OK, here's my take. I agree with Pixie Wings, the snowflake pins have been scrapped a lot, however I cannot tell, just by looking at them if they are fake. However, my son has the entire set (traded @ DL which is where this set is "from") and all of his hav the "nubs" on the back, so I would feel confident in saying those are definitely fake.
As far as the "cuties" (many of the starter sets are/were called cuties, i.e., miniature versions of characters) it is possible the seller acquired a WHOLE LOT of authentic starter sets, but, in my opinion, unlikely. I must admit that I have not heard of the cuties being part of the current "scrappers" so I really can't say for sure...
Since all the pins you posted are part of "starter sets" I really can't say for sure.
I guess one of the "red flags" for me is that these pins (all from starter sets) you said came in plastic bags right? Then the seller bought the bags and put the pins in them, because, from my knowledge none of the starter sets had bags to be put in (were on cardboard backing in a box).
As far as the "Tink as Goofy" pins, these are almost definitely scrappers. I haven't read anything as such, but I bought the "real" pin last year (maybe before) and on my most recent trip, there was one on almost every CM lanyard, which would indicate to me they are "mass produced" i.e., scrappers. I also saw TONS of the sorcerer Mickey's, Dumbo & the others on our recent trip. Now, by saying that I am only suggesting they are scrappers because there were SO many of them around. I do have one of the Dumbo pins @ home that I will look at and report back.
Mountnittany..here's my opinion, and take it for what it's worth.
IMHO, this seller is DEFINITELY part of the HUGE problem of Ebay selling scrappers. There is just no logical explanation why someone would have such a HUGE amount of "authentic" Disney pins and sell them SO inexpensively.
I am a CM, and I have bought pins on occasion at ROCK bottom prices (in DL mostly). And even at that price point, buying discontinued starter kits, the individual price of each pin was MORE than what this person is selling them for.
Now, there are 4 VERY active pin traders in my family, so when I saw these starter sets, I bought up all they had. I'm talking buying directly from Disney mind you, and there was NOWHERE NEAR even 150 total pins for SALE to everyone, let alone me.
If this person can give me a truthful and logical explanation as to how they got these pins in this quantity, and how they can sell them for such a low price, then I may be able to humor the idea that they are legit.
The ONLY explanation I could come up with (which makes no sense either) is that they are "authentic" pins that were stolen from Disney. The reason that theory makes no sense is that there is never that quantity of the same type pin on Disney shelves, unless they lifted them from several different Disney retailers. Even then, it is impossible.
At the end of the day, after all the investigating, pondering, looking and watching, one thing continues to ring true. If it seems too good to be true..it probably is.
Anybody have any other thoughts???
And yes, I wonder what she means by saying she gets them the same suppliers as Disney. Are you going to return them?
and I believe I lucked out on every pin but the Sorceror, Tink, Dumbo, and Snow White pins. The backstamp fonts are exactly the same as my rack pins on the sets and Pluto. What should I do with pins that I know are scrappers? Also, if Art is unsure about the others, do you think that it is okay to trade those pins, since I think that they are real?
