Pin Savers
 

Does your GLO have "pin savers"? People who buy your groups pins off ebay so collectors don't get them? If so, POST! I wanna make a list so if I see a pin, I can let them know!

I'm glad I have sisters who have taken up the cause!

If I'm not mistaken (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), we're discouraged from purchasing Badges from pin collectors on eBay. It sucks knowing that non-members have our Badges, but at the same time, we don't want them to have our money so that they can go off and buy some more Badges.

It's nice to save them, but with all the $$$ members are spending on these items -- it'd be nice to see that money going to philanthropy or donated to Foundation instead.

I know that Kappa has "Keepers of the Key" and Gamma Phi has their "Crescent Catchers".

That's why it's important to let your loved ones know what to do with your Badge.

What "cause" is that?

I believe the original post said to buy them on ebay so collectors DON'T get them. I guess it could be the collectors that are selling them on ebay, but I'm guessing the intention is to buy them from the people who don't know what to do with them.

I know how to read.

The majority of the sellers on eBay are pin collectors. Pin collectors obtain Badges through estate sales and other eBay sales (depending on the age/type of Badge). It's very rare that I've seen a seller who simply didn't know what to do with a Badge.

I've been instructed not to buy Badges online, period. I even know of a sister who got bitched out by a VST member for buying a Badge online for her sister.

The Badge isn't just a piece of metal to me, but money spent to rescue Badges could be used for more important reasons.

Oh, there's a cause or an intention or something of that nature in there somewhere. You'll think of it eventually. Don't give up.

Are you out of your mind? That's like saying Burger King collects hamburgers.

Maybe you can read, but you sure as hell can't think.

I see you've been taking douchebag lessons from your brother Tom.

So people can't collect pins with intention of selling them? Since when?

People collect stuff and sell/trade them all the time. I don't see the difference.

Neither do I.

Why would people buy them? If not collectors, then the only other reasons I can think of is:
a) to wear (or give to another to wear) in order to intentionally misrepresent themselves (i.e. "perp") as an initated member of that org
b) to give to another person to wear who became a member of that org and they need a pin
c) they didn't get a bid, so they bought the pin to wear in private and live out their "I'm a Beta" or "I'm a FIJI" <insert whatever GLO name here> fantasies in the privacy of their own bedroom.

I'm with you OTW: "With all the $$$ members are spending on these items -- it'd be nice to see that money going to philanthropy or donated to Foundation instead".

With all due respect to members who do have the means to rescue badges off the internet, I don't think I'd be okay knowing that my $$$ went to purchase something that'll sit in my jewelry box/IHQ archives for years to come.

Yes, I prefer to see money used in "active ways": scholarships for education, buildings built to be used for the betterment of a community (have sports/programming/music/the arts inside), funds for programs for kids / disadvantaged people, etc.

Generally, the badge rescue groups are constantly searching and know fairly quickly when a badge is put on eBay or other sites.

I understand the money argument, but don't necessarily agree with it. The most prolific rescue-ers are also some of the most devoted volunteers within the organization who have already donated thousands to our Foundation. They simply view this as another way they can actively support the Fraternity.

This is completely, 100 percent wrong. How do I know? Because I'm a collector and I've been buying KD pins off ebay for the past 5 years. I check in on ebay daily and I know many other collectors.

The sellers are most often people who buy pins or entire lots of jewelry at estate sales. Some of them have no idea what they're selling.

Very often when people don't plan on what to do with their pins after their passing it is left to their children or other relatives to "dispose" of their jewelry. The relatives end up selling the pins on ebay. It's not their fault and they're not evil for doing it.

There is also some good that can come out of collecting. Many historic badges have been found on ebay and are now in their respective GLO's archives or museums.

If anyone's GLO discourages buying pins off ebay, that's fine. But that isn't the case for all GLOs and in the end it really isn't any of their business. KD doesn't have any such policy. I will continue to buy KD pins off ebay. I will also continue to contribute to the Kappa Delta Foundation and give money to my chapter's House Corporation. What I do with my money is my own business.

It sounds awfully noble to say that people should really use their money for charity, etc. instead of on pins. But what if someone came up to any of you and said, "you know, you really shouldn't be spending your money on that beer -- you should donate it instead"? It's all relative.

What I mean, is that if someone wants to buy the pin as a way of "helping the sorority", then, in my view it helps the sorority MORE when those funds that they've earmarked already to "help the sorority" are directed towards that sorority's Foundation, not towards a pin that is going to be rescued, and then lying dormant in a jewellery box (although it is nice to see them in the historical archives, etc.).

Anyhow...I've always maintained that if someone wants to buy the pin because they admire them and think they're beautiful, then good for them. I do object to it, if someone is buying a pin for the purpose of wearing it with the intent to misrepresent themselves.

Donated thousands, huh? Can you introduce me to some of these people? I only ask, because I saw some Betsey Johnson dresses & Manolo Blahnik shoes on Ebay that need...uh..."rescuing". Yeah, that's it. ;)

I'll agree that if someone is collecting their pins to "help their sorority" they could help more effectively in other ways. But what if they are collecting their pins for their own pleasure? Can't they do that as a member?

Also, my pins don't lie dormant in a jewelry box.
I agree with you here again. I think it would be really pathetic to buy pins off ebay in order to pass yourself off as a member. I think I can reassure you though. I've never come across a single collector that would even consider doing that. It's simply not the goal of collecting.

You might already know some of these people and not realize it. Some of them might even be...dare I say it?....DGs!!!:eek: You just never know.

One angle you haven't discussed - my badge was stolen. It is registered with the Crescent Catchers, and if it comes up on e-bay (with my identifying information) or anywhere else they will contact me and let me know. As much as I love my replacement badge, I would really like my original back. When it was stolen I was told it would probably end up in a pawn shop (this was in the 80s, before e-bay!). It would not be wasted money to me to be able to reacquire it. And I don't think it is wasted money if alumnae chose to purchase their badges because they think they are more than a mere piece of jewelry, and wish to keep their badges in the hands of those who honor it for its meaning rather than its worth as gold and gems.

Yes, we have quite a few women who have donated thousands of dollars to the Foundation (public info as printed in our annual Foundation mailing) as well as using their personal money to recover lost, stolen, historical or other badges. Not to mention they volunteer countless hours to the Fraternity in other ways as advisers, trainers, associate council members and fraternity officers. These are dedicated women who have nothing but love for the Fraternity and the symbolism of our badge and I am proud and honored to call them sisters.

I am not the official spokesperson for my organization's rescue group but as an active member I have seen many, many times the extremely positive impact our group has when we can return a lost or stolen badge.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not set out to rescue ALL the badges found on eBay. There are certain criteria we follow. And there are a number of eBay users with very Kappa-sounding usernames that bid and win badges who most definitely are not members of our organization.

Not all badges that are won sit around in jewelry boxes gathering dust. Many are given to chapters or alumnae associations to use as award pins or to display in the chapter facility. Many are returned to the rightful owner or their family. Some are used to educate chapters and alumnae associations on proper badge disbursement. And many are simply kept (and worn or displayed) for personal use. I have two rescued badges, which I do wear when I have need to.

I might be mistaken, but I think that in order for me to upgrade my pin, I would have to send my current pin into headquarters and pay to have a new one issued to me. We have options of plain gold or silver, and some with pearls, etc. While I was lucky, and an alum outright GAVE me her pearl pin (I have the plain silver), there are other sisters in my chapter who would like to ahve some with pearls as well, but they dont want to give up their original pin in order to upgrade.

As much as it sucks to give money to pin collectors, or whoever, I dont see a problem with buying a pin on ebay. I've even thought about buying some pearl ones for my littles for birthdays, etc.

Yes there are people on ebay who sell Badges/Pins because they get them from many places and have no idea what they are nor know mean.

They are not bad people at all.

I too am a collector and mostly anything to do with LXA or TKN as I am a LXA and want to presearve history.

I have also collected Pins from the GLOs who were at my school when I founded a local and wanted them for History to be placed in the Chapter House just for that purpose. History can be forgotten so do not forget that and keep it someway before it dims.

While some buy and sell to make money, then buy them so to keep them in a vault or give to members. That is fine but do not ever degrade what you do not know about.

I have a Brother who wanted to get all of the GLO Pins and make a composite and present it to his Chapter. Would that not not look nice in a Chapter House and held in reverence? I hope he finally reaches his goal!:)

Not everyone is so bad to get a beloved pin, but top purchase of pins off of ebay, well, some better have deep pockets and a deep desire.

Getting upset is silly.

There are people who enjoy what We as GLO's have and enjoy the beauty of them.

Tom,

You are frightening me. This is the most coherent, well written post you have ever written. Well said!!!!!

Thank You!

I am getting tired of some of the crap on site and people who do not actually understand!

They want to yell foul and scream to the sky but that is all they do!:(

I believe when you buy a badge on eBay you are helping to create a market for said badges--especially the ones with no historical significance. If you don't want to see your badge for sale on eBay, then encourage your sisters not to bid on them.

What is REALLY ridiculous is the people who set the price for something like $150 because that is what the initiation fee may be--but that badge can actually be replaced through an HQ for $35 or $40. Highway robbery and yet, it still happens because people buy them.

Basically, it comes down to education. If you want to replace a lost of stolen badge--call HQ. If you have a badge you no longer want--call HQ. If you want to sell your badge to make money--that's sad.

While old, is still a typical post from this person!

I have along with the Brother of LXA that you have so demeend have found Badges of members of GLOs.

We both have donated or sold Badges to either fellow Brothers or for auctions to help our chapters.

This is really interesting, I follow all Greek related news very closely but I have to admit, I have never heard of an organized attempt to purchase pins so they do not fall into the wrong hands.

If someone here actively purchases or collect pins. I'd like to do a story about your efforts for my website, contact me at fratboynews@yahoo.com

We (as in the GC ADPis) try to monitor pins the best we can, but we had a very sad ending a few months ago. Someone on our "safe list" won a pin, and even though the original owner is a member of GreekChat, and could prove that it was her pin, the winner wouldn't return the pin. She was offered the cost, another pin, the cost AND another pin, but never responded. That person is no longer on our safe list!

I lost my badge about 4 years ago. I know it was somewhere between Lorton, VA and Alexandria -- but it's still lost. If it turned up, I'd be so happy that someone rescued it and tried to contact me through headquarters. I do keep an eye out at flea markets and other places I might find it, but no joy so far.

I replaced it, but couldn't bring myself to try to duplicate it, so I have a very different one now.

I'm sorry to hear you lost your badge too, DGTess. It is very frustrating - and nothing can replace your original badge!