If You Ran the ADPi Gift Mart...
 

We made a half-hearted attempt at something like this about a year ago or so, but I'm throwing an idealistic twist in this. Inspired by the new Lion's Share t-shirt

http://giftmart.alphadeltapi.org/gra...onShare4TN.jpg

and by some of the newer jewelry on Gift Mart

http://giftmart.alphadeltapi.org/gra...a%20RingTN.jpg

I was thinking, if I ran Gift Mart, what would I want to sell?

The world is your oyster - what would YOU like to see available?

This isn't really what you were looking for, I know, but did you read in the last Adelpehean (great articles in there, by the way) that the manager of Gift Mart is a Kappa Kappa Gamma? I thought that was really interesting!

Oh yes, and now to reply to your OP- I've said it before, I'll say it again- I wish they'd make ADPi checks.

I've been really pleased by the recent Gift Mart offerings. Used to be the choices were pretty generic, but now there are a lot of interesting and unique items available.

But if I ran Gift Mart I'd lower some of the prices. For example, $15-$20 for a simple little silk screened t-shirt is way too high. Any time I'm at DLC/VLS/Convention I hit the sale table and have gotten some great bargain items. How about putting a few items in the catalog on sale? I'd also offer an Advisor/International Officer discount since we are giving so much of our time and energy to the organization.

Finally, I'd poll the collegians to find out what they are giving for Bid Day, Initiation, etc. gifts, where they got them (if they didn't go through Gift Mart), how much they cost, etc. This year was also the first year I recall a "Free Shipping and Handling" offer for Bid Day gifts. IMHO that was brilliant.

I'd like to see a better functioning website. I think that there are just too many things to click on to browse and many of the items are duplicated under different categories.

What about some clothes that say "Advisor" on them? Do you think people would buy them? I have a couple of ADPi shirts that say "Alumna" (not that anyone would mistake me for a collegian!).

I also wish we had an in-house t-shirt design option so chapters could order social, philanthropy, etc. shirts through Gift Mart instead of giving money to outside vendors.

Lower prices

More legacy baby/toddler items

I really like the idea of free shipping for min $ orders and promoting more sale items

Not Gift Mart, but related: A new Lion's Share Challenge logo... I'm sure many hours of work went into it, but it could be a stronger mark.

I definately agree with lower prices. I bought a tank top from them (which I love) but it was like 25 bucks, which is just insane.

I'd really like to see more v-neck shirts. I always feel like I'm choking when I wear a crew neck.

Flip flops that don't cost 20 bucks (plus S & H).

I think advisor shirts would be a big hit...at least with my advisory board. As a thank you, the exec board last year bought us all ADPi sweatshirt hoodies with our office embroderied under the letters. They were super cute and very much appreciated! My finance advisor wears hers every chance she gets!

I like the inhouse tshirt design option. WFLEO - I think it'd definitely help unify designs and help with the branding/marketing issues we talked about :)

My wish for GiftMart
 

I would love to see the Pi Pendant made into a window cling/magnetic bumpersticker...I think it would look great and be a great way for sisters to easily recognize each other when on the road!

As an alum, sometimes I felt like a collegian when I had my letters on my car (I got a new car so my window sticker is gone :rolleyes: )...this would be a way where I could still let sisters know I'm an ADPi while keeping my vehicle from looking like I'm still in college!

Just a quick note to let you know that recently the Gift Mart Board did a focus survey of the membership (included some collegians, IOs, advisors etc) and the members were asked "what else would you like to see" etc. Some of the items they have in stock now are direct from those survey results...

There is now much more legacy and baby items (cutest tshirt for baby boys that says " when I grow up I'm going to marry an ADPI".... they also added some really cute cookie cutters (if you were at VLS you saw them)...

As a word of warning, the price of silver and gold has gone up and Gift Mart announced at VLS that the jewelry prices will be going up first of July so if you been holding out on purchasing something, I would order it this week!!!

And while the prices may seem high, we have to remember that Gift Mart is a business and must make a profit to stay in business just like any other company.

I love the new t-shirt for little boys! Too cute!

Also the cookie cutters are great-- I used my lion one the other day & cut out a lion from a peanut butter sandwich for my little girl. I can't say I've actually baked cookies with it yet, but I know I will eventually.

I like the way you think! :D

Crashing to say I always had my sandwichs cookie cut in grade school. How fun would it be to have Letter cookie cutters.

/would it be inappropriate to eat your letters?

I would love a cling on diamond for my car. I am a ADPi for life.... I also would loe to see more alumni items, the silver pi or even a diamond with a pi ring...

They have cookie cutters now?!?!?!? How wonderful!! Are there diamond shaped ones, or just lions & letters? That was actually one of the things I was going to suggest!!

I was once at a wedding shower where a small Christmas tree was the centerpiece, and tons of cookie cutters were tied (with pretty ribbon) onto the tree as decorations! A whisk was at the top.