Thanks. I also think it would be good to have a clear explanation of what we mean by "scrapper." I saw one at one of the links included here, but tell me if you think this is right:
There are probably 3 different things we mean when we say "scrapper":
1) Over-runs. The factories in China that make the pins for Disney probably have to run many more pins than Disney orders in order to get enough pins past quality control. For example, say Disney orders 5,000 of a pin. The factory makes 7,000 in order to be sure to get 5,000 good ones. Disney gets those 5,000 good ones, and some of the rest are probably good too. If they are sold to other buyers, they will be totally indistinguishable from the ones sold to Disney. The only way to avoid buying these is not to buy from someone who clearly gets them or ships to you directly from China.
2) True "scrappers" or quality rejects. These are the ones resulting from the process above that did not pass quality control. Again, they get on the market via someone shipping straight from China, which is why it is important NOT to buy from someone who ships straight from China. (Some sellers say right in their ebay shipping info that that's what they do!) You will not be able to tell ahead of time whether the quality will be good or bad, even if you didn't care about them not being authorized by Disney.
3) Fakes, or counterfeits. I don't think these are even worthy of the (dubious) name scrapper. These are made by a different factory, who are trying to copy the design of the authorized pin. These may have the "tells" we are talking about -- mickey head design that doesn't go to the edge of the pin, or the stamp is not the same as the original (like the one I had that said 4 of 6 instead of 4 of 5) or the hidden mickey is smaller or even in a different place from the original. These can sometimes be more easily spotted as fakes by other traders or sharp CMs. Therefore, they are worth less.
So, if you are thinking about buying those big cheap lots, and think you don't mind if you get the first category, please keep in mind that you are much more likely to get the third category, which are really fouling the stream of pin-trading. Sorry, off soap-box. (What's that they say about reformed smokers? Yes, I did buy my first set of traders in a big lot from someone on the red list.)
Please correct and improve my explanation, everybody.
Thanks,
Meghan
Ordered Disney Pins in a lot before I knew about scrappers and then when I heard about scrappers I was directed to this thread. I bought 1 lot from a red listed seller so thought I wuld just end them back for a refund and I bought 1 lot from a seller I first thought was a green seller but now I know I mixed up the sellers name. Anyway went to dizpins not wanted listed and top 10 list and did not see a single pin that I received from either seller. So my question is should I assume these pins are all good or bad, I can't tell the difference from the ones I bought on ebay and the ones my grandson has purchased at WDW. Leaving Monday the 19th for WDW and don't kow what to do.
. Thanks
