Article in Washington Post about greek licensing
 

And how it is affecting pricing on greek merchandise:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...031101426.html

Very interesting article - except this: "He knows, for instance, that Alpha Delta Pi sisters often put diamonds on their paddles...".

Not if their PD has anything to say about it!

How can organizations track what little wooden letters this guy sells? and how many letters he cuts out and sews onto tee's and sweatshirts?
The sales of custom made stuff can't really be tracked can it?

Well, if he collects an extra 8.5 percent and sends it to the GLOs, he stays in their good graces and is an official vendor, I guess. (It really doesn't cost him much: the price of the record keeping and printing the checks.)

It seems really weird to me that the national organizations would want to make their members pay even more for overpriced stuff.

I think their should be separate standards from pre-made items and items the store make for members on the request of members.

I love the University Shop!!!! I was just there on Saturday and the Saturday before that!!!! It's less than 15 minutes away from my house. They are the only store in the DC area that has:

• A wood "shop"
• A healthy NPHC section
• An extensive NPC section

Some stores are good for NPHC-only items, but the University Shop has better pre-made items. Candy dishes, bags, business card holders, etc.

I have spent more money in the University Shop than I care to admit. One time I bought so much they gave me a break on some items. They always had the best selection compared to the other shops in College Park. And I like Unique Impressions too--even with the increase they talked about in the article, I still find them reasonable.

They are competitive with other greek stores online even, in my opinion. I've been there quite a few times.

And, we don't put diamonds on our paddles!

Guardedbystars, are you a Beta Phi? The ADPis at UMD make diamond-shaped "paddles" (aka pieces of wood in lieu of paddles) now (or at least that's what I've seen).

If colleges and universities can control their registered marks, why NOT Greek organizations???

Does the licensing fee apply to custom made items? It wasn't clear in the article and, frankly, I am not sure if I have ever heard the answer to that question elsewhere.

That's a very good question. I have always wondered if I was breaking any rules by charging someone for a paddle I make to their specifications.

I'm pretty sure that my group specifically says that you can reclaim the costs that you have if you make items for other members by selling them but that you shouldn't seek to make a profit.

This done for two reasons, one to control shoddy work and second to get money in the GLO coffers. Plain and simple, it usually is about money though.

It is a shame there is no other place to purchase Pins that might have better quality.