I wanna get into pin trading

[EmilyS90]

How do I tell if the pins on ebay are real? Am I better off buying from disney? How many should I get to start out with? I plan on getting some for me, my 5 yo DD, and maybe my fiance if he's into it.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I will get blasted for this, I'm sure, but if you're only going to trade them away, go ahead and buy on eBay and don't worry about if they're "real". Most of what you'll find on the CMs will be exactly the same. So it's crazy to spend Disney size prices for pins to trade away for ones people got from eBay. If you're doing it as a value investment, this is not the way to go. But if you're doing it for fun, to trade, to collect, to find ones you like, for your DD to get every princess one she can, who cares if they're "real". And despite what people here will say, 99% of people can't tell the difference anyway! They'll claim because it's stamped correctly, it's "real". They're just as likely scrappers.

I buy the big lots on eBay for my boys to trade with. Then while we're on the trip, they get to pick out a couple special ones at the stores down there. Those are NOT for trading! Those are ones that represent a favorite ride, the year we went, a favorite character, etc. Those are ones they keep and display at home. But for the ones they're trading, they couldn't care less if it's a $10 pin or a $1 pin. They just like it and that's all that matters.

 

[Kohara]

Join the Facebook groups they are pretty active. Just type into the search bar Disney pin and groups will pop up. I am a member of 2. People in the groups can help determine if it's really and can give lots of advice. I buy mine on Ebay I don't care so much if they're real just that they're unique.

 

[cariann77]

I agree. Since so many people are buying on eBay most of what you will get in return will be scrappers. I'm buying off eBay and then will buy some more special pins when we get down there for my kids to keep.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I will get blasted for this, I'm sure, but if you're only going to trade them away, go ahead and buy on eBay and don't worry about if they're "real". Most of what you'll find on the CMs will be exactly the same. So it's crazy to spend Disney size prices for pins to trade away for ones people got from eBay. If you're doing it as a value investment, this is not the way to go. But if you're doing it for fun, to trade, to collect, to find ones you like, for your DD to get every princess one she can, who cares if they're "real". And despite what people here will say, 99% of people can't tell the difference anyway! They'll claim because it's stamped correctly, it's "real". They're just as likely scrappers.

I buy the big lots on eBay for my boys to trade with. Then while we're on the trip, they get to pick out a couple special ones at the stores down there. Those are NOT for trading! Those are ones that represent a favorite ride, the year we went, a favorite character, etc. Those are ones they keep and display at home. But for the ones they're trading, they couldn't care less if it's a $10 pin or a $1 pin. They just like it and that's all that matters.

Well I'll get flamed with you but actually this is very true. Most of the pins on lanyards anymore are fakes, so might as well let the kids trade a fake for a fake. I don't trade unless my niece and nephew are with me (and that reminds me I need to add my lanyard to my list). I do collect pins though, and you could still buy your DD some nice pins, put locking pin backs on them (available for sale where pins are sold), and tell her those aren't for trading. When you get back home buy a bulletin/cork board and let her use the pins to display her artwork.

When trading with legit pins, educate yourself on spotting fakes so you aren't throwing away good money.

On ebay, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I wouldn't think you'd be paying less than at least $3-$4 for a legit pin.