[honeychile]

Okay, my responses on a couple levels:

1) As we've said ad nausem, communication is the key to a good ebay experience. If there's something you REALLY want, you need to let people know! Let us know here on GreekChat, go to PO and tell them, email the other bidders - keeping polite, but realizing that not all sisters act sisterly 24/7. There has been more than one pin that I have been interested in, but stepped back because some other GC ADPi seemed VERY interested. BUT WE ALL HAVE BUDGETS!! I think you only get a few chances to say "I REALLY want THIS particular pin!" and you should use them wisely. If, say, texas*princess tells me to back off on eight different types of pins, at some point, I'm going to remind her that my money is as good as hers, wish her luck, and tell her that the best woman will win the auction!

2) Which brings us to courtesy. I think those of us who frequent GC "know" each other better than those who don't, and we show each other a bit more courtesy than someone who registers with our list, but never posts or tries to get involved with the sisterhood. I didn't know Leslie when I emailed her about "my bracelet", but I'd like to think that I was polite about it, and she was very polite in return. In an ideal world, everyone who has ever been an ADPi would do the same, but I'm afraid it's never going to happen. Some sisters will never live the Creed; they will never learn the joy of Living for Each Other. Count it as their loss, for you have learned the more valuable lesson!

3) I would encourage each sister here to try to go to a "real" auction. Why? Because you almost always lose. You will become a much happier ebay buyer if you learn to lose graciously. There will ALWAYS be someone who sits back and snipes. Auctions are a "game" of chance; you will win some, and you will lose some. And since GreekChat, PO, or even computers are only a small portion of the Alpha Delta Pi experience, we cannot reasonably expect our list to be memorized or respected by all.

We have a long way to go before we develop the guidelines that the Keepers of the Key, the Crescent Catchers, and other such groups have already done. We need to put the past behind us and start thinking towards the future.

So - let's get back on topic. In what ways can we help our Executive Office develop guidelines for those who wish to keep our pins in the hands of Alpha Delta Pi?

Please, no more accusations, no more bitterness - just IDEAS which we can pass on to EO, please!