2 questions re: Disney pins and charms

[LisaZoe]

I'm just starting to research Disney pins and know there are "fakes" out there as well as less desirable manufacturers of them. I don't, of course, know much about individual pin value but figure that will come with time. I am using pinpics.com to at least check out the origins of pins I see for sale on eBay so I'll have an idea if they are "boot-leg". I'm wondering, though, if there are any pins from licensed Disney manufacturers that are also being counterfeited (I hope the profit margin would be too low for that but just want to be sure). I also like that I can see the original retail price as well as if the pin is still being sold. Since my DD and I are going to WDW in less than a month (YEA!), no point buying pins online that we can get for the same price or less at the parks.

My 2nd question is about Disney charms for bracelets, both Italian charms and the more typical "charm bracelet" style. I don't know if this is the right place to post this question but it seemed logical as so many posters here are knowledgable about Disney merchandise. Is there a good source to check out charms that is comparable to PinPics? Mostly, I want to find out which are Disney licensed, the original price and if they are still sold by Disney.

Thanks

Edited to add: my use of the terms "fake" and "boot-leg" is not meant to denigrate those products or those who collect them but I know the CMs can not trade for those so would like to avoid them for now.

 

[LynniethePooh]

I can tell you that at DTD, and probably in the parks they have a whole display with the dangle charms for sure...can't remember if I saw the Italian style for certain, but I think they were there as well. Make sure you get your little one into the back part of Once Upon a Toy...it is Princess Heaven!

If a pin isn't a limited edition, and doesn't say retired on pinpics, chances are it still around at WDW. I would say for a non limited edition pin, the prices at WDW are about $6.50-$8.50 depending on the pin, so I wouldn't pay more than that online until you get here and know for sure it isn't available anymore.

hope that helps

 

[Figgy]

Yes there are several pins lately that have been counterfeited by people. We are trying to update pinpics to switch the ones that are in the bootleg Catagory that fall into actual reproductions of legit disney pins into the new origin of Counterfeit but it is taking awhile.

figgy