How does PIN trading work?

[Carlyzmom]

This is new since I was last at Disney. I can tell I am already becoming an addict!! Can you just walk up to someone and see if they want to trade? Or do you only trade with CMs? I am just not sure how it all works! Thanks!

 

[bradk]

if you're new to pin trading, i highly advise you just stick to CMs for right now. some guests will trade and there are organized pin trading events, but it can be a pretty cutthroat thing. CM trading is pretty straightforward

 

[Carlyzmom]

Cutthroat how? I just figured if you didn't want to trade, just say no. This is all new to me.

Although, I have a feeling my kids, esp. the younger one, will hang on to all of their pins for dear life!!

 

[bradk]

it's not the ones that don't want to trade that you have to worry about. pins all have values based on rarity and desirability and things aren't always a 1 for 1 pin. just trust me. or don't

 

[Carlyzmom]

Well, I guess I will just stick to BUYING the ones I want. I don't want to get stuck with crummy pins.

 

[PrincessDisney96]

Step A.) Buy pin lanyard (I think that you can buy it at your hotel, or at the pin stands in the park I think.)

Step B.) Buy pins (you can buy them at your hotel gift shops, the disney store, and stores and stands in the parks.)

Step C.) Keep collecting and adding more pins on your lanyard. Also you can ask a cast member to trade one of your pins for their pins and they will always trade!


Step D.) HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[PrincessDisney96]

Oh and I am pretty sure about this you can only trade with a cast member at parks and everything, and to trade with other people I think there is like some greeting thing at the hotel guests to trade with other of the hotel guests. I don't know when and I'm not positive so I would check with a CM.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would consider myself a serious pin trader so if you were to attend Mickey's Pin Trading Night at the Contemporary (Which is held the 3rd Friday each month in a ballroom at the convention center, or one on the ballrooms located on the 2nd floor of the Tower.) and saw a pin of mine that you liked, I would do everything possible to work out a fair trade with you so we would both be happy. So not all serious pin traders are that bad, you just got to remember there are different rules when trading with guests and with Cast Members. The most obvious one is we can say no to a trade, the way a Cast Member can not. However if trading with other guests does not sound right, then I agree that you should keep trading with the Cast Members.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I would consider myself a serious pin trader so if you were to attend Mickey's Pin Trading Night at the Contemporary (Which is held the 3rd Friday each month in a ballroom at the convention center, or one on the ballrooms located on the 2nd floor of the Tower.) and saw a pin of mine that you liked, I would do everything possible to work out a fair trade with you so we would both be happy. So not all serious pin traders are that bad, you just got to remember there are different rules when trading with guests and with Cast Members. The most obvious one is we can say no to a trade, the way a Cast Member can not. However if trading with other guests does not sound right, then I agree that you should keep trading with the Cast Members.

I agree with you and think that there are some wonderfully nice people out there who are honorable traders. But the truth also includes those pin traders that take advantange of the unsuspecting, unknowing, or 'newbies'. Is it right? Absolutely not, but it has and does happen.
My suggestion would be to pretty much stick to trading w/ the CM's. Trade for what you like, not value. Maybe pick a theme or pariticular character. We've traded pretty much only w/ CM's and have tried to collect Hidden Mickeys, pins depicting specific attractions, and DD collects any Chip & Dale pins, I collect any Tinkerbell pins, and together we collect Stitch pins. It is sooo much fun. It's actually one of the highlights of going to WDW, but it is addicting too. It becomes very difficult to just walk by a CM and not stop to view their lanyard. That part drove my DH Crazy!!!
When it was just DD12 and I last July, we spent ALOT of our time viewing CM's lanyards. But we have some really cool memories of our pin collecting from that trip. I advise that you be prepared w/ LOTS AND LOTS of traders though. I think we trading just over 100 last July.
Have a great trip and enjoy pin trading.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Oh and I am pretty sure about this you can only trade with a cast member at parks and everything, and to trade with other people I think there is like some greeting thing at the hotel guests to trade with other of the hotel guests. I don't know when and I'm not positive so I would check with a CM.

there's no rule that states you can't ask another guest to trade with you. You're not allowed to harass them though. The organized events are to help people have a time/place to meet lots of other pin traders.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree with you and think that there are some wonderfully nice people out there who are honorable traders. But the truth also includes those pin traders that take advantange of the unsuspecting, unknowing, or 'newbies'. Is it right? Absolutely not, but it has and does happen.

You are right that there some not so nice pin traders out there who have given the good ones a bad name, which is why new people who are interested in pin trading would only trade with Cast Members. I can only speak for myself and I can say I would never take advantage of anyone because I only get to trade two times a year while at WDW, compared to those who might trade every week at Disney's Pin Traders in Downtown Disney Marketplace. So I appreciate it more then they do.

My best advice to those just starting out and trading with other guests if you don't feel right about a trade or if someone says purchase me these pins and I will trade you this pin, just tell them no thank you which you are allowed to do.

 

[Joanna71985]

One thing to remember about pin trading with CMs is that CMs wearing green lanyards only trade with kids 12 and under.

 

[kadesha]

How much does a starter set cost at a resort or a park? My kids really want to do this, but I'm clueless about it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How much does a starter set cost at a resort or a park? My kids really want to do this, but I'm clueless about it.

I don't remember the exact price, but I want to say it's between $25.00 - $30.00 or just a bit more then that.

 

[glitterkittyy]

You can get starter sets cheaper if you buy online. For example, I know a seller on ebay who sells the exact same sets you'd find at WDW for about half the price. If you want to know the user id, just PM me.

Hubby is a CM who loves to trade with guests. However, please be aware that pins that aren't on his lanyard are his personal pins, and he does not have to trade those. He has a favorite pin that he wears, and guests constantly try to trade for it then they get upset when he tells them that it's his own pin. He has decided to stop wearing it because so many people have complained that he HAS to trade it. So just be aware...only the pins on the trading lanyard are up for trade.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You can get starter sets cheaper if you buy online. For example, I know a seller on ebay who sells the exact same sets you'd find at WDW for about half the price. If you want to know the user id, just PM me.

Hubby is a CM who loves to trade with guests. However, please be aware that pins that aren't on his lanyard are his personal pins, and he does not have to trade those. He has a favorite pin that he wears, and guests constantly try to trade for it then they get upset when he tells them that it's his own pin. He has decided to stop wearing it because so many people have complained that he HAS to trade it. So just be aware...only the pins on the trading lanyard are up for trade.

Did your husband actually wear the pin on his lanyard or his uniform? If it was on his uniform then he did nothing wrong, because Cast Members are allowed and I assume still can wear personal pins on their uniform. So if the pin is on there then he does not have to trade it.

 

[Joanna71985]

Did your husband actually wear the pin on his lanyard or his uniform? If it was on his uniform then he did nothing wrong, because Cast Members are allowed and I assume still can wear personal pins on their uniform. So if the pin is on there then he does not have to trade it.

Actually, the only personal pin allowed to wear on the costume is an American flag pin, or a trainer pin (if a trainer). Nothing else is allowed (this is according to the Disney Look guide).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Actually, the only personal pin allowed to wear on the costume is an American flag pin, or a trainer pin (if a trainer). Nothing else is allowed (this is according to the Disney Look guide).

Then I guess the rules did change because a few years ago at a store on Main Street I saw a Cast Member wearing a WDW Champion Pin Trading Pin on their uniform and this a Cast Member only pin.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Thanks for all the great info! I can't wait to start my own collection.

 

[glitterkittyy]

It is an American flag pin with Mickey. He asked and got permission beforehand to make sure it was allowed. It is NOT on his lanyard. It is on his uniform. Well "was" on his uniform. He's no longer going to wear it. No big deal...he just liked it.