Signs of Scrappers

[MountNittany]

A lot of people post questions about how to identify scrappers, so here is a list of some common signs that you have a scrapper. Please post any additional thoughts you have. Also, please refer to the Good/Bad Internet and eBay Pin Sellers (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2213419) Thread to avoid buying scrappers to trade in the first place.

What we mean by Scrapper (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37399170&postcount=842)


Lighter weight
Off-coloration
Dimples in paint
Font on backstamp is different than legit pins
Rough edges
Holes that are cut out on legit pins are filled in with silver (check the picture on PinPics.com)
Inaccurate information on the back (check PinPics)
Official logo that is out of proportion (compare to a bought rack pin)
Oily smell
Backstamp crooked
If your pin has Mickey Heads stamped into the back the heads should go off the edges....if your pin has a "lip" around the edge it is a scrapper. (thanks pixiewings71)

[MountNittany]

If anyone can back me up, if you look carefully at the pin trading logo, the scrappers have a grainy background (like the finish of the pin) inside of the mickey head enclosed area, while the real pins have a flat finish in this area. Did anyone else spot this?

Also, the font is often off or rough looking.

[pixiewings71]

If your pin has Mickey Heads stamped into the back the heads should go off the edges....if your pin has a "lip" around the edge it is a scrapper.

[MountNittany]

If your pin has Mickey Heads stamped into the back the heads should go off the edges....if your pin has a "lip" around the edge it is a scrapper.

Thanks I forgot that... I'll add it too

[MountNittany]

If anyone can back me up, if you look carefully at the pin trading logo, the scrappers have a grainy background (like the finish of the pin) inside of the mickey head enclosed area, while the real pins have a flat finish in this area. Did anyone else spot this?

Also, the font is often off or rough looking.

Nevermind, all of my 2009 Fastpasses have a grainy background enclosed by the mickey head.

[PhantomVirus]

While I try to not cross boards/boundaries here is an article I wrote - with photos - showing a real vs counterfeit pin and the now infamous bordered edge vs. clean cut.


h t t p : / / w a l t s b a s e m e n t . y u k u . c o m / t o p i c / 1 1 2 0 9

[MountNittany]

While I try to not cross boards/boundaries here is an article I wrote - with photos - showing a real vs counterfeit pin and the now infamous bordered edge vs. clean cut.


h t t p : / / w a l t s b a s e m e n t . y u k u . c o m / t o p i c / 1 1 2 0 9

Thanks for your link. With your permission I will copy the pics over and give you full credit (is this okay?)

[GoofyTraci]

does anyone have a copy of two of the same pins that are one a scrapper and one offical? I am not understanding all of this and want to see what the difference may be side by side. thanks

[Spiffie]

While I try to not cross boards/boundaries here is an article I wrote - with photos - showing a real vs counterfeit pin and the now infamous bordered edge vs. clean cut.


h t t p : / / w a l t s b a s e m e n t . y u k u . c o m / t o p i c / 1 1 2 0 9

does anyone have a copy of two of the same pins that are one a scrapper and one offical? I am not understanding all of this and want to see what the difference may be side by side. thanks

If you remove the extra spaces in the above link, he has pictures of both types in his article. Very helpful and easy read.

[kate_wdw]

Oops...posted in the wrong place.

Sorry!

[Dom13]

I have often found that scrappers have a rough or matte (flat) finish. The paint on legitimate pins should be shiny.

[MountNittany]

I have often found that scrappers have a rough or matte (flat) finish. The paint on legitimate pins should be shiny.

For most, yes, I have found that too.

Also, most scrappers show brushstrokes down through the pin. I have seen some real pins with faint lines, but not many.

[jkluttrell]

Since I know the CM's don't really take the time to know if they are trading a "scrapper" or not (for the most part), is it okay for me to hold the pin and look at it then give it back and say no thank you if I think it might be a scrapper?

[pixiewings71]

Since I know the CM's don't really take the time to know if they are trading a "scrapper" or not (for the most part), is it okay for me to hold the pin and look at it then give it back and say no thank you if I think it might be a scrapper?

I have done that before and the CM was fine with it. :)

[blockscrappers]

Since I know the CM's don't really take the time to know if they are trading a "scrapper" or not (for the most part), is it okay for me to hold the pin and look at it then give it back and say no thank you if I think it might be a scrapper?
Another good recommendation is to ask the CM if the pin you are looking at was one they started the day with or was is it one that they traded during the day. Keep in mind this is not foolproof.

[Doug7856]

Wow, I have learned a lot from this thread. I'm shocked that someone counterfeits Disney pins! I've purchased a small "lot" of "genuine" Disney pins and it appears that at least some of them are not "genuine".

[kycanonist]

I wish I could see photos of what you mean by some of these things...

[n2mm]

OK, I'm also shocked by this. I use to collect pins with a passion from 2000-2005, then I stopped. I went cold turkey and just walked away. Fast forward, 6 years now. I decided that they need to go. So off to the auction site to start listing them. And boy am I shocked after reading "big" sellers' feedback. Wow, I didn't even have a clue this was going on. A lot of the "sellers" are selling fake pins?? Maybe by mistake?? So now I'm a little nervous about listing my legit pins. I did some reading on pinpics and was amazed at what a huge issue the fake pins are now. So I decided to scan the backs because I feel like I'm going to sell them and the "bad guys" are going to do the switch a roo on me and try to accuse me of selling the fake one. Hopefully scanning the front and back will help protect me. I'm just a small fry compared to these big sellers. I'm sure they will be buying up some of my stock to make complete sets. I have lanyard pins from the start. I won't even start on how many bins of pins I have tucked under my bed....lets just say, I was so out of control that I needed an intervention! I'm glad I found out about these fakes pins now. I stopped collecting in 2005 because it had gotten out of control with the release of so many pins for each event. Every now and then I still like to trade for cute lanyard pins, but you won't find me in the pin lines buying LE pins anymore. I kicked the habit!

[happyleesh]

OK, I'm also shocked by this. I use to collect pins with a passion from 2000-2005, then I stopped. I went cold turkey and just walked away. Fast forward, 6 years now. I decided that they need to go. So off to the auction site to start listing them. And boy am I shocked after reading "big" sellers' feedback. Wow, I didn't even have a clue this was going on. A lot of the "sellers" are selling fake pins?? Maybe by mistake?? So now I'm a little nervous about listing my legit pins. I did some reading on pinpics and was amazed at what a huge issue the fake pins are now. So I decided to scan the backs because I feel like I'm going to sell them and the "bad guys" are going to do the switch a roo on me and try to accuse me of selling the fake one. Hopefully scanning the front and back will help protect me. I'm just a small fry compared to these big sellers. I'm sure they will be buying up some of my stock to make complete sets. I have lanyard pins from the start. I won't even start on how many bins of pins I have tucked under my bed....lets just say, I was so out of control that I needed an intervention! I'm glad I found out about these fakes pins now. I stopped collecting in 2005 because it had gotten out of control with the release of so many pins for each event. Every now and then I still like to trade for cute lanyard pins, but you won't find me in the pin lines buying LE pins anymore. I kicked the habit!

I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum, I'm looking to start a collection for my DD, but I had no idea this was going on either! What a bummer.

[pixiewings71]

OK, I'm also shocked by this. I use to collect pins with a passion from 2000-2005, then I stopped. I went cold turkey and just walked away. Fast forward, 6 years now. I decided that they need to go. So off to the auction site to start listing them. And boy am I shocked after reading "big" sellers' feedback. Wow, I didn't even have a clue this was going on. A lot of the "sellers" are selling fake pins?? Maybe by mistake?? So now I'm a little nervous about listing my legit pins. I did some reading on pinpics and was amazed at what a huge issue the fake pins are now. So I decided to scan the backs because I feel like I'm going to sell them and the "bad guys" are going to do the switch a roo on me and try to accuse me of selling the fake one. Hopefully scanning the front and back will help protect me. I'm just a small fry compared to these big sellers. I'm sure they will be buying up some of my stock to make complete sets. I have lanyard pins from the start. I won't even start on how many bins of pins I have tucked under my bed....lets just say, I was so out of control that I needed an intervention! I'm glad I found out about these fakes pins now. I stopped collecting in 2005 because it had gotten out of control with the release of so many pins for each event. Every now and then I still like to trade for cute lanyard pins, but you won't find me in the pin lines buying LE pins anymore. I kicked the habit!

No it's not a mistake, most of those sellers are getting their pins from China directly......
I have sold a few pins and pin sets on eBay, my listing say my pins are NOT scrappers and I do offer refunds (buyer to pay return shipping) if the buyer is not satisfied. I haven't sold many but the ones I've done have been just fine. I wouldn't hesitate to list your pins, list them at higher prices and make sure you say they are not scrappers in your listings, you'll get some hits.

[n2mm]

No it's not a mistake, most of those sellers are getting their pins from China directly......
I have sold a few pins and pin sets on eBay, my listing say my pins are NOT scrappers and I do offer refunds (buyer to pay return shipping) if the buyer is not satisfied. I haven't sold many but the ones I've done have been just fine. I wouldn't hesitate to list your pins, list them at higher prices and make sure you say they are not scrappers in your listings, you'll get some hits.

Thanks. I listed some WDW lanyard pins that ended this past weekend. I did the .99 start since it was still free to list this way for the very last time before the new ebay rules start next week. Out of 90 pins 87 sold. I thought that was good. Yes, some went for .99, but lots of others higher. I think I helped alot of folks put together sets that had missing pins while providing some folks with some decent traders for their next visit to WDW. Not sure what to list next. So many pins I just don't know where to start. You gave me some good tips! thanks! I will offer refunds if they are not happy. Since all of my pins are before 2005, they should all be real, especially since I bought most of them myself. I use to do a little trading online too, but that was ages ago. I do think I will start grouping them together, since I was compulsive and had to have every pin in a series when buying them. Of course my DH working for the Disney catalog didn't help my addiction one bit either.

[pixiewings71]

LOL I hear you on the addiction part.....when you've got more listed drop by and give us your eBay name, or PM me if you prefer. I'd be interested in seeing what you have up. I'm glad you had some good sales! :)

[Pikezh638]

Since I know the CM's don't really take the time to know if they are trading a "scrapper" or not (for the most part), is it okay for me to hold the pin and look at it then give it back and say no thank you if I think it might be a scrapper?

Not to raise this from the dead, but...

My girlfriend just found out a pin we got from a CM is fake, she said the date on the pin doesn't match what it should, while it is disappointing, we are just going to keep it.

It isn't the end of the world for us.

I guess the point of my post is to say that CMs apparently do trade out fakes but unintentionally.

[pixiewings71]

Most CM's don't know enough about pins to tell a real from a fake. Some do, I've seen many CM's put pins aside (and yes, even pins I've traded to them, that's how I found out about the whole scrapper thing) and when asked they've mentioned the pin might be a scrapper. It's heartening to know some CM's do know but the reality is many don't or just don't care.

[the1andonlytikicarol]

Great scrapper vids over at youtube.
Very informative !
:cheer2: For Pin Deals !

[Midnyghtchilde]

Ah this is a very helpful list. I've been trying to figure out how to even tell if a pin is a scrapper, and now I can.

I found a pin on the ground in one of the parks in 2010 - a Jafar pin. I picked it up and kept it because it was cool. I don't collect and it just decorates my cube walls at work. Now that I have found DIS and read this I checked my pins and sure enough that Jafar is a scrapper - its sooo similar, but the Mickey shapes on the back don't go to the edge! It has a lip. The face art is just a tiny bit off in inspection too. Now I have something to compare to for the future.

Also explains why it was on the ground I imagine. Thanks for the info!

[Praise2Him]

I've posted this before, but as a CM who pin trades, we aren't taught/told anything about scrappers. What I know I've learned from these boards.

Also, I don't replenish my pins each day. I start out with what's left over from the day before, so that strategy won't necessarily work.

I've also seen people suggest trading first thing in the morning, which isn't necessary either, since CMs come in for their shifts at all times of day. I work at night, so I usually start around 4-7 pm.

[ObsessedWithDW]

I understand that "scrappers" lower the value of legit pins but if it is truly about trading and collecting, does it really matter? I want to trade for fun, not for profit. If it has the stamp on the back, according to the rules of trading, a CM has to trade so they are not to blame. They are doing what they are told. Bottom line, there are fakes of everything out there and we need to decide... Are we trading for the fun of trading? OR are we trading to collect a complete set of genuine pins that are worth money? For me i trade for fun, if I like a pin and it is in good condition, I trade for it. I do not bring "scrappers" into the parks but some people do and what can you truly do about it.