Friday night pin meet

[perndwler]

I posted this on dizneypins and thought I'd post it here too. I'm not sure yet how I feel about Disney taking over the event, but there are some immediate fears that come to mind that I'd like to voice and get your opinions on.

First: Unless I am lucky enought to get to WDW early on Friday for Larry's meet, this meet is my "big" trading experience. I have been going to the Cont. every time I have been at Disney since it started last May. I am not a "hard" trader and do not have a lot of high LE or tough pins to trade. I do not hesitate to ask people I trust their advice on a trade I'm going to make, if I'm not sure. I DO NOT trade and will not trade at DTD, and only on occasion trade at Epcot.

It bothers me that Disney is going to dictate to me that I can only trade one pin for one pin. As most people who have been at the Friday night meet the same time as me know, this is where I was able to get my last 2 holy grails, and they cost me more than 1 pin for 1 pin. However, both trades were EXTREAMLY fair. To be told by a corporation (who got me hooked on this stuff in the first place) that I can no longer go to the one place I can feel comfortable trading, and trade for the pins I really, really want, because it's against their policy, just doesn't sit right with me.

Second: another concern I have is the CM's. I have made some very special friendships over the last year as I know many of you have with CM's who came to the Friday night meet knowing they could be themselves and trade fairly with the rest of us. I'm truly hoping that the presence of "the boss" in what ever form it takes does not make it "not fun" for them anymore and they stop coming to the meet.

Well, those are my initial fears. Please share with me your thoughts, and hopefully allay some of these fears.

 

[chef's wife]

Robyn,
I agree with everything you've said. That Disney would come in and try to "police" us unnecessarily is ridiculous considering what goes on in the Villains Room at WOD on any given night. A tiny space with traders sometimes spread out on the floor with suitcases. THAT is the scenario and atmosphere where some additional supervision/regulation is needed. Disney is not winning any gold stars on this one! The Contemporary has always been considered the "wading pool" of pin trading. Disney has not gone about this in the right manner. My heart goes out to ALL the founders.
Michelle

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

OK I have been to one or two Friday nite meets and can honestly say if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I am one of those with multiple books - mainly because I travel so far from Mass to WDW only a few times. This is a way for me to maximize my expeirence. Limiting me to one book is ridiculous. I carry one book just for kids to trade in - it is a one in one out book. What if a bring a backpack but only bring out one book at a time - put one away and pull one out. Maybe be technical but not a violation.

Now the one for one thing is just plain stupid - yes Disney STUPID!! They release low edition pins and then say I can't try to get them with multiple pins. This means that locals now have a virtual lock on these pins -period. Seems to me they want to throw us to the sharks at DTD. I am sorry but this is policy I will ignore and violate. So will have to do under the table trading.

Seems to me Disney would be better served cleaing up DTD than messing with a social gathering.

Now when the CM leaves at 10 - do the rules leave with them.

 

[BeautyLLM]

I also have an issue with the one pin for one pin rule. Sometimes a trade is based purely on the cost of the pin. For instance, the Mickey puppet pin from the August event was $15...since I have a few extras, I would trade it for two rack pins. Or how about a trade with pins from Japan vs. WDW? Most of the Japanese pins cost less than the American Disney pins. So even if you are not taking edition size into consideration, a pin for pin trade is often not fair. From this perspective, they are limiting pin trading, not promoting it!

 

[wdw4us2]

I agree with the above posts. I really enjoyed the Contemporary Pin meets and have also traded multiple pins to get my "holy grails". I also agree that Disney would do a better service if they set up these rules in the Villains Room at WOD. I got scared off from that place on more than one occasion until the Friday night meets began at CR. Should we maybe email Disney and ask them to reconsider?

 

[Mickey527]

We definately have to do something about this takeover.
I agree with all the other posts, one for one just won't work, and I can forsee some of the sharks from the Villian room really taking advantage of those who don't really know much about pins. Leslie and I ran into a few at DTD on Monday, one who wanted to trade me my Swan Boat for something really ridiculous, I think it was an LE of 7500. He made a similar offer to Leslie, her Tinkerbell pixie dust LE 1000 for a CM Id pin that she really didn't want anyhow. If Disney is not going to do something about them at DTD they won't do anything at the Contemporary.
And I only bring one book of traders, but who are they to tell us what to bring? Will they go through our bags like they do when entering the parks?
If Disney doesn't want us to "run" our own meets we just may have to start meeting somewhere off property, or at our own resort rooms.
I guess we may have to start meeting at a private home. Let's see, who lives the closest to WDW.....
But seriously, if they don't want a private person to run these meets, they can offer to "be in charge" but leave their noses out of our trading. Just give us the room and make sure no one gets robbed of a great pin by a shark. Can we start a petition? Peggie

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I don't see the one-for-one rule working either. If any rule is going to be ignored by the majority of attendees, it will be that one. Besides, what's to stop people from going down to the food court or even the first floor lobby to make the trade? The only way Disney can enforce this rule is to have a CM broker or observe every trade and that's not going to happen.

And as for the kids trading area -- not a bad idea, but I can think of two examples that pose a problem. First, the Daisy Crazy kids, Jordan and Taylor -- does this mean they won't be able to join us "older folks" at the Contemporary meets? Heck, J & T have better pins that a lot of adults, including us! Plus, Lauri, Jeff, Trina, and I encountered some "sharkettes" while at the August pin event. Those kids were under 14 and would be in the kids only area. If I had kids, I wouldn't want them trading with sharks of any age.

 

[Dom13]

I too agree with everything said here about the one for one trading. It is not going to work and I truly think Disney should reconsider. The rest I can live with as long as a kid can choose to trade with the adults if the wish. I enjoy trading with kids and have a page in my book that is set up so they can trade like it was a CM's Lanyard. Anyone have address we can write to?

 

[SueEllen]

I'm going to *try* to see the other side here. I think Disney is making a one for one trade rule to attempt to weed out shark trades. I think they are working to prevent a scenario like DTD. I have not personally made it to one of the Friday night Contemporary meets, but look forward to it.

As for the kids area--yes I have seen MANY kid sharks. Hopefully it will be a fun, safe area for kids--parents will just have to warn their children about their pins--and if it is limited to one for one pin trading, sharking won't be quite so easy (okay, maybe it will, but I'm looking toward the bright side)

All of you down there who are at these meets regularly, please keep us updated on how this works out.

Sue Ellen

 

[JudithM]

I would have a difficult time with these trading restrictions. I have not yet been to a pin meet on Friday or Saturday night with you all, but I am sitting here relating the above comments to the trading I have done over the past several Tuesday nights at a local Disney Store.

Tuesday night two different families of traders (husband & wife) each brought two pin bags - some pins were traders, some were their keepers. What was wrong with bringing more than one bag? I realize the space is smaller in a TDS than at the Contemporary.

As for one pin for one pin - I traded two pins for one pin a few weeks ago. I traded away one of the August event pins that Leslie mentioned above for two pins. The other guest & I were happy, so why should someone else (Disney) feel they should tell me how many pins I can trade? What about selling a pin? Another Tuesday night a guest had a state pin I did not have. We agreed on a selling price & I bought the pin.

It will interesting to see how this all plays out ...

 

[djs113]

Hi all,

I just received an email from a senior CM friend of mine, who has asked to remain anonymous, at Disney trying to explain some of the reasons why these new rules have come out.

- Some of the reasons they took over the Friday night event was that it was getting too big and loud, and the many paying guests at the Contemporary were complaining about the noise cascading up the main building to the rooms, and that there was no room in the parking lots for hotel guests on Fridays.

- Disney is worried about legal issues, for instance if someones bag were stolen from a pin meet, would they be liable if they aren't sponsoring the event.

- The Contemporary is their house, they have the right to control it however they deem right.

- 1 for 1 pin trading, should stop some of the sharking (yeah right, they obviously don't understand)

- hours 7-10 - to many paying customers of the hotel were complaining about the late hours (pin trading lasting until the wee hours in the morning) and too many people hanging out in the lobby area

- kids zone - idea to try to promote kid trading in a non intimidating arena - (wrong, as we know there are plenty of underage sharks)

- lets face it, they want to make money off of it somehow




These are not my comments, since I have never been to the pin meet yet (i will be there in 3 weeks), but I just feel sorry for Kathryn and the others who put many hours into creating the biggest weekly Disney pin meet in the country.

Isn't there somewhere off premises to move the pin meet to?

- david

 

[perndwler]

Okay, as I said in my original post, I'm not sure how I feel bout Disney taking over the meet. There is a possibility this will be a good thing. I understand and pretty much figured what the reasons they wanted to control the meet were.

My concerns again were with the 1 for 1 pin trade. I know Disney thinks this will curb "sharking" however, a novice who is lucky enough to have a Mickey for Pres. can be sharked out of it with 1 LE, Event Only, Retired, Trade Parade pin just as easily as being given 3 Really Rare, Retired, Hard To Find, rack pins......................... I think having knowledgeble people, like Ed, Mike, etc., to ask advice from is more of a deterent than a 1 for 1 rule. Again, JMHO.

 

[daber]

What got me was the inconsistency in the announcement. In one breath they tell you that you might find that HTF pin you've been looking for, then with the 1 for 1 rule they tell you that if you have a HTF/VHTF pin that you don't want to trade 1 for 1, leave it at home.

 

[GotAnyPins]

Well...I have read from post to post, and there are pros and cons to everyones' points

I can also relate to the letter from the CM..the meet is huge, we do make noise at times, and we often do trade until the wee hours
of the morning, often downstairs in the snack bar..
We probably do annoy some guests, and evry other point he made for Disney (I realize he was quoting
Disney, and not using his own opinions there)

But there are also guests that wander through our groups, and then are at the pin cart spending money buying their own pins
many a parent has brought their children over, and next we knew, they were back w/ pins, lanyards, and backpacks,
all purchased at the pin cart..
We spend at Sundries, in both gift shoppes, and the people from the rest of the hotel that wander over to our groups
just to see what is going, also end up in the shops buying stuff for their kids etc, that if it was not for us being there, that money would have not been spent..

Us..the pin traders that clog the parking lot each Fri night..usually eat in one of the hotels rest. Chef Mickey being one of our favs..
We often valet park..$6.00 right there..we always come to the Cont. to buy all of our pins, even the just released LE, why??
to give back to the hotel for being such a gracious host, and putting up w/ us each Fri night, and often a Sat. night too

At the end of most Fri nights, we ask how things went at the pin cart, and are usually amazed at the money that has been spent there. and the other 2 shops...and what a difference it is from the nights we are not there...

We are aware of the fact that the odd shark makes his way to our meet, but we have tried to keep it mostly shark free.. I think we have don a better job here then has been done at DTD...(I know not everyone that trades down there is a shark, but you all know that they are some, and you guys who have traded longer can handle it, but lets face it...newbies can't) or at Epcot...

I think if this is going to be the "new pin trading guidelines" then Disney has to make it park wide...DTD, Epcot, and everywhere else..the meets should be overseen by a Disney CM...the one to one pin should be a park wide rule..and then sit and watch your revenue leave the parks, while the pin traders can go somewhere where they can trade "fairly" for their own pins Some are already
scouting for new locations...with as much money as most of have in our collections, giving them away is not what we had in mind..it is called "pin trading" and as someone said My haunted mansion dangle (no I don't have one) for a LE 1000 Elliot is not going to be a fair trade..even though they are both good pins..

I don't want to leave Disney property or the Contemporary for that matter to pin trade..it is too convienent there, but I think if Disney doesn't rethink some of their new "guidelines" they may loose what we have worked so hard to build for them

Donna (sorry if I rambled..it is a blonde think)

 

[DaisyCrazy]

Just a comment to address Matthew's concerns about the kids' area:

My interpretation of the announcement is *not* that kids will be confined to that area and *only* be allowed to trade there, but rather, that kids *can* safely trade there with other kids and CM's. I also interpret the announcment's mention of CM's being present as meaning that they'll be there to oversee kid-to-kid trading, although I will grant you that wasn't specifically stated in the announcement.

You are right.....there are definitely kids out there who are quite adept at sharking, and any/every parent of a pin trading child should be aware of that fact when they take their children trading... and you are right again, that Jordan and Taylor would probably prefer to trade outside of the kids area anyway, but having only rarely ever attended any of the Contemporary meets, I may not be qualified to address that issue further.

Christy

 

[nottazoo]

I believe that most of thoughts and opinions stated on this thread are probably true to a certain extent. Yes, we sometimes get loud and yes we do take up parking spaces. I believe there are other reasons involved that most traders are not aware of.
There are several people that are running around these events that claim to be "hosts and hostesses" (not Disney cast members) and think they are in charge. I've been told that they have on several occasions overstepped their non-authority and asked people to leave these meets. I've also overheard that several times Disney security officers have been call by these "hosts and hostesses" and instructed that certain people should be removed. Disney cannot have these people telling their employees what to do. In addition, these "hosts and hostesses" are bad mouthing certain people about the manner in which they trade. If one or two of these people don't like you or care for your trading habits, you are branded with the shark title and banished for the meet. These "hosts and hostesses" are causing Disney much more problems then they are worth.
If we are going to post our thoughts and concerns, we really should address all the problems not just one or two problems.

A concerned trader!

 

[dizneyusa]

I have read all the posts. We must say that we really
agree with Donna's post. Yes this is Disney's site and
yes they call ALL the shots. It's theirs to do with what
they want. BUT, we really hope that with this new
release that they have put out has some really strong
issues that need to be addressed:

1 for 1 - I sometime can not figue Disney out? They
really could make a great deal of good with
what they have and someway somehow it
comes apart??? How many times did their
corporate department come to any of these
functions and really understand what pin
trading is? This should be a individuals
decision not Disney's!!! Now, yes, there is
common sense involved. But if I am looking
for a pin I really, really love and I feel like
offering 2,3,4 or even 5 pins for it. That is
for ME to decide. They are MY pins. There
really was never that many sharks at the
Contemporary anyways.

Kids Area: This idea I did like. I think it will give a great
opportunity to alot of kids that would not
normally go around the adult tables. BUT!!
I do not feel that they should be limited to
that one area. I also feel that with so many
of the knowledgable pin experts around, they
can ask if they are making a fair trade or not.
AND their parents should be responsible and
also ask questions. If they felt funny.

I do feel awful for the main contributors who made the Contemporary
what it is to date!!!!!!! They worked very hard to get it were it is today!
FUN AND FAMILY ORIENTED FOR ONE AND ALL!!!!! I do not know HOW
Disney can make it up to them. BUT!!! They do deserve recognition and
Disney should be doing something for them??? I do not know what?? -
BUT they made it what it is for all of us to want to even show up there.
I just feel like the Big Guy came in and took all the toys???? My
point is that it just feels like a take over and yes I am fully aware that
it is Disney's Hotel and Disney can do what they want BUT it just looks
funny. IT'S THE PEOPLE that make the meets!! Not just the PINS!!!
If the people leave then so will the pins (maybe not right away, but
slowly). We just do not want to see this happen!!!! We love our
Friday and Saturday nights and we do not want to loose them at the
Contemporary or on site. I hope that they put out another statement.

JMO and we hope it works out so everyone is happy!!!

Dana

 

[GotAnyPins]

along w/ ones that are apparently misinformed..

Being one of "hostess" (not self proclaimed) of the Fri night pin meets I can see that mr
nottazoo did not spend much quality time there..

Why were there these hosts and hostess...because we were there when the meets started, because we spent
hours in the parks telling people about them, and then giving our names, so they would have a reference to find to
help introduce them around when they arrived..for the people on these boards, who had no clue what we looked like
to meet up w/ when they got there, to organize w/ the Cont. CM and management for the tables, and chairs used at the meets
they did not just appear..

We were NOT the Host police..and yes if we knew that a pin trader was unfairly trading and taking advantage, yes we did warn the others about him/her..we had a lot of our board friends there, that we had invited personally, and we didn't want them
taken advantage of..(so sue me) I (myself) have never asked anyone to leave, I just tell people to not trade w/ them and shut their books... I nor does my husband ..run around in our little police hosting outfits casting guests out at our whim....

If hostess sticks in your throat..just call us organizers..because someone had to do it..someone who could be there early and make sure that things were set up..to be there every week...to be willing to walk all of the parks to tell all of the guests about our meet, who otherwise never would have heard about us...It has been a lot of work, and a lot of resposibility, and I didn't see Mr nottazoo offering his/or her help..

If this pin meet has grown to be one of the largest in the country then I can be proud to say that I had a hand in it..

If the only complaints that you have about our part in it is you post...then it was all worth it to see all of the fun everyone has had because of our hard work...

What it is that they say.."You can't please all of the people, all of the time" but we have seemed to have done a super job of pleasing an awful lot of them..

Donna former member of the hostess police force

 

[nigel-bigel]

Quote from nottazoo:

There are several people that are running around these events that claim to be "hosts and hostesses" (not Disney cast members) and think they are in charge. I've been told that they have on several occasions overstepped their non-authority and asked people to leave these meets. I've also overheard that several times Disney security officers have been call by these "hosts and hostesses" and instructed that certain people should be removed. Disney cannot have these people telling their employees what to do.

In response :

These people initiated these meets, arranged them, publicized them, and invited everyone they met. This was not in their home or a private hotel room, but they did arrange with the manager for the area of the hotel. If you had a problem or a question, there was no doubt who you turned to. Further, and most importantly, they took it as their responsibility that all people there, especially newcomers, felt welcome and comfortable. They absolutley were the hosts and hostesses.

These meets were never presented as official Disney events. If you didn't like the atmosphere, or had a disagreement with one of the "hosts", why go back? I feel they had a right to ask someone to leave. It is as if they were all gathered around a couple of tables in a coffee shop. If you are interested in pins, you are welcome to join in. If things turn sour and someone is asked to leave, does that mean they go run to the manager, and the manager can insists someone be allowed to stay and socialize?

In effect, why do you want to play with someone who doesn't want to play with you? Just because the hotel is open to the public doesn't mean you can sit and talk with someone if they don't want you to. That's where security comes in - and that's why they are there. If I'm sitting in the lobby and some creepo won't leave me alone, I'm going to ask security to take care of it. Since our Hosts and Hostesses feel a responsibilty to provide what *they* feel is a positive trading environment, they have every right to ask security to remove someone from something they have arranged. They obviously were providing the atmosphere people wanted,because of how successful these meets have become. And also, just because Disney is taking over doesn't mean the need for securuty will be any less than it is now.

Nottazoo says,"These "hosts and hostesses" are causing Disney much more problems then they are worth.". I don't think it's the hosts and hostess who are the ones causing too many headaches for Disney...

 

[pintrader]

Am truly sorry for what I am about to say . My emotional cup is overflowing. I have done a lot to make pin trading all that it can be. I am not just going to go scurry into some corner this time. EVERYBODY HANG ON TO YOUR HATS.
NATAZOO:
You have created a new name for a reason. Perhaps it is because you are not sure of your facts or your source. What you are posting is hearsay. Please lallow me to help you with your FACTS !

Misstatement Number 1: There are several people that are running around these events that claim to be "hosts and hostesses" (not Disney cast members) and think they are in charge.

FACT number 1: There are not several of us there are three of us Kathryn, Ed and Donna. We thought everyone knew that.

Misstatement and fact number 2: We don’t claim to be host/esses, WE ARE! We are not Unofficial. I was there I was at the meeting where this all happened. I know what was said. This is not hearsay on my part. Unless you are one of the people in those meetings then I have to say it IS hearsay on YOUR part.

Misstatement number 3: I've been told that they have on several occasions overstepped their non-authority and asked people to leave these meets. I've also overheard that several times Disney security officers have been call by these "hosts and hostesses" and instructed that certain people should be removed.

fact number 3: No one has EVER been asked to leave a Friday Night. Contemporary Pin meet. Not by a host/hostess nor by Disney security. Well , someone ALMOST was once. Once a guest was going to be asked to leave because he had a whole page of CM ID name tag pins, but we host/esses had nothing to do with that. He left after being questioned by security and upon seeing more security called to the floor. That was a move on the part of Disney CM area management.

We have a security guard assigned to us. I and I alone was provided with phone numbers to reach him if anything ever happened. I was told what to look out for. For anyone interested his name is Ron and you are encouraged to ask him how many times, he or any of the security staff has been called to “REMOVE” anyone from our pin meet. He and any other security host will tell you the answer is NEVER. I would like to encourage any of you to have your facts straight before “judging” anything.

Nottazoo, I have tried VERY hard not to take any of this personally. Having this commandeered by Disney is something I have to smile and say I am pleased about. That in and of itself stings enough. But at least they were decent enough to call me and tell me who they were and what they were up to. But you have hit below the belt and in my own opinion in a cowardly way of hiding behind a new user/board name.

Since you have chosen to disguise yourself I can only come up with two or three reasons why you would do this. Either 1) You are one of the people that others complained about to me about sharking them or 2). Others knew that if they told you such a mistruth you would take the ball and run with it without checking your facts or ... Well I guess I can’t say #3 because he would be sadly lacking in humility if I did. But maybe you should try to do this yourself. It was not easy but it WAS fun.

Even though you have not asked for it, my advise is to check your facts before you post something in public. I can backup my comments with fact and proof. If choose to continue in this vein I’d like to suggest you start your own thread. I’d rather not do this on the board at all. But you didn’t think I would just sit here and say nothing again this time did you? You know who I am and how to contact me if you have something more to say to or about me.