Pin Savers

If I'm not mistaken (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), we're discouraged from purchasing Badges from pin collectors on eBay. It sucks knowing that non-members have our Badges, but at the same time, we don't want them to have our money so that they can go off and buy some more Badges.

It's nice to save them, but with all the $$$ members are spending on these items -- it'd be nice to see that money going to philanthropy or donated to Foundation instead.

I know that Kappa has "Keepers of the Key" and Gamma Phi has their "Crescent Catchers".

That's why it's important to let your loved ones know what to do with your Badge.

Originally Posted by OTW

If I'm not mistaken (and someone correct me if I'm wrong), we're discouraged from purchasing Badges from pin collectors on eBay. It sucks knowing that non-members have our Badges, but at the same time, we don't want them to have our money so that they can go off and buy some more Badges.

It's nice to save them, but with all the $$$ members are spending on these items -- it'd be nice to see that money going to philanthropy or donated to Foundation instead.

I know that Kappa has "Keepers of the Key" and Gamma Phi has their "Crescent Catchers".

That's why it's important to let your loved ones know what to do with your Badge.

I believe the original post said to buy them on ebay so collectors DON'T get them. I guess it could be the collectors that are selling them on ebay, but I'm guessing the intention is to buy them from the people who don't know what to do with them.

Originally Posted by jessicaelaine

I believe the original post said to buy them on ebay so collectors DON'T get them. I guess it could be the collectors that are selling them on ebay, but I'm guessing the intention is to buy them from the people who don't know what to do with them.

I know how to read.

The majority of the sellers on eBay are pin collectors. Pin collectors obtain Badges through estate sales and other eBay sales (depending on the age/type of Badge). It's very rare that I've seen a seller who simply didn't know what to do with a Badge.

I've been instructed not to buy Badges online, period. I even know of a sister who got bitched out by a VST member for buying a Badge online for her sister.

The Badge isn't just a piece of metal to me, but money spent to rescue Badges could be used for more important reasons.

[JonoBN41]

Originally Posted by OTW

I know how to read. The majority of the sellers on eBay are pin collectors.

Are you out of your mind? That's like saying Burger King collects hamburgers.

Maybe you can read, but you sure as hell can't think.

Originally Posted by JonoBN41

Are you out of your mind? That's like saying Burger King collects hamburgers.

Maybe you can read, but you sure as hell can't think.

I see you've been taking douchebag lessons from your brother Tom.

So people can't collect pins with intention of selling them? Since when?

People collect stuff and sell/trade them all the time. I don't see the difference.

[JonoBN41]

Originally Posted by OTW

People collect stuff and sell/trade them all the time. I don't see the difference.

Neither do I.

[CutiePie2000]

Why would people buy them? If not collectors, then the only other reasons I can think of is:
a) to wear (or give to another to wear) in order to intentionally misrepresent themselves (i.e. "perp") as an initated member of that org
b) to give to another person to wear who became a member of that org and they need a pin
c) they didn't get a bid, so they bought the pin to wear in private and live out their "I'm a Beta" or "I'm a FIJI" <insert whatever GLO name here> fantasies in the privacy of their own bedroom.

I'm with you OTW: "With all the $$$ members are spending on these items -- it'd be nice to see that money going to philanthropy or donated to Foundation instead".

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by OTW

I see you've been taking douchebag lessons from your brother Tom.

So people can't collect pins with intention of selling them? Since when?

People collect stuff and sell/trade them all the time. I don't see the difference.

While old, is still a typical post from this person!

I have along with the Brother of LXA that you have so demeend have found Badges of members of GLOs.

We both have donated or sold Badges to either fellow Brothers or for auctions to help our chapters.

[TheFratBoyNews]

This is really interesting, I follow all Greek related news very closely but I have to admit, I have never heard of an organized attempt to purchase pins so they do not fall into the wrong hands.

If someone here actively purchases or collect pins. I'd like to do a story about your efforts for my website, contact me at fratboynews@yahoo.com

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by OTW

The majority of the sellers on eBay are pin collectors.

This is completely, 100 percent wrong. How do I know? Because I'm a collector and I've been buying KD pins off ebay for the past 5 years. I check in on ebay daily and I know many other collectors.

The sellers are most often people who buy pins or entire lots of jewelry at estate sales. Some of them have no idea what they're selling.

Very often when people don't plan on what to do with their pins after their passing it is left to their children or other relatives to "dispose" of their jewelry. The relatives end up selling the pins on ebay. It's not their fault and they're not evil for doing it.

There is also some good that can come out of collecting. Many historic badges have been found on ebay and are now in their respective GLO's archives or museums.

If anyone's GLO discourages buying pins off ebay, that's fine. But that isn't the case for all GLOs and in the end it really isn't any of their business. KD doesn't have any such policy. I will continue to buy KD pins off ebay. I will also continue to contribute to the Kappa Delta Foundation and give money to my chapter's House Corporation. What I do with my money is my own business.

It sounds awfully noble to say that people should really use their money for charity, etc. instead of on pins. But what if someone came up to any of you and said, "you know, you really shouldn't be spending your money on that beer -- you should donate it instead"? It's all relative.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

should really use their money for charity, etc. instead of on pins.

What I mean, is that if someone wants to buy the pin as a way of "helping the sorority", then, in my view it helps the sorority MORE when those funds that they've earmarked already to "help the sorority" are directed towards that sorority's Foundation, not towards a pin that is going to be rescued, and then lying dormant in a jewellery box (although it is nice to see them in the historical archives, etc.).

Anyhow...I've always maintained that if someone wants to buy the pin because they admire them and think they're beautiful, then good for them. I do object to it, if someone is buying a pin for the purpose of wearing it with the intent to misrepresent themselves.

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

The most prolific rescue-ers are also some of the most devoted volunteers within the organization who have already donated thousands to our Foundation. They simply view this as another way they can actively support the Fraternity.

Donated thousands, huh? Can you introduce me to some of these people? I only ask, because I saw some Betsey Johnson dresses & Manolo Blahnik shoes on Ebay that need...uh..."rescuing". Yeah, that's it.

[KSUViolet06]

Our HQ does make an effort to rescue badges that they find on eBay, but there's no official program, they just handle them as they come up. We're asked not to bid on them just because HQ is taking care of it and we don't want to drive the price up.

It is sad to see your badge up for sale. That's why it's so important for members to be educated on what to do with their badges if they pass away, since most collecters/sellers obtain badges from estate sales and things like that.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

What I mean, is that if someone wants to buy the pin as a way of "helping the sorority", then, in my view it helps the sorority MORE when those funds that they've earmarked already to "help the sorority" are directed towards that sorority's Foundation, not towards a pin that is going to be rescued, and then lying dormant in a jewellery box (although it is nice to see them in the historical archives, etc.).

I'll agree that if someone is collecting their pins to "help their sorority" they could help more effectively in other ways. But what if they are collecting their pins for their own pleasure? Can't they do that as a member?

Also, my pins don't lie dormant in a jewelry box.

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Anyhow...I've always maintained that if someone wants to buy the pin because they admire them and think they're beautiful, then good for them. I do object to it, if someone is buying a pin for the purpose of wearing it with the intent to misrepresent themselves.

I agree with you here again. I think it would be really pathetic to buy pins off ebay in order to pass yourself off as a member. I think I can reassure you though. I've never come across a single collector that would even consider doing that. It's simply not the goal of collecting.

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Donated thousands, huh? Can you introduce me to some of these people? I only ask, because I saw some Betsey Johnson dresses & Manolo Blahnik shoes on Ebay that need...uh..."rescuing". Yeah, that's it.

You might already know some of these people and not realize it. Some of them might even be...dare I say it?....DGs!!! You just never know.

[SWTXBelle]

One angle you haven't discussed - my badge was stolen. It is registered with the Crescent Catchers, and if it comes up on e-bay (with my identifying information) or anywhere else they will contact me and let me know. As much as I love my replacement badge, I would really like my original back. When it was stolen I was told it would probably end up in a pawn shop (this was in the 80s, before e-bay!). It would not be wasted money to me to be able to reacquire it. And I don't think it is wasted money if alumnae chose to purchase their badges because they think they are more than a mere piece of jewelry, and wish to keep their badges in the hands of those who honor it for its meaning rather than its worth as gold and gems.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

Donated thousands, huh?

Yes, we have quite a few women who have donated thousands of dollars to the Foundation (public info as printed in our annual Foundation mailing) as well as using their personal money to recover lost, stolen, historical or other badges. Not to mention they volunteer countless hours to the Fraternity in other ways as advisers, trainers, associate council members and fraternity officers. These are dedicated women who have nothing but love for the Fraternity and the symbolism of our badge and I am proud and honored to call them sisters.

I am not the official spokesperson for my organization's rescue group but as an active member I have seen many, many times the extremely positive impact our group has when we can return a lost or stolen badge.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not set out to rescue ALL the badges found on eBay. There are certain criteria we follow. And there are a number of eBay users with very Kappa-sounding usernames that bid and win badges who most definitely are not members of our organization.

Not all badges that are won sit around in jewelry boxes gathering dust. Many are given to chapters or alumnae associations to use as award pins or to display in the chapter facility. Many are returned to the rightful owner or their family. Some are used to educate chapters and alumnae associations on proper badge disbursement. And many are simply kept (and worn or displayed) for personal use. I have two rescued badges, which I do wear when I have need to.