Pin Trading?

[SherylR]

Hey everyone!
My kids are interested in the pin trading at WDW so I have purchased some on E-Bay (about 12 or so - they'll each get 6). I'm hoping I got them from a reputable source. lol Anyway, assuming that they are great pins, NOW what do we do with them?
Do we chase people down in hopes they would trade? I'm really hoping not to look like a pin stalker. lol
I see that there are pin trading stations, but what do we do when we get there? What if our pins aren't any good? How do we know?
So obviously, I'm trading challenged and any help would be appreciated!
P.s.
The pins are enroute. We leave in September. Sadly, I'll get my pins before my passport I'm betting.

 

[TreesyB]

My ds was stalking other kids for their pins until i told him to stop. he was scaring other kids Many cast members will be wearing lanyards with pins. just have your kids pay attention to see which ones they like. And i made the mistake of buying a whole bunch of nice commemorative pins. I didn't want ds trading these nice pins. So then i bought him a package set, and said he could trade those. He got some really nice ones from cast members.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

For the children I would start with trading with just CMs. The ones with a Green lanyard are just for children under the age of 12. They can trade with any CM that had pins on also check around the waistline as some wear them there instead of around the neck.

As long as it has an official Disney copyright the CM will trade as long as it's not a duplicate they already have.

DD13 has been trading for a few years now and has quite a collection of great pins hanging in her room.

 

[Mickey1Fan]

There are also cm's who only trade with children. I forget the colour of their lanyards, but I'm sure someone can help out.

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I too would suggest that your kids trade only with CM's.

The CM's were either black or blue (can trade with everyone) or green (trade only with children).

When you see a CM with a lanyard, just politely go up to them and ask if you may please see their pins. Normally, they will hold out their lanyard so you can get a better look.

If you see a pin you like, point it out and have one of your traders ready. If you buy (or have) the black mickey backs, I always check to see if the pin I am getting has one as well - if it does not, I ask to keep my pin back. Otherwise, just pass the pin to the CM and they will pass you the one you wanted.

You can not give them a pin they already have on their lanyard.

Some CM's have a pin turned around on their lanyard and you can trade for (but they won't show it to you first). I have had mixed luck with these. Sometimes CM's will take their nicest pin or a CM exclusive and put it there and some CM's simply put whatever pin was last traded for it there. I have gotten a couple of really nice pins and a couple of (what I consider) crappy pins. I just turned around and traded it with the next CM I saw for a better pin (even if it wasn't one I really wanted).

After a few pins, your kids will get the hang of it.

 

[TreesyB]

Oh yes, my seven year old got the hang of it really quick. he got some awesome trades.