Pin Savers

[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.

[amanda6035]

I might be mistaken, but I think that in order for me to upgrade my pin, I would have to send my current pin into headquarters and pay to have a new one issued to me. We have options of plain gold or silver, and some with pearls, etc. While I was lucky, and an alum outright GAVE me her pearl pin (I have the plain silver), there are other sisters in my chapter who would like to ahve some with pearls as well, but they dont want to give up their original pin in order to upgrade.

As much as it sucks to give money to pin collectors, or whoever, I dont see a problem with buying a pin on ebay. I've even thought about buying some pearl ones for my littles for birthdays, etc.

[Tom Earp]

Yes there are people on ebay who sell Badges/Pins because they get them from many places and have no idea what they are nor know mean.

They are not bad people at all.

I too am a collector and mostly anything to do with LXA or TKN as I am a LXA and want to presearve history.

I have also collected Pins from the GLOs who were at my school when I founded a local and wanted them for History to be placed in the Chapter House just for that purpose. History can be forgotten so do not forget that and keep it someway before it dims.

While some buy and sell to make money, then buy them so to keep them in a vault or give to members. That is fine but do not ever degrade what you do not know about.

I have a Brother who wanted to get all of the GLO Pins and make a composite and present it to his Chapter. Would that not not look nice in a Chapter House and held in reverence? I hope he finally reaches his goal!

Not everyone is so bad to get a beloved pin, but top purchase of pins off of ebay, well, some better have deep pockets and a deep desire.

Getting upset is silly.

There are people who enjoy what We as GLO's have and enjoy the beauty of them.

[Denise_DPhiE]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Yes there are people on ebay who sell Badges/Pins because they get them from many places and have no idea what they are nor know mean.

They are not bad people at all.

I too am a collector and mostly anything to do with LXA or TKN as I am a LXA and want to presearve history.

I have also collected Pins from the GLOs who were at my school when I founded a local and wanted them for History to be placed in the Chapter House just for that purpose. History can be forgotten so do not forget that and keep it someway before it dims.

While some buy and sell to make money, then buy them so to keep them in a vault or give to members. That is fine but do not ever degrade what you do not know about.

I have a Brother who wanted to get all of the GLO Pins and make a composite and present it to his Chapter. Would that not not look nice in a Chapter House and held in reverence? I hope he finally reaches his goal!

Not everyone is so bad to get a beloved pin, but top purchase of pins off of ebay, well, some better have deep pockets and a deep desire.

Getting upset is silly.

There are people who enjoy what We as GLO's have and enjoy the beauty of them.

Tom,

You are frightening me. This is the most coherent, well written post you have ever written. Well said!!!!!

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by Denise_DPhiE

Tom,

You are frightening me. This is the most coherent, well written post you have ever written. Well said!!!!!

Thank You!

I am getting tired of some of the crap on site and people who do not actually understand!

They want to yell foul and scream to the sky but that is all they do!

[LPIDelta]

I believe when you buy a badge on eBay you are helping to create a market for said badges--especially the ones with no historical significance. If you don't want to see your badge for sale on eBay, then encourage your sisters not to bid on them.

What is REALLY ridiculous is the people who set the price for something like $150 because that is what the initiation fee may be--but that badge can actually be replaced through an HQ for $35 or $40. Highway robbery and yet, it still happens because people buy them.

Basically, it comes down to education. If you want to replace a lost of stolen badge--call HQ. If you have a badge you no longer want--call HQ. If you want to sell your badge to make money--that's sad.

[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

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by 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.

We (as in the GC ADPis) try to monitor pins the best we can, but we had a very sad ending a few months ago. Someone on our "safe list" won a pin, and even though the original owner is a member of GreekChat, and could prove that it was her pin, the winner wouldn't return the pin. She was offered the cost, another pin, the cost AND another pin, but never responded. That person is no longer on our safe list!

[DGTess]

Originally Posted by 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.

I lost my badge about 4 years ago. I know it was somewhere between Lorton, VA and Alexandria -- but it's still lost. If it turned up, I'd be so happy that someone rescued it and tried to contact me through headquarters. I do keep an eye out at flea markets and other places I might find it, but no joy so far.

I replaced it, but couldn't bring myself to try to duplicate it, so I have a very different one now.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DGTess

I lost my badge about 4 years ago. I know it was somewhere between Lorton, VA and Alexandria -- but it's still lost. If it turned up, I'd be so happy that someone rescued it and tried to contact me through headquarters. I do keep an eye out at flea markets and other places I might find it, but no joy so far.

I replaced it, but couldn't bring myself to try to duplicate it, so I have a very different one now.

I'm sorry to hear you lost your badge too, DGTess. It is very frustrating - and nothing can replace your original badge!