Licensing, Vendors, Agreements, etc
 

A vendor of fraternity stuff who is also a member of my fraternity has told me that he doesn't have to have a licensing agreement with my fraternity because 1) All of his items are special order and, 2) His inventory totals less than $20,000.

I believe he is wrong.

I sent him a copy of our licensing agreement because I think of all people, Brothers shouldn't be cheating the fraternity of its royalties, especially when its such a generous licensing agreement.

What do you think?

I agree.

I've told the story on here before, I think, about how I was introduced to the importance of licensed vendors years ago. I won't tell that story again but suffice it to say that we have more insight over the products and they get more publicity. Two-way benefit, even if some of the products can be found cheaper elsewhere.

Yeah....I mean.... I have made a few things to order before and looking back, I should have either gotten a license or not made them....

I guess this is the first time I'm seeing a true generational gap about this. Dude I was trying to guide in the right direction didn't seem to take it too well, so all I could do was create a teaching moment by listing the benefits to HIM of being a licensed vendor.

There are older and younger members who don't understand the purpose of licensed vendors. I've encountered both. A lot of this has to do with possible paperwork involved, the fact that they've been doing things a certain way and don't want to change, and/or not wanting an overseer.

It was actually a Seasoned Soror who was the licensed vendor years ago who schooled me on the importance of licensed vendors. She was very polite and patient but I could sense that she was thinking "oh no, this young Delta didn't...." :p