09/11 Liberty Bell Pin

[JudithM]

Leslie, you & I might be some of the few guests who received this pin today. I was at my Disney Store today before 2 p.m. You wouldn't believe how many guests were there waiting for pins - so much for confidential information. Anyway the four CMs started to hand out pins when the phone rang. The person on the other end said to stop handing out the pins until tomorrow. Believe me the CMs were not happy. I felt bad for them.

 

[musashi]

Amen, Engr-Chas.



MUSASHI

 

[BeautyLLM]

Judith, Are you saying that the phone call was someone telling the store to stop handing out the pins? Not a good idea...tomorrow will be a mad house for them. My store was relatively empty, there were only a few people shopping, not lining up for pins. Like I was trying to say in my previous post...shame on people turning this into a circus...they should have some dignity and some respect.

JMHO

 

[MaryJ]

I went into TDS today and just browsed for a while....looked at pins etc. No one approached me with the Liberty Bell pin. I had been meaning to order a Beauty and the Beast DVD and decided that today was as good a day as any to do so. When I paid for the DVD the CM handed me the pin and said "We are giving these to our customers today to commerate 9/11. Guess at our store they are only giving the pins to those who make a purchase.

 

[JudithM]

Leslie, yes the phone call was from another Store Manager telling the CM about a very recent email from home base (in California)saying to wait until tomorrow to hand out the pins. I am sure the CMs are going to get a lot of grief from guests expecting to pick up this pin today. the mall & TDS may have been busier than usual because there is no school today - it is primary day. Yes, I did vote!

 

[mickey4ver]

Let the pin stand for what it is, a remembrance of all those who lost their lives/family members/loved ones/friends on the most horrible of days.

To stand in line or whatever just really isn't what it is all about, take a look at the big picture and realize the many things we have to be greatful for in our lives, and having the pin is a nice gesture and remembrance item, but to look at it in any other form is just plain heartless.

And if a guest comes in just to get a pin and is really upset that they can't get one or the time of giving them out has changed, then they are the ones who need to stop and think about it and look into their own hearts before they go off on the folks working in the Disney Store. Think about those that are no longer in this life after that terrible day, and put that against how much a pin is worth. JMHO

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Mickey4ever - you have expressed exactly what I feel!!!

I have been reading the various threads about the 9/11 pin and promised myself I wouldn't get involved in any of them, but it has come to a point that I can't keep quiet. I know I will probably get blasted by certain posters for what I am about to say, but you know what? - I don't care.

The "frenzy" that pin collectors have created in the desperate need for this pin by calling stores trying to find out EXACTLY when these pins will be distributed , and even those who unbelievably have put the pin up for auction on ebay for profit is, to me, a slap in the face to the memory of every person who perished in the tragedy. Why? 9/11 should be a solmen day - one for us all to remember all those whose lives were lost, one for family and friends to grieve for their loved ones, a day for communities to come together as one - NOT A DAY TO RUN TO A STORE FOR A STUPID PIN. I, for one will not be going tonite or tomorrow for the pin. Sure it is a nice pin, but it is more important to me to spend my time thinking of the friends I lost at WTC, not standing in line at TDS.

And for those who are putting the pin up for bid on ebay, and are not donating the money you make to charity - I hope you can live with yourselves.

Sorry for the rant, enough said

 

[Luv2Roam]

I called the Omaha store before noon and asked when they were giving the pins out. She just said later today.
After work, I did get one. But only because she had told me over the phone. After she spoke with me and right before she was going to start handing them out, she also got a phone call that said WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW!
She thought it was only right to give me one since she had told me she would.
But I did buy something!! GREAT BARGAIN!!! HOLD ON TO YOUR LANYARDS! Waiting ----
Their trinkets are $2 each if you buy five. I bought FIVE pens, that sell for $10 each. I only paid $9 (+tax) for all FIVE!!!

Great little stocking stuffers! I may buy more!!

 

[MeanLaureen]

Well we called over to our Disney store to see if they were handing out pins tonight or tomorrow. I really didn't see it as creating a frenzy by doing this. All I wanted was a pin that I could wear to work tomorrow.

Honestly, and I don't mean anything bad by this so please don't think I am criticizing cast members because I know it's not your call.. but I think it was wrong of Disney to hand these out on the actual day of the tradgedy. These should have been handed out a week ago so that they could be proudly worn on 9/11.

And as far as the pins showing up on eBay, I noticed that almost a week ago. But please don't tag greedy customers as the people doing this. We didn't have access to the pins. Those auctions must be by, or have been assisted by, cast members. Just like when I see Hallmark Keepsake ornaments on eBay a week before they have been made public. I know that must be a Hallmark employee being underhanded.

And just to let TDS cast members know that I sympathize with them.. I work for Hallmark and it's been all over the national news that you can get the bells to ring on 9/11 at Hallmark stores. As you can guess.. we didn't get any bells nor had we ever heard of this promotion (and my chain is 500 stores strong) So we can understand the feeling of upset customers. (although they have been surprisingly understanding)

I'm with Chas on this one. It was a nice gesture of Disney to create this pin but it does seem out of place and running to the mall for a freebie on 9/11 is not anywhere near the top of my priority list on such a sad day.

 

[JudithM]

Lauri, well said ...

I feel bad for the CMs who are working today. Disney homebase changed their procedure at the last minute which puts the store CMs in an awkward position at a very difficult time.

 

[3kids4me]

I personally hope that there are so many pins, that it doesn't become a situation where people are trying to "collect and sell" or even trade them. That would, to me, ruin the spirit of the whole event. I realize it costs Disney some money to do this, but do hope that all stores have enough pins to satisfy anyone who wants one, and not create a shortage that would cause that kind of frenzied situation.

I can't help but feel the same way about the few fantasy pins I have seen that have "9/11" printed on them. It just makes me sad that someone would use 9/11 to profit in any way.

 

[Willowwind]

We did go to TDS tonight for pins. My husband is giving blood tomorrow and very much wanted to wear it, as did the children to school.

I was told that the only reason I was able to get it tonight (9/10) is that I had called and asked about it earlier. But since my call the policy had changed.

The cast member mentioned that tomorrow at TDS there would be no music, no promotions, and that they indeed hoped, no rush for pins. She blamed CM's with loose lips on creating a "frenzy" among pin traders and said that many were worried about the reprocussions TDS might feel when they were just trying to do something nice.

 

[mickey4ver]

I do want to say that I don't think there is a thing wrong with anyone going to receive the pin or even wanting one...that to me is not the issue...it is those that always turn something around that is sacred and do what I consider the unthinkable and want more than a couple, call on the phone and act rude and the list goes on.

And I agree, that those on ebay would have to most likely be CM's from somewhere....that is sad to me....that given a company gives something symbolic and a gesture of love in a saddened time, that someone immediately has to make a profit on it.

Ok, now my vent is done And my post was not intended to be mean spirited to the majority of the people here posting, but more in a general sense. I'm sorry if I sounded like I was pointing a finger at anyone in particular, that was not my intent.

 

[Dar20]

From Disney's web site:

"Disney Store Commemorative Pin
In remembrance of the anniversary of September 11, Disney Store has developed a cloisonné pin of the Liberty Bell. The pin will be distributed to Disney Store guests during the week leading up to September 11 and will be distributed to all domestic cast members on that day. The pin is attached to a card featuring a quote from Walt Disney and a message encouraging VoluntEARism as a way to help the country continue to heal."


I went to my local Disney Store at lunch (the mall was a ghost town, incidentally - strange for lunch), and asked if they had the pins at the counter. They had them in a small box, and I was given one with no problem. It's a nice pin and card. I'll probably frame it with some of my other patriotic pins. They also had a poster on their store window that looked just like the card and pin.

Dar

 

[Dom13]

This pin should not be traded or sold. This pin should be GIVEN to those that for whatever reason were not able to get one. To do anything else with this pin is wrong.

 

[n2mm]

I sure hope I don't see one in someone's trader bag next week at the pin event. I might lose it.

 

[Willowwind]

Originally posted by Dom13
This pin should not be traded or sold. This pin should be GIVEN to those that for whatever reason were not able to get one. To do anything else with this pin is wrong.

Okay, just to play devils advocate here. What if someone bought the pin? I mean, assuming with all of them that are up on ebay being sold as "Cast member exclusive" (and there are a bunch)somebody out there who wasn't "in the know" is going to end up paying for the pin.

If that person wanted to trade their pin is it still as "wrong"? I mean geeze, the poor schulb would have already been "taken" once because he had to buy the thing. Now he's going to be labled immoral because he's willing to trade it?

Please!!! It's just a pin!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Have to say I go along with Willowwind.
And you don't think people didn't bring in family members, friends and relatives and get extras? We would fall in a dead faint if they didn't.
DH and I both got one. I hope he wears his. He admires some pins, but I don't recall him ever WEARING one.
If it sits around and rots, I know of a few special pin people I would like to gift it to. I would even have a hard time deciding who. But if this does happen, it would be our pin and we can do with it what we want.
It is just a pin, even though it is very symbolic in meaning.
Do I think people should be selling it for high dollar? No. But not everyone has high values, and that is life.
It is not unusual to see traders in WDW with hoardes of the same HTF, LE sold out pin. Do I like that and approve? No. It turns me off and I wouldn't want to trade with them even. But who would I be to give them a piece of mind?

 

[taysalyn]

Here are my thoughts in case someone is writing this down...

I went to TDS today (mall of america) and went straight to the lime green boas. I grabbed one and started walking towards the pins. A CM approached me and handed me the pin. I acted surprised and thanked him. I then looked at some pins, grabbed a couple and walked around a bit. I then, went to look at the antenne toppers and picked up the pink one with Princess on it. The same CM came over and handed me another pin. I told him I already had one and he just waved his hand and said 'Don't worry about it.' Again I thanked him and simply checked out. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Should I be upset with the CM that was giving away two pins to one customer? Should I be upset with myself for taking the second pin? To be honest here, I did take it with the intention of trading. But after reading some very good points here about the meaning behind the pin, I have decided to give it away at the event if someone asks me for it. It will be on my trade lanyard but I will not trade it. I was not planning on getting the second pin and so since I have it, I'm not sure how I feel about it.

Anyway, bottom line is I feel previous posts have stated it clearly. This pin is not to be traded or sold! I will not be trading for it or buying it. Had I not gone to TDS to get my own, I wouldn't have bought it or traded for it either. Thank you for straightening me out. You guys are the best!

 

[Mickey527]

I agree with all of you, this pin is a symbol for us use to remember those who were are no longer with us due to the hatered of others. We should look at this pin and remember our freedom and not profit from it.
Just as those who are selling bricks from the towers should not be profiting from such a terrible disaster.
I am going to post this on another topic, but I went to my TDS tonight to get a pin for myself.
I met the CM on a boat from the MK to WL last July. Her 3 young boys were wearing lanyards and I gave each of them a few pins. I had no idea who she was, although she did look very familiar. We talked for a while trying to figure out how we knew each other until she told me she was a CM. Then she told me where. What a small world.
Now every time I go into TDS she and I chat about her son's pins and how they love their "pin friend."
Today when I walked into the store she saw me and gave me a pin. She then asked how many people I had at home and I told her 3 boys. She gave me pins for them, then said "give these out to your friends on the pin board who don't get them."
So, I have some pins and will be happy to GIVE them to anyone who needs one with one stipulation. You keep it for yourself, and when you wear it you say a prayer for those who died on 9-11. Peggie