Pin Collectors

honeychile · #1 03-10-2003, 11:56 PM

As you may have heard, there are people who collect fraternity & sorority pins for whatever reason. One of the easiest ways to do this is by watching online auctions such as ebay, and bidding for various pins. There are two schools of thought about this: One, that the pins should belong exclusively to the members of that GLO and Two, as long as people don't physically wear the pins, it's a harmless hobby.

You may have heard of KKG having a "Keepers of the Key" organization, whose sole purpose is to keep the Kappa key in the hands of Kappas only. Alpha Delta Pi has a similar group, "Guardians of the Diamond". I've met some wonderful sisters while agreeing not to bid against each other for one pin or another. One ADPi has a massive collection of various ADPi pins; wouldn't it be lovely if a poster could be made of the different pins? We are very fortunate to have such a wide selection!

There is an interesting debate on the Alpha Phi message board, entitled "Unusual A Phi Pin on ebay". I would encourage every sister to read this thread! You will understand my restraint after reading it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and the thread mentioned.

Loyally,
honeychile

honeychile · #2 03-10-2003, 11:59 PM

And while I'm thinking about it, not to be morbid, but have you made arrangements for the disposal of your ADPi diamond after your death? If you don't have a legacy to leave the pin to, consider leaving it to a chapter for use as a President's Pin, a Scholarship Pin, or even a Spirit Pin. Another suggestion is to stipulate that your pin be returned to EO, so that another Alpha Delta Pi may enjoy it. Just a suggestion.

honeychile

valpogal99 · #3 03-11-2003, 06:23 PM

How do you get involved with the Guardians of the Diamond? We have been talking about this on our chapter listserve. In fact, several of us have started bidding when we can (sorry if we are bidding against you). I contacted EO about this and they said there was nothing they could do and didn't mention any groups of ADPi's that were doing anything like that. It would be nice to have a listing of the ID's of people in the group so that we wouldn't bid against eachother. However, I wouldn't post it here because of the ease of access to sellers. I know of a sister who is looking to replace her pin which was stolen. Thanks for any information you can provide about Guardians of the Diamond.

honeychile · #4 03-11-2003, 11:57 PM

I won't say that it's underground, so much as by word of mouth. If I see someone bidding consistently on ADPi items, I will usually email them, asking them if they are ADPis.

I heard about the Guardians from Beth Hamilton, EO VP of Housing (or something similar, I'm just awful at titles!). She's such a lovely lady, and she told me that *** is the sister who has the awesome collection. Beth gets pins for Alphas she knows & loves, and will let *** know if she's bidding, so that *** will opt out.

Just jump in, bid, and if you question someone's status, email them! If they don't answer, or won't step down if you explain that you're after that pin for a specific reason, it's a pretty safe guess that that person isn't an ADPi!

And by all means, if I'm bidding against you, let me know! I would rather that we don't run the price up against each other!

honeychile

edited for identities; I'll pm them to you!

texas*princess · #5 03-12-2003, 01:12 AM

I think having a Guardians of the Diamond is a great idea.

I know this might sound kind of crazy, but if EO had a database of eBay identities of all ADPi's they would know if a real ADPi was bidding on the precious badges or other items.

Making a database that huge would be very time-consuming I'm sure...

nauadpi · #6 03-12-2003, 03:41 AM

I know a lot of the International Officers themselves try to bid on pins and what not, and out Grand President is one of them. So you can always send emails her way directly, and she will try to bid on them or find someone who can.

polarpi · #7 03-13-2003, 08:22 PM

What category at ebay would you find this pins? I tried doing a search and I couldn't find any badges from ANY GLO. Not that I would bid, but I'm just curious who these people are that are bidding on these!

L & L,
Jennie

honeychile · #8 03-13-2003, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by polarpi
What category at ebay would you find this pins? I tried doing a search and I couldn't find any badges from ANY GLO. Not that I would bid, but I'm just curious who these people are that are bidding on these!

L & L,
Jennie

Just type in Alpha Delta Pi! Pins aren't always up for bid (thank heavens!), but that's where they will be, when they are. I was able to get a pin that had been made into a ring for less than it would cost to have my own pin made into a ring!

Of course, I will have to have it sized...

L&L,
honeychile

valpogal99 · #9 03-14-2003, 12:08 PM

I have heard differing opinions on this topic but one piece of advice I would offer is to bid late. If you start bidding early, it is a sign to collectors and/or the seller that you are willing to pay more for it. If you let it set until the last day (even the last few hours), the price will typically remain fairly low. This helps ADPi members have a chance and picking up a badge for a lower cost. The earlier the bidding starts, the more people bid and the higher the price goes. I have seen that happen on a few items there. Just my thoughts. What do you all think?

honeychile · #10 03-14-2003, 12:40 PM

I think that's sound advice, Jen. I usually either put something on my watch list, or make the lowest bid possible (if I'm first), then lie low until the last day.

Of course, do I have to tell you who's nigh on to a heart attack in those last, frantic minutes?

L&L,
honeychile

texas*princess · #11 03-18-2003, 06:37 PM

Greetings ladies!

I just wanted to let you know there is an ADPi badge on ebay that is due to end in 3 days.

Here is the URL:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=11145

polarpi · #12 03-21-2003, 09:19 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by texas*princess
[B]Greetings ladies!

I just wanted to let you know there is an ADPi badge on ebay that is due to end in 3 days.

Just so you know, an ADPi did win this badge to replace hers that was lost (she's a sister from my chapter and let us know)

Jennie

honeychile · #13 03-22-2003, 11:50 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by polarpi
[B]

Quote:

Originally posted by texas*princess
Greetings ladies!

I just wanted to let you know there is an ADPi badge on ebay that is due to end in 3 days.

Just so you know, an ADPi did win this badge to replace hers that was lost (she's a sister from my chapter and let us know)

Jennie

Yippee!!! I'm so glad that the Diamond has a good home!! I really try to be understanding of pin collecting, but sometimes I get a little miffed at the non-ADPis who run up the price on sisters!!

honeychile

valpogal99 · #14 03-22-2003, 01:18 PM

I think it is good that a sister who is replacing her badge won it (especially since it was on sale by a fellow Sister). There is another badge online right now with guard and charms. Just thought I would pass that info along!

texas*princess · #15 03-23-2003, 10:48 PM

I completely agree Jen!