buying for pin trading

[missummer]

I know you can buy pins on E-bay and in the park, but can you buy any at the Disney Store? I was thinking about picking up just a couple for my DD and might just do a quick run to the DS if they sell them. Thanks!

 

[kkymmy]

im not sure if they do in the US but in the UK we kinda get one off releases of pins at xmas...i've worn my lanyard into a DS over here before and people have asked me what it is and where I got it! (meaning CM's too!)

 

[pixiewytch]

DS does have a small selection of pins being sold right now for POTC and maybe Narnia I believe. Honestly I think you could get a better deal on multiple trader lots through ebay than buying at DS though. I think a cardboard card with two pins on it there runs around $14.

 

[IndyJammer]

Actually, the "bay" is probably your best place to get some traders - but if you are only picking up a few, then the Disney Store is probably almost as good!

Right now, they do have a Narnia 3 pack of pins for $7.50 - which breaks down to $2.50 per pin - much better than anything you will get at WDW! The Narnia pins have been out for awhile now though - so they be sold out at your Disney Store. The new PotC pins are decent traders also - but they are 2 pins for $7.50 - which is still better than WDW prices! We have picked up a few so the kids can do some trading!

Good luck & happy pin trading!

 

[kkymmy]

my tip would maybe be leave it until you get to the parks....you can buy them pretty much at the first guest shop/souvenir cart you see and it will be something to look forward to....plus CM's tend to make a fuss of kids they know are first time traders

 

[Bev J]

Be careful buying from ebay, sure there are lots of 'official' disney pins but there are alot of knock offs too. The CM's will not trade for anything that is not an official disney pin.
Go down to the Collectors board here and you will get lots of great info there.
Our family loves pin trading, it is a wonderful way to meet new people and have great conversations with the CM's !

Bev

 

[rstamm]

My son just started trading pins when we went to Disneyland so we thought we would buy a lot on ebay. We bought 42 pins for $84 it was from a power seller who advertised the pins were authentic. When we got them they were junk. I sent them back. I would not buy any cheap lots on ebay. We just bought the pirates pin at a disney store 2 for $7.50. We bought a couple packs for our son to trade next month at DW.

 

[hockeybabe]

Right now at Disneyoutlet.com, they have the Incredibles pin for $2.99. I bought 3 with the rest of my order, no problem. There are a bunch of 10% off Disneyshopping.com codes out there right now, and they encourage you to share them. Here is one: MINNIE10 and another Cars10

 

[missummer]

How much do kids get into this? I don't want to buy a bunch and find out she's not interested. Also, what do you put them on?

 

[LegoMom3]

How much do kids get into this? I don't want to buy a bunch and find out she's not interested. Also, what do you put them on?

Depends on the individual kid, of course, but there are CMs who trade ONLY with kids, which is fun. I think they wear green lanyards?? My DS9 wants to pin trade next trip so I've got to get him set up pretty soon!

Oh, and most people put their pins on a lanyard, but some will use a hat.

 

[pixiewytch]

I think your child's interest and involvement in pin trading will depend on a lot of things...age, how often you can go to the parks, interest in certain characters, etc.

If this is your first time trading, I wouldn't go overboard on buying pins. I still think ebay is a good idea but stick to lots of around 20 pins or so. You are less likely to get fakes or junk pins that way. In other words, you don't want to invest a lot of money in something that may not be a huge interest for your kids.

I ask how frequently you visit the parks because if it isn't something you do a lot your kids will be very distracted by attractions and everything going on to get too big into pin trading. I am a hobby pin trader myself who goes to WDW several times a year and I still find myself sometimes too distracted to trade pins.

Most people put their pins on lanyards, those cute neck straps that usually have a hanging badge or medal. Disney sells great lanyard starter kits of different characters in the $25 price range. They usually include four pins, two to trade, and two to keep. You can find those on ebay also and if it is still in the package at least you know what you are getting.

So start off small and if it takes off and they really get into it at the parks you can always buy more pins there, that's for sure.