New to pin trading, how to start?

[phoebusII]

We just got back from a trip to WDW. My DD has 2 pins she received as gifts and I bought each of the kids a pin while we were at WDW. DD got the blue fairy, her wings glow in the dark and DS got Woody. I saw many facinating pins that I was tempted to buy and saw many people trading pins with CMs. However, I have no clue how to start. How do you know which are more valuable than others or will become valuable? Do you collect certain pins because of a personal interest (princesses, 100 years of magic, etc.)? Are there any good web sites or books to help one get started?

 

[3kids4me]

Okay, turn around and walk quickly the other way...now!! Lol!!

Just kidding, but if you're anything like me you will have about 17 times as many pins as you do now by next month!

First go to pinpics.com; that's where you list pins you have and pins you want, and check out new releases.

This board is great not only for the information, but for the people that belong to it. While I do post on other boards, I only share the more personal stuff with my friends here.

My best advice in pintrading is to be a generous person. Remember that it's not all about the pins. Do what you can for people and you will reap the benefits in the way you feel about yourself and the friendships you will make.

Welcome to your new addic....I mean, hobby!!

 

[ivanova]

We collect based on themes/characters ... DH likes certain Villains, Chesire Cat and Sorcerer Mickey. DD likes Terk, Aristocats, and other assorted "cute" pins. I love Timon & Meeko. And we're all after the WDW lanyard only pins.

Value is subjective. Most folks don't do this as a money-maker, if we did most of us would "lose." Most collect because they enjoy it.

Not sure how the quote goes, but it's something like "one man's trader is another man's holy grail." So even if you have a pin you don't value, someone else will, and they'll have something you'll want.

 

[daber]

PhoebusII,

Welcome to the wacky world of pin trading.

Another good web site is dizpins.com. It shows what pins Disney is about to release.

Generally, Limited Edition (LE) pins are more valuable than rack (no limit) pins. The lower the edition size, the more valuable. But there are other factors, the more popular the character, movie, ride, etc. the more value seems to be placed on it.

CM trading is probably the best way to start. The CMs wear lanyards, or in the case of SuperTraders a vest, and will trade one of your for one of theirs. The pin must say Disney on the back and shouldn't be on their lanyard or vest. They are required to trade and can not refuse if the conditions are met. Second suggestion is to go to pin trading meetings. There is one every Friday night in the Contemporary 4th floor and every Saturday night in the Poly lobby. There are also local meetings around the country so watch this board....for example there is one near Atlantic City NJ this Sunday.

There is a magazine that came out a while ago by Tomart, but haven't been able to find it, and like all publications, is probably way out of date by now.

Rule #1 is have fun.

 

[darbee]

..HAD to be on their lanyards to trade. Now I'm confused.

 

[ivanova]

darbee,

I think what daber is referring to is that you cannot offer a CM a pin that they already have on their lanyard. For example, let's say a CM has lanyard only topiary mickey you want. You want to offer him/her a DS Goofy calendar pin, but if the CM already has that pin on their lanyard/vest they cannot accept the offer. You would need to offer another pin in trade.

 

[MaryJ]

So, how many pins do you recommend a person should purchase to get started trading? You obviously must have some in your possession to trade with. Right now I probably have less than 6 and I'm not sure if I want to part with those.

 

[daber]

Sorry for the confusion and thanks to ivanova for their clarifying remarks.
To solve the "but I don't have any pins to trade and I like all the pins I bought is.....
buy two of a pin, (one to keep and one to trade.)

 

[ivanova]

We didn't preplan or pin trading (got sucked into it after getting to WDW), so we bought the cheapest ($6.50) pins on the racks (ones we didn't particularly care about) and used those for trading.

Now when we go down to DLR we have a stash of DS pins (cheapest is $4) that we use as traders, especially with the CMs.