Pin trading question: Is there a cheapy, start-up set

[Sharlag]

we could equip ourselves with so that when we arrive our first day, we could have a few on our lanyards and start trading?

Sharla

 

[LisaZoe]

I'm trying to find something similar. Some people have found great deals at Disney Outlet Stores but I don't have one near me. What I'm trying is bidding on some pins via eBay. I also am considering trying for lanyards that way. My problem is that I like Tink and those pins seem to go higher than I want to pay. If you just want any old pin to try to trade, you can probably get them at a really good price by bidding on a pin lot (or two). I've also seen some single pins go for under a dollar (plus shipping).

You should check out the DIS Collectors Board as well for some great tips to get into this. Also, I've been using PinPics.com to make sure the pins I might bid on are listed as being official Disney products. Some people on the Collectors board have noted they've had some problems getting people to trade for Sedesma pins. These are Disney licensed and should qualify for trading with CMs but I guess they feel "cheap" and cause some CMs to turn them down. I'm just noting this so if you do bid on eBay, you'll be informed of some things to look for.

 

[Sharlag]

WOW Lisa-- thanks for the info!

I've poked around on Ebay a little, but I'm not very Ebay saavy, so it's a little intimidating.

Good luck with your Tink quest!
Sharla

 

[Mortlives]

If you don't want to try purchasing from the internet, you can buy starter sets at WDW. They include a lanyard and 4 pins, and if I recall correctly, are cheaper than buying the items separately. Can anyone confirm or deny?

Kungaloosh,
Morticia.

 

[turnlisa]

You would do better to buy them on eBay. I can't remember the price of the starter sets but it seemed pricey to me.

On eBay, it doesn't really matter what you buy since you are more than likely going to trade it. You usually get the best deals on the large pin sets. Make sure that the pins are cloisonne and have a Disney trademark. This means that they are easily traded in the park -- also they should be metal. I have purchased 20 pins for each of my boys -- a total of 40 -- mostly off from eBay and had nothing but good results. You definitely want to bring some to trade with you. The cheapest pins at Disney are about $6.50 and go up from there. I purchased large pin sets on eBay of 10 pins for $30 with shipping included. Quite a savings!

 

[Sharlag]

I've been looking on Ebay some more and will probably take the plunge.

Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[LisaZoe]

Well, I've bought a few pins for myself - less than I'd pay at the park but still a bit more than I like. I am watching a few larger lots and am keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get at least 2 dozen before our trip so DD and I have plenty for trading (assuming DD is willing to trade ).

One additional tip I'd make is for you to check the pins on pinpics.com to see if they are listed as Disney licensed. So far, I've found the eBay sellers to be very honest about the pins for sale but I find checking the pin on a non-eBay related site is reassuring. Also, it has the retail price of the pins so you can more easily see if you're getting a good deal or not. It will also indicate if the pin is a limited edition and if it is still available. I have noticed a couple of sellers list pins as "hard to find", "rare" or "retired" when that pin is listed on pinpics as still sold at the parks.

One last pro for eBay is that you can get pins from Disney Stores and parks in other countries as well as pins that you cannot purchase - i.e. those that are only for CMs trading with guests.

 

[Sharlag]

Great! I bookmarked the pin website.

 

[lwilliam]

My DH is a BIG pin collector, and I mean BIG!
Well, as we were driving from PA to FL, around the
state of SC, I mentioned, did you pack your pins - oh, my!
he was ready to turn around. Everything worked out, though,
because we went over to the Belz Outlet, to the Disney
store, and he found alot of pins there plus he got a
free lanyard for ordering the Aladdin DVD. He also buys
them on E-Bay, but does not sell them, only trades them in
the parks. Betcha they (pins) will be the first thing he packs
next year.

 

[rapriebe]

lwilliam,
If you don't mind me asking, how much did you have to pay for the pins at the Disney store. Are they good prices???

 

[LisaZoe]

I'd also be interested to know how much the pins are at the outlet and if they are usually available there. I've read that the Disney Stores around the country used to carry pins but stopped doing so at some time (some DIS posters noted they got really good deals when the pins were being clearanced). I'm still debating whether to rent a car on our trip. I love outlet shopping so that might be what tips the scale in the favor of a rental.

Anyone know how far the outlet stores are from WDW and how much a taxi would be to a mall?

BTW - Just got the first pin I bought on eBay and it is very cute. I'm impressed by the quality of it. OK, I paid more than I'd intended in the heat of the last minute bidding but now I don't regret it... much.

 

[Sharlag]

I fumbled around and bought some on Ebay yesterday.

Literally stumbled into bidding at the last few minutes and actually won!

It's that stinkin' shipping that you have to watch.

Lisa, I've seen lots of Tink but she goes high, doesn't she?

Back to Ebay to shop...

Sharla

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I am just back from Disney and the Starter Sets are $25.00 (lanyard and 4 of the same pin). Because my DD wanted a different Lanyard than the one in the starter set it cost me $28.00 for a lanyard and 2 pins. Starter set is the way to go.

 

[LisaZoe]

Sharlag - congratulations on your eBay timing. I've also noticed that the Tink pins go higher than most others. Wouldn't you know that's the case since I want to get a Tink collection going

Mom2Ashli - I'm planning to let DD pick her lanyard but I'll be sure to limit choices to the starter sets unless they have lanyards for sale without pins at a lower price. Do you remember if you saw any?

 

[Eeyoreluver]

I am trying my hand at bidding on a pin lot on ebay also. I am trying to get some for my DD and I trade on our next trip to Disney, All Girls Trip. I have been trying for a few weeks now, but keep losing out. Maybe, this lot will be the one. At Christmas I bought pins from Cheap pins.com but they no longer sell Disney pins. I did see some at the outlet stores in Orlando when we were there last time, but I'm not sure how much they were. I can't tell you exactly how far the store is from WDW, but it was'nt very far. We have always driven to Orlando before and had our own car. This time since it is just my DD and I we are flying. Congrats on your ebay win Sharlag.
Gina

 

[Fire14]

I bought my friend a lanyard with no pins for 12.00 starter sets are 24.00 or 25.00 and come with 4 pins 2 of each character.

I have a few lanyards I could stand to part with.

 

[Lthouseprincess]

I am selling our pin collection on ebay but I can't get the pics to go up. send me a Private Message if you want the info

 

[GET3550]

I assume that you wear these at the parks.... Who do you trade them with? Disney Cast members??

I am just learning about this and wonder if my kids (11,10,7) would rather do this than autographs which can be time consuming with the standing in line.

Thanks

 

[LisaZoe]

Disney CMs wearing lanyards or vests with pins will trade. I believe if they have green lanyards, they will only trade with children. Others will trade with anyone with a pin that is considered tradeable. You can read how to determine that at Disney's official pin trading page:

http://psc.disney.go.com/eventservices/index.html

There are also areas designated for pin trading and you can try your hand at trading with other non-CM pin traders. I haven't tried any trading myself, yet, but I have read quite a bit and believe the CMs are often a good way to start. Other pin traders may not be willing to trade with you if you don't have anything they want or you might get one who is trying to take advantage of your inexperience by offering less desirable pin for one you might have that is of higher value (the latter pin trader type is probably rare but out there).

 

[turnlisa]

The best bet for kids is just to trade with CMs. If you trade with other people, you may end losing something valuable just for lack of knowledge. My two DSs love trading. It's not really something you do in place of something else. My DSs still stand in line for the pictures with the characters and we also do the pin trading. The thing we like about pin trading is that the kids can pick out exactly what they want from any CM. Since the pins don't belong to the CM, the CM doesn't care which pin they are trading for as long as it is not one already on their lanyard. The CMs who do this also do it voluntarily. It is not something they are required to do. This means that you generally get some great interaction and the kids feel special. It's a great souvenir and each collection is unique when you get home.