Contemporary pin meets

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Pintrader Kathryn asked me to post this poll for her.

What is the value you see in the Friday night meets that are not afforded at other meets? Has there been any advantage or enhancement by having the meets "sponsored" or hosted by a private guest rather than lets say Disney?

Would they be better if:
1) the Contemporary ran and managed them?
2) a Disney personality such as Bobby Pin or Super Trader Amy were to host them?
3) they were not hosted at all?
4) they were run the way they are now?

Also, why do you feel the way you voted?

 

[Sorcerer_Matt]

I would just like to say that I attended a meet on my trip over New Years at the Contemporary, and it was amazing. I have never traded that many pins with that many people on any other trip to WDW, let alone one night. It is a great opportunity to be immersed in pin trading and make lots of trades! Pintrader does an excellent job. I feel more comfortable knowing that I am in a pin trading atmosphere where taking advantage of others is not tolerated. I think if it was runned by Disney, they would have a hard time asking "sharks" to leave, but having Disney run the meets could make it better. I feel that it was great the way it was when I attended. I only remember two tables, maybe Disney could provide more tables. But, on the other hand, not having as many tables forced me to go walk around and visit other pin traders; therefore, making more trades.
Just some thoughts on a great thing!
If you have never been to one of these meets, put it on your "to do" list for your next trip!
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Figment2]

Kathryn - I think of you as the "hostess." You are always right there to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. You do an outstanding job!

Thanks for everything!

Cyn

 

[MadStrawberry]

hopefully they will still be going strong when the Sept. Pin Event goes on, so I can. I have heard from people that it is great........so "why fix it if it's not broken?"
Barbara

 

[Mickey7811]

...if it is not broke, then don't fix it.

Darlene

 

[Raulandpinboy]

Wow two things I did not know one that I could paid for being there (NOT Happening ).

And two that there was a super trader Amy (Kidding I knew she was there uhmm somewhere)

Alas I have spent many hours walking the parks and promoting the pin meet at the Comtemporary (shameless plugs everywhere).

And my analogy is leave it alone, its fine... yes some bad apples have entered the arena but we who are about to die salute you, send me in coach I'm ready to do battle.

All in all the Contemporary pin meet has grown into one of the biggest pin meets on property, and for the most part 98% of the people feel they have made great trades. There have been a few not too happy with the end result, but thats fixable for example if you feel a shark took you did you before you closed the deal...

Consult one of the Wise ones IE Kathryn, Donna, Myself, Karen, Janice, June, Bob, Mike, or anybody in my immediate family Lori, Malcom, Heather, or Crystal. Look at the people you can consult its like having your own pin consulting firm with a boatload of super traders.

But on to the question does Disney need to step in…. Well Market place is one run with out a host (Sorry Gang no offense) but we hear horror stories, about Marketplace, like kids ignored, bad deals here bad deals there.

Contemporary runs fine because of how it started (Kathryn Bell that’s where) Pins mean more to her than anything else (I mean it) to her its personal and a family atmosphere… No I’m not sucking up she doesn’t have the kind of money to warrant a suck up. (Sorry Kathryn).

If the problem is a few complaints… Well actually is there a problem??? But if you pull the A-Team and turn it into a Marketplace people will really complain and leave.

If you feel you might have a problem pin trading there or anyplace for that matter take these step top make sure your pin trading experience is a good one.

#1 just because the pulled the pin out of the bag or off the lanyard does not mean you have to trade for it… Most people feel they have to now that its out.

#2 If you don’t see anything worth your pin up for trade just say so, no is an acceptable answer.

#3 Not sure if it’s a good deal Ask the wise ones we know a few things about pins, nothing about life but plenty about pins.

#4 Not sure what that pin is… Remember we even have computer access we can go to Pinpics and look it up (A shameless plugs for Figgy, you owe me girl)

#5 Feel like your being pressured tell the trader I’m sorry but I have a sudden case of trader’s remorse and would like to end our trade… And just close your book that’s it.

There are lots of tricks to get you to trade like… That was my mothers pin she gave me that pin on her death bed, there she is just ask her… The tag team husband wife, or friend to friend team, one wants to trade but the other does not, they start to fight and you feel its your fault before its over they have your pins and you have a Spain flex set worth $4. (Sorry Darlene)

Any trader that you say to… I like the pin but let me check with one of the locals to see if it’s a fair trade, if they have a problem with that, they have a problem period so be careful.

Anyway I’m rambling so in conclusion I’ll say, people come to the Contemporary to trade pins, meet people and have a good time. People have made vacation plans around the meet, why because its that good that’s why (A shameless plug)

Who is the host Kathryn is what are we unpaid unsung heroes, who will make your pin trading experience one you’ll remember for a long time, but I find out she’s getting paid for the meet, boy is she in trouble

 

[GotAnyPins]

First...I have no idea where Disney came up w/ this idea.. the meets have been doing just fine
and from what I hear..we have raised the revenue in all the stores and pin cart on the nights
that we are there..

Several months ago, there was no one there, before the meets started, and I'm sure if you ask
some of the former CM the revenue was nothing to write home about but over the past few
months the pin cart has brought in some nice amounts..

Every once and awhile we have some aggresive traders.(I'm being nice here) but as Raul says we have to just
say no.. 99% of the people who pass through our meets, are great people, and we have made
some new and lasting friendships there..We are like a big family, and we like to look after our own

When you come and join our family, you get the same treatment..I for one can't see where
having a Disney employee running it would do...What would they do?? No one needs their help
we have our own experts available...they don't keep the aggresive traders out of DTD and that
has been going on much longer then ours, and ours us run much better anyway..

I don't know where this idea came from..or why they would even want to bother w/ it.. like
everyone says...if it ain't broke..don't fix it...

Was it because we asked for the extra tables???

Donna

 

[Zayne & Xavier's DAD]

My 2 cents.....Sponsored or unSponsored....whatever, The meet exists & it runs just fine now. I'm not tooting anyones horn, cause I know some people have problems with the way both the Contemporary meet & Dwntwn disney meets are run.
If 5 people show up at the pin cart at allstar resort on wednesday at 7 pm...well that is a meet, so they decide to do it again, that is a meet....these things just happen so why question them???
I have come to notice in our little PIN WORLD people are starting to draw lines in the sand with each other on who is RIGHT & WRONG????
It's pins guys.....if you don't like one place (or person) try another.............

Personally I have swam at the DWNTN meet & had no problems.......
I have been to the contemporary meet & loved every minute of it........

Traded good at both......does'nt mean I endorse one over the other....it's all in the trading
& how your presented with the trading.
Feeling comfy is the one thing for EVERYONE, do what you feel is right.......follow your instincts
this pin trading thing is easy if you make it...hard if you want it to be........
Well, I GOT my 2 cents in, so there it is....if I peeved anyone
sorry
that is just me........

(healthy dose of reality)

 

[Figgy]

Anyone want to buy him? I will give you a good deal... LOL

ok ok I will give him away... I wouldn't want to take advantage of anyone by trying to get money out of anyone for him..... How about just a pin.. that is in keeping we could an even steven trade... Lets see what pin would Raul be worth? I will consider any and all offers....HEHE (wink wink)

Speaking of Raul you bought a palm that holds pictures yet? Still trying to get Britt to work on that part but he is already off and running with other ideas.... I need someone to sit on him til I get one thing completely finished out of him... Volunteers?

figgy
www.pinpics.com

 

[Raulandpinboy]

And I'm worth a haunted mansion dangle with 20 wet paints.

 

[Luv2Roam]

My first thought on Disney running them --
No one can screw it up like Disney.
I can think of a few good things and a lot that can go wrong if the take over/host the meets.
I'm very glad Kathryn was there. I probably wouldn't have stayed around if it hadn't been for her. But not sure I did a lot anyway. But she really looks over everything to make sure it's running smooth.
I voted for a Disney host/hostess only because those like me who don't go to the parks often, or new to pin meets, would feel a smooth transition going from trading with CM's in the park to having a CM greet us and show us the ropes at a meet. Plus it would give Kathryn free time to do the important stuff.
By the end of the day, we were pooped, even though it's not late. DH and I have been up and literally running all day. So I just wasn't as *into* as I thought just because what really sounded got was hot bath and bed.
And for me, it was somewhat intimidating because EVERYONE knows EVERYONE there (but me). And I am an introvert so it makes it harder anyway.
Most of the attendees appeared to be local CM's. So would they need another CM there too? The CM greeter would be really there for us non-CM newbies. I think if they did that and spread the message in the park, you would see a lot of small fish joining in. And before you know it -- you would have a subculture spin off.
Sounds like fun to me.

 

[Dom13]

I'm with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" crowd. Disney has been "aware of (the problem)" with aggressive traders at DTD for quite some time. I talked to a CM there back in May about it (hence the quote). They have done NOTHING to fix the problem. Leave it alone. It works well.

No matter how hard you try you will never please everyone. There will always be someone that is not happy for one reason or another. You guys do a GREAT JOB!!!

Over the last 14 years of running a youth soocer lg. at the Boys & Girls Club I have noticed that if I'm at a game, especially a playoff game, parents are more likely to come up to me and complain about something because I am there and it is convenient. Many times if the person has to make an effort to contact me about an issue, phone call, e-mail, letter, 99 times out of 100 it never happens.

I would also think that by this time in the day some people will be tired from having been in the parks all day and this may be affecting their judgement/attitude.

The only thing I feel the Contemporary/Disney needs to do is provide more tables and chairs. Sitting on the floor is not the best way to encourage pin trading.

 

[Figgy]

I don't think that property can free themselves can they? No I didn't think so. Raul you are still mine..HEHE...

The offers are poring in but so far no one has offered me anything close to a good trade for him... This is a valuable commodity here guys...

I agree here are a few things that I would really consider...

Jail Scene (either)
Maleficient Event pin
Haunted Dangle

Or something along those lines...

figgy

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Gosh, I feel like I have to say something...don't I always?

I'm very much in favor of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" approach."

I think having a host of some sort -- even the "unofficial" Ms. Pintrader -- is important. And Kathryn and her band of local merry folk do an excellent job of policing, counseling, commiserating, educating, etc.

I don't know how a CM host would improve the meet in any way. Besides then Disney would get some idea like counting attendees and sticking the number in some metrics program, and one day when attendence is down because of a hurricane or a national emergency and they'd fire the CM and shut down the meet.

But Disney does not promote the Contemporary and Poly meets because they do not run them. And that is a problem. Because too many guests unwittingly fall into the shark pool at DTD. Now WDW has plans to build a new pin cart/pintrading area in DTD. What should they do? Put a sign over the doorway?
"Beware ye all who enter here"
OR
"Swim at your own risk"
OR
"Those owning 17 pins or less may not enter unless accompanied by an adult."

Was there a choice "e" on this poll.....All of the above.

 

[BeautyLLM]

I agree with Steve...."it's pins guys" I too have noticed this "drawing lines in the sand" stuff of late...who's right and who's wrong, who's in or out, who's a member or who is not...none of this is what pin trading is supposed to be about.

I too have swam (swum?, been swimming) at WOD and have had great luck with trades. I am not always sure what is a fair trade or what isn't, but I am never afraid to say "no thanks". The truth is that no matter where the meet is, and no matter who it is run by, there will always be people there who are trying to take advantage of someone...that's life folks! (look at the Olympic ice skating judges for example).

I think we should leave well enough alone...go to the meet of your choice, jump in, mingle with friends old and new, and have some fun!

JMHO

Leslie

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Pintrader Figment asked me to send this reply, as he finds typing difficult. He said to vote for keeping it the way it is, as lots of people show up with kids. Since he will only trade with people no more than 11 years old, he finds lots of people to trade with while their parents are otherwise occupied. Also, he has seen baby sharks at Downtown and they scare him!. He much prefers to play in the wading pool and not the shark tank.

 

[Helios180]

**This is a bit lengthy**

Not to step on anyone's toes, but I voted for Disney to staff the event. I believe that if they were to send cast members out to supervise / run / or manage the Friday night meets they would probably realize that they are stepping into a phenomenon in midstream. It would be like them trying to stop a fire hydrant with their hand. Just because they are there to do it doesn't mean they would. I know that I would be respectful to all that has been established there and would take on more of a supervising role and expect them to do the same.

By now I'm certain that I've made several people mad at me, thinking that I have no respect for what has been done. I actually see this as a relief for those that are going to the Contemp week after week, setting up and preparing the area for the influx of traders. Imagine now they are able to leisurely come in and make minimal preperations all thanks to a cast member being paid to set up the area. As I recall in the past few months many people have complained about the lay-offs, now there is a chance for another cast to have hours and be employed with disney.

I am aware that this may be seen as stealing something that has been created. Does it really matter though? If Disney does take the reigns of the Friday night meets that doesn't mean that they created it. Everyone knows who put in the work, and who got the word out. It is as though knowing for yourself what has been done isn't good enough. If you're worried that Disney will plaster their name over it and you want everyone to know the origins of Friday night meets is someone / others creation then really you just want to be known and not focus that this is for pintrading not a political platform.

In the end everyone knows where the birth of the Contemp meets was and we know that the "waters" are safe. Which leads me to ask why everyone wants to rip apart the DTD pintraders. DTD is a different atmosphere. I personally frequented the DTD scene and have no problems at all. Actually I like the traders, I'm friends with probably all of them. The DTD traders have a family of their own too. I trade with, owe pins, and they owe pins to me. Much the same way the Contemp family works.

How many times have you said "you can catch up on the pin later" or "thanks, I'll get a pin for you." Point being you have to develop a rapore with traders. If I were to meet you for the first time you probably wouldn't lend me an LE 1000 pin, with confidence that I could get it back to you without a problem. Maybe a rack pin, but if we got to be friends and you knew that I was good to my word then you'd be more inclined to help me out. The same way you borrow and loan pins with your Contemp friends, DTD traders do the same. I could probably go to a DTD friend of mine ask to borrow a Wet Paint, Alladin Dangle, or (low LE pin name here). Because we have a rapore it could happen and they would know I amgood for it.

Again it's about having a pin family feeling. Really DTD isn't a shark tank just perhaps where higher end pins are traded. I've come to realize that anytime a trader A has a rare pin that trader B wants, A is automatically labeled a Shark: or in the event trader B offers something that is not on par trade wise with the pin, A is seen as an unfair trader that just wants to take advantage. I've been offered some ridiculous things before.

My: Mickey for President - Their: Dinosaur Gertie
My: Inauguration - Their: Pleasure Island Mardi Gras
My: Poolside Mickey - Their: Port Orleans

These are just a few. Although the editions are the same, higher, or even lower, most know that none of these are an equal trade.

I have as much fun at DTD, Epcot, and Contemp. All because of the atmosphere. Remember it's all about who you know, that determines if you like the environment. I know that DTD will always be known on the Boards as the Shark Pool, but that's okay. I can't clear the name of DTD, it just means that less people are there to crowd the area. I'd like to see new people going but it won't happen. We have a close group of people there the same as the Contemp. and that'sfine with me.


In the end it's about having fun and meeting friends. Not gaining ground or even trading pins on a particular night. If you trade for something you want good, if not who cares, you're with people you like having a great time.

Thanks for reading this far,
Josh
ask about the guy with the small book by name.

 

[shirley 38]

Steve you are so right. Does not matter where the meet is, its a meet. I trade at DTD and know a lot of nice people down there.
Just to mention one is Ward my personal favorite. I will go down there just to see him. John and Ward are really close.
Have swam down there and nothing bad ever happened to me.
As far as the contempory I have never been there but, I do think if someone else were to take some responsibility it would free Kathryn to do her thing.
Also if anything goes wrong she could not be blamed. Just my two cent.s

 

[GotAnyPins]

Very well, and interestingly put.. we have gotten some really different opinions in this poll

I know you have traded all over, both here and Disneyland, so you have seen it all..
so when are you going to bring some of those good pins over here...
I'll give my Port Orleans Jester Mickey for your Mickey for President... do we have a deal??

and don't you just love those jail scene danglers from Disneyland?? hmmm


Donna

 

[GotAnyPins]

Don't forget the Contemporary Pin Meet this Fri...(shameless plub) and come and meet
my friend who is visiting us from Japan..Harumi...she is bringing some nice pins, and is looking
forward to some good trading..


Donna