamed "sell out" & "irresponsible"...but, he doesn't know any of us & wasn't about to allow people who just happen to be his same race dictate how he handled his business...but, I digress (as this is getting off subject).

I commend the BGLO's for supporting & working to make the world community the best it can be, in particular the Black community. However, don't go to your brotha/sistah & ask them to accept less for their goods or services, when you wouldn't ask joe "white guy" for the same.

I plan to start my own business some day, and I pledge to provide the same exceptional service & products to dexter "dred", as I do to joe "white guy"....so long as neither one of them asks me for a discount...:)

FYI...wink, wink...
 

Remember, April is Black Dollar Month!

Sorors - Does anyone know where I can find this "apology" t-shirt from an ONLINE vendor?

Sorors...the vendors at The Great Lakes Regional Conference this past weekend DID NOT have any unique items to purchase. I was truly disappointed for I had brought mad money to spend and came back with only a T-shirt and a hat:( I can find a better selection of things in Michigan. In fact I was wearing my 'nalia from home and Sorors kept asking where did I get my shirts,jogging suits etc. from. I ended up passing out cards to 'nalia shops in Detroit. Hopefully there will be a better selection of vendors next year.

FWRC Vendors
 

I spent the last 5 days all over the FWRC vendor room, so here's my assessment.

I spent approx. $200 and had planned on spending at least $150 more than that.

Soror Steeltrap witnessed a CUTE pink sweatsuit that was just calling my name off the rack, so I had to give in.

The FWRC vendors occupied only about 3/4 of the room. There was one side of the room that was completely empty. There was a lot of jewelry, but the prices were pretty steep. I would have liked to see a better selection of pins, t-shirts (i want that apology t-shirt, but no one had it), bags, notebooks, pens, shoes, etc.

The top items sold at this year's FWRC were from the first vendor when you walked in the door. Their t-shirts and jackets sold like hot-cakes.

FWRC vending
 

My chapter hosted FWRC. I would have liked a more diverse item selection. Last year, for example, I bought an AKA notepad. I was looking for another, but couldn't find one.

I was also seeking an umbrella and that apology T-shirt. The jewelry was good, but I have my lavalier and that's all I can afford now.

The pink sweatsuit that Soror Prayerfull bought was cute.;) BTW, that vendor also had the beautiful fur-lined leather jacket with the shield and script "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc." on the back.

As for me, I got my first jacket (white w/our letters and the shield) and three T-shirts. One of the T-shirts came from the first vendor when you walked in the door -- his stuh was flying out, considering that he charged only $25 for his jackets, later reduced to $20.

I am a member of DST and have attended AKA events with my mother-in-law and other friends that are AKAs for many years. And they have attended DST events with me. I can't speak for everyone, but I wear a pin or t-shirt so folks don't assume I'm an AKA because I'm in a group with 2-5 AKAs!!! Especially if I'm holding my daughter who has been "drenched" in pink and green by her grandmother!!! I dont' think it should be taken as a sign of disrespect!!

FWRC Vendors
 

Okay, as a shopaholic I was a bit disappointed in the selection available. Like Sorors Prayerfull and Steeltrap, I was looking for more things like notepads, bags, pins, etc. Nonetheless, I did manage to find ways to spend my money. The jackets were a bargain at $20, I paid $60 for my first line jacket. However, you did have to inspect them carefully, my ls bought a jacket that's missing part of the "8" it look like "190S". I spent most of my money on jewelry, there was a Soror there selling Sterling Silver things that were pretty nice. I bought a ring, necklace and bracelet. I also found a few cute T-Shirts as well. So, in retrospect, it's a good thing that there weren't more vendors, I would have been totally broke! =)

the apology shirt
 

I am happy to say that the guys that were selling the ever so popular apology shirt will be or definitely are planning to be at Boule so maybe sorors you can cop a shirt there.... hope to see u at Boule....

as a matter of fact most of the vendors at the SARC were really reasonable... I bought most of my shirt for $5 and some for $10 and the sock were 2 for $5.. the jewelry seem inexpensive as well I bought several pieces (a charm for my bracelet, an aklet w/ivy charm with AKA at the points, and unique looking ring under for about $240), I bought pins, a sweatsuit, and other items that were semi costly, but I also bought a little tote for $5, and they had this vendor there that sold letters and ivy designs that allowed to decorate your clothing however you wanted, i bought some incense for $5 and she was also selling some type of soap that dissolved in the bath, and the AKA lotions, I even bought my stow that goes over your graduation gown from there and it was original because my LS bought theirs from our book store, even though they did not cover but a fourth of the area we had a multitude of vendors they even had vendors that sold clothing formal, semi-formal, and casual wear with shoes, hats, and the purse to match.... they were moving so merchandise up in der up in der....:D

There were ALOT of vendors at the SARC. And the prices were pretty good. I bought t-shirts that were $5.00 apiece and a really cute coloring book for my daughter. I purchased a coin purse that I thought was a good buy but the sides of the coin purse don't come up to the top of the coin purse and the change keeps falling out in my purse (sorta defeats the whole purpose of having a change purse!)

Boule is going to be PACKED with vendors. At one time, sorors could get a discount because the vendors didn't want to take anything home. One runs the risk of something that they want not being available because the vendor runs out before the conference.

Re: the apology shirt
 

Thanks to some planning with one of my LS who attended Boule, I'm the proud owner of an apology T-shirt. When she got it for me, the vendor sold her a second shirt that has "Hated by Many Respected by All" surrounding a bottle of pink "Haterade" with a green label that says: AKA Skee-Wee Established in 1908. The Haterade is above our letters in green with pink 3-D and "Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc." in white. :D

On the apology T-shirt it says Copyright 2002 Nu Greek Gear.

Re: Re: the apology shirt
 

Soror Steeltrap....HC I am JEALOUS right now. I want that shirt. That's all right though. I'm about to hunt one down somehow.

Vendor at Boule
 

I found this site while searching the web:

http://www.akadinnerware.com/

I purchased the plate and stand at Boule. Hopefully, it should get here this week or the beginning of next week.

All the information included was $35.00.

I do not know where to put it, since I do not own a china cabinet.

:D

I spoke with a soror who was a vendor at Boule and she told be that the vendors are having a hard time breakin even. The cost to register as a vendor is $2500. The cost to be a vendor at Boule was $3000 with the soror discount. This does not include travel, hotel, merchandise, etc. costs. Something happened on Saturday with the contract so the vendors expected to open and could not until Sunday - so they lost 1 day of business. Many of them backed out at the last minute. I spent under $100 this year because there really wasn't anything there.

At Central Regional Conference, the vendors were very upset. They were so far away from the rest of the conference, many sorors refused to walk to see them. if they did, it wasn't more then once. There were two rooms, instead of one big one - so many sorors didn't even know about the second room of vendors. The vendors are suffering.

We are hosting an area retreat this fall and not only has the vendor price gone up, our regional director wanted to try to limit when they could open to only the times we were not in session. Of course, no vendor are going to agree to that arrangement, especially the ones that lost money at Boule.

Re: Evaluating your RC vendors
 

And the soror looking for her gym shoes - tell her to keep looking. This company (the one in the Ivy) is in trouble for taking money from hundreds of sorors and not delivering their shoes. Sorors were looking for them at Boule, but of course they weren't there. The other vendor with the new pink and green gym shoes (Greek by Design) told me she's not sure if they're even doing business at conferences anymore because they're in so much trouble...