Pin trading newbie--???'s

[days-going-so-slow!!]

I went to the cheappins.com site, and I noticed there were alot of pins that say 'Disney Store' in the description. Are all of those OK too?

 

[Mjasp]

What is a rare pin? We just came back from WDW yesterday and I just started pin collecting with my DD's in January when we were there.

When at the pin traders store in downtown Disney, there were people sitting at a table with a pin bag (looked like a cloth book) a woman said you are more than welcome to look, but I felt intimidated as I thought she may have expensive pins and all I had was the $6.50-$10.50 pins. I got the limited edition Tinkerbell pin yesterday, but I wouldn't trade that and I assume they wouldn't have their favorites to trade either.

Why do they sit there? Is that what a pin trader does?

Thanks
Joanna

 

[Dancind]

Joanna, those folks are there looking to trade with other collectors. Some of them are out of town collectors just like you, some are regulars, and there are a few sharks. You are right, though, they would probably not be interested in trading for pins you just bought in the store, since they already will have those pins. Most of these folks have been trading for a while, and they are looking for certain types of pins. One that's missing from their collection of a certain series, or perhaps one from a different location (Paris or Disneyland), or something rare. Rare might be a pin that was very limited (1000 or less) or hard to get. The limited edition cruise line pins are very popular traders. Diana

 

[Mjasp]

Diana...What is a shark? What does that mean?

I only buy the pins I like. So I can't see trading my pins. I tell my girls if you buy a pin you like, why would you trade them. But I think they just like the thought of trading with the cast members. Its fun for them. They are 7 and 11 yrs old, so its fun for them. I let them trade with the cast members, because they like to do it.

Joanna

 

[Dancind]

I can only give you my definition of a shark. Most pin traders are nice, honest people. But there are a few that make money at the hobby, mostly by selling on Ebay. If you aren't aware that a pin you have is very desirable, perhaps very limited or retired for a while, they won't tell you. If they have a pin you want, they will try to trade for your most valuable pin. If the trade makes you happy, it doesn't really matter. But my daughter has traded with people that have told her that a trade she was willing to make wasn't a fair deal for her, I thought that was really nice. If someone looks at our book and sees a pin they like, I try to pick out several that we like in their book that might be a fair trade. If we come to agreement, that's great. There are so many pins, it's really hard to keep up! Diana

Edited to say that selling on Ebay doesn't make the person a shark! Most of those traders are nice too. Also edited to add that this doesn't apply to CM's trading from lanyards, no sharks there! Do keep in mind that some CM's will display a favorite personal pin on a collar, or sometimes a nametag or personal picture pin on their lanyards, and they are not required to trade those.

 

[Mjasp]

Thanks Diana.