Pin Trading Frustration

[nym4588]

I know this isn't anything that you all haven't heard but I just need to vent a little. I spent yesterday at Epcot and DHS. While I was there, I traded away four of my legitimate, good pins for ones I saw on cast member's lanyards. When I got home, I checked them against PinPics and you guessed it-each and every one is a scrapper. I love my pins and most of the ones I own are part of my permanent collection. But I also buy (authentic) pins specifically to trade. For me, trading is fun and one of the best parts of the pin "experience." Or was, at least. It's so frustrating to know that I'm spending my hard earned money on pins that I end up trading for worthless crap. I know that it shouldn't matter as long as I like it but it does. I'm stuck with all of these pins that I can never trade back into the park because I don't want to be responsible for someone else being duped. I came home with a handful of scrappers when I was there in June, too. I think there was only one that was real. I will still buy and collect pins but that's it for the trading. I'm done.

 

[GoofyBaby]

I completely agree with you how frustrating it is to come home only to discover you have scrapper pins! It is such a shame that scrappers have become so prevalent in the pin trading world. But please don't let it stop you from enjoying the fun of pin trading...there are Disney pin forums out there where you can discuss all the aspects of pin trading, including learning how to tell if a pin is a scrapper before you decide to trade for it. Not sure if I am allowed to post those sites here, but if you send me a PM, I'll be more than happy to direct you to them (I have no financial ties to these sites, BTW...I just enjoy them). I, too, came home from my first pin trading trip several years ago, only to discover that about 27 of my 50 traded pins were scrappers! Once I joined the pin forum sites, I have learned so much valuable information on how to spot scrapper pins and I am back to enjoying pin trading to the fullest. It's a fun and addicting hobby!

ETA: Kudos to you for not wanting to contribute to the scrapper problem by trading them back to CMs or other people in the parks! One cool thing you can do with the scrappers is remove the post and glue a magnet on the back to turn them into refrigerator magnets! That way you can still use them instead of throwing them away!

 

[bill_the_cat]

I was reading your response to nym4588 ... I experienced the same thing. This was my family's first trip to WDW and my daughter really got into the pin trading. But, close to 50% of the pins we traded for were scrappers. If you could provide me the web addresses for the Disney pin forums you mentioned, that would be great. I can't PM you as I am new to the boards. Thanks.

 

[nym4588]

Thank you, I would love the addresses! I traded for one today that I'm pretty sure is real. Yay!

 

[BebopBaloo]

I too would love the links to the pin forums! If you don't mind, I'm kinda jumping in here.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I too, got burned trading with CMs. It made me mad trading a legit pin for a scrapper. Now, I ask to see the pin before I trade. The CMs didn't seem to mind.

 

[chaoscent]

I actually gave a few pins back and told the CM they were scrappers, told them how I knew, etc. They were fine with me giving them back. I think Disney is shooting themselves in the foot with allowing this practice to go on. I can't believe that there is nothing they can do to stop all the non-Disney pins from getting sold. I believe this will stop people from trading and in the long run Disney is going to lose money. Penny

 

[BebopBaloo]

chaoscent - I really like your Dis Figment and the character autograph pages; esp. The Crystal Palace ones!

 

[chaoscent]

chaoscent - I really like your Dis Figment and the character autograph pages; esp. The Crystal Palace ones!

Why thank you. That is very nice of you to say. Dom 13 did my avatar, he's a genius. I however did my holy grail listing (just updated it). Crystal Palace is my favorite "brunch place" with characters.
Penny

 

[GoofyBaby]

Hey all,

Sorry I didn't come back to check the thread...sending PM's now!