I had the rudest experience trading with a CM

[tearawayface]

Walt Disney World has over 50,000 cast members, overall 99 out of 100 of your trades should occur without a problem, but every once in awhile you come across someone making up the rules for themselves. My worst encounter was at the Mercantile in Animal Kingdom, after pointing out the 2 lanyard pins I wanted to trade for,the Cast member rudely stated to me that since they were lanyard pins she could only trade one pin, and that was her policy to insure everyone had a chance to trade for them. I placed my 2 pins on the counter and asked her to look at the rules on the back of her lanyard which states that a guest can trade up to 2 pins and pointed out that other guests had plenty of opportunity to trade for the 2 pins before I arrived, I also pointed out that I was pretty sure Mickey would be by later to give her some more lanyard pins. Normally I would not have not made such a stink and moved on, but her whole attitude that I was ruining it for everyone by Heaven forbid requesting 2 lanyard pins really irked me!! Just don’t let the one bad apple ruin your trading experience!!

 

[Vickie46]

you won't believe what happen to us... we were at our resort and a cast member was trading with my daughter.. well.. my little girl is short.. so I got down on her level and said are you ready to trade.. and she said yes.. and I she told me she watned a certain pin.. I looked back up at the lady that is right in front of me.. and the lady she worked with took 2 pins off and said she wanted those.. I said I am sorry.. but that is what my little girl wants.. and she said.. well I need them... I said that is NOT right! I was so mad! It really burnt me of pin trading! I am still so upset about this plus I had the upset child to deal with! Talk about an awful experience!

 

[Beca]

We just returned from Disneyland Paris, where we had the absolutely WORST trading experience I have ever encountered. We were about to leave the park on our last evening, and my dd (who is 4) spotted a CM with a lanyard and wanted to trade. She immediately started looking at her lanyard to see what "traders" she had left, so she could tell the CM which pins he could choose from (we always try to let CM's have a choice of pins), and the CM said, "No, before we talk about your pins, you choose the one you want off of my lanyard." So, my dd picked a pin. Then, the CM said, "Now, let me see your lanyard so I can pick." My dd took off her lanyard, handed it to him, and said, "You can have one of these three pins." The CM began taking a different pin off her lanyard (one she had purchased). My dh said, "I'm sorry, that is not available for trading." The CM said, "No....I let you pick any pin off my lanyard, so now I get to pick any pin off of hers." Panicking, my dd tried to hand the pin back to the CM, while she was saying "Never mind...I don't want your pin." The CM avoided the pin, and exclaimed, "Sorry, too late...you chose your pin, and now I get to choose mine." Well, immediately my dd burst into tears...hysterical. Fortunately, my quick-thinking dh grabbed her lanyard from the CM, angrily told him to wait a minute, and removed all but the three "traders" from her lanyard. He then told the CM, "Fine. Pick any pin from her lanyard now." The CM scowled at my dh, and chose one of the pins.

My poor dd was SOOO shaken up by this that she said she didn't want to pin trade ever again. I was SOOO mad, so I went by Guest Relations to complain. However, the CM at guest relations, (who was in training) tried to tell me that the CM was correct, and that he should've been able to pick any pin off of my dd's lanyard. I asked if I could make a complaint against this CM, and she replied, "Well, before we will file a complaint, I will need you to have a seat while we locate the cast member so we can hear his side of the story. Did you, by chance, get his last name?" "What? Are you kidding me?," I replied. It was now 8:30pm, raining, and we had to catch the RER train back to Paris with my 4yr old. Furious, I explained to her that I was not "waiting" for her to contact an employee for whom I only had a first name, so we could hear "his side" of why my 4yr old was sobbing in her stroller!! I asked for an address where I could write instead.

In the big picture, I don't care about pin trading. Lord knows we have spent thousands of dollars on retail pins only to have my dd trade for nearly every Sedesma she comes across...I'm not sure why she likes those stupid pins so much (and yes, we have often run into cast members who will not accept them later when she decides to trade them away). But, pin trading, and the interaction with cast members that trading affords her, is one of her FAVORITE things to do at a Disney park. However, I cannot IMAGINE what sort of pleasure anyone could get by bullying a 4yr old, and then watching her cry in panic. I have NEVER reported a CM...I figure everyone has a bad day, but this guy was just mean!! I don't want to get him in "trouble", but I want him to stop and think, and hopefully never make a small child cry while pin trading again.

 

[disneyloveNY]

What are sedesmas and propins?

 

[Since1971]

Just a thought, but are you sure her lanyard was a Disney one and not her personal lanyard? Sometimes employees have both on or they wear their own. When the lanyard is their own, they can decide what they want to trade or not. We've been pin trading/buying for seven years now and we've only come upon this case a few times, but it does happen. Also, sometimes Disney does change their pin trading rules. A few years ago the Disney outlets down here started carrying the 2000 celebration pins. You could get them for $.99 and then trade them in the parks for pins worth more. After getting so many of these pins, the management told employees they could no longer accept these pins. People also have to be careful when trading because there are a lot of stores in Orlando that have Disney pins that aren't official Disney pins. We picked one up at Walgreen's one time. We have seen cast members get in trouble for trading these pins.

We've also been told they can't accept Disney Store pins which is understandable since the physical Disney Stores and the online Disney Store isn't owned by the Disney Company and they are separate entities. I hate to hear you had such a bad experience with a cast member. Most supervisors are accommodating, however, there are still some supervisors that are just like the cast member you described. We have been going to WDW since it first opened in 1971 and DH and I frequently discuss how customer service has changed over the years. Sadly, not always for the better. I'm sure the next time you'll get a cast member who will trade those pins with you, though, and your experience will be a lot better

 

[doombuggy]

After these two situations, my wife commented that Disney's customer service was slipping. I reminded her that these were two isolated incidents and that we had made many trades and met many, many oAfter these two situations, my wife commented that Disney's customer service was slipping. I reminded her that these were two isolated incidents and that we had made many trades and met many, many outstanding cast members during our visit.

Do not let a few "unmagical" people ruin your magic or make you overlook the many great cast members at Disney you meet each trip. I would politely ask to speak to a manager. If that does not work, jot down a name and write a note. And if you meet a great cast member, take a moment and let a manager know as well.
utstanding cast members during our visit.

I agree! I have visited the Disney parks plenty and 99% of the time encounter great CMs. If I come across one who might not be what you normally expect, I scratch it up to they are having a bad day - they are people too, not AAs. I can't let it bother me - not worth the extra stress (this goes for all the bad drivers on the road, etc....). To be honest, I don't wear my lanyards in the parks anymore. and beleive me, there are plenty of sharks out there....

 

[agnes!]

Just a thought, but are you sure her lanyard was a Disney one and not her personal lanyard? Sometimes employees have both on or they wear their own. When the lanyard is their own, they can decide what they want to trade or not. We've been pin trading/buying for seven years now and we've only come upon this case a few times, but it does happen. Also, sometimes Disney does change their pin trading rules. A few years ago the Disney outlets down here started carrying the 2000 celebration pins. You could get them for $.99 and then trade them in the parks for pins worth more. After getting so many of these pins, the management told employees they could no longer accept these pins. People also have to be careful when trading because there are a lot of stores in Orlando that have Disney pins that aren't official Disney pins. We picked one up at Walgreen's one time. We have seen cast members get in trouble for trading these pins.

We've also been told they can't accept Disney Store pins which is understandable since the physical Disney Stores and the online Disney Store isn't owned by the Disney Company and they are separate entities. I hate to hear you had such a bad experience with a cast member. Most supervisors are accommodating, however, there are still some supervisors that are just like the cast member you described. We have been going to WDW since it first opened in 1971 and DH and I frequently discuss how customer service has changed over the years. Sadly, not always for the better. I'm sure the next time you'll get a cast member who will trade those pins with you, though, and your experience will be a lot better

When a CM is on-duty, are they even allowed to wear their own personal lanyard? Now, if a guest is looking for a particular pin, I've seen some CMs occasionally pull out their own personal pins (from behind the counter or out of a pocket) & trade.

I've never heard that WDW CMs can't accept Disney Store pins in CM/guest trading...I wonder if this is published anywhere as official policy. What about Disney Store pins from when Disney itself actually owned the stores? Maybe this is a change in official policy, maybe not...I think it is a case of one manager deciding what they'll take in trade. It will be interesting to see what the actual pintrading guest/CM practices are the next time we go. Frankly, pins only cost comparatively little to produce...Disney's making out wherever the public buys their authorized pins. (When you come down to it, I bet the licensee-payments that other manufacturers pay, like Sedesma or Propins, isn't exactly chump change either...)
Btw, I believe that DisneyShopping.Com (formerly known by some different names, including I think "Disney Store.Com" or "Disney Store Online"?) as well as Disney Auctions are both owned by Disney corporate.

agnes!

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share a nice story of one of the Disney CMs. She worked at the pin stand just under the big Mickey Fantasia hat at MGM. I was there looking when a little boy tapped me on the shoulder and asked to trade for a Pete's dragon pin my grandmother had given me. This pin had sentimental value so I couldn't trade it, but I quickly found the same pin on the shelf, bought it and traded it to the little boy. His smile was enough for me, but the CM saw it all take place and quickly gave me one of hers. I told her it wasn't necessary, but she insisted.
The people who drive me crazy are the ones with cases or vests full of pins who are only in it to profit. My son wanted to trade with one of these people and despite offering a very nice Tokyo Disney Seas Ragin Spirits Stitch op[ening day pin this guy wouldn't trade with my 8 year old son. All he wanted was a Chip and Dale pin to give his younger brother.

 

[agnes!]

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share a nice story of one of the Disney CMs. She worked at the pin stand just under the big Mickey Fantasia hat at MGM. I was there looking when a little boy tapped me on the shoulder and asked to trade for a Pete's dragon pin my grandmother had given me. This pin had sentimental value so I couldn't trade it, but I quickly found the same pin on the shelf, bought it and traded it to the little boy. His smile was enough for me, but the CM saw it all take place and quickly gave me one of hers. I told her it wasn't necessary, but she insisted.
The people who drive me crazy are the ones with cases or vests full of pins who are only in it to profit. My son wanted to trade with one of these people and despite offering a very nice Tokyo Disney Seas Ragin Spirits Stitch op[ening day pin this guy wouldn't trade with my 8 year old son. All he wanted was a Chip and Dale pin to give his younger brother.

Good for you for spreading some pixie dust .

I know what you mean about trying to trade with some folks, it can get frustrating. Some traders do overestimate what their pins are actually worth, in monetary value or in trade, sometimes they're not really traders at all, but more collector/hoarders.
In your DS's case, though, the potential trade depended on exactly what that particular Chip&Dale pin was. It could have been quite rare or a (small-edition size)Limited Edition. For your DS's pin the trade/wants ratio from Pinpics is 26/49 - there are over 1000 Chip&Dale pins listed on pinpics, some of which are quite rare and some are quite common.
If I'd been there, I would have done my best to trade with your DS - I like to try to spread some pixie dust if I can.

agnes!

 

[tokyodisneydad]

Yes I understand and agree with your point. Most people would have done their best to try and trade, but this trader wasn't even interested. I felt like maybe he could have tried to offer something different to offer, but he seemed to have the attitude of don't bother me kid-you can't p[ossibly have anything I want. This all happened at the pin trading area of Disney Market Place. I found the same Chip and Dale pin in the store for $8. But it's all ok my son still loves trading pins and so do I.

 

[BONITATIME]

We just returned from Disneyland Paris, where we had the absolutely WORST trading experience I have ever encountered.
I have NEVER reported a CM...I figure everyone has a bad day, but this guy was just mean!! I don't want to get him in "trouble", but I want him to stop and think, and hopefully never make a small child cry while pin trading again.

I think you should report this. The management should know so it doesn't happen to another child.
I know there is talk that CM's in Paris can carry their own lanyards, also they can not take Sedesma and Propins pins. Nethertheless it is completely unacceptable that a child should be made to sob and be afraid.
I am sorry that this happened to you as most of the CM's in DLRP are really lovely.

 

[Beca]

I think you should report this. The management should know so it doesn't happen to another child.
I know there is talk that CM's in Paris can carry their own lanyards, also they can not take Sedesma and Propins pins. Nethertheless it is completely unacceptable that a child should be made to sob and be afraid.
I am sorry that this happened to you as most of the CM's in DLRP are really lovely.

Thanks!! Interesting....I didn't know CM's in Paris could carry their own lanyards...maybe it was his own lanyard. I'm not sure personal trading while "on the job" should be allowed...maybe this is what happens.

And yes, the vast majority of CM's that we met in Paris were wonderful...we really did have an amazing time!!

 

[European]

Thanks!! Interesting....I didn't know CM's in Paris could carry their own lanyards...maybe it was his own lanyard. I'm not sure personal trading while "on the job" should be allowed...maybe this is what happens.

And yes, the vast majority of CM's that we met in Paris were wonderful...we really did have an amazing time!!

I didn't know personal trading is allowed either. I actually don't think it is. The problem in Paris is that cast members aren't informed about pin trading so they just do whatever they think pin trading is. I also advice you to please report this to Guest Communication. If you need their e-mail address, let me know. Give them the cast member's name and explain the whole story, also what happened at Guest Relations.

Question: did you go to Guest Relations just outside the park or to City Hall in Main Street? As you should file complaints at City Hall, cast members at Guest Relations are ticketing cast members and not trained to handle this.

 

[Beca]

I didn't know personal trading is allowed either. I actually don't think it is. The problem in Paris is that cast members aren't informed about pin trading so they just do whatever they think pin trading is. I also advice you to please report this to Guest Communication. If you need their e-mail address, let me know. Give them the cast member's name and explain the whole story, also what happened at Guest Relations.

Question: did you go to Guest Relations just outside the park or to City Hall in Main Street? As you should file complaints at City Hall, cast members at Guest Relations are ticketing cast members and not trained to handle this.

Originally, I went outside the park (it's what the CM at the exit gate told us to do) to the guest relations office right next to the place where you check your luggage for the day. There I was advised to go back to City Hall. The CM in City Hall is the person that told me the CM we tried to trade with was correct. After going back into the park, I met my dh back by the guest relations office (he was waiting there to get out of the rain). I asked the CM at guest relations where to write, and she gave me an address. However, if you could pm me with yours, I would REALLY appreciate any other contact info you have.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I had the exact same experience with a cast member in the store at MCO. Very rude, abrupt and said the exact same things. She told us they were "cracking down" on pin trading. LOL. She even followed is to another register. We questioned the her manager and she explained that she was a seasonal worker.

I am writing a letter to Disney about her behavior. She acted like we were being distrustful. Do you recall her name. I will not post it but send you a private note.

It is a shame that the last memory yof our Disney vacation is a rude CM at the airport right before your leave Orlando. I hope other families are not having this experience.

I think I tried to trade with her also. I was looking for a specific kind of pin and she didn't have it, but made it very clear that if she got it, she'd keep it and NOT trade it! I found her rather rude and abrupt too. But at WDW, I've never had a problem. If anything, CMs have been super nice when trading.