Help!The finer points of pin-trading online?

[BedKnobbery2]

Hi Folks,

My kids and I started trading this summer on our annual visit to WDW, so in the grand scheme of things, we are relatively new traders. I'm probably the most hardcore of the 3 of us.

I finally made it over to Pin Pics, and created a profile and trades/wants lists. I've made some offers, but haven't had any accepted until recently, when I made an error in offering a trade (I based it on the one line title description, without looking at the photograph). I offered for trade an LE pin for a rack pin that is now retired, when I thought I was offering an LE pin for LE pin.

Now, I don't particularly care for the LE pin I offered for trade, and I quite like the rack pin I made the offer for, so I decided to go ahead and make the trade anyway, and I was happy with the decision. I asked the person I was trading with if they'd like to see if we can make any other trades based on our wants/trades lists. That person responded with a list of the pins they wanted and the pins they'd trade for.

Every pin that they want is an LE pin, and every pin they are offering is a retired rack pin.

Now, I'd been taught that, within reason, you should trade value for value....IE, lanyard pin for lanyard pin, LE pin for LE pin, rack pin for rack pin. But I've also felt that I should only trade for pins I really like or want.

I was content with the original trade, because it is a pin I really want (even though it isn't the pin I thought I offered for). However, now I feel kind of soured on the entire deal......I guess because a part of me feels like the other person is thinking "Hey, I've found a dupe who will trade LE pins for rack pins!"

However, I can also see the added value to a rack pin that is retired, which makes me think perhaps this isn't the case.

Then again, maybe this is all a matter of first online trade jitters.

I feel a bit too new to the entire process to feel like I'm making an informed decision on the issue, so I thought I'd check with y'all here to see how you'd feel about the situation if you were in my shoes.

Thanks!

BK

 

[Figment2]

For me, if I'm happy with the trade, it doesn't matter whether I'm trading a rack pin for a LE, etc.

You've got the right idea as far as value for value - but (and here's the big BUT) there are rack pins that are sometimes more valuable than a LE. Examples would be old Figment pins and the Old Prospector pin from Toy Story. There are also some LE's which aren't worth much.

Since you aren't happy with the suggested trades, I would let the other trader know that you'll pass on them. It is perfectly okay to say no.

Cyn

 

[Luv2Roam]

A retired rack pin can sometimes be more sought after than a LE. The original WDW Toy Story rack pins come to mind right away.
As long as you both walk away happy, then it is a good trade.
I have seen low limited edition pins re-released as a rack in other parts of the world.
So just when you think you have it figured out, there is something else thrown in the mix!

 

[Luv2Roam]

As another thought -- I have seen others on the Dizpins board come right out and post, "Is this a good trade" and list what the trade is (without stating who is involved). If you don't mind doing this, that would be a good way to rest your mind.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Cyn, I was about to mention the Stinky Pete retired rack pin as an example also. There are also LEs that you can't trade for anything, such as the LE 1000 Black Heritage Month.

BK, it's probably a case of first-time online trading jitters. I have always thought that a successful trade is one where both parties agree on the relative value of two pins or two sets of pins and are happy.

Many people go by many different criteria -- LE size, retail price, availability (CM, Tokyo Disney Store, lanyard, DLP, TDL, etc.). It does boil down to supply and demand. People also go by the Pinpics members trading vs. members wanting numbers (more wanting than trading = high demand = hot pin).

Of course, if you're not sure a trade is equitable, you can always ask a third party for their opinion. Heck, if you'd like, you can ask me.

 

[RamVA]

BK, I was going to refer to Pinpics, as Matt did above. All my trading friends know I use Pinpics ratio of how many want a pin to how many are trading the same pin, to really guide me in assessing a pin's value, along with the other factors mentioned (LE, CM, rack, retired rack, etc.). To, me, this "supply-demand" factor is very important IF most of your trading is done "on-line". If I rarely get to a park to trade or a pin meet, it doesn't matter if there are lots of people who have a pin I want, because I don't have the opportunity to trade with them. What IS important is if I mainly trade on-line, and there is only 1 person or 2 who have that pin I want. Conversely, if 100 people have that pin for trade on Pinpics, and only 2 people want it I value that pin "lower", because most likely it will be much easier to trade for. A rack pin can be more "valuable" than an LE, but JUST being retired doesn't necessarily make it "rare" or "valuable". Everyone says "if you are both happy, then it's a good trade"; well, that is certainly true, but there is absolutely no denying that there are differing "values" on these pins, and no one is going to be happy if they are always trading their pin for a "lesser valued" pin, or if all the offers they receive are set up this way. If you are a collector or a trader, these pins are a commodity, and whether anybody likes to talk about it or not, the $$ spent obtaining this commodity will begin to add up. All that being said, pin trading and collecting offers an opportunity for you to have a lot of fun, and make wonderful friendships in the process, with people who share your love of disney, and plus, you get to feel like you are always on a treasure hunt. Despite the frustration I sometimes feel, I can't imagine giving up this wonderful hobby, or the wonderful friends I have made this past year and a half.

If you like the original trade, but are uncomfortable with the rest, simply tell the other person, that the other suggested trades don't work for you right now, and you would like to just stick to the original trade. And like Matt says, feel free to ask any of us, or one of us specifically, if we think it's a fair trade--give the exact pinpics numbers, and we'll take a look and give you an opionion. I know my friend will e-mail me and ask me for advice sometimes, and I do the same with her. It's ultimately your decision, but we would all be happy to throw in advice based on whatever knowledge we happen to have!! (My e-mail is Mammenva@aol.com)

Have Fun!

 

[3kids4me]

I think that in general, if you're just starting out, I would start by doing one pin for one pin trades. It gets complicated to negotiate a larger trade, and in the time it takes, you have to wait on other offers while you're negotiating. Just do a few small trades until you feel very comfortable trading by mail, and then, as suggested, you can always post an "Is this a fair trade?" post on Dizpins.

Happy trading!!

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Wow,

Thanks sooo much for all of the advice, folks, it is much appreciated!! I decided to go on with the original trade, and pass on the rest, for now.

What a wonderful place this board is. I have to say, of any bulletin board I've frequented (including the others on the DIS) this one has the most helpful, playful, and generally happy bunch of folks I've encountered online.

Thanks!
BK