How do I know if they are real?

[hrh_disney_queen]

Oh and ftr, the only way to tell if they are "real" or not is to simply buy them yourself and not trade at all.

Exactly!

 

[rosanafamily]

What make s a pin a scrapper pin??

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

What make s a pin a scrapper pin??

http://www.dizpins.com/pinventory/scrappers.htm

Some you can tell because they are not the same quality as the original. Others are just an over run of the original quantity ordered, i.e. the order was for 100,000 pins, but the factory kept on making them to sell themselves. Pin #100,000 is legit, pin #100,001 although identical in every way is unauthorized so it is a scrapper.

 

[nunzia]

I'm still confused..so a scrapper may be REAL as in made by the manufacturer but NOT REAL because the manufacturer was sneaky and ecided to keep making it? So..they are identical in quality and appearance? This is very odd...I'm so glad I'm not into pins...

 

[missj1975]

How to tell if a pin is "real"? Touch it and if your finger feels metal, then it is real and not a figment of your imagination.

To the OP, trade the pins at Disney. You won't have any problems trading with CM's. Avoid the crazy pin traders who cart around huge bags of pins and take pin trading way too seriously. Those are the one who ruin pin trading, not cheap pins off of ebay.

I have sold pin lots on ebay for $1.50 a pin and guess what, they weren't scrappers. I got an incredible deal at the Disney Store and bought tons of pins for 60 cents each. Selling them lots for $1.50 each still made me a nice little profit.

Don't let overzealous pin traders scare you off from the fun hobby. Trade for pins you like and have fun at Disney.

 

[maleficentmom]

How to tell if a pin is "real"? Touch it and if your finger feels metal, then it is real and not a figment of your imagination.

To the OP, trade the pins at Disney. You won't have any problems trading with CM's. Avoid the crazy pin traders who cart around huge bags of pins and take pin trading way too seriously. Those are the one who ruin pin trading, not cheap pins off of ebay.

I have sold pin lots on ebay for $1.50 a pin and guess what, they weren't scrappers. I got an incredible deal at the Disney Store and bought tons of pins for 60 cents each. Selling them lots for $1.50 each still made me a nice little profit.

Don't let overzealous pin traders scare you off from the fun hobby. Trade for pins you like and have fun at Disney.

I am sure there are some wonderful folks who are serious pin traders out there. But I have to agree with you, if you are not a serious "in the know" pin trader it is best to avoid the people with the bags, as we unfortunatly found out. My daughter who is 14(and has had numerous seroius health problems over the past 7 months) asked a guy outside DTD pin store to trade a pin of hers for a Narnia pin..the guy laughed at her like she was stupid..we spent the next 30 minutes discussing this with the wonderful manager of the pin place ,(who gave my sobbing daughter lots of neat pins,although we didn't complain to get anything free, and he truly was an angel). He said that Disney is trying to find a legal way to get rid of these folks with the bags who "camp out" there for hours at a time.(not serious traders,just these folks who act like they are trading diamonds or something, like it is their proffesion, and not a hobby)The manager said that visitors often mistake these people for employees(we did), and that some of them just prey on folks(like me) who are just buying pins for fun and some of these "pro traders" catch folks leaving the store and will often get traded a new pin, for something less valuable.He sadly said "this is not how Disney intended the spirit of pin trading to be". However we met lots of nice people/kids who were like us and just having fun, we just avoided the folks with the bags.(again, this might be ok if you are hardcore pin people, but probably not for the average visitor)...by the way,my daughter got the "so valuable that the it was worth making a kid cry " Narnia pin at the Premium? Outlets Disney store for around $3.50..THIS JERK MADE A KID CRY OVER A 3.50 PIN! Anyway, for those of you with scrappers, maybe you could let the kids wear them, but make sure they don't trade them(maybe just let the younger kids who arent into trading wear them) or wear them on a seperate lanyard so they don't get mixed up. Just our personal experience, we still love pins and most of the folks who trade them!

 

[pixiewings71]

How to tell if a pin is "real"? Touch it and if your finger feels metal, then it is real and not a figment of your imagination.

To the OP, trade the pins at Disney. You won't have any problems trading with CM's. Avoid the crazy pin traders who cart around huge bags of pins and take pin trading way too seriously. Those are the one who ruin pin trading, not cheap pins off of ebay.

I have sold pin lots on ebay for $1.50 a pin and guess what, they weren't scrappers. I got an incredible deal at the Disney Store and bought tons of pins for 60 cents each. Selling them lots for $1.50 each still made me a nice little profit.

Don't let overzealous pin traders scare you off from the fun hobby. Trade for pins you like and have fun at Disney.

Yes, there are many good sellers out there and I do purchase from them. But if I get a scrapper from them I also let them know, I don't ask for anything in return, I just let them know why I feel the pin is bad. You got a great deal at your Disney Store, my Disney Store doesn't even carry pins at all......

I am sure there are some wonderful folks who are serious pin traders out there. But I have to agree with you, if you are not a serious "in the know" pin trader it is best to avoid the people with the bags, as we unfortunatly found out. My daughter who is 14(and has had numerous seroius health problems over the past 7 months) asked a guy outside DTD pin store to trade a pin of hers for a Narnia pin..the guy laughed at her like she was stupid..we spent the next 30 minutes discussing this with the wonderful manager of the pin place ,(who gave my sobbing daughter lots of neat pins,although we didn't complain to get anything free, and he truly was an angel). He said that Disney is trying to find a legal way to get rid of these folks with the bags who "camp out" there for hours at a time.(not serious traders,just these folks who act like they are trading diamonds or something, like it is their proffesion, and not a hobby)The manager said that visitors often mistake these people for employees(we did), and that some of them just prey on folks(like me) who are just buying pins for fun and some of these "pro traders" catch folks leaving the store and will often get traded a new pin, for something less valuable.He sadly said "this is not how Disney intended the spirit of pin trading to be". However we met lots of nice people/kids who were like us and just having fun, we just avoided the folks with the bags.(again, this might be ok if you are hardcore pin people, but probably not for the average visitor)...by the way,my daughter got the "so valuable that the it was worth making a kid cry " Narnia pin at the Premium? Outlets Disney store for around $3.50..THIS JERK MADE A KID CRY OVER A 3.50 PIN! Anyway, for those of you with scrappers, maybe you could let the kids wear them, but make sure they don't trade them(maybe just let the younger kids who arent into trading wear them) or wear them on a seperate lanyard so they don't get mixed up. Just our personal experience, we still love pins and most of the folks who trade them!

I'm going to say what I say on the Collector Board, please do not let any crazy pin trader ruin or determine your pin trading experiences. There are many of "crazy pin traders" who carry books in the parks and trade with people, yes we even set our book(s) up in the parks to trade with people and our favorite traders are KIDS!!!! Why? Well it's sure as heck NOT to make them cry! It's because we have a LOT of good pins for trade and it's because we like to help people finish sets if we can. Please do not judge the many by the nasty actions of the few. Whenever I run across one of "those" traders (and I know the DL traders like that on sight now) I just smile and say "Thanks but no Thanks" or "Thank You anyway" or occasionally I will say "I will absolutely NOT go buy you a pin in exchange for this one" and laugh as I walk away but I will NEVER give them the satisfaction of upsetting me, nor will my children.

MaleficentMom, I'm sorry that man made your DD cry. I've had people treat my children poorly while trading and I've simply gone off on them, the CM's usually back me up. I'm also glad that the CM tried to help make it better and I wish so much that they would find a way to get those people OUT of the parks!!!!

 

[Tampa Mousekeeter]

He said that Disney is trying to find a legal way to get rid of these folks with the bags who "camp out" there for hours at a time.(not serious traders,just these folks who act like they are trading diamonds or something, like it is their proffesion, and not a hobby)The manager said that visitors often mistake these people for employees(we did), and that some of them just prey on folks(like me) who are just buying pins for fun and some of these "pro traders" catch folks leaving the store and will often get traded a new pin, for something less valuable

You don't realize but there a small amount that stealing from novice traders or kids is their profession...seriously. I would bet you I can tell you who your "trader" was...there are only a few who do this and everyone knows who they are and what they do....he asks traders to go into the store and buy a pin he wants since what you are wanting to trade with him is sooo "Valuable"....then he puts them all on Ebay and makes 100% profit...very sad and I can not believe Disney is not doing anything about this.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

How to tell if a pin is "real"? Touch it and if your finger feels metal, then it is real and not a figment of your imagination.

To the OP, trade the pins at Disney. You won't have any problems trading with CM's. Avoid the crazy pin traders who cart around huge bags of pins and take pin trading way too seriously. Those are the one who ruin pin trading, not cheap pins off of ebay.

I have sold pin lots on ebay for $1.50 a pin and guess what, they weren't scrappers. I got an incredible deal at the Disney Store and bought tons of pins for 60 cents each. Selling them lots for $1.50 each still made me a nice little profit.

Don't let overzealous pin traders scare you off from the fun hobby. Trade for pins you like and have fun at Disney.

OMG, you just said what I have thought for years but never had the guts to say.. Thanks for a voice of reason!

I am sure there are some wonderful folks who are serious pin traders out there. But I have to agree with you, if you are not a serious "in the know" pin trader it is best to avoid the people with the bags, as we unfortunatly found out. My daughter who is 14(and has had numerous seroius health problems over the past 7 months) asked a guy outside DTD pin store to trade a pin of hers for a Narnia pin..the guy laughed at her like she was stupid..we spent the next 30 minutes discussing this with the wonderful manager of the pin place ,(who gave my sobbing daughter lots of neat pins,although we didn't complain to get anything free, and he truly was an angel). He said that Disney is trying to find a legal way to get rid of these folks with the bags who "camp out" there for hours at a time.(not serious traders,just these folks who act like they are trading diamonds or something, like it is their proffesion, and not a hobby)The manager said that visitors often mistake these people for employees(we did), and that some of them just prey on folks(like me) who are just buying pins for fun and some of these "pro traders" catch folks leaving the store and will often get traded a new pin, for something less valuable.He sadly said "this is not how Disney intended the spirit of pin trading to be". However we met lots of nice people/kids who were like us and just having fun, we just avoided the folks with the bags.(again, this might be ok if you are hardcore pin people, but probably not for the average visitor)...by the way,my daughter got the "so valuable that the it was worth making a kid cry " Narnia pin at the Premium? Outlets Disney store for around $3.50..THIS JERK MADE A KID CRY OVER A 3.50 PIN! Anyway, for those of you with scrappers, maybe you could let the kids wear them, but make sure they don't trade them(maybe just let the younger kids who arent into trading wear them) or wear them on a seperate lanyard so they don't get mixed up. Just our personal experience, we still love pins and most of the folks who trade them!

This is reprehensible what this man did. I don't understand how someone can get so serious about a HOBBY that they make a child cry.. We never even think to trade with other guests, my kids want to only give up certain pins. CM's can't turn them down if they are ugly! (the pins, not my adorable kids..)


As for just letting the kids keep the scrappers and wear them on a separate lanyard, the problem is that most people can't tell a scrapper from a Disney purchased pin.

So I say..trade your pins and enjoy!

 

[maleficentmom]

You don't realize but there a small amount that stealing from novice traders or kids is their profession...seriously. I would bet you I can tell you who your "trader" was...there are only a few who do this and everyone knows who they are and what they do....he asks traders to go into the store and buy a pin he wants since what you are wanting to trade with him is sooo "Valuable"....then he puts them all on Ebay and makes 100% profit...very sad and I can not believe Disney is not doing anything about this.

yes, after this experience I thought this was the case.Apparently, according to the CM it is just hard to single out the few bad apples(but Disney is trying), because they technically are not "selling' there, they don't need any type of liscense. I pray Disney is able to do something that is fair for everyone.

 

[maleficentmom]

OMG, you just said what I have thought for years but never had the guts to say.. Thanks for a voice of reason!




This is reprehensible what this man did. I don't understand how someone can get so serious about a HOBBY that they make a child cry.. We never even think to trade with other guests, my kids want to only give up certain pins. CM's can't turn them down if they are ugly! (the pins, not my adorable kids..)


As for just letting the kids keep the scrappers and wear them on a separate lanyard, the problem is that most people can't tell a scrapper from a Disney purchased pin.

So I say..trade your pins and enjoy!

yes, I probably wouldn't know the difference myself, unless it were really obvious...I just probably couln't trade them in good concious if I knew, or at least told the person trading. CM's are wonderful aren't they! Thank you for the kind words...and I am certain your pins and kids are all adorable!!!

 

[maleficentmom]

Yes, there are many good sellers out there and I do purchase from them. But if I get a scrapper from them I also let them know, I don't ask for anything in return, I just let them know why I feel the pin is bad. You got a great deal at your Disney Store, my Disney Store doesn't even carry pins at all......



I'm going to say what I say on the Collector Board, please do not let any crazy pin trader ruin or determine your pin trading experiences. There are many of "crazy pin traders" who carry books in the parks and trade with people, yes we even set our book(s) up in the parks to trade with people and our favorite traders are KIDS!!!! Why? Well it's sure as heck NOT to make them cry! It's because we have a LOT of good pins for trade and it's because we like to help people finish sets if we can. Please do not judge the many by the nasty actions of the few. Whenever I run across one of "those" traders (and I know the DL traders like that on sight now) I just smile and say "Thanks but no Thanks" or "Thank You anyway" or occasionally I will say "I will absolutely NOT go buy you a pin in exchange for this one" and laugh as I walk away but I will NEVER give them the satisfaction of upsetting me, nor will my children.

MaleficentMom, I'm sorry that man made your DD cry. I've had people treat my children poorly while trading and I've simply gone off on them, the CM's usually back me up. I'm also glad that the CM tried to help make it better and I wish so much that they would find a way to get those people OUT of the parks!!!!

Oh we still trade, we just limit it mostly to CM's or kid to kid. I hate that these folks ruin it for good folks like you! It would be really helpful for some of us who love pins and want to be a bit more involved to gain some knowledge from more serious collectors like you,especially when trying to finish a set,etc... maybe the good pin traders need matching tshirts or something so we can identify you but seriously thanks for the kind words, like i said we still love pins and almost all the folks that trade them, I think the good outweighs the bad

 

[rustyharleton]

This would make a great Seinfeld episode.

 

[maleficentmom]

This would make a great Seinfeld episode.

yep, and the bad traders could be the"Pin Nazi" too funny

 

[FergieTCat]

This would make a great Seinfeld episode.

I think it was.

 

[rustyharleton]

Cramer " oh yeah those pins are valuable"

George " How was I supposed to know they were scrappers"

 

[FergieTCat]

Cramer " oh yeah those pins are valuable"

George " How was I supposed to know they were scrappers"

"They're real and they're spectacular!"

(MY apologies to hijacking this thread, but my mind is warped. FWIW, if the pin has a "Propin" or "Sedesma" stamp on them, they are definitely fake.)

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh we still trade, we just limit it mostly to CM's or kid to kid. I hate that these folks ruin it for good folks like you! It would be really helpful for some of us who love pins and want to be a bit more involved to gain some knowledge from more serious collectors like you,especially when trying to finish a set,etc... maybe the good pin traders need matching tshirts or something so we can identify you but seriously thanks for the kind words, like i said we still love pins and almost all the folks that trade them, I think the good outweighs the bad

LOL Matching shirts that say "I'm NOT a Pin Nazi, trade with me!" LOL Too funny!!!!

"They're real and they're spectacular!"

(MY apologies to hijacking this thread, but my mind is warped. FWIW, if the pin has a "Propin" or "Sedesma" stamp on them, they are definitely fake.)

OMG, the Seinfeld references are too funny!!!!

And actually Propin & Sedesmas are not fake, they are pins that Disney contracted to have made. Euros and Sedesmas were not made to Disney specs so they stopped having them make them but Propins are still very tradable in the parks. They aren't as high a quality but CMs will take them in trade. CMs will also take Sedesmas, I know because I have at least 2 that my girls got from CMs not knowing they were Sedesmas. I can't see trading them back so I kept them altho I don't really like the way they look.

Oh and FTR I absolutely do not consider myself an expert in trading but I do love the hobby and I have learned a lot over the past few years so please, if anyone has any questions feel free to ask, I'd be more than happy to answer whatever questions I can.

 

[maleficentmom]

"They're real and they're spectacular!"

(MY apologies to hijacking this thread, but my mind is warped. FWIW, if the pin has a "Propin" or "Sedesma" stamp on them, they are definitely fake.)

...

 

[Mickey527]

I collected and traded pins from 2000 until 2004 when I got sick. Can't afford that habit anymore. But I still have thousands of pins, some I plan to keep and some that I will wind up selling either on ebay or pinpics when I get the time to list them again.
Those pin guys at DTD have been called pin "sharks" for years. they hunt down the weak or injured and attack. The weak are the ones who have less desirable pins, and the injured are those who are trying to finish a set and have no way to get the last few pins other than these "sharks" This is when a shark will come in for the kill.
I don't trade anymore but I do bring some of my older pins to trade on CM lanyards and hate to get those scrappers. The CM's are supposed to refuse them but some of the CMs don't know much about pins and take whatever. Others do know about pins and how to tell a scrapper from a real Disney pin and will refuse or even confiscate the pin.
The cheapest pins I have cost me $5 at the Disney Store, and some of them were up in the $16 range. I don't want to get a pin that is fake and cost $1 for something I paid $5 for. I wish Disney could do something about the scrappers, they are trying according to some of the managers.
The scrapper is made by the same company that makes the pins for Disney. Disney will order a specific amount and when they are made the company will keep the die instead of destroying it and make tons more for selling to those who sell them on ebay. they do look like the real pins but sometimes the color is different,they use a cheaper metal, or even just gold plate over lead or plastic.
One last thing... I do have to say that sometimes those guys in DTD can be good for something.
Last year my son joined the Marines and I traded someone for the Mickey saluting the Marine. I wore it to my son's boot camp graduation but it fell off somewhere on base.
I went to one of the DTD guys and he did have the pin. I had to go and buy a pin for him off the rack for $16.95, but I really didn't mind because I really wanted this pin and it is no longer for sale. Those guys do come in good for something once in a while so don't be too hard on them.
I wouldn't sit down and trade from my book with them though, I don't like the way they put down people and say things like you have nothing, or your pins aren't worth my trades.