A friend of mine once ordered a sweatshirt online as a gift for a member of another organization. When he showed me the listing, I knew immediately it wasn't from a licensed vendor. The trademarks were used incorrectly, and the design included unofficial elements.

He had no way of knowing. He placed the order, and the sweatshirt never arrived. The website was fraudulent. There was nothing to return and no one to call.

I told him what I'll tell you: always confirm a company is licensed before you buy.

The short answer

Buy from a vendor on the Approved Vendor list on Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s national website. It's the only reliable way to know a seller is authorized to use the sorority's trademarks, including the name, letters, and symbols.

If you want elevated, thoughtfully designed pieces, from apparel to sterling silver jewelry to paper goods and accessories, visit and shop ExtraordinarySymbols.com. Don't take my word for it. Look us up on the approved list.

What "officially licensed" really means

The sorority's letters, crest, colors, and symbols are trademarked. Only approved vendors may use them on merchandise.

I've been a sorority girl for more than 35 years. In 2020, I started Extraordinary Symbols because I wanted to build something around the one thing I knew best: sorority life.

Being licensed is an investment. Delta Sigma Theta requires a licensing fee that renews every two years. Selling online as an approved e-commerce vendor requires an additional fee. Vendors also submit applications and sample designs, and follow strict rules for how the sorority is represented.

Those rules are why licensed merchandise looks right. Someone has checked the work, and the vendor has agreed to the standards.

How to tell if merchandise is unlicensed

The vendor isn't on the Approved Vendor list. This is the clearest test.

The crest has been changed. Many people believe the official crest can be recolored or reversed. A crest in unofficial colors or mirrored is a warning sign.

Unofficial elements are mixed in. Look for altered letters, added symbols, or a design that looks almost right but isn't.

The materials feel cheap. Unlicensed apparel and custom jewelry often cut corners.

The design looks familiar. Some bootleg sellers copy designs created by licensed vendors. Buying from them rewards design theft.

The website looks suspicious. Some unlicensed sellers are outright scams that take payment and send nothing.

Why prices differ

A fair price reflects the complexity of the design and the materials. Vinyl, for example, costs less to produce than chenille, which takes more skill and material. Licensed vendors also carry costs that bootleggers skip, including licensing fees. When a price is far below what the product should cost, the corners cut are usually in the materials or the licensing.

How to protect yourself when shopping online

1. Check the Approved Vendor list before you order.
2. Look for real business information. Be wary of sites with no contact details, no history, or no way to reach a person.
3. Be skeptical of prices far below those of established vendors.
4. Pay with a method that offers fraud protection, such as a credit card.
5. Keep screenshots of the listing and your order confirmation.
6. Search the business name with "reviews" or "scam" before you pay.

Why it matters

Buying licensed does three things:

• You get the real thing. The crest, colors, and symbols are correct.
• You support vendors who followed the rules and made the investment.
• You help protect the sorority's brand. Every bootleg item dilutes it.

I'd love to see Delta Sigma Theta launch a "Buy Licensed" campaign that promotes approved vendors and works to stop bootleggers. Most buyers don't know the difference until it's too late. Until then, we can look out for each other.

Quick checklist before you buy

• Is the seller on the Approved Vendor list?
• Is the crest the correct color and orientation?
• Does the design look official, with nothing added or altered?
• Does the price fit the materials?
• Can I reach a real person at this business?

FAQ

Can I change the color of the official crest? No. The official crest can't be recolored or reversed.

How do I find Delta Sigma Theta's approved vendors? Visit the sorority's national website and look for the Approved Vendor list.

What if I already ordered from a site I now doubt? Contact your card issuer or payment provider right away, and keep your order confirmation and screenshots.

Is it okay to buy from an unlicensed seller if the item looks good? I wouldn't. Looks can fool you, and unlicensed sellers may use incorrect trademarks, copy another vendor's designs, or never deliver.

Visit and shop ExtraordinarySymbols.com