New Trader Here, Need All Info I Can Get!! Thanks

[thekaratekid22]

Hello,
I just got back from WDW and I had a blast. I also purchased a few pins just because they were some of my favorite characters: Mr. Smee, Prince John, and one from the Rockin' Rollercoaster. And then i get home and look at this board. lol I am a huge collector: Karate Kid and basketball cards. Now I am very intrigued by these pins. What I really need from everyone is an "Idiots Guide To Disney Pin Collecting".lol I know that you all have more important things to do than help me collect pins, but I would really love to have some info. Such as what makes certain pins more valuable, trading tips, just basically ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Thanks alot everyone.

Ryan

 

[AZ JazzyJ]

Personally, I divide pins into two categories. Those with metal pin backs and those with rubber pin backs. I am more of a rubber pin back guy myself so I tend to only collect those although some of the early pins I got did have metal backs. I even have a couple that have clasps rather than pin backs but those are more of a novelty in my collection. I have my rubber backed pins sub-divided. I have some yellow backs, some gold backs, and some black backs. Disney started selling pins that have Mickey shaped black backs and I tried to collect all of those but it got so overwhelming that I could not keep up and I have had to become more specialized in what I collect. I have one pin that has a Goofy pin back. When I showed it to some of the managers at Walt Disney World during my last visit they seemed confused since according to them Disney has never made pin backs in the shape of Goofy. I later found out that it used to be a Mickey pin back but I left it in the window of my car in Arizona and it melted. I still think it is pretty cool so I am going to frame it and hang it on my wall right next to the potato chip I found that is shaped like Abe Lincoln dressed as Madonna. I typically keep my pins in a pin book with the backs facing out so I can quickly see what color or style the pin is. I know a lot of people frame their pins but I believe that pins should be innocent until proven guilty so I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Let me know if you need any additional information and I would be happy to help.

Jeff

 

[thekaratekid22]

Hey,
Thank you so much for the info. I sent you an email with a few other problems/questions that I had. Thank you very much.

Ryan

 

[Figgy]

Ryan welcome and don't listen to anything Jeff says.. He is our wacky member and we try to humor him but so far it has just made him lose his mind more.

There are several websites that can help you. For what's coming out at the various parks there are 2 sites www.dizpins.com and www.dizneypins.com Both of those boards have chat boards as well. This is great message board to ask questions on and get some help in getting started.

Another website that can help you find out what is already out there especially if you are into a specific theme that you would like to collect such as a ride or a character or you just want to have fun and imerse yourself in thousands of pin images and information you can go to www.pinpics.com This is also an interactive trade site where you can list your collection, your trades, and your wants and keep track of them. If you have any questions on how to use it after you play around in it a little sometimes it can be a little intimidating you can email info@pinpics.com and they are always happy to ask questions.

Have fun and if you would like to know anything specific about pin trading just jump right in..

figgy

 

[Tinkerbel129]

Just wanted to say Hi & Welcome to the Collectors Board!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

My experience with pins and ebay.

If you want to get a feel for which pins become valuable -- go to ebay and follow the bidding for some pins. Remember the value of a pin is NOT what the asking price is but what the FINAL BID is. Also remember that sometimes the final bid isn't entered due to the phenomenon called "sniping" wherein weasels enter their true bid at the last second because other weasels also do the same. So if you click on "Watch This Item" you can be sure to check on the final selling price after the auction closes.

Try typing in "pin le."

A LE (limited edition) pin is not necessarily valuable -- especially if no one wants it.

Don't bid unless you're sure about a pin or you have gobs of money to spend. It's addicting.

Generalizations.
Tinkerbell is popular.
Stitch is popular.
Jiminy has his moments.
Beautiful pins are popular.
Disney auctions is selling many pins that no one wants.
Simple pins are more popular.
Square pins with complicated scenes are less popular.
Dated pins or pins with words are less popular.
Any of the above can change at any time.
If you wait a week the price of a pin may go down.
If you wait a week the price of a pin may go up.

Have fun and keep your wallet locked up.


PS Keep in mind I'm relatively new, but have spent almost 2 grand in the past 2 months and am now sworn off ebay!!!

Except for one last pin that I'm gonna go snipe right now....

 

[Mjasp]

This is interesting...I also just started collecting with my 2 DD's. We purchase what we like. We were just in Fl. last week and we all bought the new Tinkerbell LE pin, my 11 year old LOVES Tinkerbell.

When we went to DD the pin trading store there, there were people standing at tables with books of pins. What do these people trade for? The woman said to me, feel free to look, but I can't see if I saw something she would want one of my pins. Whats the deal with this?

Thanks

 

[taysalyn]

I've been collecting on and off for about 3 years. Compared to some of the posters here, I'm a mega small fish. I personally collect dangles. Most people don't like them because they are hard to keep. The danlges usually break and fall off. But I like the movement of them. Also, I collect my favorite characters, Figment and Lilo and Stitch and Beauty and the Beast. I have one black pin bag that I am constantly going through and rearranging and I have a small Figment pin bag that holds my "traders". These are usually duplicates or ones that I'm willing to trade for other pins.

As for the people with the black pin bags, they are just like you and me. Some are what is called "supertraders" and some are just learning. Almost all of them are friendly and are willing to answer any questions regarding their pins so don't be afraid to ask. I think everyone likes to talk about pins.

I went to the Pin Event last year and was overwelmed at what I experienced. I had a great time and met several wonderful people. And I saw pins and pins and pins and pins. I saw people who had huge luggage bags full of pins for trade. Then I saw people who had only one lanyard full of pins for trade so you just never know.

What I especially love about pin trading is the Cast Member involvement. I was too intimated last year to go up to some of the people so I just stuck to the Cast Members. If you have a pin that they don't have on their lanyard and they have one that you want, they have to trade with you. That's where I got most of my traders. It's really a great way to lose your shyness and get new pins.

Well, enough chitterchatter. Welcome to the Disboards family and watch out! Pin collecting and trading is highly addictive but fun and rewarding. And you now have an insider's view!

 

[Mjasp]

Thanks for the info. I thought the pin traders with the bags had real expensive (exclusive) pins. I just have my little old lanyard with the pins I love. Like I said we just started collecting this year.

Thanks Again