Magicbands from ebay

[TheJRock300]

Looking to get special character magicbands on eBay for my upcoming trip. Can they only be linked once? Or can I use the same one for any future trips?

 

[BigAlsGal]

You can use the same one for future trips. I would be careful though. They run on batteries and there's no way to replace them. If you buy it off eBay and it's messed up or battery is dead not sure if they'll help you.

If it's cheap enough go for it!

 

[ElsieAstronaut]

I'd be very wary of buying a magic band off of Ebay. While they can be used by the same person for however long their battery lasts, they can only be linked to one account, one time. If the seller has used the magic band, you will not be to use it.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I've considered this for the nephew who loves Star Wars and may go with us next summer but I wouldn't risk an issue with the RFID.

 

[gap2368]

as others have said do not do it once a MB is linked it can nt be changed or linked to another account get a new one

 

[Valstew]

You can get them off the shop parks app or Disney store app for not much more or from a Disney shopper. I wouldn't risk throwing the money away I just looked them up on eBay and they cost the same or more than the three things I just mentioned.
This one was made for my DS by my mil on her trip in July but there are similar on the app for $22 or less. This one was 29 cause it is a custom with his name on the other side.

 

[TheJRock300]

So No way to replace battery once dead no matter what?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Valstew]

No you would destroy the band to get to it.

 

[Gillbob316]

I bought my first two (and thus far only) Magic Bands off ebay. One experience was bad, the other was good. It's all just a matter of being careful.

I admittedly wasn't careful enough on my first purchase...

I wanted a Tinker Bell band, and I wanted it before my trip started, because I wanted to be ready to hit the ground running once I got to Disney... at the time, Tink bands weren't available online (they are now) so ebay was pretty much my only option if I didn't want to wait 'til I arrived at the park.

The first one I bought was sealed, which I (in my then uneducated belief) thought meant it would be fine for use. When I tried to link it to my account it was a no-go. I really have no idea why to this day, it may be as simple as the seller did not have it set to "link it later" mode when they originally acquired it. I called Disney and they claimed they could do nothing, since I was honest w/ them about where I bought it. Seller claims she called Disney and was told they could fix the problem and link it in the park if I brought it in with me. The seller didn't seem shady. Good feedback. Good communication. BUT, I was stuck with a (now open) useless magic band, and it was her claim that she couldn't return it because then she would be stuck with a now open and unsellable magic band, so after some hemming and hawing, we inevitably split the difference and she refunded half, but I kept the band. I keep telling myself to bring it to the park and try to get the problem fixed, but thus far never have.

THAT said, still wanting a Tink band before my trip, I bought another one, from another seller, and made certain that the second time I found a listing that SPECIFICALLY said the band was guaranteed to be linkable, and set to "link it later" mode. So if you by one on ebay, be CERTAIN you buy one that STATES THAT. That's my advice.

I've been using the second band ever since. I have the first in an envelope somewhere.

I'm going to take it with me on my trip in Sept. and see if the cast-members in the park might be more helpful than the person I spoke w/ on the phone. I still have the original packaging, but obviously not a receipt. Best case scenario I'd like to exchange it for a different band of the same price point (since I now have a replacement Tink band already), but I feel that's probably overly optimistic to hope for. But sometimes if you get the right manager, on the right day, retailers will be friendly and do things like that. And Disney is a retailer that often aims to please its guests. Acceptable scenario: I at least get the second (or more correctly, first) Tink band linked to my account, and I now have a spare. Worst Scenario: They do nothing, and I still have a useless bracelet I paid too much for (but at least I'm no worse off, haha).

 

[siskaren]

So No way to replace battery once dead no matter what?

Thanks for all the help!

The battery is only necessary for long-range functions like ride photos, though. It isn't needed for things where you touch it to something like entering the parks, using FP and entering your hotel room.

 

[BobC]

I wouldn't do it.

It's more exciting to customize your band on Disney's webpage and have it shipped to you brand new with your name on it

Too many 'what ifs' and the bands might not work from eBay

 

[linzbear]

The battery is only necessary for long-range functions like ride photos, though. It isn't needed for things where you touch it to something like entering the parks, using FP and entering your hotel room.

Keep in mind that a good battery is the only way to attain SDMT ride photos (and likely future new rides).

 

[dis_guy]

The battery is only necessary for long-range functions like ride photos, though. It isn't needed for things where you touch it to something like entering the parks, using FP and entering your hotel room.

Yup. I have a very old MB that I leave in my carryon for checking into DME at MCO each time we go. We're Canadian so we don't get our new MBs until we check-in and the old one (with a presumably dead battery by now) works every time.

 

[Accident]

The new Frozen ride photos and all ride video also require a band with a good battery...

if it's new in box and link it later it's up to you on what risk you want to take. For me, it's too high of a risk that the band is just a decoration and it takes a couple seconds to activate them when you buy on property. the process is scan the band, then scan your hard ticket and your done and ready to use it.

My experience is bands stop being offered when disney knows they are about 6 months from a dead battery.. Many of the previously retired bands have returned in the form of design your own.

 

[fitzperry]

The battery is only necessary for long-range functions like ride photos, though. It isn't needed for things where you touch it to something like entering the parks, using FP and entering your hotel room.

In that case, does anyone know of a way to determine whether the battery is working before taking it on a ride?