Those darn pin collectors on e bay again!!!

[IvySpice]

KKC, it seems like you and I are talking about two different things. You're talking about pin DEALERS, whereas I'm talking about pin COLLECTORS.

The pin dealers on eBay are out to make a buck. They buy low and sell high. Raising the price because a motivated purchaser (read: member of that GLO) is bidding is plain old capitalism.

I think it's totally obnoxious when a dealer refuses to disclose info on the back, but if that creates a lot of headaches for him as a businessman (read: 100 angry e-mails from chapter members demanding to buy back the pin at a low price), I understand why he won't do it.

As for dealers blocking bids from GLO members, that's horrible. I just can't believe that it's very common, because it's against the financial self-interest of the dealers. A lot of the people willing to pay $500+ for a pin are members of that GLO, and a dealer who refused to sell to a motivated purchaser wouldn't be in business for very long. All they see is green, not blue & blue or cardinal & straw. If you know of obnoxious individuals doing this out of spite, it's amazing that they can afford to continue.

All that being said, I do understand that it can be painful to see a representation of something you love treated like a commodity. The only way to avoid that is to get your members to hang onto their pins.

A lot of people on GC take great exception to pin COLLECTORS as well as dealers. I view this the same way I would view a person who collects & displays flags of other nations. A French flag collector cannot possibly understand what the U.S. flag means to a U.S. veteran who fought in Korea...but it still has both aesthetic beauty and a beautiful open meaning that non-Americans can appreciate.

Just my 10 cents...

Ivy

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally posted by ASUADPi
Wow your badge is pretty cheap at $46, but then again if I paid $46 for a pin, I guess I wouldn't be so upset if it ended up on Ebay.

All of our badges are not $46. You can pay more than $200 for a badge if you want diamonds on it. Kappas can get badges that are plain ($46) or jeweled with pearls, sapphires, diamonds, or any combination of the two.

And don't get me wrong, I'm always upset when I see a Kappa badge on eBay. I'm upset that the symbol of our sisterhood is being bought and sold as if it were just a random piece of jewelry, especially by people who don't understand the deeper significance behind it.

I just think that it's a little absurd for organizations to spend thousands of dollars to rescue historically insignificant badges when they could do other things with the money. If private members wish to do so, that's their own business, and all the more power to them.

Originally posted by IvySpice
A lot of people on GC take great exception to pin COLLECTORS as well as dealers. I view this the same way I would view a person who collects & displays flags of other nations. A French flag collector cannot possibly understand what the U.S. flag means to a U.S. veteran who fought in Korea...but it still has both aesthetic beauty and a beautiful open meaning that non-Americans can appreciate.

I guess I do take certain exception to collectors. Often they're purchasing lost or stolen property. If they're active in the trade, they'll know that GLOs have policies about the possession of their badges, so they'll realize that they're keeping badges out of the hands of members. I know that some organizations allow their members to purchase, often at a discount, used badges that have been returned to HQ. It's both cheaper and significant in that the sister wearing the used badge is carrying on the legacy of a deceased sister.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'd rather have them in the hands of members than collectors. But I'd certainly rather have them in the hands of collectors who value their beauty and open meaning than melted down for scrap.

Make any sense?

(edited for typos)

[IvySpice]

Yes, KKC, makes perfect sense. I don't see it exactly the same way you do, but I totally understand what you are saying.

[33girl]

As far as Keepers of the Key and other rescue groups, IMO this is another instance of people serving their GLO in what they feel is the best way. I know that some people think "all that $$ they spend on pins, they could give to the foundation" or whatever. But that's their decision. It's kind of like how I believe hands on philanthropy is better than donating. Not everyone would agree with me, but that's my prerogative.

[CatStarESP4]

My question is that how do these sellers on ebay acquire the pins? I know that when a member of a GLO passes away, at times the family members don't think much of the pins/badges and give them away or sell it. Or if it is lost and somebody finds it, still thinks nothing of it and sells it on ebay. It would be better to return to the IHQ or the chapter. I don't see what joy these people take in selling the pins/badges.

Kudos to the GLOs and individual members who are doing their part in retrieving these pins/badges. These items should be in the right hands!

[KappaKittyCat]

Originally posted by CatStarESP4
I don't see what joy these people take in selling the pins/badges.

They take lots of joy: the joy of money.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by CatStarESP4
My question is that how do these sellers on ebay acquire the pins? I know that when a member of a GLO passes away, at times the family members don't think much of the pins/badges and give them away or sell it. Or if it is lost and somebody finds it, still thinks nothing of it and sells it on ebay. It would be better to return to the IHQ or the chapter. I don't see what joy these people take in selling the pins/badges.

Kudos to the GLOs and individual members who are doing their part in retrieving these pins/badges. These items should be in the right hands!

Most members don't tell their family what to do with their badge and they end up in an estate sale OR they have been lost or stolen and the dealer/collector ends up with it down the road.

The money our Task Force uses to purchase historically significant badges off of ebay comes through pooling the funds of many women and not from our organization either. We bid in a very methodical manner and keep an eye on the bidding to keep from driving up the prices. We first try to locate the original owner and give her the ability to purchase the badge and newer badges we pretty much leave alone. Any others that are purchased are done so by individual members many of whom are trying to replace a badge that they lost. As KappaKittyCat said, we are one of those orgs who sells returned badges to our members looking to replace a lost one (for a lower price).

And just to dispel a myth that seems to be perpetrating, the women (at least in my org, I would assume Kappa as well) who buy these badges are already heavy contributors to our Foundation and this is simply one more way that they can preserve our history, for our future members. I get irritated when I hear insinuations that seem to say otherwise.

However, Gamma Phi is very well aware that buying the badges is not the answer and the fact that they show up for sale really isn't the true problem. The problem is a lack of education on the proper disposal of a member's badge as well as a simple lack of caring on the part of members.

Melanie
Chair, Badge Task Force

[GeekyPenguin]

I was about to post on this but my sister pretty much summed it up! Most of the Gamma Phis on our BTF are names that I recognized from other areas - and they are all heavily involved. I'm probably the least financially giving out of the bunch (in fact, I'm positive I am) because I'm still in college. While I wouldn't want to see our HQ spending my money to snap up a badge from a Rho chapter founder, I'm thrilled that another sister cares enough to do it.

[rosejoy]

Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have rescued the beautiful badge. It is truly unique. I also got in touch with a very nice AOPi who also is a badge rescuer! I may wear the badge until I am able to get my own. Is this allowed? Does anyone know?

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone. You are the best.

This is what Greek life is all about... If GDI's met Greeks like all of you, they would not make such anti greek comments.

You all rock. I am happy now!!!

[wptw]

I’ll promise to refrain from one of my typically long-winded replies on this subject if you’ll collectively agree to stop using “dealer” and “collector” interchangeably.

Dealers are only in it for the money. They’re not greek. They don’t care about your badge. They’ll scour the earth to find them and they’ll do whatever they can to get a high price.

Virtually every pin collector is greek themselves. We collect the badges because they mean a lot to us. We know they also mean a lot to you, but that doesn’t really change anything. Ebay is an auction site. So whoever wants it most, gets it. For those of you who collect militaria or glassware or Elvis autographs… imagine someone writing to you during the auction and saying “hey this piece is really important to me so I’d appreciate if you’d just let me have it”. Silly, eh? That happens to badge collectors every day. Keep that in mind when the response you get is somewhat terse.

I’ve argued my side of this topic all by my lonesome for quite a long time. It’s nice to see a few others with very good insights into the debate. These bear repeating:

IvySpice: “Nor do I understand why it bothers people if a non-stolen pin ends up in the display case of a collector who admires the physical and conceptual beauty of Greek life in America. How are the ideals of the GLO damaged by this preservation of a symbol?”

KappaKittyCat: “And it's also worth reminding that the huge, public badge rescue efforts are what have driven up the cost of eBay badges in the first place.”

KappaKittyCat: “guess what I'm saying is that I'd rather have them in the hands of members than collectors. But I'd certainly rather have them in the hands of collectors who value their beauty and open meaning than melted down for scrap.”

SmartBlondeGPhB: “However, Gamma Phi is very well aware that buying the badges is not the answer and the fact that they show up for sale really isn't the true problem. The problem is a lack of education on the proper disposal of a member's badge as well as a simple lack of caring on the part of members.”

wptw

[Tom Earp]

Yep, WPTW,


I hope you explained it so most can understand!

There is a difference!

[sunfloweria]

Congrats on your purchase RoseJoy! You can start wearing your badge right away. We don't have any regulations regarding historical or replacement badges that I am aware of. I know that if you order a historical badge from HQ, they can remove the previous owner's info if you like. I went to convention this summer and talked with a few women from the Emporium about historical badges and they prefer we keep the information on the badges. I would treat it as an heirloom and be sure that you make arangements for it in your will. You may want to document how you purchased it and what the info on the back stands for. My grandmother recently gave me some antique jewelry and told me the history behind the pieces, and it just makes it special.

AOII

[rosejoy]

Thanks, Sunfloweria. I am glad to know that it is okay to wear the badge...otherwise I would surely feel bad wearing it. I will certainly make arrangements in a will (when I draw one up.)

[Tom Earp]

Great Kuddos to you ro rescuing and AOP Badge!

Do not feel bad about wearing an AOP Badge from a Sister, that just makes it that more special! It was not only Hers, if she is passed, but also yours that very well may be passed down!

I have said it many times (WPTW) that I have backed what he has put on GC. He is trying to give the best advice possible to GCers.

As I have mentoned several times, there are Some Badges that I could make a lot of money from as have seen the Prices go Crazy:

APO-Member
TKN- merged with LXA in 1939
3 LXA-Dont see them
Many Other LXA Badges that I would like to get to Brothers at cheaper prices than they are now.


I have an interest in all Greek Organizational Badges because they are each special!

But, I have intrest in only mine to purchase!

I would like soe day to buy the all Diamond and Pearl Badge and may yet, for $340.00! Still pondering that one!

[GPhiBLtColonel]

Virtually every pin collector is greek themselves. We collect the badges because they mean a lot to us. We know they also mean a lot to you, but that doesn’t really change anything. Ebay is an auction site. So whoever wants it most, gets it

Prove that statement wptw....in MANY cases that I have personally experienced, the badge mean a lot to the collectors mainly because they have it and a member does not -- the thrill of the chase and winning means more than the beauty and significance of the badge to the collectors I have come across...Yeah, they want it most so they bid to get it -- but do not say collectors know what the badges mean -- because they really do NOT! If they truly knew what the badges meant, they would not be collecting them.

I'd admire more of a badge Robin Hood who rescues/collects badges and returns them to the sorority they signify -- to me that is the only kind of collector who'd indicate they knew the meaning of a badge...

I am sorry but I do not think badge collectors are doing Greekdom any favors. I have only "met" one collector on ebay who I considered to be even remotely courteous. The rest I have "met" act like self righteous thugs who if they were a country, would be Switzerland which took and kept holocaust victims money for themselves after WW2....sorry if that is harsh but it's how I feel.