CMs Refusing to Trade Pins

[Luvamouse]

To be honest, we made sure to check out the rules ahead of time so we didn't embarrass ourselves the first time out. And my 7 YO was told she couldn't trade with CM when it was a duplicate and so she just switched to another pin. Only time in 6 FULL lanyards that we missed seeing the double. No big deal since the CM was really sweet about it. I think it is not much different than another guest saying they don't want to trade a particular pin they really like. The CM's can't say they don't want to give a pin trade, they just can't receive doubles. Makes sense and it's in the rules. Polite makes it all especially fair IMHO.

 

[fall08CP]

Wow, I had no idea about this. My kids just got into the pin trading this last trip and frankly would trade his awesome pins for the very dinky pins But they were his pins. I can't imagine someone saying 'no, i can't trade pins with you little boy because I have that one already'. Ok, maybe it is policy, but geez, my little guy would be crushed. Then again, he trades because it is fun, not because he's out to get pins or collect fancy ones or try to make a profit. But maybe the policy is to prevent folks from doing just that. I'll let my kids know so they don't make some faux-pas...

Imagine this scenario:

There's an ugly generic pin that many people hate, let's say it's of daisy duck. It also happens to be a very cheap pin. Dozens of pin trading guests stock up on said ugly pin because it's cost effective. Then they go to the parks and trade their entire lanyard of daisy duck pins to a single cast member. That cast member now has an unusable lanyard for the day because nobody will want their newly acquired daisy pins.
Now it's your child's first day at the parks and they're so excited to pin trade. But wait- every CM you go to has their lanyard half fun of ugly daisy pins. This makes it much harder for your child to actually find a pin they want to trade for.

It's easy to say, well the CM works for Disney so just trade out the pins, right? From experience, it's not that easy. Many cast work alone (popcorn vendor, attractions greeter, custodial) or in very busy areas where they can't run back and switch up pins. They might be stuck the entire day with the lanyard full of daisy pins. That is why they don't want duplicates on their lanyard. Where do you stop- only two of the same? Three of the same? More than half? Guests want variety when they trade with cast- what's useless to you may be the pin another guest has been searching for all day. The CM honest don't care what's on their lanyard as it's not their personal set.

ETA: Some CMs are required to wear lanyards. Others have the option. Some are not allowed to wear them at all, usually for safety reasons.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Imagine this scenario:

There's an ugly generic pin that many people hate, let's say it's of daisy duck. It also happens to be a very cheap pin. Dozens of pin trading guests stock up on said ugly pin because it's cost effective. Then they go to the parks and trade their entire lanyard of daisy duck pins to a single cast member. That cast member now has an unusable lanyard for the day because nobody will want their newly acquired daisy pins.
Now it's your child's first day at the parks and they're so excited to pin trade. But wait- every CM you go to has their lanyard half fun of ugly daisy pins. This makes it much harder for your child to actually find a pin they want to trade for.

It's easy to say, well the CM works for Disney so just trade out the pins, right? From experience, it's not that easy. Many cast work alone (popcorn vendor, attractions greeter, custodial) or in very busy areas where they can't run back and switch up pins. They might be stuck the entire day with the lanyard full of daisy pins. That is why they don't want duplicates on their lanyard. Where do you stop- only two of the same? Three of the same? More than half? Guests want variety when they trade with cast- what's useless to you may be the pin another guest has been searching for all day. The CM honest don't care what's on their lanyard as it's not their personal set.

ETA: Some CMs are required to wear lanyards. Others have the option. Some are not allowed to wear them at all, usually for safety reasons.

That is a great example and I agree 100% with everything you said.

 

[n2mm]

Always the policy, however, if the CM wanted to be nice he/she could've just put the pin in their pocket as many always have extras put away to add later.

 

[TenderDonkey]

Seriously? You're going to report a CM for having two of the same pin?

I can't ever imagine my life being so empty that I'd walk around a theme park looking for minor CM rule violations and reporting to them to the company.

Yes of course. During my time on DIS I have learned that Disney policy trumps all aspects of life and common sense. AND the only way I can ever experience Disney is to memorize the entire P&P and report where I see a violation.

And yes my life was empty before it was filled with DIS knowledge. I ask you to open your heart to the policies.

 

[jmkjr72]

Always the policy, however, if the CM wanted to be nice he/she could've just put the pin in their pocket as many always have extras put away to add later.

sure and what if there shift was over shortly and wouldnt have time to trade it for another

from what i understand is a cm that is wearing a disney lanyard is suposed to have 10 pins at all times and they are not suposed to be duplicates

so while the cm has the pin in his pocket another kid comes up with the same unwanted pin again what is the cm to do

or what if the cms manager swings by and see he only has 9 pins

it was funny one time my son was actauly turned down becasue the pin my son wanted to trade was a "mystery" pin on the cm lanyard (pin turned around so oyu couldnt see it)

why not as a parent have extras in your pocket so that your child can offer the cm a diffrent pin

 

[NYDisneyKid]

anyone hear walt turing over in his grave about "policy's?

 

[Hook's Girl]

anyone hear walt turing over in his grave about "policy's?

Nope! He was cremated!

 

[d1gitman]

i can't fathom that there are rules to pin trading with CM's. give us a break. we buy the overpriced 'collectibles' to begin with. who cares if a CM has dup's on their lanyard.

the only rule i could see making sense is if they had rules about authentic pins only. even at that, it would be hard to completely regulate.

if a CM were smart about it, they would find a fellow CM, trade the dup with them so that the guest could trade without duplicating and breaking the rules of trading.

 

[Ceila]

anyone hear walt turing over in his grave about "policy's?

No, not at all. In fact, he had very clear ideas of what should be done to make the theme parks meet his standards. That included quite strict policies on behavior, appearance, etc.

 

[declansdad]

Rules are rules and it is a clear violation of Disney policy. I would get the CM's name and report them. ALL of Disney policies should apply (tickets, pools, buses, etc...) not just those that make the individual happy.

I hope that you are being sarcastic. If not is is pretty sad that you would double check CMs lanyards and report them if they were breaking a rule. Sounds like a fun vacation.

 

[smiley23]

LOL, did you ever see the Mike Judd movie Office Space

 

[NYDisneyKid]

No, not at all. In fact, he had very clear ideas of what should be done to make the theme parks meet his standards. That included quite strict policies on behavior, appearance, etc.

so he knew well in advance before his demise that there would be pins to trade?

 

[CandleontheWater]

As a pin trading fanatic, I'm happy to see that this policy is being enforced. I've encountered many CM that have duplicate pins on their lanyards, and it takes some of the fun out of it, if there is a reduction in variety.

I also wish they would more heavily police all the scrapper pins that end up on lanyards. If I see that a CM has a fake pin on their lanyard I will usually point it out to them and attempt to educate them on how to better spot fakes, but I realize I'm fighting an uphill battle.

 

[Luvamouse]

i can't fathom that there are rules to pin trading with CM's. give us a break. we buy the overpriced 'collectibles' to begin with. who cares if a CM has dup's on their lanyard.

the only rule i could see making sense is if they had rules about authentic pins only. even at that, it would be hard to completely regulate.

if a CM were smart about it, they would find a fellow CM, trade the dup with them so that the guest could trade without duplicating and breaking the rules of trading.

Actually, I disagree with this. It is a simple rule. It is very easy to look at the CM's lanyard and see what they have. Make sure you/kids have a couple of options to trade. And as far as paying for 'overpriced "collectibles', it's the cheap pins that are the problem.

It has been a rare occasion where we have found a CM that was "free" enough to go off and find another CM to trade with. And what about fall08CP's analagy of the ugly pin. If they had no rule about duplicates, then all the CMs could have lanyards full of that same pin.

I do agree that they shouldn't trade "un-authentic" pins, but I suppose that is much harder to explain to a parent or child than "I'm sorry, but I already have one of that and am not allowed to have duplicates."

 

[nytimez]

so he knew well in advance before his demise that there would be pins to trade?

That's how he came up with the Experimental Pin-trading Code of Tomorrow.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/files/Etiquette122004.pdf

•Have Fun! Disney Pin Trading can be a great way to interact withand meet Cast Members and other Guests.
•The main criteria to judge whether a pin is tradable or not is that it must be a metal pin that represents a Disney Event, Location, Character or Icon. Some pins from our Operating Participants are also tradable, but must represent the Operating Participant in a way that has aspecific Disneyland®Resort or Walt Disney World®Resort affiliation.
•Pins should in good, undamaged condition.
•Trade one pin at a time, hand to hand, with the backs attached.
•Guests may trade a maximum of two pins with each Cast Member.
•Guests may trade only one pin of the same style with a Cast Member.
•When trading with Cast Members, Guests should offer a pin that is not already displayed on the Cast Member's lanyard.
•Please refrain from touching another person's pins or lanyard. If you need a closer look, ask the person wearing the lanyard if they can bring it into clearer view for you.
•Disney name pins may not be traded with Cast Members.
•Monies or gifts may not be exchanged or used in trade for a pin.
•In addition to the 12 pins on Cast lanyards, some Cast Members may wear a "Showcase" pin. These "Showcase" pins are for demonstrations to our Guests and are not available for trade.
*Rules are subject to change without notice.
12/2004
© Disney

 

[TenderDonkey]

I hope that you are being sarcastic. If not is is pretty sad that you would double check CMs lanyards and report them if they were breaking a rule. Sounds like a fun vacation.

Our vacations exist within the parameters of Disney standard operating policies and procedures. I keep security on speed dial and I am quick to call. If I see a shirt untucked I immediately head to guest services and demand that CM removed.

 

[Joanna71985]

Our vacations exist within the parameters of Disney standard operating policies and procedures. I keep security on speed dial and I am quick to call. If I see a shirt untucked I immediately head to guest services and demand that CM removed.

Wow...seriously?

The lanyards that the Cast Members wear and the pins on them belong to who ever their managers are, so maybe that's another reason why they can not have two of the same pins on there.

Not always. My lanyard is my own (I don't have to share it with anyone else at my location).

 

[d1gitman]

...they had no rule about duplicates, then all the CMs could have lanyards full of that same pin..."

except the CM's could just not wear the duplicates and turn them in at the end or begining of a shift for different ones. it's not like it would be difficult to have a system for cm's to restock their pins. no duplicates should be a disney internal policy but not one that is imposed upon the guests and potentially take away from the joy of pin trading for those who are into it. particularly the children.