My Saturday a.m. experience

[Luv2Roam]

So far, so good. No fellow traders tho' --- yet.
I again got at the store EARLY, before opening.
No one else showed up until almost 5 till. When the store opened, there was probably 6 - 7 of us.
I am glad this store has the pins in boxes behind the counter.
I knew what I was doing and everyone followed behind me and we stood in a nice orderly line. They saw me buy a set, so everyine else did too, I think.
At least I had someone to talk to this week! Still no one with traders. But now I know I not alone!
I think in the group I am the voice of experience -- which shows what newbies were there this morning.
I am sure they don't know about the Dis and the many other pin sites. I thought for next week I would type up a list, incl Pinpics, etc, and hand out to anyone interested.
I have a feeling the lines will grow. Some told me they didn't know the stores had pins for sale last week.

 

[NancyIL]

My experience was similar. There were 4 other people waiting for the Disney Store to open when I arrived. When the store opened, we all patiently walked to the pin rack and took one of each pin - or so it appeared. Last week I was the only person buying pins when the store first opened.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I arrived, just like last week, at 9:55 AM. Last week there was only one other person. He was there this week too . . . and about half a dozen more people too, including . . . <font color=blue>Jim Kazooie1 and DW Margaret! </font>.

When the CM opened the store, there was a fairly orderly rush for the pins. Some pushing, but not too bad. Luckily this store apparently received their full supply of all pins, so there was no problem. I don't know if the CMs were enforcing the limit of five; I wasn't paying attention. I reached in and grabbed (what I thought was) two of each and then stepped back and had a wonderful, long chat with Jim and Margaret.

We sorted through our pins as we talked and I realized that I had an extra Snow White and an extra Belle. I decided that was divine intervention and kept the extras.

We stayed about an hour . . . and once again, by about 11:00, there were just a few pins left on the rack.

If the atmoshpere at Columbia continues to escalate, by next week it may not be pretty.

 

[JudithM]

My husband & I arrived at the mall at 9:30 a.m. We were the only ones there for about 15-20 minutes when three or four other sets of pin buying guests arrived including a lady who was behind me last week. It was very orderly. I only bought one full set this week - nothing extra.

 

[Disneylvr]

My DH and I arrived about 9:30am (10am opening) at the Crestwood Mall location in St. Louis. There were maybe 7 others ahead us in line. When the doors opened I's say there were about 15 in line. They didn't keep the pins behind the counter but I feel they should. For the most part the people were pretty orderly but there was a mother, daughter, grandaughter trio that pushed themselves ahead. There was absolutely no need to as they had more than enough pins for everyone in line, especially now that there is a 5 pin limit. They did accept my Disney Club Card for the discount but the woman ahead of me said they didn't last week. The CM's at the counter were wearing lanyards so I asked if they would begin pin trading at the Disney Stores (I was eyeing her pin #1 which I missed out on because I had to work) and she said "I have no idea, I sure hope not because I hate this pin thing."

Our store was didn't receive any of the Rocketeer pin.

 

[DeeP]

Our DS was just the opposite. Last week we had about 15 people in line before the store opened, today there were about 40 people in line. The store sold out of some of the pins before everyone in line got theirs. I was the second person in line so I got a complete set and an extra of the Snow White. I got there at 9:10 and there was only 1 person ahead of me (actually it was 2, a husband and wife but only the wife was buying pins), by 9:30 the line had grown to about 40 people! I guess next week I will get there even earlier!

 

[Jenwdwfan]

My store was much worse this week. They actually had less pins
available this time. They had 48 of the #1 pin. This week it seems they
had maybe 24. I was the 1st person to arrive last week, then around
9:45am others began to arrive. Most of the pins were sold out by 10:30am.

One family bought 9sets, and an additional 5 of the #1. Well, this week, the
same family was here b4 me, and brought an addition. I knew about the
5pin maximum, but they didn't, when they told someone it was unlimited and I told them this was no the case, it was 5 max, the comment was oh that's ok, we only wanted 5 of each anyway. I got a little worried and for good cause. It was out of control. Instead
of picking pins off the hangers, they were picking hangers off the stand! Then
went to different locations in the store to sort thru what they had, and then
put back what they weren't allowed to buy. This was being done by several
people. I would say about 20 families in all were there to get pins. Thankfully,
once the initial rush was over, people did seem willing to give up their extra's
if someone needed it to complete the set. So everything seemed to have worked
out, but by the time it was all over, I think all that was left was a few #9 & 10, and
maybe 1 or 2 of the Mickey & Donald. So now next week, the store has decided
to keep the pins behind the counter, and require everyone to line up. Am starting
to wonder if I need to get there b4 9am now. What does everyone think?
I'm committed to getting at least 1 full set for my cousin's family, and would like to
try 4 a set for myself, or just manage to get the pins I like even if it isn't all that are
released.

So should I get there b4 9am?

Jen

 

[kaeoboy]

So far, maybe because people are worried about other things here in Silicon Valley, I haven't had any trouble these two past weeks.

The store that I go to, had all of them available, no lines (except the three of us at opening). As I talked to the mgr, she was saying the people were calling from everywhere outside the state to find out if they still had pins available from the week before.

I don't think there's a limit here, but I did not ask. I just got two sets. After all, others are collecting too, and it's not right or fair to buy them all so others can't get any.

 

[jojo_ct]

So the morning started nice and relaxed when I arrived at the West Farms Mall about 9:30. No one was in line so I went and bought a cup of coffee. Came back just before 10:00 and the CM told me that no Week 2 pins had arrived in West Hartford. Another trader had just arrived and was obviously struggling with a newly broken foot (it wasn't broken when I saw her last weekend). I told her to go home. If the pins were available I'd get her a set. She was very grateful, we exchanged phone numbers, and then I was off to Meriden.

Called Leslie from the car. The Milford store had just opened and she was very upset that she was not able to get all the pins she needed, but I said grab some more for me, just in case. I got to the Meriden store and was able buy all of the pins except for Belle. Checked in with Leslie, but no, she hadn't been able to get any Belles for me either, so off I went to the Buckland Hills store. Eureka! They had lots of Belles left. So I was able to get complete sets for all the people I'd promised (whew!!).

So this was harder than last week, but at least I didn't encounter any rude collectors (poor Leslie). So what will Week 3 bring us? Personally, I can't wait to find out...it's the thrill of the hunt for me.

 

[n2mm]

I got to my store at 1:00 and they had lots of pins, except the pooh pin. They only got 1 box of the pooh pins. I got 1 of each, plus some for my grandson, and 3 extras of a couple for trading. My sister got me the pooh pin at her store. Not too bad considering I arrived 3 hours after openning.

 

[Dom13]

I got to mine around 11:00. Bought the 2 I wanted, Snow White and Mickey's Gala Premiere. Also bought a Mickey and Donald and Toy Story 2. I may have to start asking for help to get a few of the ones I really "need" like Oogie Boogie. Most Saturday Mornings I work until 11:15 so it makes it hard to be there for the start.

 

[mickey4ver]

I love reading everyone's posts about "hunting" for pins. I do get concerned though when you start saying people are pushing and shoving and grabbing pins and acting in an unorderly fashion. Good grief, these are pins people, and just that.

I say if you enjoy collecting that is fine, but be reasonable about the hobby so it can be enjoyed. The day I would run into a store to buy a pin or for that matter anything else, is a day I can't envision! Now if someone said there is a bag with a million dollars in that store and first one in gets it.......

 

[lovingthemouse]

As i was last week, i was the third person in line - the same two ladies were in front of me and this week it was nice to chat with them. Our store keeps all their pins behind the check-out counter and this is wonderful and truly organized. I was able to get my set and happily left - looking forward to next week. Tell me, is this Rocketeer pin a keeper - seems rather bland and lacking color. Just wanting to know. Have a great week everyone. Caroline

 

[Luv2Roam]

I think the Rocketeer pin is like any other-- just depends on if you like it.
I do like it because it is different from most pins. Now I need to see the movie! ;-)

 

[disrailfan]

I am so glad that no one else is having the trouble that I have. I arrived at the store at 9:00 am this morning to probably 100 people standing in line for pins. The store has been reserving them for us traders but I was advised this AM that as of Monday they will no longer be able to do that.

Today the big problem was the store only received 12 of the #12 Pin. They needlessly to say had 15 people on the list and I was #13 with needing to full sets.

I am very dissappointed in the way that Disney is handling this project. I had to call a store on the other end of the state to get two of the #12 pin and then they charged me $8.95 for 2 $4 pins.

Oh well, I guess I will wait till next week to see what transpires.

 

[bevgray]

You were at Castleton. I went to Lafayette Square after where the store manager told me the alotments for the #12 pin somehow went to Bloomington and Lafayette. Sheesh.

 

[DisneyFan0304]

I went to the Staten Island store about 9:30 and there were 5 people there when I got there. We were standing in a line, but not right at the door of the store. Big mistake! As more people arrived, we moved over to the door, but when the door opened, everyone just pushed and shoved their way in. They were just grabbing what they could. They knocked the display apart. What a fiasco. I only managed to get 3 pins, but then someone I had been talking to on line had grabbed extras so I got the other 3 from them. The store had very few pins and no #12. Last week they had plenty of pins and there was no one in the store when I got there a little after 10. I figure I'll try again next week and see what happens and if it's a repeat of this week, then I don't need the rest of the pins. I don't think I want to go through that every Saturday. I was talking to someone on line who had been to the big event in Epcot in August and said it wasn't as crazy as it was this morning. They need to start keeping them behind the counter and making people form a line instead of a mob.

 

[sgtslovak]

We arrived at the Brooklyn,NY store about 7 minutes before opening. As we approached the door, I could see a handwritten note attached to the door. Uh,oh I thought. Sure enough they hadn't received any of week 2 pins. Soon after, Carlos , the manager came out & added my name & cell phone number to a list. We shopped a little & saw they had about 10 #3 pins left from last week. Well, the call came in just before 3PM as we were on our way to a 1st birthday party for a grand-nephew.Carlos stated they didn't receive any Rocketeer pins & it would be okay to pick up the pins on Sunday morning.. On the way back after the party we decided to stop at the Green Acres DS in Valley Stream to see what pins they had left-none. On Sunday morning, a CM said we would be called when #12 came in. She also said only the people on the list got any pins, there were none left over. I then bought the one remaing #3 pin as it should make a good trader for our next trip to WDW. The Brooklyn store keeps the pins behind the counter which is the way it should be done at all Disney Stores.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Things were fine at our Disney Store -- only one other family and one off-duty CM besides Lauri and me were there. Lauri and I took our pin books in with us (they were in the car ready for our trip to the PA meet) in case any other traders were there early. The CMs enjoyed looking at our pins and I think they're excited at the prospect of trading in the stores.

On the way to PA, we stopped by another DS in the area at VA Center Commons (Sue Ellen, they said I missed you by 5 minutes ). The rack was empty except for 3-4 of the Toy Story 2 pins and maybe a dozen of the Rocketeer pins. Go figure.