Quote:
Originally posted by valkyrie
I personally don't see the point of making a big deal of "rescuing" badges. It seems counterproductive...
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I have to agree with you. I would prefer to see a GLO use its money towards things that will truly impact the community or its members in a positive way.
I think in 99.99% of the cases, the pins that we're seeing up on E-Bay are from deceased members, and what is happening is that
the surviving family members are not aware that the proper disposal of the badge is to return the pin to the GLO's headquarters.
I also have to say, that for the family members who are left behind, they are likely quite bereaved and want to settle matters as soon as possible, so repatriating a pin back to a GLO's headquarters might seem like more hassle than its worth. If they find a "pretty" pin, they might just go, "hmmm...maybe some antique dealer might take an interest in this?" Also a lot of people are clueless about the Greek alphabet and maybe don't even know that Grandma or Grandpa were in a GLO and if they did, they might not know what GLO it is...Grandma or Grandpa might not have mentioned it (particularly if they were not active alumni in the post-college years).
I guess my thoughts are, no, I don't really like it to see GLO pins for sale....that being said, if a Collector is buying a pin because they think it's beautiful and to be admired...well, then I can take some consolation in that, that they are valuing the pin and appreciating its beauty.
However...if someone is buying a pin with the intention of WEARING IT and misrepresenting themselves as an initiated member of that organization, then that, of course, is wrong.
I think though, pin collectors buy them for the looking, admiring and appreciating, not for the wearing.
I don't think the flow of GLO pins onto Ebay can ever be stemmed, so why not just let it be? It seems like a big waste of money to me, and money that could be better spent elsewhere. There are more important things in life to get worried over and better avenues into which an organization's money can be channelled.
Thanks for listening (err...reading!)
