Nalia/Art,Does anyoneelse notice a problem??

BlueIce4 · #1 06-27-2001, 12:59 AM

Greeting Sorors,

First off, Im new to the forum so a big ZZZZZZPHIIIII .

secondly, i was wondering if anyone noticed that some nalia vendors dont have much of a selection for our organization and SGRHO as well. I am running across alot of vendors and art suppliers that have all the latest AKA/Delta products but seem to be lacking in our direction??

shannieglass · #2 06-27-2001, 01:26 AM

BlueIce,

I'm not a soror..but being that my best friend is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, and I have a friend that is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., I have noticed that. It is like they only market to AKA's and Delta's. I like to get newer things for my friends in S-G-Rho and Zeta, but its hard to find sometimes. I have gotten lucky a few times, hopefully vendors will wake up..start selling equally for all of the sororities.

toodles
"hoping for blue"
shanna

BlueReign · #3 06-27-2001, 09:06 AM

Good topic and one of great concern to me!! I just ask the owner of the store "where is my nalia?" Just yesterday I went into an African art store and the owner had all these kente cloths for all the organizations except SGRho and Iota. They were $25 dollars a piece and I was exclaiming how nice they were. They were handwoven and from Ghana. I said, "I would love to buy one today but I don't see my, my ---" and then she said, "oh I'm so sorry. a lot of people have asked me about the blue and the gold and the other fraternity with the brown and the gold. I have them ordered and on the way."

So I have just decided that whenever I see other organizations represented I will just ask the owner for mine.

straightBOS · #4 06-27-2001, 10:55 AM

It might be a matter of supply and demand.

If there are not many members of your organizations in the area, the vendor may be less inclined to invest money in buying items for your organizations. It might be helpful to get many of your members in that area to speak to the vendors, especially the owners, about the lack of selection. If one person every 6 months or so speaks out, then it can slip the vendor's mind, or he may feel that the demand isn't high enough.

If it seems like everyday, week, etc. , he receives requests, then it becomes very apparent to him how much business he is truly losing by not catering to your needs.

Chi_ZETABBW · #5 06-27-2001, 11:46 AM

Finerwomen of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc are everywhere! Yes I have noticed that as well. 2 of the largest greek stores in Chicago have a very low inventory of our 'nalia. What I do is ask every time I go in there, and they both tell me that they can't find the stuff, hmmm. Something sounds fishy.
This brings me to another question. Why is our forum lacking? No one ever posts. I've tried to start several topics, but no one replies. I start topics on other forums and they are set on fire. I know we are out there, and well represented, so let's have some fun on GC.
Oh welcome Blueice.

Rachel0497 · #6 06-27-2001, 04:22 PM

Welcome to the forum, soror!!! I, too have this problem of not being able to find a good selection of paraphernalia. There is one particular shop here in Houston that i go to, and each time I have been disappointed. The Zeta section is very small, but they have everything you could want for AKA and Delta. The salespeople are usually non Greek, and when you go ask them about items they are very rude and unconcerned with comments like "that's all we have". I tell you, it's just a mess!!!

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The Women of Zeta Phi Beta...Simply Irresistible!!!!!!!!!!!

DOVE1920 · #7 06-27-2001, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chi_ZETABBW:
Finerwomen of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc are everywhere! Yes I have noticed that as well. 2 of the largest greek stores in Chicago have a very low inventory of our 'nalia. What I do is ask every time I go in there, and they both tell me that they can't find the stuff, hmmm. Something sounds fishy.

Soror, I know what stores you are talking about. Everytime I ask about getting more Zeta stuff they always say that a whole bunch of people just came and bought everything! And the shirts are always XL or XXL. I'm sorry but I'm only 125lbs, can a sista get a medium???
I don't understand what the problem is...

CBDZS · #8 06-28-2001, 01:47 PM

Soror, I know what stores you are talking about. Everytime I ask about getting more Zeta stuff they always say that a whole bunch of people just came and bought everything! And the shirts are always XL or XXL. I'm sorry but I'm only 125lbs, can a sista get a medium???

I also know which stores you are talking about. I thought I was the only person that they told that story too. It does matter when it is winter, spring, summer, or fall it's always the same.

Welcome BlueIce.

Sorry I missed the picnic Chi. I heard it was really nice.

CBDZS · #9 06-28-2001, 01:51 PM

I also know which stores you are talking about and I thought I was the only one they feed that lie too. But its okay, because everytime I go there I make sure they order something just for me.

Welcome BlueIce.

Sorry I missed the picnic Chi. I heard it was really nice.

Intensify · #10 07-02-2001, 02:45 PM

Ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. I am not a soror, but I have noticed this lack of naila for not only Zetas but for Sigmas as well. I have many friends and family that are members of the Blu and White family and have a hard time finding unique gifts for them. It definately seems as though there is a bias against this soroity and fraternity. The answer to my problem was becoming creative and making the 'naila myself. My most creative gift was given to my friend that just crossed this spring. I hand painted a kitten shaped money bank and personalized it with her line name, chapter name, etc. I have also found that it is less costly, in most cases and the impact last a lifetime. It may cost a little more time and effort, but it definately is worth the trouble to have the quality. The fact that you have something that no one else has is another factor. Happy 'naila hunting!

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Be true to yourself and the rest will fall into place......

[This message has been edited by Intensify (edited July 02, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Intensify (edited July 02, 2001).]

shannieglass · #11 07-02-2001, 10:50 PM

I know this may seem strange, well actually I'm piggy-backing off of what Intensify said..make it yourself..and if its t-shirts, an excellent way to do it is through this shirt company I found on-line..you can actually design the tee's yourself..and the cost is low..so all those creative ideas you have..do it yourself!!

Six_Three_Sigma · #12 07-03-2001, 10:36 AM

Shannieglass,

What is the website for the shirt company you found online to design your own t-shirts?

Quote:

Originally posted by shannieglass:
I know this may seem strange, well actually I'm piggy-backing off of what Intensify said..make it yourself..and if its t-shirts, an excellent way to do it is through this shirt company I found on-line..you can actually design the tee's yourself..and the cost is low..so all those creative ideas you have..do it yourself!!

CelestialBlu1 · #13 07-03-2001, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shannieglass:
I know this may seem strange, well actually I'm piggy-backing off of what Intensify said..make it yourself..and if its t-shirts, an excellent way to do it is through this shirt company I found on-line..you can actually design the tee's yourself..and the cost is low..so all those creative ideas you have..do it yourself!!

cool idea...if i ever join a glo you can bet i won't be frequenting many racks...BORING...i like to buy interesting clothes or clean cut classic things that don't go out of style...i saw this one site where some people had their letters spray painted on tees they designed themselves...that was really cool...

shannieglass · #14 07-03-2001, 11:36 AM

Six_Three_Sigma

the website address is http://www.customink.com

hope you use it and enjoy..i love the shirts i made..well..toodles!!

hoping for blue,
shanna

TRSimon · #15 07-04-2001, 12:45 AM

I am a Sigma Gamma Rho and when I went to school in Louisiana, I noticed the same thing. When my line went over, we could not find the things we wanted at the local Greek shop. My sorors and I must have bugged the owners day and night until Sigma Gamma Rho was all over that store. The Zetas did the same thing.

The owners like to say that we don't buy 'nalia, but I know if someone went into business, specializing in top of the line products for the royal blues (you know, like how everyone has the latest in AKA and Delta, but having the latest in Zeta, Sigma and Sigma), they could make some serious cash.

All I can say is until I get a business plan (or someone beats me to the punch), we just have to keep bugging store owners and vendors until they get the message.

Rhoyally,
TR Simon