A poll type question for you serious Pin Traders...

[Disney_1derland]

I'm a pin trading newbie <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_200v.gif' border=0></a> but I can quickly see this becoming an obsession so I'm curious....

How do you decide what pins to collect? Do you collect in a certain theme or just buy whatever catches your eye? What criteria do you use to decide which pins MUST be yours?

Thank you for your time, I'm anxious to see the answers!

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

I started out collecting pins that had pointy things on the back but then Disney began putting pin backs on them so I couldn't tell which ones were pointy. Then I realized that some of them had rubber backs so I started collecting those. Then Disney changed them so that there were rubber backs shaped like Mickey heads so I started collecting those. Then my wife started looking around and noticing that there were tons of these little metal objects with pointy things on the back that had rubber Mickey heads on them and she started to freak out so I was told that I needed to start cutting back on this thing because we were running out of room. She is the one who suggested what I collect. She said I should pick a character I could related to and before I could even say anything, she said I would be collecting Goofy. I have no idea why that was picked. I mean we are nothing alike. He wears brown shoes and socks while I am more of a no sock sandal kind of guy. And our personalities are nothing alike. I am a quiet and reserved guy while Goofy is not.
My collection has evolved though and I decided on a theme or character after looking over my pins and seeing which ones were special to me. When I separated them out that way, I noticed patterns which led me to certain types of pins or characters.

Jeff

 

[Duckfan]

I think you will find that you start out collecting a wide variety of pins, everything that catches your eye. But then most of us settle into themes or collections. I don't know too many people that have only one theme, I know I have several including a couple that snuck up on me. I started with pins of my favorite rides and have them framed. I have Mulan pins, my favorite movie, Jane from tarzan because I liked her pins, and World Showcase collection because that is my favorite park. My Beauty and the Beast collection snuck up on me but I have quite a few. That said, I am not an every pin collector, what I mean by that is even if it fits into my collections I do not get it if it is ugly or too much like another pin. I still get a few things just because I like them but mostly they go with other things. Not much help I know but here are my two cents in short form:

Pick a character or subject you really like
Get only the pins you like

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I have 2 main catagories and 3-4 small ones- My mail "collecting category" is Memory pins- ie pins that represent certain memories about my DL/WDW trips (ie I got the police mickey after we got pulled over twice in one day on the was to DL, The 49th birthday pin as I was there that day etc) This set has over 250 pins

2nd is Lilo pins- This one has really got scaled back and Im getting tempted to start trading my least favorites off this set has over 50

my 1st small category is Monorail pins (I drove Monorails) and I collect my favorite ones This set has 5

2nd is Bear in the Big Blue house- I really like bear I also have 5 pins in that set

3rd is non disney pins- ie adventure pins outside of disney- ie last night I ate at the Hard Rock Salt Lake for the first time and I got a pin from there (Spendy pins much...) This set has over 15

I also have a 7 pin Tarzan set (all the main characters and the 5th anniv pin) and the 6 minnie as princess pins the safety series and the Walt 100th birthday history set and the Cast Atlas set


I agree get a fav or it gets overwhelming quick
-em

 

[SundancePass]

I started out buying everythng with a pointy back that I liked. Then after I melted my credit card, I settled into WDW mystery/surprise pins, WDW Christmas pins, DCL AC pins, Donald Duck pins, and Stitch pins.

Then I melted my credit card again and there were WAAAYYY too many surprise pins so I quit collecting those. Then there were WAAYYY too many Stitch pins so I stopped collecting those.

Now I am "down" to the pins I just love, Duck pins, WDW Christmas pins, and DCL AC pins. All of these are limited in number and I love them all.

So, after buying or trading for everything you can at first, you will find those pins that you just love and hopefully you will be able to collect those.

However, trading is more fun than anything because of the people you meet and the friendships you make when trading. I have for the most part stopped collecting but will NEVER stop trading!

Have fun and much success in your new obsession...oops..Hobbie.

 

[NHMickey]

It has taken me years to figure out what I want. And then when I do... I see others pins I like. It is a tough fight but fun... After a little while you will see a theme develop in what you are drawn to and it does get easier from there.

 

[chefmanny]

Whatever you like!!!
I like food related pins, so I have most of them!...because my wife gets them for me.....I just carry the bags!!

 

[Dom13]

When I started back in Nov. 2000 I collected almost anything Villains, Peter Pan, Nightmare before X-mas, anything that had to do with art (the characters painting, Artist Choice, etc.), Pin trading pins, Haunted Mansion, character pins from the animated movies, and of course memory pins. I also collect Olympic Archery pins as I teach that where I work.

I have since traded away many of the Nightmare before X-mas, Art (kept a few to wear), the Pin Trading Pins, and the Haunted Mansion pins. I have also gotten really particular about the pins I add to my collection as many are similar to others I already have or just don't strike me. Add to that the fact that I bought a house and I have had to cut back a bit. This is a good thing and is a normal part of collecting.

I see from your name and your avatar that you like Alice in Wonderland. That may be a good place to start then branch out to other themes. Don't try to get them all, there are at least 25,000 with more being added every day. You can check out www.pinpics.com to see what is out there and get a rough idea, through the Members Trading/Members Wanting #'s, of a pin's desirability.

Good luck and feel free to post here with anyquestions you may have.