AKA Badge on eBay
 

Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha,

There are two AKA badges on eBay. My advice to you, as a frequent bidder, is to stay put and watch the bidding until the last few minutes of the auction. Then try and outbid the person (if they are not an AKA). If you all start bidding now, the price may jump up to a point where none of you could afford to rescue the badge.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...item=335070006
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...item=334884165
Fraternally,
Barbara
Alumna, Zeta Tau Alpha

[This message has been edited by PnguinTrax (edited May 18, 2000).]

Oh, no. Not again! Thanks, PnguinTrax, for the info. and advice.

Wow. Seems like it's becoming a trend. Just one question: Have any of the members gotten in touch with the sellers? I'm a member of ebay so I can get the person's email address and one of you ladies could send an email. Just a thought.

With the last episode, I sent an email to the seller. They never responded.

I sent an email the seller of one of the pins and their response basically said that they purchased numerous items from estate sales (over 500) and did not know exactly where it came from.

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>>>"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised... Proverbs 31:29-30

Just a thought...I have read some posts on the other forums and it seems they are having the same problems (pins being sold on ebay). I know how precious my pearls are to me...I can't see soooo many sorors being soooo careless with their pins. I wonder are the pins real or is it possible for someone to "make" a pin...post the info on forums so that members bid crazy cash just to get the "pin"? Just a thought.

Catwoman, I understand your concern. However, I don't think the soror should take all the blame. If a soror dies, who knows what could happen to her pin. It doesn't hold the same meaning to others as it does to us. Some friends and family members could care less.

Soror AKAtude -
I am not blaming the sorors...what I was trying to say is I don't think that so many pins just so happened to land in the hands of ebay sellers. I think some of the pins may be forged and used as an attempt to make quick money...especially when they realize what the pins mean to those in the sorority.
I could be wrong...but it wouldn't suprise me.

Soror Catwoman, I wasn't trying to turn your words around. I was just putting another possibility out there regarding deceased sorors. Also, I do know of a soror from my undergrad chapter who lost her pin somewhere between moving out of her residence hall for the summer and her home. She was not able to find it. I know that she did not mean to lose it on purpose, but it could be classified as carelessness.

The soror who I work with who pledged in the 70's brought her pin in for me to see and her initials are engraved on the back. Also, her pin and mine are similar, but not exact. There were three differences we noticed right from the start. So, we may never really know if the pins they are selling are real or not.

I'm a member of Ebay as well, but just out of curiosity, has anybody contacted Nationals about this? This is a pretty serious matter to me. Was it Nationals' idea to wait for a last minute bid to rescue the pin, or what that PnguinTrax's idea? I'm asking because it sounds like a good plan to me.

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No weapon formed against me shall prosper, for I am a child of the Most High God, Who sits upon the Throne of Grace, and rules all Heaven and Earth.

AKA badge on EBAY...
 

Item # 1008486695
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1008486695

It would be so expensive for someone to make a cast and start producing pins one or two at a time and sell them for $20-30 - if you think about how many thousands of women have been inducted into sororities, there really aren't that many that show up on auction sites - the AKA pin that is currently on sale (I only saw one) has engraved initials and a Gamma chapter pin guard attached to it so it clearly belonged to someone. Honestly, if I didn't have family members that were Deltas, I'm not sure what would become of my pin if I were to drop dead right now, especially considering that our newer pins aren't gold. As a matter of practice, I routinely check Ebay and other sites that sell jewelry and buy any Delta pin that shows up, whether it is gold or not - some people just buy the older pins because they are real gold and may have historical significance. There is a Delta May Week brochure on Ebay now that may just be a piece of paper to some, but if it is authentic it could be a significant piece of history.

This enrages me but I have attempted to do my little part to ensure that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

tsk, tsk, tsk....
 

This is really disturbing. Thanks for the information...about such! I was thinking along the same lines....CALL National. I actually emailed someone on the Nat'l Protocal Committee to see what she had to say!

Yep, unless you have other Sorors in your family or make provisions beforehand (ie, have a will distributing such), our precious keepsakes could end up in the wrong hands.

Chapter sorors
 

I know that at least two of the people who have bid on this item are sorors that were made in this chapter. I don't know if the current highest bidder is a member of AKA or not. I just have to ask WHY? No need to answer, I already know. :rolleyes:

History Book on Ebay
 

Why did our old history book, 'Through the Years', just sell on ebay for $351.....

If the person is a soror, she could have bought for $25 from the org (and should have one). If she is not a soror, she is going to be in for a rude awakening....there's just basic history in the book!

I'd actually been monitoring the book's bids for a while, and I tried to tell if bidders were sorors. And I agree -- why pay all that much caiche if you're a perpetrator?

Man, how do people even GET this stuff??????

How People Get this stuff!
 

Well, people probably get this stuff when a relative dies and have no idea what to do with the stuff or at estate sales. If you don't prepare to properly dispose of your items, they could end up any where.....I'm active and know our protocol when it comes to our pins and etc. But just think if you have been 'out of touch' with the organization for years........


It's ashame. Nationals should just set up a team to monitor this type of stuff and get it back. It's crazy.....next thing you know, you will see our other docs out there selling for millions of dollars -- 'cause you know everyone wants to know about us :)

I keep shaking my head....$350 dollars for a $25 book. I tell you..our history (in my ghetto fabulous voice ;) ) is 'da BOMB BABY!'

Re: History Book on Ebay
 

$351!!!!!!!!!!!!!:eek: You're kidding! However, if they aren't a soror they are going to be highly disappointed...or kicking themselves in the @$$.:p That is no longer the updated edition anyway. Perps need to realize that all the important sorority facts and secrets are in our pretty little noggins. They can't buy it or take it away. They are simply :confused: !

I know it seems kind of odd, but maybe putting it in a will? The importance of those has really made itself evident to me recently. But, I do have family members who are in sororities who would know what to do.

And, no...that book was not purchased by an AKA...it was a "historic books collector". I had bid on it for my (bio) sister...better for me to have one it and given it to someone whose history it really was than a book collector who's just out for the dollar almighty...I've had it. :rolleyes:

It doesn't stop
 

There is ANOTHER of our history books (1908-1988 years covered) on eBay. The bid is currently at $202.50, starting at $9.99. I checked the bid history and one "handmemymirror," who I believe is a soror, is the high bidder. The bid is too much for me.

I hate to be a scold, but sorors, please make plans in your wills, living trusts, et al.

I peeped that too!
 

Yep...there are two books out there now selling on Ebay.....If that's the case..shoot if prospectives are willing to pay that much for the books, I think Nationals should just put them on the market and let's make some money sorors (smile)

But on a serious tip...I'm with you Steeltrap! One month they had someone's notes from when they were on line on there. It's no telling what that notebook had in it.....you know how hard-headed we are on line (smile)...

Tsk, Tsk, Tsk...will this ever end! If you don't make a will or arrangements for your stuff...this is another reason that sorors should stay active...at least (I would think) one of your chapter sorors should gather your stuff or ask your family if they would like you to dispose of them.

Stay Active MY SORORS...just don't perpetrate....BE ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.!

Re: I peeped that too!
 

Good point, Soror. Activity is key.
In my case, I don't have kids (yet) ;) If I do not have a family, I will make proper arrangements. The idea of our private material out there makes me ill.
ST

Steelstrap, that may be the only alternative if someone doesn't have a soror in the family or a close friend that could take the items. We are already told what needs to be done with items such as our pins. Therefore, inacativity is no excuse. All we need are for sorors or someone we can trust to make sure those steps are carried out.

All my "sorority things" are in one place. My husband knows and I have two LS's that know where they are in my home. It's so simple to do.

Soror Moderator,
Thank you for your post.
I didn't mean to confuse you, my "activity is key" was directed ast Soror Happydays. As for my things, if I don't have a daughter who (hopefully) becomes a soror, I will probably leave them to one of my LS who is a few years younger than I.

Steeltrap