Request from Lars regarding Knockoff Guild Pins

[emalia]

So how is it that we are supposed to tell the "Fakes" from teh real ones? I mean I have seen some really shiney looking ones as of late. But to me that just says someone took more time in cleaning them after casting them. Or perhaps a different pewter was used.

[PriestesM]

At the moment, the primary concern is with tracking down who sold/is selling the pins. Lars is asking folks to keep an eye out for anyone selling guild pins, and hoping that by spreading the word someone(s) who purchased a knockoff will step forward with a sample so that we can answer that very question.

[emalia]

I will see what I can do. However it is tough to figure it out if you don't know what you are looking for.

Well, no one in FL should be selling pins to begin with...that should be the first thing...

if you hear of anyone selling any guild pins at any faire other then NYRF, make a note of it and them...then call Lars' number.

and, from what I have heard, the writing is not as clear or nice as the real thing.....

Muffin

[emalia]

Well, no one in FL should be selling pins to begin with...that should be the first thing...

if you hear of anyone selling any guild pins at any faire other then NYRF, make a note of it and them...then call Lars' number.

and, from what I have heard, the writing is not as clear or nice as the real thing.....

Muffin

Actually, that is not the case.. In the past Lars has send me pins. But I am the only one.

[daBaroness]

One way to possibly tell a fake pin from a real one is to look on the back - a wench number should be hand-stamped into the back. I'm guessing if someone is knocking the pins off - they won't be putting numbers on the back - or if by chance they are - the numbers would have to be in sequence with the number of members in each particular guild - if, for example - someone has a wench pin that has a number like 600 and it's a new pin - it's a fake.

And as was said before - if you're purchasing a pin on-the-spot from anyone other than Lars himself - it's gotta be a fake - the only way to join the guilds is to do it through the mail or online unless you're attending a faire where The Lunde man has a booth.

Sadly - I would imagine there's a killing to be made from knock-off pins of this sort as novelties for the guild-ignorant. People will buy a pewter pin as a trinket at faire without knowing they're bootlegged and actually a membership insignia, not a novelty.

I think we can best help Lars and our local guilds by making contact with anyone we see wearing a guild pin who we're unacquainted with. If they're truly guild members and we greet them - we'll know it immediately. If not - if we get the RCA dog look - we can probably assume their pin is a knock-off. At that point we can (nicely) ask them about their pin - where they got it; from whom; it's significance, etc. Don't challenge them and make them feel like a criminal - they've done nothing more than buy a cool pin. Get the information about their source for the pin and report that to Lars. I'd also (again nicely) tell them about the guild - refer them to the appropriate Web site, introduce them to any on-site guild members or the hostel and get them on the bandwagon. Making someone feel welcome rather than treating them like a thief will go a long way to solving a number of challenges.

Again, sadly, anyone who works with pewter can knock our pins off simply by making a mold and then pouring the pins. I would imagine the quality of detail wouldn't be as sharp as pins made from the original mold - but to the uninitiated, that wouldn't be noticed.

I think the best we can do it be more vigilent to people wearing guild pins - especially people we're not acquainted with. And if we do greet them and find out they are brothers or sisters - so much the better!

Yes, but I don't think he is doing any down there this season, that was what I meant...

I know he has sold them at other faires besides NYRF, and even had boothes at other faires, but this season coming up, I believe the only place you can get one ifs from him or tux booth.

I did not think he had sent you any from the conversation he and I had about it when he asked me to keep reminding folks about them being out there.

Muffin

[emalia]

One way to possibly tell a fake pin from a real one is to look on the back - a wench number should be hand-stamped into the back. I'm guessing if someone is knocking the pins off - they won't be putting numbers on the back - or if by chance they are - the numbers would have to be in sequence with the number of members in each particular guild - if, for example - someone has a wench pin that has a number like 600 and it's a new pin - it's a fake.

But aren't the newer ones un-numbered?
I remember a converstaion or post what have you about pins being un-numbered.

[*Gremco]

One of our newer wenches had the number written with a sharpie marker, not punched in.

[Kerowyn (fire)Hawke]

One of our newer wenches had the number written with a sharpie marker, not punched in.

Yeah, I got mine last year and it was written on with shaprie. I engraved the number in myself. Same with a girl friend who ordered a membership.And my husbands Rogue pin, his was written on it too so I don't think that is going to be reliable way to tell.