There are only THree NPHC sorority

[bluethunder]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

I've been given this reason before by a greek store owner. I also told the owner, a Kappa, if he would provide more, we'd (SGR chapters in Houston) would buy more. He refused so we've boycotted his store.

E-X-A-C-T-L-Y! That's what I'm saying. . . these vendors do not need to be "educated" on the sororities of the NPHC or "introduced" to Sigma Gamma Rho. . . they know we exist!

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by sigmadiva

I've been given this reason before by a greek store owner. I also told the owner, a Kappa, if he would provide more, we'd (SGR chapters in Houston) would buy more. He refused so we've boycotted his store.

Good for you all. I know if a store didn't have anything for us and it didn't look like they were likely to get anything for us, the word would spread and sorors wouldn't go there. My thing is how can you call your business a greek store and you don't have something for all the NPHC orgs whether there are a lot of members in your area or not. My sorors and I have thought of opening such a store ourselves where we live and as a business owner, I darn sure wouldn't want any of the members in the NPHC or other well known greek orgs to stop by my store when I have nothing for them. I don't care if there were no members in my area...what about the members from out of town that are just passing thru. If you are really about that money, you won't want to alienate anyone.

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Good for you all. I know if a store didn't have anything for us and it didn't look like they were likely to get anything for us, the word would spread and sorors wouldn't go there. My thing is how can you call your business a greek store and you don't have something for all the NPHC orgs whether there are a lot of members in your area or not. My sorors and I have thought of opening such a store ourselves where we live and as a business owner, I darn sure wouldn't want any of the members in the NPHC or other well known greek orgs to stop by my store when I have nothing for them. I don't care if there were no members in my area...what about the members from out of town that are just passing thru. If you are really about that money, you won't want to alienate anyone.

Maybe more of your sorors need to do that. Maybe some have already. You can look to their success and judge whether that would be a good business move; probably not because volume is key for a retail business. Your authorized vendors would probably have better items anyway.

We have the opposite problem - everybody and their mother paints something red and white then tries to sell it to us. There is so much junk out there that we really have to pick and choose what we buy because 80% of it is junk.

[BlueReign]

Originally Posted by mccoyred

Maybe more of your sorors need to do that. Maybe some have already. You can look to their success and judge whether that would be a good business move; probably not because volume is key for a retail business. Your authorized vendors would probably have better items anyway.

We have the opposite problem - everybody and their mother paints something red and white then tries to sell it to us. There is so much junk out there that we really have to pick and choose what we buy because 80% of it is junk.

You know I have seen some things that made me say "what is that and why would they think anybody would want to buy it?

[SeriousSigma22]

Sorhors,

I don't know where some of you are shopping for nalia but if you just check out the back of the AURORA our official magazine you will see that there are volumes of vendors that sell plenty of nice nalia for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Also we have more sorhors on our roster than the 85,000 the sorhor in a previous post stated but it should not be about numbers for any organization. If you feel the vendor is not willing to stock our merchandise educate the man and keep on stepping. In the end they are the one's that lose out because they aren't making any money.

Serioussigma22

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by SeriousSigma22

Sorhors,

I don't know where some of you are shopping for nalia but if you just check out the back of the AURORA our official magazine you will see that there are volumes of vendors that sell plenty of nice nalia for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Also we have more sorhors on our roster than the 85,000 the sorhor in a previous post stated but it should not be about numbers for any organization. If you feel the vendor is not willing to stock our merchandise educate the man and keep on stepping. In the end they are the one's that lose out because they aren't making any money.

Serioussigma22

How about that. I think sorors forget about the approved vendors listed on the back of the Aurora. And I only mentioned numbers because the soror was implying that the reason some vendors don't carry merchandise for Sigma is because we are small as an organization and that is not true. Smaller in comparison to the other 3 NPHC sororities does not mean that we are a small greek letter organization, although it wouldn't matter if we were. The size of an organization does not make it greater or lesser.

[1908Revelations]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

How about that. I think sorors forget about the approved vendors listed on the back of the Aurora. And I only mentioned numbers because the soror was implying that the reason some vendors don't carry merchandise for Sigma is because we are small as an organization and that is not true. Smaller in comparison to the other 3 NPHC sororities does not mean that we are a small greek letter organization, although it wouldn't matter if we were. The size of an organization does not make it greater or lesser.

That is a good point sistergreek.

Plus the 'authorized' vendors pay a lot for thier listings with our orgs so I am sure they would appreciate our business.

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

How about that. I think sorors forget about the approved vendors listed on the back of the Aurora.

I did not!! But, when you are in a situation where you want to pick up something quick, like a pin, or t-shirt, it is great to know that you can run into your corner greek store, pick it up and keep going. That is the sentiment that I got from the OP. Yes, we can and should use the approved vendors but a soror may find herself in a situation where she needs a small item in a hurry.

And I only mentioned numbers because the soror was implying that the reason some vendors don't carry merchandise for Sigma is because we are small as an organization and that is not true. Smaller in comparison to the other 3 NPHC sororities does not mean that we are a small greek letter organization, although it wouldn't matter if we were. The size of an organization does not make it greater or lesser.

I don't think that what we do as an organization relative to our size is at issue. I've known of SGR chapters on campuses with 1/3 the active members of the other three orgs, yet that SGR chapter won greek chapter of the year, most community service, best programs, highest GPA - so yes we still do things big!!

I think our numbers are an issue with respect to the greek store owner because all he is looking at is the number of members from that org who will walk into his store and buy something. He, or she, really does not care who has the highest GPA on campus. All the store owner is doing is calculating his profit margin: 50 new members = 50 key chains at 3.95 that he can sell, versus 5 new members = 5 key chains at 3.95 that he can sell.

He is going to try to stock more for the other orgs because he feels he can sell more to them. But, like I said, it is still no excuse for him to not have any, or very little, of our stuff.

[GOALdigger]

Sorhor, this is why I was so upset plus the overall service was bad. My custom made polo was going to cost me 90 dollars and I was willing to pay it but when I got back to the store they hadn't even moved the t-shirt from the folder they put it in when I brought it in.

I just have to say that when I look for stuff for SGRho and compare it to the DST and AKA the quality and creativity is lacking. Also whatever they did have in stock was blue. Everything is blue I mean yea blue is ONE of our color but not the ONLY color. Not to mention I prefer gold anyway so why can't I find a gold bag or hat or anything else. Plus how hard is it make something ROYAL BLUE and GOLD. I've seen so much navy and light blue crap and yellow and pale yellow stuff ( and tan WHAT?) that I could hurl. I mean in the NPHC we share our colors with iota, omega, zeta, sigma, and alpha. And you mean to tell me you can't put royal blue AND gold together on a straw bag( the bag don't even match when I wear my offical colors) Imma need yall to do better. Cause I'm a neo AND shopper and they are truly missing out on alot of business from me.


Blue thunder we are >here<

Originally Posted by bluethunder

I hear what everyone is saying about educating the vendors, but Sigma Gamma Rho is NOT a new sorority; we, along with our three counterparts, are one of the largest and leading historically black Sororities. If you are a vendor of Black Greek paraphernalia, ten to one, I don't have to "introduce" you to Sigma Gamma Rho. I think a lot of these vendors buy into the stereotype that there are "all two of us SGRho's" in the country and it makes no sense for them monetarily to carry SGRho paraphernalia. I've tried the "we would be inclined to buy more if you carried more" position; it doesn't work, or at least not in South Florida. I instead swing my support to businesses that acknowledge my organization, period, the end. Another thing I hate is that even when a vendor does have our stuff, you'll look at what they carry for the AKAs and the Deltas and our selection doesn't even compare. What the heck is that about? That's insulting.
And. . . all I can say is that if you think we have it hard, think of the Iotas! My fiancee is one and I have the HARDEST time buying unique paraphernalia for him, too . . . but if you compare that to the selection the other fraternities have, again, it's insulting. It's like non-verbally admitting that you specialize in Black Greek 'nalia. . . but just do a better job at it for some orgs than others. (Gotta stop typing now; get a cold drink and alleviate the steam coming from the top of my head over this!)

[sigmadiva]

Originally Posted by GOALdigger

I just have to say that when I look for stuff for SGRho and compare it to the DST and AKA the quality and creativity is lacking. Also whatever they did have in stock was blue. Everything is blue I mean yea blue is ONE of our color but not the ONLY color. Not to mention I prefer gold anyway so why can't I find a gold bag or hat or anything else. Plus how hard is it make something ROYAL BLUE and GOLD. I've seen so much navy and light blue crap and yellow and pale yellow stuff ( and tan WHAT?) that I could hurl. I mean in the NPHC we share our colors with iota, omega, zeta, sigma, and alpha. And you mean to tell me you can't put royal blue AND gold together on a straw bag( the bag don't even match when I wear my offical colors) Imma need yall to do better. Cause I'm a neo AND shopper and they are truly missing out on alot of business from me.

As far as the quantity of merchandise, we just have to face facts that many times SGR lines are fewer in number as compared to DST and AKA. While they may have 50 - 100 women online, which is very common for their Texas chapters and we may have 5 -10, then from the store owner's point of view he can sell more mechandise to them. Still, it is no excuse for the owner to not have anything, or have old, outdated stuff.

As far as the color, many orgs have a problem with this, not just ours. There are many bootleg vendors out there. That is why it is suggested to get para from IHQ approved vendors.

And, if I can't find it in a store I can always order online.

[IOTA-4A'88F]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

I hear what everyone is saying about educating the vendors, but Sigma Gamma Rho is NOT a new sorority; we, along with our three counterparts, are one of the largest and leading historically black Sororities. If you are a vendor of Black Greek paraphernalia, ten to one, I don't have to "introduce" you to Sigma Gamma Rho.
And. . . all I can say is that if you think we have it hard, think of the Iotas! My fiancee is one and I have the HARDEST time buying unique paraphernalia for him, too . . . but if you compare that to the selection the other fraternities have, again, it's insulting. It's like non-verbally admitting that you specialize in Black Greek 'nalia. . . but just do a better job at it for some orgs than others.

It's unfortunate, but Iotas have been dealing with this since we were founded (just like so many black fraternities and sororities that are not in the NPHC)... many of us are to the point of being numb to the fact. Yes, I heard the claim of we may not be in this region or that region deep, but we are in the Pan-Hell and if you are an active member in your org, then you should be just as active in the Pan to know. And if you are a vendor then atleast try to stock atleast one or two items that are hot for the other orgs and not keychain us to death. Sometimes it still feels like the elite eight. Even para that has been produced after 1996 don't show Iota's presence.

Just like the Soror said, you just have to go with the folks who specialize in your para. And just know... that tight Omega shirt or that cool Alpha decal may not be available in Iota until we make some noise. Our history (just like SGRho's history) should be noise enough, but when you have vendors who are ONLY to make the buck and not respect the legacies... you will have that. Many Iotas go to iotawear.com. The owner is a I-Sweetheart, an AKA and a Star.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by IOTA-4A'88F

It's unfortunate, but Iotas have been dealing with this since we were founded (just like so many black fraternities and sororities that are not in the NPHC)... many of us are to the point of being numb to the fact. Yes, I heard the claim of we may not be in this region or that region deep, but we are in the Pan-Hell and if you are an active member in your org, then you should be just as active in the Pan to know. And if you are a vendor then atleast try to stock atleast one or two items that are hot for the other orgs and not keychain us to death. Sometimes it still feels like the elite eight. Even para that has been produced after 1996 don't show Iota's presence.

Just like the Soror said, you just have to go with the folks who specialize in your para. And just know... that tight Omega shirt or that cool Alpha decal may not be available in Iota until we make some noise. Our history (just like SGRho's history) should be noise enough, but when you have vendors who are ONLY to make the buck and not respect the legacies... you will have that. Many Iotas go to iotawear.com. The owner is a I-Sweetheart, an AKA and a Star.

Unfortunately, if our struggle is any indication, you all have a long long way to go toward being fully recognized, accepted, and given your due respect as a member of the NPHC and let's face it, this whole vendor thing and certain vendors not having anything or very little for SGRho and Iota is about respect to an extent, plain and simple. We have been dealing with this forever and we are 85 years now. The good thing is that things do change over time and things are already changing for Iota and they will continue to change with each passing year (although change doesn't come nearly as fast as it should). When I was a neo in the early 90's, things were much different for SGRho in certain areas and very different of course for Iota overall in comparison to now. Even today the struggle is very real for us in certain areas and on certain campuses. Looking at Iota is like going back in time and seeing ourselves. This is undoubtedly the reason that SGRho and Iota have grown close in some areas and on some campuses. Our connection has nothing to do with our orgs being "desperate" for a sister/brother relationship like some would like to believe. But all you can do is keep representing, educating people, and striving to be the best in the show, because the stage is and probably always will be a popularity contest.

[bluethunder]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Unfortunately, if our struggle is any indication, you all have a long long way to go toward being fully recognized, accepted, and given your due respect as a member of the NPHC and let's face it, this whole vendor thing and certain vendors not having anything or very little for SGRho and Iota is about respect to an extent, plain and simple. We have been dealing with this forever and we are 85 years now.

You see...that's where I think we tend to oversimplify the problem: it's not the YEARS we've been around, it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops, but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

You see...that's where I think we tend to oversimplify the problem: it's not the YEARS we've been around, it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops, but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

I totally agree with you soror! I meant that since it's been 85 years (and that's a long enough time in my book), you'd think we wouldn't still have these issues but we do although things have gotten better with time, so Iota has lots of years still to look forward to dealing with the mess.

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by bluethunder

You see...that's where I think we tend to oversimplify the problem: it's not the YEARS we've been around, it largely boils down to being discredited. It's a respect issue. To a great extent, people still talk about BGLOs as if there are only TWO sororities and and FOUR fraternities. If you aren't a part of whichever group has the most notoriety or the most members, people pretend as if you don't exist or as if your existence has meant very little...not just in the paraphernalia shops, but also in the scholarly literature concerning African American organizational history, and on campuses around the country. And it's not because we all aren't doing AMAZING things in our communities just like everybody else...

Somebody tell me I'm lying: you can have a campus with a chapter of five SGRho's and a chapter of three Omegas; nobody will ever think twice about the size or "strength" on campus of the Ques, but everybody and their mama will talk about "all two of them" SGRhos! (Lawd, I'm venting my undergrad frustrations!)

Exactly. It's all about a popularity contest when it comes down to it.