The new AGD shop

[GtownGirl98]

What does everyone think of the new Shop feature on the AGD website?


My opinion is that I don't like it. I like the way that the old Rosegarden had it set up with only our products.

Does this mean that we aren't suppose to use the local bag makers to make our letter bags and t-shirts? I understand that there are somethings that we should get from licensed venders only but then again there are somethings that I don't think that we should have to get from them. One reason that I like buying letter bags from local venders is that I can bring in my own fabric (that may have meaning) and my own t-shirt and the store just sews the letters on with the extra background. Can I not do this anymore?

[OleMissGlitter]

Sorry to crash...
http://www.greeklicensing.com/
From Greek Licensing Website
Our goal is to provide Greek members with a diversity of high quality products at reasonable prices. We work closely with licensed vendors to choose appropriate product designs that utilize the official colors and logos of each participating Greek organization and to provide exceptional service to their customers. The Greek organizations that AMC represent firmly oppose any product or design that attempts to glorify alcohol, hazing, sexism, racism, or any other image that conflicts with each Greek organization's mission.

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AOII is has begun to promote big time the usage of licensed vendors. This helps to cut down on items that misuse our letters or that put the wrong symbol/color on items. For example, as most know, AOII does not have a crest and it is funny when vendors put a crest on an item. I'm like, hello, we don't have a crest so please don't make one up with MY letters on it!

Most Greek Orgs. are going towards this because it helps to monitor what products your letters are going on. I know I flipped out when I saw belly button rings with AOII on them. I immediately alerted our International Headquarters and they made the vendor remove them from Ebay and from selling them. Anyway, my point is that I think it is a good thing and our chapter is having some of our local vendors get their Greek License so we can continue to use them.

[AGDee]

Thanks OleMissGlitter! I can add that our International President was most upset to see our letters on THONGS! We definitely need to get control over this.

GreekGirl98: The local vendor is welcome to become a licensed vendor and I would suggest that someone in the chapter alert them to this change. There is information on the greeklicensing.com website on how they can become a licensed vendor. Connie said at TLC that IHQ can assist local vendors in becoming licensed also. There are MANY GLOs (46 at this point, I think) who have started enforcing the licensed vendors policy through greeklicensing.com so it would be a benefit for the local vendor to get licensed for all of the groups.

Personally, I thought the Rose Garden was too limited in the number of items/types of items that they sold. If you really look around at the new vendors, there are a whole lot of things that weren't available in the past. The transition will have some glitches, as any change does, but I think in the long run, we'll have more things available to us than ever before, while maintaining our standards.

Dee

[GtownGirl98]

I understand the importance of having our letters on the right items and that thongs and belly buttons aren't those right places... BUT coming from a family that has delt with trying to obtain a license for a "protected product" it isn't as easy as you think and is very expensive. Also, the local vendor that I am talking about isn't creating anything, they are just doing the labor.

I think that protecting your letters and things are important but it limits who can produce those items, because of the expense of obtaining a right to produce or sale items. So instead of having local mom and pop sewing places you end up limiting items to "walmart" type places, which in turn makes all the prices go up and makes all the items the same. SO if you think that the RoseGarden was limited just wait because the only items that will be allowed will be the items that are massed produced!

If a BIG SQUIRREL could explain how we will insure that the locals don't go under that would be great. Or how expensive it is to obtain a license and what proceeds have to go back to the org. would be great.

Please don't get me wrong, I do like the idea of having items okayed by IHQ but I don't think the fees should be prohibiting to the point of items not getting out there.

[Taualumna]

I find the new online places really confusing. There were some products that I really liked, but the product didn't have an AGD option. I still like the old Rose Garden.

[AGDee]

I was browsing the greeklicensing.com website today and it looks like the licensing costs are figured by the gross income from the products. It quoted 8.5% royalty fees with a $40 annual advance. So, on a $20 item, the royalty would be $1.70. That's not really that outrageous. I imagine there will be some additional bookkeepping costs for the vendors also since they have to keep track of what they sold for each GLO independently. They also have to send a sample with the application so that quality can be examined. The one thing I can see as prohibitive is the insurance requirement. I don't read legalese too well.

The local greek shops around college campuses are dealing with this since 46 GLOs have signed on to this so far. I'm sure there are more who will too. 19 of the 26 NPC groups have contracted with Affinity to enforce their licensure, so it will be a benefit to the local stores to be licensed with so many groups requiring it.

Dee

[Taualumna]

But when will the online stores actually have good AGD stuff like they did in the Rose Garden? The stuff available right now is mostly customized, and if it stays that way, we're all going to just make our own stuff and self-made stuff doesn't always look as nice.

I am not too fond of ot either. I was going to order some sute long sleeves that the Rose Garden had, but guess I'll have to wait and see what the new ones will come up with.

[AGDLynn]

Set includes: Alpha Gamma Delta greek letter stamp (1"x2") Alpha Gamma Delta stamp (1"x2-1/4") Rose stamp (1-1/2"x1-3/4") Coordinating pigment ink pads (gold and blue). ((ETA: $19.99 not available yet but coming soon).

((Those-in-the-know-at-IHQ....could they offer red instead of blue ink instead?))

back to window shopping

I didn't find what I was looking for. A couple of years ago, I can't remember the company but I bought an academic calendar for Alpha Gamma Delta (if my memory is correct, lol). Anyway, I thought that would be a wonderful Foundation fundraising product....with lots of squirrels, pearls and Alpha Gam girls It would be even better if it showed AGD historical tidbits and when different EC/Chapter Council Officer reports were due

[AGDee]

They were giving out planners like that to new members! I never actually saw one though. Did they do that this year? (I know, I should know this stuff, huh?)

Dee

ETA: I NEED that stamp set! It will go well with my squirrel stamp. It's probably cheaper and easier to just get ink pads at Michael's. I have red and green and got them with some Christmas stamps one year.

[tunatartare]

I was wondering about something today. On the Something Greek website they had thongs that they say can be embroidered with any letters. Would they technically not be allowed to make them for national sororities since those letters are trademarked and nationals wouldn't want their letters on a thong?

[AGDee]

The stamp set says red and green ink now... you got through to someone, Lynn!

[AGDLynn]

Now what about those calendars, lol.


And if that person would talk to the higher-ups at work!
Oh wait...I work for the state...that doesn't work, lol.

I did hear some potentially good news at work lately....they are reshuffing work sections because Georgia is letting the Feds handle the Firearms Purchsae Program.

Since those people are being inccrporated into our section, I get to move downstairs...more details when they tell me

[nutty gam]

Has anyone ordered anything from these new companies?

[Taualumna]

I've checked out the websites for many of the places, and it seems that Fratrow.com most resembles our old Rose Garden. However, they don't really have a lot of selection for us. They're the exclusive dealers for a few sororities and these groups have the most selection.