Pin Trading "Rules"

[Eeyore's Buddy]

Sorry if this has been addressed before, but what are the "rules" for trading pins at DW?

Will the CM's trade for non-Disney pins? We have accumulated pins on various trips to other countries and thought it would be interesting for our grandson to trade some of these with the CM's.

Or is the "hidden" goal of Disney to sell more Disney merchandise?

Thanks

EB

 

[livndisney]

Sorry if this has been addressed before, but what are the "rules" for trading pins at DW?

Will the CM's trade for non-Disney pins? We have accumulated pins on various trips to other countries and thought it would be interesting for our grandson to trade some of these with the CM's.

Or is the "hidden" goal of Disney to sell more Disney merchandise?

Thanks

EB

I don't know about a "hidden goal" . But as I understand it-pin trading at Disney is only with Disney pins.

 

[BoomNLeon]

The pins traded at Disney need to have the Disney logo on the back. These include US Disney pins and pins from any Disney park or store from around the world.

 

[dqpowell]

CMs are not allowed to trade for non-Disney pins. The goal of selling more Disney merchandise is not hidden.

David

 

[macraven]

The CM's with the green lanyard can only trade with children.
The CM's with the blue lanyard trade with adults.
I'm sure a CM with the blue lanyard would trade with a child if asked.

Only two trades are allowed at the same time with the CM's.

 

[glitterkittyy]

The CM's with the green lanyard can only trade with children.
The CM's with the blue lanyard trade with adults.
I'm sure a CM with the blue lanyard would trade with a child if asked.

Only two trades are allowed at the same time with the CM's.

Actually the blue lanyards trade with anyone...child or adult.

The pins must be metal. They don't need to have the logo on the back, but they do need to have the Disney copyright on them or a copyrighted Disney image.

The CM may not have two of the same pin on their lanyard. So if you want to trade that tinkerbell pin that the CM already has, you'll need to trade with another CM first so there won't be two of the same pin on the lanyard.

The only pins available for trade are the ones on the lanyard. Some CMs have a "showcase" pin that is their own that they display on them that is NOT on the lanyard. That pin is not available to trade.

Hubby is a CM who loves to trade! It was one of the things he looked forward to most when he was hired.

 

[Joanna71985]

Also, if you'd like to see the pins better, please ask the CM if you can get a better look (and please don't grab the lanyard).

 

[JDGOtter]

http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/page?id=getStarted#green

 

[Epcot Dreamz]

I would say more important than any of these rules would be to BE POLITE!

Wait your turn!!!! Wait for the CM to finish conversations with other guests before asking to pin trade. Remember that not everyone is as into pins as you are, so butting in even "just to look" might be interfering with someones day.

Say hello and talk to the CM, they are not a pin rack... they are a living breathing human.

Don't touch the CM's lanyard! Remember that especially for the ladies, (I've seen more than one kid unintentionally feel up a CM) it could be uncomfortable having their personal space invaded.

Trade pins of similar "value". I'm not saying look up the price of each pin and match it... but don't peddle broken or cheap Ebay pins and exchange them for valuable Cast Lanyards. If it's a pin you would throw away, don't trade it! Keep it fun for everyone by not filling up the lanyards with pins no one will want!

And for Safety Reasons: trade with backs on! That way no one gets stabbed!

 

[dolphindan1]

This is good info...My 12 year old got started 2 weeks ago...he bought a lanyard and about 4 pins....we bought several more for him plus a big clip that hooks on the bottom for his christmas stocking..

I told him to try and trade with a CM, that its what they are around for but he said no I dont wanna trade yet I just got him...

I may have told him wrong as it was new to us but i told him that a CM has to trade if asked.....

I figured it would at least get him to go ask, he is kinda shy so I was just trying to get him to go ask

 

[Joanna71985]

I may have told him wrong as it was new to us but i told him that a CM has to trade if asked.....

Not necessarily. If the pin isn't a Disney pin, or if the CM has the pin already, they don't have to trade (also, a CM with a green lanyard only trades with kids, so they can't trade with adults).

 

[DisneyObsessive]

So, basic rules are, 2 pins per cast member. no exceptions! At least they really push that with us at WOD NYC. If its a green lanyard, its kids only. Must be disney pins. can be from any park or a disney store pin, but thats it.

and actually, blue isnt for just adults. its for anyone.

yes, be polite and ask! i sometimes have people just walk up to me and start staring me down haha assuming i know they are going to trade. Its a little off putting, so please ask "may i trade pins?" before you do so.

 

[nym4588]

I just started collecting the pins a little over a year ago; I'm beginning to think it's a problem! I must have hit Pin Traders at DTD a dozen times last month. It's really addicting! I haven't tried to trade anything yet but I will definitely try it next time. Thanks for the advice!

 

[macraven]

i have over 800 pins.
i have spent a small fortune on them.

my problem is i buy the pins at disney.
i buy some of the cheaper ones, that is if you can call $6.99 cheap...... , to trade with.

then i buy the more expensive ones that go up to $13.

i end up wanting to trade with a cm and all i have left are my costly ones...

whenever i see donald duck pins and any pin with cats, i trade.
i can't resist when i see that duck not to trade...


i have even traded off my dream lanyard pins for the duck.


half of my fun at the motherland is trading and buying pins. i'm totally and completely addicted to the disney pins.

 

[dolphindan1]

i have over 800 pins.
i have spent a small fortune on them.

my problem is i buy the pins at disney.
i buy some of the cheaper ones, that is if you can call $6.99 cheap...... , to trade with.

then i buy the more expensive ones that go up to $13.

i end up wanting to trade with a cm and all i have left are my costly ones...

whenever i see donald duck pins and any pin with cats, i trade.
i can't resist when i see that duck not to trade...


i have even traded off my dream lanyard pins for the duck.


half of my fun at the motherland is trading and buying pins. i'm totally and completely addicted to the disney pins.

I know you are a big Universal fan, do you do any Universal Pin Trading. I noticed them in Universal's shops 2 weeks ago....is it as big as Disney Pin Trading?

 

[macraven]

I know you are a big Universal fan, do you do any Universal Pin Trading. I noticed them in Universal's shops 2 weeks ago....is it as big as Disney Pin Trading?

i love the disney pins a lot.
i go crazy for all donald duck and cat pins/aristocrats..
i spend more on pins than food when i stay at disney......ouch

for the universal pins, i only have bought the super heros, spiderman and the pins for the rides i like there. once i bought the ones i wanted, i quit buying their pins.

i haven't bought a pin there in the last 3 years. and i don't buy their hard ticket event pins.
they don't appeal to me. not my thing.

yea, the TM's there will trade pins with anyone and they take any pin you offer. i have only seen pin trading at the pin carts outside of the park in city walk area. it is not a big thing at that park.
you see the pins in the main two stores in the parks but it's not a big selling item like it is in Disney.

But, i do the Hard Rock Cafe pins. (Those pins are nothing like the UO ones.)
i buy the new ones and the sets each year either at the cafe in city walk or at the HRC website. love that rock n roll.....i finished up the Kiss set of pins in the spring when i went to hawaii's hard rock cafe.

i do both the motherland and the darkside on my annual trips.
i love both places.
i can't imagine going to orlando and missing either one of the theme parks.

 

[dolphindan1]

i love the disney pins a lot.
i go crazy for all donald duck and cat pins/aristocrats..
i spend more on pins than food when i stay at disney......ouch

for the universal pins, i only have bought the super heros, spiderman and the pins for the rides i like there. once i bought the ones i wanted, i quit buying their pins.

i haven't bought a pin there in the last 3 years. and i don't buy their hard ticket event pins.
they don't appeal to me. not my thing.

yea, the TM's there will trade pins with anyone and they take any pin you offer. i have only seen pin trading at the pin carts outside of the park in city walk area. it is not a big thing at that park.
you see the pins in the main two stores in the parks but it's not a big selling item like it is in Disney.

But, i do the Hard Rock Cafe pins. (Those pins are nothing like the UO ones.)
i buy the new ones and the sets each year either at the cafe in city walk or at the HRC website. love that rock n roll.....i finished up the Kiss set of pins in the spring when i went to hawaii's hard rock cafe.

i do both the motherland and the darkside on my annual trips.
i love both places.
i can't imagine going to orlando and missing either one of the theme parks.

Thanks...My wife might like the Hard Rock pins...She actually collects Shot glasses, She limits herself to 4 new ones every trip. Doesnt matter where we go. It would be too easy to go and get one at every gift shop for every ride..etc etc...she just gets the 4 she likes best. We always have to go to Hard Rock and get a glass from there too...It cost me over 100 buck 2 weeks ago for Dinner and 2 glasses must have been the liquor that was in them....

I will have to look up the pins Hard Rock and check them out...

 

[macraven]

i bought into the All Access card membership for hard rock cafe.
it covers all the HRC places at any location.

i did it on line.

i did it on a special. paid $25 for the membership, received 2 cards.
one is a gift card for $20 which can be used for hrc food or merch.
you always keep that card as it is renewable each time you make a purchase.

the other is the All Access discount card.
i forget the % amount you get off each purchase for food or merch but you get that and points for everytime you use it.

my food at hrc a few months back was $13.20
i got 13 points by showing my card and they register it for my points.

for every 200 points, they put $20 on your gift card.

so now i spend money to get money....

you can also use your card for the online store purchases.
there was a great sale on their tshirts in october.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Will the CM's trade for non-Disney pins? We have accumulated pins on various trips to other countries and thought it would be interesting for our grandson to trade some of these with the CM's.

Or is the "hidden" goal of Disney to sell more Disney merchandise?

There's nothing hidden about Disney's love of selling those oh-so-profitable pins... but the "Hidden Goal" of Pin Trading is actually to increase interactions with the CMs. And on that level it works amazingly well.

But to answer your first question, you may only trade for actual Disney-produced pins. Acceptable pins must be metal, with a standard pin backing on them, and have © DISNEY embossed on the back. Certain pins from Disney's operating partners (i.e. Rainforest Cafe, Lucasfilm) or other Disney affiliates (ESPN, ABC) may also be acceptable for trades.

 

[dburg30]

I would say more important than any of these rules would be to BE POLITE! I agree, it's fun, enjoy it

Wait your turn!!!! Wait for the CM to finish conversations with other guests before asking to pin trade. Remember that not everyone is as into pins as you are, so butting in even "just to look" might be interfering with someones day.

Say hello and talk to the CM, they are not a pin rack... they are a living breathing human.

Don't touch the CM's lanyard! Remember that especially for the ladies, (I've seen more than one kid unintentionally feel up a CM) it could be uncomfortable having their personal space invaded.

Trade pins of similar "value". I'm not saying look up the price of each pin and match it... but don't peddle broken or cheap Ebay pins and exchange them for valuable Cast Lanyards. If it's a pin you would throw away, don't trade it! Keep it fun for everyone by not filling up the lanyards with pins no one will want! While I agree with the not selling broken part, but the rest I call bunk. If it's a disney pin, not the sedema (sp) ones or some other style, I dont see any reason at all why to worry about a smiliar value. Honestly I dont even look at values when I trade. I know what subjects I like and what ones I dont. I've bought a lot of pins off ebay and have actually had CM's wonder where some of them came from, they thought they were cool and hadnt seen them before. They never said they werent valid pins, never acted anything like that. Now, dont even try to approach some of the 'pro' traders. I got turned off by them right away, make no mistake about it, from what I could tell from a couple of them in DTD outside the pin trading place, unless it was going to be a hell off a trade for them, they didnt even seem interested. Now I dont know what values are, but it was pretty obivous they werent there for the 'trading' part of it

And for Safety Reasons: trade with backs on! That way no one gets stabbed!

LOL I agree on that last one, I stab myself enough putting the backs on them much less then slapping a pin in the persons hand, and actaully that is one of the 'rules' WDW lists.