New to pin trading, need help...

[staceyj2]

We are making our 2nd trip to Disney in October. We didn't participate in pin trading the 1st time. I think my kids would love it, so I thought we might try it for this trip. Problem is, I don't know anything about it!

I have found some on ebay that I wanted to bid on, but how do I know that they are official trading pins? I know there are some fakes out there, and I don't know how to tell the difference. Some of the auctions say the pins say sedesmasa on the back. What does that mean?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[HappyTap]

Here's the DIS forum about trading that will be of more help...

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

But in general, if a pin says "Disney" on the back, a CM is supposed to trade with you.

The Sedesma pins are much smaller than pins you would buy at the park, and are of a poorer quality. They are official Disney pins, however, that were made in Spain (I don't believe Disney allows the company to make official pins anymore, though). We had some when we went, and my kids were never given a hard time by CM's. However, I tried to trade one for my son when he was tired and cranky, and the CM kind of scoffed at the pin I offered, then just put it in his pocket rather than on his lanyard. I've heard that Disney wants the Sedesma out of circulation so they don't display them to trade them back.

Hope that helps.

 

[GinnyFavers]

Almost every pin ever released that's a legitimate Disney back-stamped trading pin has a photo and description here:

http://www.pinpics.com

You can also get information on new releases and participate in discussion forums about pin trading here:

http://www.dizpins.com

Once I found those websites, I was off and running!

My son is 8 and really enjoys trading with cast members. He went on a Stitch binge this year, and there were a lot of those around, so he was a very happy camper!

The best trades we made were with managers standing around early in the morning as soon as parks opened. The later in the day, the worse the traders left on people's lanyards.

Look for green lanyards, they are for trading with kids only, and tend to have way better pins on them that the ones for grownups. There are still too many grownups out there trying to "work" the WDW pin trading for their own profit, instead of having a good time, and it's kind of ruined it in my opinion for adults in the parks, but for kids, it's still fun.

I don't bother trying to trade with other guests at WDW, people wear pins to display them and often have no intention of trading. Not sure why? I hear in Disneyland in CA it's a totally different atmosphere, with lots of guest to guest trading.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We are making our 2nd trip to Disney in October. We didn't participate in pin trading the 1st time. I think my kids would love it, so I thought we might try it for this trip. Problem is, I don't know anything about it!

I have found some on ebay that I wanted to bid on, but how do I know that they are official trading pins? I know there are some fakes out there, and I don't know how to tell the difference. Some of the auctions say the pins say sedesmasa on the back. What does that mean?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I have bought Disney pins on e-bay from a very kind gentleman (sellandship). He has lots of Disney merchandise (including pins) for sale. I have bought, literally, over a hundred items from him and have never ever had a problem. He gives combined shipping discounts too.

Pin trading can be so much fun but it can also be costly. That's why I purchase many of mine off e-bay.

 

[shyjade]

Last year my DD8 tried pin trading for the first time. I thought she would hate it because she's so shy and really has trouble striking up a conversation with "strangers". But once a few CM's initiated conversations with her about the few pins she was wearing, she was off & running with pin trading. She LOVED it, and can't wait to do it again this year. I just made my first EBay pin purchase last night and I'm a little nervous about what we'll get; thanks for the suggested seller - I'll look him up for my next purchase!

 

[ldo]

If you look on ebay, then go to bottom and they list ebay stores. Look for one that has lots of + feedback. I recommend starting with a set with lanyard and 8 pins--their are several--pick based on the lanyard, not the pins.
I paid about $25 plus shipping for lanyard and 8 pins. But one SOON, so you have plenty of time for shipping.
Don't go with 4 pin set, you'll just be buying more pins at $7 a pop.
My kids love pin trading--don't forget, bus drivers, hotel staff, gift shop workers might also be wearing lanyards for pin trading. fyi--they got heavy to wear in the park, take a backpack, etc. to put in when not trading--and check the pin backs every hours or so--they loosen and pins can fall off.
HAve fun!

 

[staceyj2]

Thanks so much for all the information you have given! I think I am ready to get them started. Why do I get the feeling I am getting my kids started in something that is going to end up costing me a lot of money????

 

[ldo]

buy an 8 pin lanyard starter set form ebay store--you can email them and ask if they will cut the $ a bit, since you are buying more than 1. Most will at least combine shipping. Start with 8 and you can add next time you go (I got 9 Pirates of the Carib. pins for $29 plus $5 shipping--those pins are $8-12 in the store).
Also, my kids bought NO souvenirs--the pins took the place of them. Plus, each year they go back, they can trade for what they are more interested in (ex. DD5 was into princesses, now she is collecting minnies--she can just go and trade for free for those now).

 

[shyjade]

Thanks so much for all the information you have given! I think I am ready to get them started. Why do I get the feeling I am getting my kids started in something that is going to end up costing me a lot of money????

You are!! But like Ido said, my DD chose to spend her money on pins over other souveniers, and $7+ per pin is still a lot cheaper than buying shirts, stuffed animals, etc. After starting pin trading last year I'm very happy we started and look forward to doing it again in 6 weeks.