Pin trading with cast members

[dudleydog]

Is it as Common as at WDW? Most CMs wear lanyards?

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Most CMs wear lanyards but the selection doesnt tend to be as varied as in WDW. Less guests are seen wearing lanyards and over all I'd say its not nearly as popular as in the States. There's plenty available to buy in the stores though, and trading does take place.

I came back with around 50 new pins from a 3 night stay last week.

 

[Vala]

Also some Cast Members will try to tell you there's non-existant rules like you have to trade for a pin of the same size or say they can't trade a special pin because it's "theirs" - if they are clearly not wearing a personal lanyard. Also I've been refused to trade because I had nothing they liked.

Just shake your head and walk away if that happens... not worth complaining. Everyone will tell you the CMs are right and hand you a flyer with the rules. But if you ask them to point out where for example the "same size" rule is they can't tell you.

 

[DLPDreams]

After reading Maledisneybeliever's post about the CMs he came across when trying to trade recently I've been scared off for life . I'm sure it's not all that bad but I would be sooo embarrassed if the CM refused to trade.

So, basically, are they supposed to trade no matter what if it's a 'Disney' lanyard they are wearing (not personal)? Could they insist on 2 pins for their 1 pin?

All this is like learning another language . I've just been reading another site which made it sound really easy but in practice it doesn't appear so!

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Dont be scared off. I've traded hundreds of times and had never had a bad experience before then.

A Disney CM should always trade with you... one for one. In fact I believe they'r even supposed to take fake pins in trade from you (especially if you seem to have made an innocent mistake) - just so that they can remove them from circulation and melt them down.

There is a 'secret' pin trading board which you can ask to see in the late afternoon in Harringtons on Main Street... they feature plenty of Limited Editions. Thats the only place the rules change slightly I think. You cant take a limited pin, without trading for a limited pin.

 

[Vala]

*nods* Yes to MaleDisneyBeliever's above post. Especially to the trade board, that is the only one with different rules. It sometimes comes up at Pueblo Trading Post as well, often there it has a special section for the Pin Trading Night pins.

We didn't have any problems for years, but last year somehow the number of CMs "getting creative" seemed to drastically jump. You'll probably not have any dificulties if you do casual trading. But I always prefer to mention it because I know that especially US traders are so not used to those little stories.

 

[jothp]

So how do you go about it. Do you just walk up to a cast member and ask to trade?

 

[DLPDreams]

Waiting patiently for the reply now

Loving these posts - it's like an online lesson

Thanks for all the tips!

 

[Cyrano]

In fact I believe they'r even supposed to take fake pins in trade from you (especially if you seem to have made an innocent mistake).

I am fairly sure that is not the case. If you have a pin which is not an official pin then CMs can refuse to trade

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

So how do you go about it. Do you just walk up to a cast member and ask to trade?

Approach a cast member that you see wearing a lanyard, and ask to see his/her pins. They'll stop what they're doing and hold our their lanyard for you to admire. If you see a pin you like, then simply ask to trade for it and offer your lanyard. Remove a pin you want to trade for it with and make the trade.

Always trade one pin at a time, and hand the pin over with the back on.

 

[Vala]

I am fairly sure that is not the case. If you have a pin which is not an official pin then CMs can refuse to trade

They will only trade pins that have the official Disney copyright on the back. So they will say no to non-Disney pins. What MaleDisneyLover means are the so called scrappers - fake pins which normally do have the Disney copyright logo. The're unauthorized reproductions of Disney pins. Sometimes factory second, overruns of a run for a LE pin that didn't make it through quality control etc. Unfortunately most of these do have the logo.

Some CMs will care and refuse you. Most don't seem to care and will let you trade. Maybe they do it to really get the pins out of circulation, maybe they don't know it's a fake... I am not going to try and judge.

 

[jothp]

Approach a cast member that you see wearing a lanyard, and ask to see his/her pins. They'll stop what they're doing and hold our their lanyard for you to admire. If you see a pin you like, then simply ask to trade for it and offer your lanyard. Remove a pin you want to trade for it with and make the trade.

Always trade one pin at a time, and hand the pin over with the back on.

thanks, you make it sound so easy

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

It really is easy

 

[jothp]

Is it worth buying some of the mixed lots of pins I have seen for sale on ebay or are they likely to be fakes? Also how do I tell if a pin is a fake?

 

[DLPDreams]

It's all new to me but if you google it, you will see that most people think the mixed starter sets (the ones that people themselves put together not the ones Disney sell) aren't always a good idea due to fakes and also sub standard pins - there are two types that come under this but I can't honestly remember the names of them.

I was reading a really good site last night with some good tips - if I find it again I'll pm you about it.

 

[Vala]

Is it worth buying some of the mixed lots of pins I have seen for sale on ebay or are they likely to be fakes? Also how do I tell if a pin is a fake?

I would stay clear from ebay. If you decide to go that route check a seller's current offer and selling history. If they have a lot of those lots or had them in the past it's likely that there'll at least be a good chunk of fakes thrown in.

Some fakes are really hard to spot meanwhile. The most telltale sign usually is that the colors are off - like yellow more greenish. Or sometimes parts of the motive are colored wrong.

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

I agree with Vala. Dont buy lots from eBay. Individual pins from reputable sellers? yes. Lots? Not usually. Especially mixed lots.


Vala - Do you collect much? Do you collect specifics? Have you ever been to a pin trading event? I'm contemplating going to my first one perhaps.

 

[Vala]

Vala - Do you collect much? Do you collect specifics? Have you ever been to a pin trading event? I'm contemplating going to my first one perhaps.

I've been collecting for 6 years this summer. So yeah, I guess you can say I collect much. Mostly Tinker Bell, Chip and Dale and a bit of Stitch lately, but I got lots of other pins too.

I regularly go to the Paris events and sometimes the pin trading nights too. I never made it to the States yet for one of the Disney events, but maybe next year. If you got questions please ask, I'll be happy to help.

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Im a casual collector... I have a couple of hundred at most. I mostly collect Stitch.

I keep thinking about going to a trading night or an official event, but its a long way to go just for that.

 

[Vala]

Im a casual collector... I have a couple of hundred at most. I mostly collect Stitch.

I keep thinking about going to a trading night or an official event, but its a long way to go just for that.

If you're a casual collector I'd start with an official event. The next one should be in July. Normally they have one in March, but as they mentioned a pin trading day in April I don't think March is going to happen this year.

For the events you will have to pay to get in. But they serve food and drink (water, but there's a cash bar and usually orange juice and coffee on the buffet) and most important you get a so called "shopping list" which guarantees you at least one each of the pins released.

The pin trading nights can be a bit chaotic and collectors line up long in advance to get the pins released.

Pin Trading Nights are always last Friday of the month, but the location varies.

If you're only looking to trade and have no interest in the new releases I guess it doesn't matter overall where you decide to go.

We always combine the event/night with a short trip when we go.