Cheap Disney Pin trading

[ballarinamom]

Last year we bought a few clearance pins at the Disney store for DD to trade. We didn't care which pins they were as long as they were Disney characters so she could trade with the CMs.
DH went on ebay and found a great lister that had 100% positive feedback and was selling random Disney pins for $1,50 each and free shipping! We bought 10 pins to keep her busy on our next trip!
Just thought some of you with little ones who just want to trade for their favorite characters might want to find a cheap way for pin trading.

 

[pixiewings71]

yes, I use eBay as well, but you should know that the pins you got for that cheap are probably what is commonly referred to as "scrappers", these are pins that are not approved by Disney and should have been scrapped but instead they make it onto the secondary market and people here in the states buy them from China and sell them cheaply on eBay. Will they trade? Yes, of course, but they aren't "real" so just be aware of that. I do know some good eBay sellers if you want names PM me, none of them are me, I have quite jumped into the pin selling on eBay yet...I do have a TON of extra pins tho so I probably should.....LOL Anyway, with 4 traders getting good pins at a good price is very important, especially with the frequency that we tend to go to DL! LOL You could also jump down to the collector board, there's a thread there that we keep pretty well updated with sellers we've had personal experiences with that seem to be selling good stuff.
Sorry, not wanting to bring you down at all, just thought you might want to know.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

It's worth remembering that if a CM identifies a pin as a "scrapper" they do not have to trade for it. Most CMs don't really worry about that, but it is something to keep in mind. Most guests trading in the parks will likely reject any scrapper trade if they know a pin is a scrapper.

 

[Gisele]

I am trying to figure out what these scrappers actually do look like? Any images? TIA

 

[ballarinamom]

With DD only being 7, she just wants to trade for the characters she likes. She'll just be doing it in line and with the "pros". Do you think it will be ok? I know Sleepless Knight said Cms can deny the trade but you see so many travel company pins and others that are pretty plain.

I agree, how can you tell it's a scrapper?
Do they look that bad?
I only spent $15 so it's not too big of a deal. I just want to make sure DD isn't dissapointed

 

[Anjelica]

I will probably get flamed here...

Disney Pin Trading is NOT a cheap hobby and should not be undertaken as a hobby unless you are willing to spend the money. Does that mean you have to buy pins at full price? No, but it does mean you have to do your homework and not taint the pin trading market with possible scrappers/knock-offs. If a CM does not catch that he/she has been traded a scrapper they can unwittingly trade that to another collector (most likely a child).

One website I use frequently is www.dizpins.com. It's a great website for editions of pins out there and even shows side by side comparison of known scrappers with legitimate pins. They also offer up some guidance if you are not purchasing your pins from Disney directly (which truly is the only 100% guarantee you are getting an authentic pin). Another good write up I read last year came from Ebay FAQ - its worth reading if you are going to venture into Disney Pins - http://reviews.ebay.com/FAKE-DISNEY-PINS-101_W0QQugidZ10000000001748045

from dizpins website:

"After much research, one can assume that unless you purchase a pin directly from a Disney venue, the authenticity cannot be guaranteed. Any and all Disney pins have the potential of being a scrapper. It has also been determined that many older pins released over 4 years ago, are now appearing as scrappers. Noted below are some red flags to be attuned to when trying to ascertain if a pin may be a scrapper. Note that this list is not all inclusive:

-Most scrappers come in a plastic bag with one staple closing the bag.

-Many scrappers may have an error on the pin, whether it be on the coloring or on the backstamp. Some do not have any errors noted.

-Look for sellers that may have many of the same pin of a low edition size.

-Look at the location of the seller, if shopping on an auction site. There is a high probability that pins shipping from Asia are scrapper pins. Also read the description closely, and note why shipping costs to you may be high, i.e. pins being shipped from China.

-Look at pin lots. Ask what pins are being sold. Ask what is on the backstamp.

-If you are unsure of a pin, check it out on Pinpics, as many scrappers sold are pins that are not yet released or pins that have been pulled for release by Disney.

-LE numbered pins that do not have a number noted are most likely scrapper pins. For example, if the backstamp is ____/1000 with no number or a blank space before the "/", it is most likely a scrapper.

-Pins that are not of a Disney character, such as the Precious Moments pins, are scrapper pins. The error is the ©Disney on the back."

I'll say again - Disney Pin Trading is NOT a cheap hobby to undertake. While quite a few pin traders are children that doesn't mean it "should" be a cheap hobby. Folks who are serious about allowing their children to undertake this hobby must be informed and do their research.

What do you do if you happen to unknowingly obtain a scrapper later to find out its not authentic?? - From the ebay FAQ I referenced earlier:

"I Think I've Bought Scrapper Pins...What Do I Do?
If you've bought pins from a Scrapper seller, you have an ethical issue to deal with. Like Jiminy Cricket says "let your conscience be your guide..."
Obviously, you're dealing with illegal pins. Do you choose to help the Scrappers by trading counterfeits? Do you knowingly sell pins that you know to be fake? Scrapper pins hurt all of us. For me, one solution is to give the pins away to kids who aren't normally collectors...they'll enjoy them without polluting the market. And next time, you'll know to not buy pins from that Scrapper seller."

 

[ballarinamom]

Angelica,
I truly understand and appreciate the hobby of pin trading. But for my DD, this is not a hobby. Just something fun to do in the parks. Is it wrong to trade with the CMs and not the big traders? I know there are kids who trade pins seriously just as they do sports cards.
But just as there are valuable sports cards, there are also the run of the mill no value cards that the kids just get to look at. That's how my DD is. She justlikes to look at the Cms pins, compare them to hers. and maybe get one with a character she wants. If there was an Ariel Precious Moments that was not a "Disney" pin, she would trade in a heartbeat as Ariel is her favorite.

And I know I will be flamed for this, but there is a reason why the serious traders set up their books in the places that they do. The serious traders can go to them and trade and participate in the serious part of the hobby.
I think most CMs have them on their lanyard to keep up the Disney Magic. I have come across CMs who have their favs and tell you they aren;t for trade. But DD still likes looking at them.

I think if we know we are not doing this for a hobby and just for fun, we will only trade with the same folks who do it just for fun.

Is that ok or is it still bad form?

As I said, I do not want to down play the seriousness of the "real" traders and I do not want to muddle the pool. I truly appreciate the time and money invested ny the serious traders. But if a kid who doesn't know the value of any of these pins just wants to collect her/her favorite characters, what does it hurt? It may actually build the hobby in the future. As these naive kids start to look into it, they will understand differences, values and history. You never know what could jump start the interest.

 

[ballarinamom]

Also, as they have just shipped, these may not even be scrappers. They may be a person, just like us, who has over 100 pins between the three of us from all of our trips. I hate to be acused of counterfits when I don't even know that they are. We'll just keep a happy thought!

 

[ballarinamom]

One more thing and I promise I'll be quiet!

I guess I'm naive. It's like when Disney had the Virtual MK. It was free. But when they closed it, so many folks had invested alot of $ buying things that were free from others to move up in the game. They were furious at Disney. But Disney had a free fun magical thing available and some let it grow bigger than itself.

I give out 100's of Entertainment Cards at no cost (not even shipping) because I get so mad at people selling them online for $5-10 to folks who just want to afford the join the magic. The folks selling these cards on line are selling a discount that they have already used and received their discount. They are selling something free for $5-10. It's fun to share the magic

There are folks selling TTMM vouchers online and those who generously share the magic here on the boards. Again, it's fun to share the magic

I think if someone agrees to trade ANY pin, a legit OR a fake is still just trading a pin. It's the FUN OF TRADING. It's what just a small part of the magic.

Walt built this park for his kids to have fun. I think he would just be happy to see these kids smile when they get the character they want. That's the magic of DL. Not the $$$$$ involved.

Just MHO. I know every serious trader will hate this. But it is what it is. It's supposed to be MAGIC

 

[pixiewings71]

I am trying to figure out what these scrappers actually do look like? Any images? TIA

I have tons but I'm not going to bog down this thread with it. Go to pinpics.com, click on search, scroll down and click continue, on the next page scroll down and in the small search box type scrappers and hit browse, that will get a lot of hits, remember to have your view set right or you'll just get a list, you can change your view in the upper right corner.

Angelica,
I truly understand and appreciate the hobby of pin trading. But for my DD, this is not a hobby. Just something fun to do in the parks. Is it wrong to trade with the CMs and not the big traders? I know there are kids who trade pins seriously just as they do sports cards.
But just as there are valuable sports cards, there are also the run of the mill no value cards that the kids just get to look at. That's how my DD is. She justlikes to look at the Cms pins, compare them to hers. and maybe get one with a character she wants. If there was an Ariel Precious Moments that was not a "Disney" pin, she would trade in a heartbeat as Ariel is her favorite.

And I know I will be flamed for this, but there is a reason why the serious traders set up their books in the places that they do. The serious traders can go to them and trade and participate in the serious part of the hobby.
I think most CMs have them on their lanyard to keep up the Disney Magic. I have come across CMs who have their favs and tell you they aren;t for trade. But DD still likes looking at them.

I think if we know we are not doing this for a hobby and just for fun, we will only trade with the same folks who do it just for fun.

Is that ok or is it still bad form?

As I said, I do not want to down play the seriousness of the "real" traders and I do not want to muddle the pool. I truly appreciate the time and money invested ny the serious traders. But if a kid who doesn't know the value of any of these pins just wants to collect her/her favorite characters, what does it hurt? It may actually build the hobby in the future. As these naive kids start to look into it, they will understand differences, values and history. You never know what could jump start the interest.

One more thing and I promise I'll be quiet!

I guess I'm naive. It's like when Disney had the Virtual MK. It was free. But when they closed it, so many folks had invested alot of $ buying things that were free from others to move up in the game. They were furious at Disney. But Disney had a free fun magical thing available and some let it grow bigger than itself.

I give out 100's of Entertainment Cards at no cost (not even shipping) because I get so mad at people selling them online for $5-10 to folks who just want to afford the join the magic. The folks selling these cards on line are selling a discount that they have already used and received their discount. They are selling something free for $5-10. It's fun to share the magic

There are folks selling TTMM vouchers online and those who generously share the magic here on the boards. Again, it's fun to share the magic

I think if someone agrees to trade ANY pin, a legit OR a fake is still just trading a pin. It's the FUN OF TRADING. It's what just a small part of the magic.

Walt built this park for his kids to have fun. I think he would just be happy to see these kids smile when they get the character they want. That's the magic of DL. Not the $$$$$ involved.

Just MHO. I know every serious trader will hate this. But it is what it is. It's supposed to be MAGIC

No need to be quiet, say all you want to just be ready for differing opinions. I really honestly think you should jump down to the Collector's Board for tips and hints. PM me your sellers name and I'll look at it for you and see what my impressions are. Of course I'm not an expert in any way, pin trading is a fun family hobby, but I do get upset when I have a "serious" trader tell me my pins are all crap and there is one person who is so famous for it. She's not nice about it either, she usually just says "all your pins are garbage, I won't trade with you", even with pins I know are OK I get that from one certain person. Like I said, I do use eBay and I have sellers that I do trust, yes I get a scrapper or two occasionally but those we just keep and don't trade. I try not to trade scrappers in the parks, but of course one never knows for sure, like a PP said "the only way to ensure your pins are legitimate is to purchase them yourself" but that takes away the fun of it so we don't do that. With 4 traders it's just about impossible to pay rack prices for pins. Also, like I said I don't currently sell any extras but when I do you can be sure that I won't be selling any that might be scrappers without putting that disclaimer on my auctions. My youngest started trading when she was 7, she's 9 now and she loves trading. None of us take it overly seriously, we do try to find pins to finish sets but we aren't fanatics about it, we do trade with kids, we do trade with CM's, heck I've traded for a scrapper knowing it was a scrapper!! I liked the pin so it's in my book, I don't care that it's a scrapper, I just wanted it. Does your DD have a favorite character that she likes to collect or does she base her choices on what a pin looks like?

 

[ballarinamom]

Thanks Pixiewing for the input. DD just likes a pin for whatever reason, character, ride, whatever.
I do have a special pin from a tour I am holding back because there is one she wants to complete a set. If she doesn't find it, I was going to give it to her and try to trade that one with a serious trader. I would never try to get her to trade a nothing pin for something she needs to complete a set. We just realized the other day that she got one pin from the past three trips. If she got one more, she would have the set. So that is my goal- not hers.
DH has a very spendy footbal/baseball card collection. Not alot of cards but some very valuable cards. So we do know the score where trading is involved. Who knows, she may not even be interested in completing the set! Kids are funny!

 

[victorandbellasmom]

I have tons but I'm not going to bog down this thread with it. Go to pinpics.com, click on search, scroll down and click continue, on the next page scroll down and in the small search box type scrappers and hit browse, that will get a lot of hits, remember to have your view set right or you'll just get a list, you can change your view in the upper right corner.

Thank you for posting this. I was on pinpics.com earlier and was overwhelmed. I didn't know where to start looking. This helped a lot. I didn't veen realize that you could change the view earlier. I was clicking on each pin to see what they looked like. It took too long so I gave up. But now I'm back on the website again. Thanks.

 

[Gisele]

I had purchased a pin, that I really liked (Needless to say) about 2 years ago at Dl. but then about a year later it some how came off of my jacket. So I attempted to locate it via Delivears, but alas that pin was not available at the time. So I went to E bay, and found it. I ended up ordering two from two different sellers, because the coloring in the picture was not completely clear. So now I wonder still if these pins are genuine or not. Because they do seem some how different from my Disney purchase. Maybe one is not legitimate, and the other is? Hopefully one day I will be able to find out for sure.

 

[Anjelica]

Angelica,
I truly understand and appreciate the hobby of pin trading. But for my DD, this is not a hobby. Just something fun to do in the parks. Is it wrong to trade with the CMs and not the big traders? I know there are kids who trade pins seriously just as they do sports cards.
But just as there are valuable sports cards, there are also the run of the mill no value cards that the kids just get to look at. That's how my DD is. She justlikes to look at the Cms pins, compare them to hers. and maybe get one with a character she wants. If there was an Ariel Precious Moments that was not a "Disney" pin, she would trade in a heartbeat as Ariel is her favorite.

And I know I will be flamed for this, but there is a reason why the serious traders set up their books in the places that they do. The serious traders can go to them and trade and participate in the serious part of the hobby.
I think most CMs have them on their lanyard to keep up the Disney Magic. I have come across CMs who have their favs and tell you they aren;t for trade. But DD still likes looking at them.

I think if we know we are not doing this for a hobby and just for fun, we will only trade with the same folks who do it just for fun.

Is that ok or is it still bad form?

As I said, I do not want to down play the seriousness of the "real" traders and I do not want to muddle the pool. I truly appreciate the time and money invested ny the serious traders. But if a kid who doesn't know the value of any of these pins just wants to collect her/her favorite characters, what does it hurt? It may actually build the hobby in the future. As these naive kids start to look into it, they will understand differences, values and history. You never know what could jump start the interest.

I respectfully disagree. To assume that the folks who set their books out are the only serious traders is not fair to the numerous folks, again mainly children, who spend their hard earned allowances, etc. to buy legitimate pins to trade with a CM. As a matter of fact, many of the "shark" type traders are the ones you see like at Downtown Disney with their huge books outside of the pin purchasing store. I wouldn't let my children trade with most of those folks as they tend to rip off children, etc. more so than not.

If someone knowingly trades scrappers/knock-off's with CM's (again CM's MUST trade every pin that is displayed on their lanyard when a child wants to trade - they are not allowed to say no to a child except if the pin the child is giving them is a known scrapper) then I think that is a shame and basically takes the magic/spirit out of what pin trading was all about.

I agree with your sentiment, though, that if you are only doing it for fun then you will only trade with other folks who are doing it for fun - but that does not include CM's - and that these folks you are trading with realize its just for fun and not serious.

 

[pixiewings71]

Thanks Pixiewing for the input. DD just likes a pin for whatever reason, character, ride, whatever.
I do have a special pin from a tour I am holding back because there is one she wants to complete a set. If she doesn't find it, I was going to give it to her and try to trade that one with a serious trader. I would never try to get her to trade a nothing pin for something she needs to complete a set. We just realized the other day that she got one pin from the past three trips. If she got one more, she would have the set. So that is my goal- not hers.
DH has a very spendy footbal/baseball card collection. Not alot of cards but some very valuable cards. So we do know the score where trading is involved. Who knows, she may not even be interested in completing the set! Kids are funny!

What does she need? It may be that I have it and would be able to send it to her. I owe you a Thank You anyway.

Thank you for posting this. I was on pinpics.com earlier and was overwhelmed. I didn't know where to start looking. This helped a lot. I didn't veen realize that you could change the view earlier. I was clicking on each pin to see what they looked like. It took too long so I gave up. But now I'm back on the website again. Thanks.

You're welcome, I'm glad I was able to help

I had purchased a pin, that I really liked (Needless to say) about 2 years ago at Dl. but then about a year later it some how came off of my jacket. So I attempted to locate it via Delivears, but alas that pin was not available at the time. So I went to E bay, and found it. I ended up ordering two from two different sellers, because the coloring in the picture was not completely clear. So now I wonder still if these pins are genuine or not. Because they do seem some how different from my Disney purchase. Maybe one is not legitimate, and the other is? Hopefully one day I will be able to find out for sure.

Gisele, which pin are you talking about, maybe I can help?

 

[Gisele]

Thank you Pixie,


It is the dead men tell no tales pin, it has a ruby colored eye and has gold white and a bit of red color in its color scheme. The skull has a red head band on and what appears to be red flames above it. If I can find a picture of this type of pin, I will post it.

TIA

 

[Gisele]

double post sorry. The website seems to be very slow for some reason.

 

[99haunts]

http://www.pinfinder.com/acatalog/DeadMenTellNoTalesJewelledSkullRackJune06.jpg

I looked it up. Here is just a picture I found online that met your description. Very cool!

 

[Gisele]

Pixie, here is a picture of it, from an ebay seller. This is not the seller that I purchased one of my pins from.

http://cgi.ebay.ph/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320404101435

 

[Gisele]

http://www.pinfinder.com/acatalog/DeadMenTellNoTalesJewelledSkullRackJune06.jpg

I looked it up. Here is just a picture I found online that met your description. Very cool!

Yes that is it. Thank you.... I had posted at about the same time.