Newbie looking for lots of advice...

[nigel-bigel]

I'm very new to this game, having bought my first pin about 3 days ago. We are going to WDW after Thanksgiving, and I thought it would be something fun for my 6 y-o DD and I to do together. I'm sure it'll be no suprise for you to learn that it has totally taken over my life! I'm on pinpics every night till 2 am, and I've gone to my local Disney Store every day, buying more! I have a lot of questions about how to collect things, so if I could get feedback on just a couple of them I would be grateful.

Do people only tend to trade only like pins for another? For instance, only trade TDS 100 Years of Dreams pins for others from the same seriesgluess it make sense to only trade open stock for other open stock, but what about (for example) only CM for CM?

I decided when I started to only buy things because I liked them, and not worry about how "valuable" a pin is. But now I'm thinking that unless I buy LE's when I see them, even if I don't want them, that I won't have anything worthwile to trade with. What do you think?

Are open stock still sometimes hard to come by in the parks?

Which groups are the most popular to collect, does anyone know? I want to stay away from these! I want to retain my sanity and just keep this fun, so i don't want to pursue something popular and just get really frustrated.

I really get a kick out of the Divas, and thought I would collect these, but the demand for them at pinpics seems to be really high, plus it appears many of these are event pins. Would I be better off pursuing Hercules pins becuase it seems these are not as popular, or it it really a wash because there are less styles of the Herc pins to begin with?

How popular is the Nightmare Before Christmas?

And what does it mean when an event pin isn't limited? Do they make more of these, even a year after the event is passed?

I guess that's it for now, but I'm sure I'll think of lots more later!

 

[shirley 38]

You have a lot of questions. First of all I do not collect the rack pins unless I really really like them or get them from a cast member's lanyard.

To me they make million's of them. For your daughter they would be great because if she loses one it can be replaced.
I do like the Limited Editions's. My theory is Buy what you like. I do like to collect sets pins such as the Pins of the Month.

The Nightmare before Christmas is very hot right now. Also anything with the Haunted Mansion.
I have stopped collecting California pins unless I am going to use them as traders in WDW. Think about it Florida wants Ca. Pins and Ca. wants Fl. pins.

The disney store pins are only $4.00. Where can you get a pin that cheap and they are nice.

I am collecting the set of disney store pins and a couple extra that I like.

I only seen one disney store pin on a cast member lanyard while I was down there.
Seems like people are holding on to them.

A good place to learn how to trade is to go to the Contempory on a Friday Night while you are down there. You can always ask another person if what you are trading is a good trade.
Most people will be more than willing to help you.

I would not go to downtown disney as these are the High Rollers and are looking for only the very best pins. But in the same time you could go and observe.
Another thing is to watch ebay to see what is selling and what is not.

If you really want a pin remember the person who has the pin you want is in control. Just ask what would it take to get that pin. Then see if you can get what they want.

Disney auctions are interesting you can get to them through ebay. Sometimes you can get a Limited Edition of 100 for $15.00. I have.

With the auction the bid price for the pin is what you pay. Some people will bid $100.00 but on pay 25.00.

You need a pin bag. You will need good rubber backs for you lanyards. And most of all enjoy it. It is a hobby. If I forgot anything I will repost. shirley38

 

[jaross]

Welcome to pin trading. I trade with my two sons ages 6 & 10. It's something nice that we can share. The six year old especially likes it. So, I figure your daughter will too.

The first rule is collect what you like. Don't worry about value. Usually rack pins trade for rack pins, Disney store pins will fall into the rack pin category. Some rack pins are harder to find than others for some reason. But, if both people are happy with the trade, then anything goes.

Remember, the CM's in the park must trade anything on their lanyard for any Disney pin you have that they don't. It does not have to be anything special. This is a great way for your daughter to trade because they can't say no and she can pick out anything on their lanyard.

If you have the extra money to buy extra LE's, do it for trading. But, if money is short (or reserved for other pins you like), don't. You don't need LE's to trade with castmembers, just with other people.

There is a pin meet every Friday at the Contemporary that's a great place to trade with other traders. Beware of sharks in WDW (traders that will take advantage of you). If you don't feel comfortable with a trade or feel pressured, just don't do it. There is nothing that says you have to complete a trade that is still in the talking stages.

Since I am far from the parks, I will sometimes trade from the boards here and on dizpins. I do buy from ebay (but, I wait until the prices go down.. LOL), the sale board on dizpins or other websites. I try to pay as little as possible for my lanyard traders, because it really doesn't matter what they are. The CM must accept it.

I hope all this helps. It can certainly be overwhelming. But, this is a great place to find info.

Chris

 

[Luv2Roam]

Visit cheappins.com before going to an internet auction. They are a good source of nice pins and traders. I have seen people bid three - four times as much for a pin they could have bought from cheappins. (Which is most likely where the seller bought it!)
Keep in mind that Disneyland and Walt Disney World currently have different pin trading policies between guests and Cast Members.
When I buy from cheappins, I buy pins that can be traded at DL -- just in case WDW follows DL's stricter pin trading policies. (Or just because I like the pin.)
If I am auction browsing and looking for a particular pin or theme, I search both Ebay and Yahoo Auctions. I think Yahoo is more user friendly. But doesn't have the variety. And I think the prices are generally higher than Ebay now. Bargains can be had on auctions. Caution: Just be aware of what $ the seller charges you for shipping! Some really gouge!
And check out www.pinpics.com -- the #1 loved source of all Disney pin collectors. That site has a wealth of information PLUS you can store your collection and set up trades with fellow collectors for FREE.
Pinpics also links to:
www.dizpins.com
Another great source. Keep in mind, on the Diz Pins boards, people CAN, and do, sell pins for profit. But Diz Pins is a free site also. You only need to register if you want to post on the boards.
Dizpins also has a Reference Center. Some people will not trade unless you have references. Don't be offended if someone asks for references.
Happy collecting and trading!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I would like to add . . . Try to focus. In the beginning, I bought whatever I liked, and soon discovered I like way too many things. It can really take some time to figure out what you really want to keep. I would encourage this even in your DD. I have a six yr-old DD too, and with a little coaching, she has narrowed her interests to princesses, Toy Story, and Pooh.

There are no hard-and-fast rules about pin values. I have an LE500 that nobody wants and I've had rack pins that traded for CM LE pins.

I have met traders in WDW and online who will only trade a CM for a CM. Personally, I consider a CM pin about the same as an LE of the same edition size.

I have met traders in WDW who only trade WDW pins. On the other hand, I have met many people in WDW who are thrilled to trade for rack pins from any other park.

For a while I did not want to buy LEs just as traders. But, after a while, I found that this is something of a necessity if you want to trade for other LEs or hard-to-find pins.

Many rack pins, especially those that are retired, or are from retired attractions, eventually reach the status of pseudo-LEs.

The auction sites can be pretty enticing. I have a few rules that I try to follow. If it's a new release, I always know the retail price of the pin. I set a limit in advance, and stick to it. If you wait 7-10 days after a pin is released, the price on the auction sites will drop by 30% or more. I always check the shipping costs before I bid. Some sellers try to pad their profit by setting outrageous shipping and handling charges. While I'm waiting for those prices to drop, I continuously check the DIS board, Dizpins board, and pinpics for possible trades and/or sales at or near cost. I have had lots of luck finding reasonable trades and sales, with some patience.

Pin collecting is a lot of fun. But, I have to admit that pintrading is even more fun. I echo the comments above: The pin meets at the Contemporary are a great place to start, meet people, and gather advice, information, and support. Trading in DTD at WDW is treacherous for the novice collector.

Trading on the DIS board is fun too! Like the Contemporary, if you're not sure about a trade, ask another member. You're guaranteed at least 1.7 opinions per person.

 

[nigel-bigel]

WOW! Ask for advice and you'll get it.

I REALLY appreciate all of the feedback you have offered me. Lots of words of wisdom, which I'll be sure to remember.

Now the only advice I need is how to keep this from taking over my life. I even dreamed about pins last night - no joke. (It was Foulfellow and Gideon, if I recall...)

Thank you again, Nicole

 

[catwho]

Number one rule to collecting. Buy what you like. Trading is something totally different. I'm not the pin collector in the family. My 9 yo dd is. We buy what we like. We don't worry about whether it is LE (unless it is a matter of she only has so much money to spend and has to make a decision between open stock and LE and gambling on if LE will still be there when she has enough money again.) We have a wide variety of park and character pins.

We are going to buy a few pins for her to trade when we go to WDW in January. We have talked alot about the difference between collecting and trading. She wants to collect. She likes to keep them all. Since this is something that you and your dd are doing together, do both of you have attachments to certain pins that either of you would be offended at loosing in a trade? Are you collecting for future investment (as in "these will increase in value and be worth $$ some day") or for sentimental value ("these are pins that will mean something to me someday when I remember all the fun we had collecitng them)?

If you like something buy it. If you really like it, don't trade it. My dd did get a really nice pin from a CM in trade for a pin she had just bought. It was a good trade and then we went back and bought her another pin. The CM I think traded to make her day not to gain anything by the trade.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

About your last question:

Now the only advice I need is how to keep this from taking over my life.

I'm afraid I don't have any useful advice on this subject.

 

[nigel-bigel]

Well, what IS the difference between collecting and trading. I mean, I know what collecting is, but isn't trading just a means to building a collection? Or are you saying a lot of people are trading for the "thrill of the deal"?

 

[NHMickey]

"thrill of the deal"

I have done a trade or two just to see if I could do it. In fact I have done deals for others just to get the thrill of the deal. So while I do consider myself more of a collector that trader I do love the thrill of the chase as well.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Well, what IS the difference between collecting and trading. I mean, I know what collecting is, but isn't trading just a means to building a collection?

That's true, but trading isn't the only means to building a collection. One can build a collection of pins merely by purchasing them. Trading involves interaction and negotiating with other collectors. For some, the "thrill of the hunt" is a major motivation in trading; for others, it's merely the personal interaction with other collectors.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Let it take over your life - no way!! My only advice is get out now while you can!!

Well if you are really hooked, I can honestly say - think before you buy. Are you buying just to own a "HOT" pin or because you like it. Try not to get swept up in auction fever. Set your amount early and stick to it.

As far as trading - sometimes I trade to get a pin I am seeking. Sometimes I let NHMickey do it for me!!
Sometimes I trade to trade. Not looking for a pin but just having the fun of trading and meeting other like folk.

But most of all haver fun!!!

 

[nigel-bigel]

Tiggersmom, I like your attitude!