Pinfinder sent me SCRAPPERS!!!

[momof4kid]

I'm very upset, too. Just ordered these pins over the weekend b/c I got the link from this board stating many people have ordered from that site and they were good pins. I've never traded before, so I didn't know anybetter

 

[HayGan]

Rule 1.

Look on the back. If they don't have a Disney imprint you are in trouble! LOL!

Rule 2.

Pins cost between $6 and $12 at the parks. So if someone can afford to sell them to you for $1.66 think about it! Do they like you so much they are willing to lose around $5 a pin? Probably not. So at least some of what you bought was counterfiet/scrap etc... Sorry but that the ONLY way the math adds up if there's a "bulk" seller.

You might find a seller who like me is getting rid of this mess, but if they are running a business... you are not the one making out like a bandit!

You can't expect to pay less than 1/3rd of what the item costs originally and expect them to be legit. Sorry but if something sounds too good to be true than it probably is.

OP, I hope you find some resolution to this problem. For others looking to get pins for trading, remember that it is an expensive hobby. You can find deals on pins but you will really have to look to find good deals on legitimate pins.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Great, I bought from them too because it was posted here and I thought it was legit. I have never been into pin trading but thought my DD's would love to do this while on their first cruise. I got the the bowling pins too and thought something was wrong, but I had no clue. I didn't even know such things as scrappers.

Op, what did the company say?

 

[PinballFamily]

We've bought many, many pins (both individually and in lots) over the years from pinfinder.com and NEVER had an issue with a single pin. (In fact, we've usually been amazed at the high quality and valuable pins in the lots.) I'm very surprised that the OP had a problem. We've always found the company great to work with.

As PPs have said, check pinpics.com for info on your specific pins - sometimes there ARE color/size differences between legit pins, depending upon where and when they were issued.

Hope things work out...

 

[pixiewings71]

We've bought many, many pins (both individually and in lots) over the years from pinfinder.com and NEVER had an issue with a single pin. (In fact, we've usually been amazed at the high quality and valuable pins in the lots.) I'm very surprised that the OP had a problem. We've always found the company great to work with.

As PPs have said, check pinpics.com for info on your specific pins - sometimes there ARE color/size differences between legit pins, depending upon where and when they were issued.

Hope things work out...

As for differences, I am very aware there are differences but the back of the pins are not normally different. My traded from CM pins have the large post in the middle with 2 smaller posts next to that, my "scrapper" pins from PF have only a single post, the colors are wrong, the sizes are completely wrong. These are not legitimate pins IMO. And I did check pinpics, every pin I was questioning states that there are "pins being sold on the secondary market" and to be wary of pins you may be receiving. Again, I made the purchase from PF due to the great reviews I've read here regarding their shipments, I'm so sad to have received what I consider garbage.

I haven't heard back from them yet. I sent them a message saying I was disappointed with my shipment, that I felt many of the pins were scrappers and one was broken. I hope to hear back and I'll keep you all updated on what happens. There is 1 pin out of the lot of 50 that I would love to keep, it's actually a very nice pin and I can find no info on scrappers regarding that particular pin.

A PP suggested pincastle, I've ordered from them as well and been very happy with what I've received from them. Also on eBay I've purchased from Tinkscastle & Sleepys Emporium, very happy with them as well.

 

[JRoyster86]

Ugh, I am just sick thinking about this. My pins haven't arrived yet (ordered Friday) and I'm so nervous thinking about what I'm going to end up with.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I went to dizpins and saw a couple of pins that we have RECEIVED from CM's lanyards. So they could be scrappers. Does this make my kid like them any less? No. They trade for what they like. So if serious traders are concerned about receiving scrappers, they are going to have to start carrying receipts from Disney for their pins around with them, since this quote below from dizpins really says it all.

"Every pin released by Disney has the potential of being a scrapper. Once again, no one can guarantee the authenticity of any Disney pin unless it was purchased directly from Disney. "

 

[TWyn]

I went back to pinpics and very closely rechecked all of the pins I received from pinfinder and found only one that was listed as having known scrapper copies of it out there, according to the description. Mine exactly matches the one pictured and its description, though, so I really don't think it's a scrapper. I've been pin trading for several years now and have several hundred pins, so I'm not completely new to this, and try to look over my pins carefully when I get them. I hope the OP gets this resolved and that others who have ordered from them don't get scrappers in their shipment. I'm really sorry to hear this happened. I'd be upset, too.

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Perhaps, if there is a Disney stamp.

As a pin trader, who has spent a fortune on WDW pins in the parks... I hope they don't (trade)!

DS & I both pin trade, and while we do buy some special ones to keep in the parks... we buy most to trade. During our first trip to WDW, I spent about $200.00 in one shop... on four plain lanyards, six souvenier pins, and the rest... pins to trade! I am not complaining, just pointing out how expensive it is to do, and hoping that the CM's check pins out before accepting them, as I do not want "junk" in exchange for my authentic/quality pins!

I have had two pins (one an obvious scrapper when I looked closely at it after receiving it and the other a Sedesma Nemo). I literally gave right back to the CM's after trading!

It's to bad underhanded thieves felt the need to "bootleg" pins... pin trading was so awesome, and before the knock-off's it was "a level playing field", now it is a gamble to trade! You would think that Disney would pull their jobs if it keeps happening as it has to cost them money, but apparently not enough to offset the cost of producing pins elsewhere.

OP ~ did you contact the company about the pins? If so... what was their response?

I am with you on this.
We buy pins from WOD and the Pin Traders store, never online.
Several times my kids have traded legit pins and wound up with sedesma knock offs. It is frustrating.
Why people would question the legitimancy of their pins, and then continue to trade them is beyond me.
If you are doing that, eventually some other kid will wind up with the fake pin. How is that cool?

 

[debraW76]

How do you know it is a Sedesma? I'm not sure what this is? Is this a diff manufacturer? Does it say Sedesma on back?

Thanks,

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

From what I understand from reading this site: http://www.dizpins.com/pinventory/scrappers.htm , scrappers are not only defective pins, (tossed on the floor, hence the name) but can also be overruns of the number of pins ordered by Disney. So if Disney ordered 10,000 of a Bambi pin, and the company continues to produce that pin, numbers 10,001+ are the scrappers. The quality of pin #10,001 can be and probably is the same as pin #10,000. The legitamcy is not, of course. Do I agree with this practice? Of course not, I just don't see how you can tell the difference if it's not actually a defective pin.

 

[debraW76]

From what I understand from reading this site: http://www.dizpins.com/pinventory/scrappers.htm , scrappers are not only defective pins, (tossed on the floor, hence the name) but can also be overruns of the number of pins ordered by Disney. So if Disney ordered 10,000 of a Bambi pin, and the company continues to produce that pin, numbers 10,001+ are the scrappers. The quality of pin #10,001 can be and probably is the same as pin #10,000. The legitamcy is not, of course. Do I agree with this practice? Of course not, I just don't see how you can tell the difference if it's not actually a defective pin.

I completely understand. I too have some pins that I purchased online that was hoping to put in my children's easter eggs for them to trade in our upcoming surprise trip. Now I am wondering if I should just trash them. I am trying to search dizpins for pics and so far only one is questionable (has two different tones of yellows). The others I honestly cannot tell.

Please educate me on how to tell a scrapper from an original!!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I completely understand. I too have some pins that I purchased online that was hoping to put in my children's easter eggs for them to trade in our upcoming surprise trip. Now I am wondering if I should just trash them. I am trying to search dizpins for pics and so far only one is questionable (has two different tones of yellows). The others I honestly cannot tell.

Please educate me on how to tell a scrapper from an original!!

No clue. I am not that into it. From what a PP said, apparently you can tell by the price of the pin. I don't know about that, at what price can you assume it's a legit pin?

The statement form the website makes sense. The only way to be sure is to buy it from Disney. Then I guess if you want to trade it, you have to swap receipts, too.

Personally, I'm not going to worry about it. The pins I have look great. I am taking them with me on my next trip. If my kid trades for a scrapper, then he is getting the pin he likes, not worrying about what it's worth. It's worth a lot if he likes it.

 

[pixiewings71]

Again, you can generally tell scrappers from color differences, the finish of the pin, sometimes the backstamp is different, sometimes the pin is a different size, sometimes it's as little as the post on the back being different. And FTR, I have a LOT of pins I know are scrappers but I like them so I kept them. I also have a lot of ProPins that I liked and a few Sedesmas my kids got from CMs, I keep the Sedesmas because I don't like "cheating" the system. Some of the differences are very subtle and may be due to different die lots in colors, some are very obvious. I've received scrappers trading with CMs, buying pin lots from eBay (before I really knew what to look for), trading with individuals in the parks. I have also pulled some scrappers out of traders books and let them know that they were fakes, what they do with them I have no idea.

What hrh said is correct, also sometimes molds are made and not approved by Disney, in that case they are supposed to be destroyed but they are not and more scrappers are made. It's soooooo frustrating!! I guess I'll just be sticking to my "good" eBayers, buying small lots or singles.

As a general rule the pins should be the same size, thickness maybe not but size yes.

 

[debraW76]

Again, you can generally tell scrappers from color differences, the finish of the pin, sometimes the backstamp is different, sometimes the pin is a different size, sometimes it's as little as the post on the back being different. And FTR, I have a LOT of pins I know are scrappers but I like them so I kept them. I also have a lot of ProPins that I liked and a few Sedesmas my kids got from CMs, I keep the Sedesmas because I don't like "cheating" the system. Some of the differences are very subtle and may be due to different die lots in colors, some are very obvious. I've received scrappers trading with CMs, buying pin lots from eBay (before I really knew what to look for), trading with individuals in the parks. I have also pulled some scrappers out of traders books and let them know that they were fakes, what they do with them I have no idea.

What hrh said is correct, also sometimes molds are made and not approved by Disney, in that case they are supposed to be destroyed but they are not and more scrappers are made. It's soooooo frustrating!! I guess I'll just be sticking to my "good" eBayers, buying small lots or singles.

As a general rule the pins should be the same size, thickness maybe not but size yes.

What are "propins' and "sedesmas"???

 

[debraW76]

Also, I posted this on another thread but did not get a response (impatient I am, yes)
newbie to pin trading

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a question relating to pin trading. I just purchased 10 pins online as a grab bag and two of them are part of a set of 6. Are these tradable or do you have to have the entire set? Specifically,
http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.c....1236798254.v3


Thanks,

 

[Nefferz]

Just for kicks, I wrote the company in question (where the lots were sold- I'll confess I was sucked in too!) My question: How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of the Disney Pins that you sell and how do you protect your customers from receiving 'scrapper' pins?

The answer I received from Peter, I thought was fair: It's a good question, as it is something that is getting increasingly difficult. We are lucky because we've been in business doing Disney pins for ten years this year, so we have a lot of back-inventory etc. That said, the vast majority of our pin trading lots come off lanyards at both WDW and Disneyland...............and undoubtedly some of the bad pins do end up on Cast lanyards I guess. The only way to be 100% certain is to pay full price at Disney...................which most people don't seem prepared to do.

Truly, it comes down to the age-old rule of buyers and sellers worldwide. Buyer Beware.

 

[FergieTCat]

So I ordered from pinfinder last week because they had the 50 pin grab bags for like $1.66 a pin! I was very excited as others here have raved about them.....we got home from our DL weekend yesterday and the pins were delivered already, got inside and opened them up and they are almost all scrappers!!!!! I got 1 really nice Imagineering pin that I need to do some more research on but I'm pretty sure it's real, I got about 10 LE 500s and I'm pretty sure they are all scrappers, most of the hidden mickeys are scrappers and one of the pins was BROKEN when it arrived! I'm very upset, has anyone else had this happen? If so what did you do? I love paying $1.66 a pin but I hate getting fakes!!!!!

Are the pins counterfeit? If so, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General's office in Pinfinder's state. How did they send them to you? Does the shipping company have any regulations re: shipping counterfeit merchandise? If so, file a report. Keep on ruffling their feathers until they agree to take the pins back and reimburse you for all shipping fees.

 

[pixiewings71]

What are "propins' and "sedesmas"???

Propins and Sedesmas are Disney pins made by "inferior" companies. The Sedesmas are really bad, the ProPins are nice but not the same quality as the "standard" Disney pins are. Sedesmas will actually just snap apart, ProPins at least last a while longer. If you google those pins you should find pictures of them, if you see them in person you'll know.

Also, I posted this on another thread but did not get a response (impatient I am, yes)
newbie to pin trading

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a question relating to pin trading. I just purchased 10 pins online as a grab bag and two of them are part of a set of 6. Are these tradable or do you have to have the entire set? Specifically,
http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.c....1236798254.v3


Thanks,

You do not need to trade sets as sets, you are free to trade single pins no matter what set they are in. Your link didn't work tho so I'm not exactly what sure set you are talking about.

Just for kicks, I wrote the company in question (where the lots were sold- I'll confess I was sucked in too!) My question: How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of the Disney Pins that you sell and how do you protect your customers from receiving 'scrapper' pins?

The answer I received from Peter, I thought was fair: It's a good question, as it is something that is getting increasingly difficult. We are lucky because we've been in business doing Disney pins for ten years this year, so we have a lot of back-inventory etc. That said, the vast majority of our pin trading lots come off lanyards at both WDW and Disneyland...............and undoubtedly some of the bad pins do end up on Cast lanyards I guess. The only way to be 100% certain is to pay full price at Disney...................which most people don't seem prepared to do.

Truly, it comes down to the age-old rule of buyers and sellers worldwide. Buyer Beware.

That's a good answer, I hope they are able to work with me. I can't check my home email from work so I'll have to see if I have a reply when I get home.

Are the pins counterfeit? If so, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General's office in Pinfinder's state. How did they send them to you? Does the shipping company have any regulations re: shipping counterfeit merchandise? If so, file a report. Keep on ruffling their feathers until they agree to take the pins back and reimburse you for all shipping fees.

They are in the same state I'm in. USPS was the shipping company. I have no way to really prove they are fakes, it's my word against theirs so how would I prove it? kwim?

 

[Malaguti Ball Clan]

Propins and Sedesmas are Disney pins made by "inferior" companies. The Sedesmas are really bad, the ProPins are nice but not the same quality as the "standard" Disney pins are. Sedesmas will actually just snap apart, ProPins at least last a while longer. If you google those pins you should find pictures of them, if you see them in person you'll know.



You do not need to trade sets as sets, you are free to trade single pins no matter what set they are in. Your link didn't work tho so I'm not exactly what sure set you are talking about.



That's a good answer, I hope they are able to work with me. I can't check my home email from work so I'll have to see if I have a reply when I get home.



They are in the same state I'm in. USPS was the shipping company. I have no way to really prove they are fakes, it's my word against theirs so how would I prove it? kwim?

Did you go up on PinPics? I have two that are known to have "scrapper" copies introduced to the market, (florida license plate EXP-626 and a haunted mansion white knight with yellow plume on head) but the rest that I bought on ebay (mostly singles, one lot of 10) all appear fine according to PIN PICS http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/browse.cgi?type=a&cl1=on