PIn Trading

[elacqua1]

Ok, These questions are going to sound really stupid, but I just have no idea what is going on. The last time we were at Disney, which was 2001, we (my 3 kids) got involved in the pin trading. It looks like it is still going on. We obviously have all of our pins from 2001. I was just going to have them go through them and the ones they didn't really like, just bring down to Disney when we go in the end of August to trade for others. Are there really valuable ones that I should be careful about getting rid of? Where do I find out that information? Does it still work the same? I would be grateful to anyone who can fill me in! Thanks,

 

[daber]

The best source for me is pinpics.com. It shows the pin and you can gauge how "valuable" it is by the ratio of number of people who want it vs the number of people who have it for trade.

Another gauge is the on-line auction sites, but the bidding can sometimes be rigged, or get way out of hand. Also, if your pins are rare, you may not even see them on those sites.

While pin trading isn't as frenzied as back in the early 2000s, it still works the same.

 

[NHMickey]

What do they have? Any pictures? Maybe we could help.

 

[BigGreen73]

Ok, These questions are going to sound really stupid, but I just have no idea what is going on. The last time we were at Disney, which was 2001, we (my 3 kids) got involved in the pin trading. It looks like it is still going on. We obviously have all of our pins from 2001. I was just going to have them go through them and the ones they didn't really like, just bring down to Disney when we go in the end of August to trade for others. Are there really valuable ones that I should be careful about getting rid of? Where do I find out that information? Does it still work the same? I would be grateful to anyone who can fill me in! Thanks,

If you start worrying about the valuable ones, pin trading can start to loose it's fun, friendly appeal. This is apparent with the collector's that hang out at DTD and Epcot, they want ridiculous trades for what they have. I traded with a few of them before, but no more. If there is a pin that my wife or I really want, I hit e-bay and spend 1/4 of what I would have had to trade. I stick to trading with CM's, and occasionally other guests, only. There are a few really valuable ones, but they are few and far between and I wouldn't worry about it. Here are a few quick tips to help you out:

1) Rack pins - These are the normal pins that can be bought pretty much anywhere at WDW for usually $6.95 and up.

2) Limited Edition pins - These can be bought at various places at WDW or on disneyshopping, or can be found at special events etc. If you look at the back of these pins, you will see limited edition of 250, 500, etc. These are usually referred to as LE250 (only 250 of these pins made), LE500 (only 500 made) you get the point. So a LE 250 is more scarce than a LE 2000.

3) Hidden Mickey/ Cast Lanyard pins - These are pins can only be acuired by trading with cast members. They have a small hidden Mickey somewhere on the pin.

4) Beware of Sedesma/ scrappers etc - These are the lower quality pins that are not bought in WDW. They are lower quality and not as attractive as a normal WDW pin. They usually do not have a glossy finish and they are sometimes thinner than normal pins. You can read more about this on www.pinpics.com. Many buy these pins on e-bay for very little and try to trade these at WDW CM's. This has become a problem, but many CM's are doing better jobs looking out for these.


Just remember to keep it fun and keep it simple. Do not put too much emphasis on $$$ value and put more on personnal value to keep the pin trading hobby more enjoyable.


Have fun.

 

[olbear]

This is apparent with the collector's that hang out at DTD and Epcot, they want ridiculous trades for what they have. I traded with a few of them before, but no more.

I totally respect your opinion. However, I don't think it fair to lump all pin traders into this group that trade at DTD. I must agree, there are some bad apples. But when I'm at the "World" I always make a point to take my traders there and do some trading. I am an extremely fair, and sometimes too fair trader. I just got back from a week at WDW. I did some trading on friday night, and I did one trade that was so uneven. How about their rack pin for my LE 500!! I did it to make someone happy. And I got a cute Pooh pin that I collect in return. Trust me I know some at DTD that would never have done that! No matter how much they liked or wanted that rack pin.

Just please keep in mind that not everyone who trades at DTD are bad apples.
And also, if in doubt, DON'T, simple as that. It's easier to say no thanks then to allow yourself to feel pressured and make a trade you regret afterwards. I know, I did that in the beginning. Now if I don't feel comfortable with trade idea, I somply say no thank you and move on.

Blessings,
Winnie

 

[BigGreen73]

I totally respect your opinion. However, I don't think it fair to lump all pin traders into this group that trade at DTD. I must agree, there are some bad apples. But when I'm at the "World" I always make a point to take my traders there and do some trading. I am an extremely fair, and sometimes too fair trader. I just got back from a week at WDW. I did some trading on friday night, and I did one trade that was so uneven. How about their rack pin for my LE 500!! I did it to make someone happy. And I got a cute Pooh pin that I collect in return. Trust me I know some at DTD that would never have done that! No matter how much they liked or wanted that rack pin.

Just please keep in mind that not everyone who trades at DTD are bad apples.
And also, if in doubt, DON'T, simple as that. It's easier to say no thanks then to allow yourself to feel pressured and make a trade you regret afterwards. I know, I did that in the beginning. Now if I don't feel comfortable with trade idea, I somply say no thank you and move on.

Blessings,
Winnie

It wasn't my intent to lump all together, but most that I have dealt with do try to take advantage of those less knowledgable. Most are set up 7 days a week a DTD. They use the line of you don't have anything I want but you could buy X rack pins to trade for this. Most rack pins wanted are 10.95 to 12.95 rack/LE pins for pins that cost $5-$6 on e-bay etc. I have traded with a couple of really good people at DTD at pin traders and world of Disney, but I keep most of my trading to CM's.

Also, It's good to keep track of what pins are going for or interedted in on e-bay etc to keep yourself from being scammed. For instance, a "trader" a DTD had two Dumbo pins that my wife did not have. I asked to trade, but low and behold we had nothing. But the trader said they would trade for two of the new release LE's that cost 12.95 each. But I was familiar with the Dumbo Pins and knew they could be readily had on e-bay for <$5-$6. I declined. When I got home, I hit e-bay and picked them both up for $9 w/ shipping.

So no offense to you or many out there. I have dealt with some really good people and have traded heavily at times for some nice Disney pins from traders at DTD w/o hesitation. It's just a little frustrating when many don't try to trade fairly and pour on the LE super hard to get speech to get more than they should.