[Maharet]

This man is a collector....He has a daughter (and his mom) who are Alpha Phi's...Apparently he has another daughter who is a Pi Phi as well...BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE he IS a collector of greek pins of all kinds (among other items he has amassed) ...He has MANY MANY MANY Chi-O's, KKG'S Pi Beta Phi's, AEO's, AZD's and others...and we are talking 6-10 of each and has paid 100's of dollars for some.

Yes, he has a great deal of money - he's a lawyer. I tried explaining very nicely to him what this means to other Phi's and that many find it frustrating that he can outbid so many and that we don't have the disposable cash he has. I also told him I wouldn't bid against him...He turned around and told me I was greedy and from the gutter and there was a legal threat involved. This occured with a Kappa Kappa Gamma in the southeast who he threatened...Ebay can't do a thing and in most cases it is just let go. Yes, he has publically admitted to 'sport bidding' but still little can be done.

Yes, he should be kept on 'our good side' but he has been very rude to one too many people at times and lied about who he is and what he does...I am glad the pins go to his daughter at least...

Yes, he gives them to his daughter and she has visited EO with her collection. It is wonderful that he gives them to her, but that leaves so many wanting a special part of their heritage...(He told me I was greedy at that point).

ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS I am not that way and that I think about others. I was scared and hurt by this, but soon got over it. Alpha Phi is special to all involved for very personal reasons. We can only try and hope to get a special pin for ourselves...I have rescued many and even 2 jeweled pins from him which went right back to sisters deserving/special relationships I have had with collegiates and alums...

My underlying philosophy is...He may see it as a collectable (as with other pin collectors...) but no one, other than an Alpha Phi, will see how truly wonderful each pin is and what it actually means in our heads and in our hearts. No one other than an Alpha Phi will know what it feels like to have it pinned on to you during initiation...There is no other way (for me) to think as I look at my pin that way...Aw shucks, pass me a tissue!!!!!

AOE Always, Maharet