Pin Trading question from a non pin trader

[bookgirl]

I have not been a pin collector per say.

Over the last 5 years I've picked up a few of the mickey head pins just because I liked them, and then ended up with a couple of tour pins.

So last trip while trying to decide how to decorate my window. I decided to use those pins and buttons and stuff that I had (I'll insert a photo). I liked it so much that I started going back and picking up buttons from places I'd stayed. Then I decided to go back and get a few specialty pins on eBay of events that I'd been too that I'd never bother to buy pins for.

Which brings me to now.

I ended up winning two auctions for the same pin (didn't realize it till after the purchase).

I don't need two pins. I'm not going to trade any others just thought I'd use the extra to get something else that might catch my eye.

I think I understand the basics of pin trading with CM's (if they have pins showing on a lanyard then you can ask to trade unless they have a certain color which means they are only trading with kids, and all pins must be actual Disney pins).

However would it be weird or bad etiquette to trade a WDW specific pin for a Disneyland pin?

It's a 2014 Topiary Mickey from the Flower and Garden Festival.

Thanks

 

[figment_jii]

You'll see plenty of WDW pins at DLR and vice-a-versa. That being said, you might not want to trade a purchased/limited edition pin with a CM because the CM lanyards are often filled with scrappers, fakes, and/or counterfeits. You're also less likely to come across any limited editions or event pins on CM lanyards.

As much as I general avoid the professional traders, this might be a time that it would worth looking for them and seeing what they'd be willing to trade for the 2014 F&G pin.

 

[SMD]

You'll see plenty of WDW pins at DLR and vice-a-versa. That being said, you might not want to trade a purchased/limited edition pin with a CM because the CM lanyards are often filled with scrappers, fakes, and/or counterfeits. You're also less likely to come across any limited editions or event pins on CM lanyards.

As much as I general avoid the professional traders, this might be a time that it would worth looking for them and seeing what they'd be willing to trade for the 2014 F&G pin.

I got a WDW AP exclusive pin off a CM lanyard in DCA. I really didn't care, I was just trading because my friend wanted to, so I asked if she could recommend a pin and she pointed that one out. I don't know about lanyards, but on the trading boards I've seen CMs remove scrappers and replace it with another pin from behind the counter as soon as the guest leaves. If you're worried about the pin in question, I'd just ask the CM.

 

[bookgirl]

You'll see plenty of WDW pins at DLR and vice-a-versa. That being said, you might not want to trade a purchased/limited edition pin with a CM because the CM lanyards are often filled with scrappers, fakes, and/or counterfeits. You're also less likely to come across any limited editions or event pins on CM lanyards.

As much as I general avoid the professional traders, this might be a time that it would worth looking for them and seeing what they'd be willing to trade for the 2014 F&G pin.

I'm not even sure where to look for a professional trader. Do they hang out somewhere? Have a secret hand signal, LOL?

 

[bookgirl]

However I will say that I am going just before the 60th and I really want one of those pins. I was going to look while I was there but maybe I should wait and then see if I can trade my F&G for a DL 60 if I don' t find one in early May?

I thought I'd make sure to look at the pin stores just in case they put them any out before the 22nd.

 

[figment_jii]

I got a WDW AP exclusive pin off a CM lanyard in DCA. I really didn't care, I was just trading because my friend wanted to, so I asked if she could recommend a pin and she pointed that one out. I don't know about lanyards, but on the trading boards I've seen CMs remove scrappers and replace it with another pin from behind the counter as soon as the guest leaves. If you're worried about the pin in question, I'd just ask the CM.

I've seen limited edition WDW pins on CM lanyards and pin boards in DL and DCA, but they are not super common. I've seen the CM remove pins they think are scrappers from pin boards occasionally, but I've also seen boards with plenty of obviously scrapper pins. It depends on the CM and whether they have extra pins on hand or not. I was chatting with a CM at the pin store in Frontierland this weekend and she mentioned that they take off the scrappers at the end of the day, so that means they're on the board during the day. You can ask a CM if they think a pin is a scrapper; some will try to help, bothers will not have a clue (for some CMs, managing the pin board or wearing a lanyard is just part of the job and they don't really care/know).

I'm not even sure where to look for a professional trader. Do they hang out somewhere? Have a secret hand signal, LOL?

I think the most common location is Rancho Zocolo these days. I saw a few there this weekend. You can usually identify them because they'll have pin books out for display.

However I will say that I am going just before the 60th and I really want one of those pins. I was going to look while I was there but maybe I should wait and then see if I can trade my F&G for a DL 60 if I don' t find one in early May?

I thought I'd make sure to look at the pin stores just in case they put them any out before the 22nd.

Just to make sure...you cannot offer to trade a pin you have for one that is for sale, unless you happen to see it on a trading board or a trading lanyard (i.e., you cannot take the pin up to the cash register and ask to trade it for the one you have).

Um...I highly doubt you'll find 60th pins on the CM lanyards or trade boards. You might get lucky, but I would not count on it.

 

[bookgirl]

The genesis of the pin window decorations.....

 

[bookgirl]

Just to make sure...you cannot offer to trade a pin you have for one that is for sale, unless you happen to see it on a trading board or a trading lanyard (i.e., you cannot take the pin up to the cash register and ask to trade it for the one you have).

Um...I highly doubt you'll find 60th pins on the CM lanyards or trade boards. You might get lucky, but I would not count on it.

No I'd only be trading off of trade lanyards or books, no exchanges.

I highly doubt it as well. I just meant maybe I should hold on to it, then if I don't find one in a store to buy I could trade with someone who had an extra 60 for the G&F later.

 

[Imdboss]

I'm not even sure where to look for a professional trader. Do they hang out somewhere? Have a secret hand signal, LOL?

On our last trip there was one outside the pin traders store in frontier land and the store on Buena Vista St when you first walk in, on the right (can't remember the name off hand). Previous trips they were outside the store leaving BLAB. You will know they are a "professional" trader when you see them, they usually have several books filled with pins so no secret hand sign to learn lol.

 

[goldmay]

There are also Facebook groups for pin traders. They mostly trade by mail, but you can ask if anyone who wants the pin can meet you in the parks to trade during your trip.