Newbies at Pin Events?

[HookdonWDW]

Hi,

I'm a "relative newbie" at this pin thing. I really think that the issue is that I've been living in "pin denial". I REALLY didn't think that I owned that many pins. I've just kind of picked up what I like when I'm there, and I've let ds goof around and trade some of his pins.

Then, I went and counted my pins the other day, and realized that I have over 100. I think that this might mean that I'm a closet pin collector, and didn't realize it. I think that I'd like to get into pin trading, but I'm a little nervous about it. I've bought some doubles of pins over the years, so I have some doubles including some LE's to trade, but no matter how much I read, I don't really understand how you figure out if something is a good trade. (I did figure out that the person who was offering me a rack pin for my 4th of July 2002 Tinkerbell MK LE probably wasn't looking out for my best interests).

We'll be at WDW during the pin event this month. Do you think that this would be a good way to get my feet wet, or do you think that I should get some experience first? How do you seperate the "shark traders" from those who are just in it from the fun?

Thanks for your insights!

 

[daber]

First of all welcome and glad you have advanced out of the denial phase of pin collecting and trading.
The pin event will draw the straight traders as well as the sharks, so the waters may get a little bloody if you don't know what you are doing. Best advice for you is that if you are about to make a trade, ask those around you if they think it is a fair trade. Also, you may want to seek out those of us on the DIS board who will be at the event. Most of us will be wearing a round green pin with DIS on it.
Another idea is to look at your traders on pinpics. This will give you a relative feel for how tradeable your pin is by the number of people who have it for trade vs the number of people who want it.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I am a newbie also! DD and I will be at the MGM event as well. I am having alot of the exact thoughts you are. I am planning to do two things:

1 - have cheat sheets in my pockets. I will scribble down the pinpics ratio on some of my best pins. (Not that I have many! ) Also, I am going to write down what I want/need/have to have. There is no way I can remember which of the Epcot country stamp pins I need in the heat of the moment!

2 - utilized the brain of Meg, my DD22. Kids are smart and can remember so much more then old folks like me! She can tell you every pin in her book as well as mine. I guess all the $$$$ I have spent on her education has trained her brain!

We will get a lime green ribbon and wear it proudly!