Disgusted!
 

http://bay-town.com/members/thumbs/1015216009bb688.jpg

Found on EBAY! I'm just disgusted that an executive board member would allow their badge to end up on Ebay!

"DESCRIPTION: 10K Chi Omega Sorority Membership Pin with tiny pearls. Includes a chapter guard and charms that indicate offices held by the member. These are for Rush Chairman, and the President (still in the box). Also the 3rd one is for the position responsible for discipline (I can't remember what that job is called, but it was an important job in the sorority, like a policeman.) Dated 1988

CONDITION: Excellent condition, the president charm is still new in the box. A little dirty"

Hootie:mad:

I also noticed that the same person is High Bidder on three Chi Omega Pins! Sue, I know when our chapter visitor came last year she said we do not have in place a budget for us to buy back badges off of Ebay, however do you know of anyone through Nationals or online that might be trying to buy back them?
The only reason I asked is that I found it very odd that this same person would want three Chi Omega badges!

Hootie

Yes, I wrote her too and quized her and I feel confident she is an Alum. I felt bad doing it but I wanted to know for sure because I found it so odd that the same person would bid on so many Chi Omega pins.

Hootie:D

Re: Dirty laundry
 

With as many people who enter our forum and tell us our badges are on Ebay I don't feel this is any different. You are right, it IS a Chi Omega issue and that was why I posted it here.

Hootie

I'm glad one of your alums got them. Why would a president sell her badge? :confused:

Well, for all we know, the president could have LOST it or had it stolen. The badge on ebay doesn't necessarily mean that the pres is SELLING her badge. You never know the story behind a badge on ebay. I know lots of sisters fr my chapter misplacing them or having one somehow disapear. As XOs, we all know the importance of our badge so I highly doubt a XO would knowingly have her badge on Ebay.

I must admit I sorta jumped the gun assuming an Exec. member would have allowed her pin to end up on Ebay as XOAlum pointed out...it may have been stolen. So my apologies about accusing an executive board member for having her badge on Ebay...

Hootie;)

I agree, Hootie. All of the officers I know would never part with their badge willingly. It could also have been put up by a family member as part of an estate. The collectors recognize how valuable and meaningful they are and pick them up at estate sales. XOAlum is right in what she says. Good insight.

I'm glad we all agree on this issue. It is so hard to see badges on ebay but like all jewels- they get stolen, lost, sold at estate sales, etc.

I just look at the positive that our badges are so popular and go for the most money ($75.00 - $100.00) that it shows

A. our alums are out there [and have the money to do this] buying the badges back - we really have a very caring alum support to do this.

and

B. The ebay jugheads have realized the power of a Chi Omega badge and I think they keep buying them up and re-selling them - trying to make a profit.

Just remember if you buy a badge off ebay- make sure it is real. I'm sure an expert jewel maker can reproduce a badge. I saw one badge yesterday that only had 3 initials on it. No # or year, etc. That made me wonder if it was a real badge????? That could be a next step- make fake ones for $20.00 and sell them for $80.00 on ebay. Be careful :)

Sue,
You have a point however I can assure you that it would cost someone a hefty amount to duplicate one of our badges. I know this because when I worked in jewelry retail I had a gentleman who simply wanted his family's crest remade. He would have had to pay a lot to have the mold made plus then the gold and gemstones to be used. Plus, it's very rare that a company would recreate a badge like ours (or others) for fear of copyright. I'm sure most ethical jewelers would recognize the badge and not duplicate it.

Hootie

Thanks for the info Hootie! :)