Questions Concerning Italian Charms

[mickey4ver]

I know this subject has been discussed before, but I'm just now getting into these things!! I bought a watch instead of a bracelet to add charms to.

My question to you charm "experts", do you mix brands of charms on your bracelets, or stick with the same kind? I'm really confused looking at different charm websites, ebay and Disney.com itself (who I found have some charms/bracelets now). They seem to range from the low end price to quite a high end price. I ordered a few charms from the Disney site to get a start.

Just seeking some pointers/thoughts from those you really into the craze....now I'm amongst you...don't know if that is good or bad as I could get carried away with the whole collecting of these charms.

 

[smvdelv]

My bracelet is all Disney charms. I make a point of getting at least one each trip. Right now I have one on every other link. I get them at the resorts (YC or BC - forget which one) has a good selection, as well as downtown, and Italy in Epcot.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I also went all Disney on mine, and I bought the ones that are about $20, the 14K ones. They also have a line of less expensive ones, which is nice for kids. Be careful on ebay, or you might get the cheaper one, for a price that is too high. I got mine over a year ago, and WDW was sold out of many of them. I got them over the phone from WDW (glad I have a Team Disney card). I bought the Fab 6, and that is all I have on that one. I am considering starting another one, with misc characters that I like, though.

As for mixing brands, I was told once that if you do that, sometimes the Disney ones will be upside down. That the Disney ones link form the opposite side........ I am NOT sure if that is true, but it sounded like something Disney might do!

Good luck, it is fun!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

the cheaper ones do not hold up over time, they turn colors, fall off, etc. I got into these when they first came out. I one filled with various Mickey characters. The more expensive ones are fine. I don't even look at the cheap ones anymore.

 

[mickey4ver]

Thanks for the replies. I see some on ebay that are listed as "official Disney" coming on a Disneyland card, that are fairly inexpensive. Does Disney (WDW or DL) sell cheap and expensive charms? depending on what shops you get them from?

Sorry for many questions, but figuring if I'm going to start one, I want it to last and not be throwing money away.

I might try calling DisneyLand Delivears on Monday to see what they carry. I sometimes call there instead of FL because they have an 800 # for ordering.

Again, thanks for tips!

 

[BethanyF]

Thanks for the replies. I see some on ebay that are listed as "official Disney" coming on a Disneyland card, that are fairly inexpensive. Does Disney (WDW or DL) sell cheap and expensive charms? depending on what shops you get them from?


There are charms sold at the parks, on cards similar to the cards for pins. I believe those should be under $10. The other 'official' Disney charms are liscensed to one of the big charm companies, and these retail for about $20.
I have several of the $20 charms and have had problems with some of them. I had 4 have the paint chip off them. The charm store at my mall gladly exchanged them for new Disney chrams.
I have also bough knock-offs on ebay with mixed results. I have a laser etched Lilo that is in great shape and a color / laser Stitch that is holding up fairly well. I have also bought some Mickey knock-offs but those only lasted about a month before they got discolored.
I wont pay more than $10 for anything from ebay, but I will spend more at reputable charm stores. I believe www.carinacharms.com carried the $20 official Disney charms.

 

[rgionet]

The cheap charms have "Disney" on the back of them and the good ones have "Walt Disney Collection" on the back of them. Just something to keep in mind if you are looking on Ebay so you don't pay a lot of money for the cheap ones.
BethanyF good to know that you can exchange them at the mall kiosks. I have both my Mickey and Minnie that have somes spots that the enamel has fallen out of. Were you able to go to kiosks that you had not purchased them from? I bought mine in Disney, but don't want to wait until we go again to replace them.
I have the fab 5, Simba, Flounder and the Sorcerer's hat. I want them all so this is going to be a bad addiction!!

 

[BethanyF]

Originally posted by rgionet

BethanyF good to know that you can exchange them at the mall kiosks. I have both my Mickey and Minnie that have somes spots that the enamel has fallen out of. Were you able to go to kiosks that you had not purchased them from?

I went to the kiosk in the mall where I work. I just said "I know my husband bought them at this mall, so I assume he bought them here" She gladly exchanged them with no further questions asked.
The ones I lost the enamel from were the Mickey flag, Patriotic Mickey, and a regular Minnie. She was out of all of theose, so I chose Bambi, Simba, and Pluto to replace them.
Next on my list are the castle, Nemo, Flounder, Peter Pan's Hat, and several more, LOL. I only have room for 4 more charms, I guess this means I need to start another one.

 

[rgionet]

Thanks for the info BethanyF!!!
I want a castle, but I don't like the red castle - I want one similar to the WDW castle! Oh well.