Small Time Trader's Club-Part 2

[RamVA]

OK-next question for "newbies", "small fish" "pin trader wannabes"-something to keep us going while all the "big fish" are having great fun and adventure in the big, blue sea!!

~How long have you been collecting/trading/trying to trade, and how did you get started?~

I'll go first! Just started on our most recent trip, June 19-July 1. Kids started first--definitely did NOT plan on joining them (too expensive to buy us all pins!). But it was just like a treasure hunt looking to see what the cast members had on that we could trade for, and then looking for the "suits" who usually had slightly better pins!! We ended up staying an extra night when we found out about the countdown event, and although I wasn't crazy enough then to stay up all night, my 2 sons did! Of course, NOW, a mere 6,7 weeks later I'd do anything (almost?) to get pins!!! I am so addicted! But, just can't figure out how they all get all these pins? I mean once you trade and get some neat pins, then you're out, and to trade you've got to buy more pins!!! Am I doing something wrong????

OK! Who's next??

 

[lovingthemouse]

My name is Caroline and i am a small fish collector and trader! Wow, is that a load off my shoulders! My story begins in Feb.,2000 when the addiction began - we were at the parks and they just caught our eye - they were everywhere. So strong was the urge that we succumbed to the temptation and bought our first pin.......... and you know where that has led us. We do tend to buy what we like - not really to trade So, we are small fish in a big pond, but the swimming is great! Jump in and join us!!!

 

[karinmac]

I noticed the 1998 DL Attraction pins on a website when they first came out. There were 67 (approx. )pins. My addiction started in April 1999 when I found some of these pins at the Character Warehouse for $1/each. I then searched Ebay for the others and for other DL related pins and now over 500 pins later.... I started getting some traders when DL started Pin Trading so I could trade off the lanyards. My first trade was for a DL Monorail Cafe pin. I enjoy my pins and the friendships made thru them.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

I started last year, during our trip to the Millennium celebration. My first pin was the Millennium dancers flex. Then it was Simba the cub. Only thing I regret? Not having a strategy in mind before the fever really kicked in! Upseting to realize I had a Stinky Pete in my hands but put it right back on the rack... hehehe Darn, it would complete my Toy Story collection today!

Throughout my life, I can't recall a stage when I did not collect something. At 13 it was stamps & coins, then it was rocks, marine shells, souvenir spoons, Hard Rock cafe t-shirts, sports cards, napkins & magnets.. You name it! Call me an incurable collector.

The addiction thing.. Yup, I understand. It definitely fills something, I suppose. Oh well, as long as you have money left to pay your bills and don't harm anyone, it is OK, I guess! But what I always warn people about is not collecting pins to make a fortune in the future. If you want a more certain financial investment, take those $6.00 - $15.00 and buy shares in the stock market instead.

The value of your pins will be determined by how much someone else wants them. Now, collectors are interested and many will pay anything for them, but who is to say that will be the case in the next decade? Just get the pins that you like, because you like them. It will make your collection more meaningful to you.

Wanda

 

[Duckfan]

I want to keep them!!!
I started collecting when they had the millenium pins at the disney store. Then I bought extra for our Dec trip, knowing that I would like to try this trading thing then. The first night I made a trade. Ooh that was so cool. In fact, my dsil and dd thought it was so cool they wanted to trade to. See I brought two more into the fold! Then we looked everywhere for cast lanyards. The memories of the trip are between rides and finding every lanyard we could, and there are a lot of places to find them! Then, sadly upon returning home, there was withdrawl. No castmembers here to trade with. Oopss, ouch found the ebay and there are lots of pins, new daily. Addiction is total now. But I only have some money to get pins and darn if I don't keep spending it on ones I want to keep. Not as many are for trading (this is also fun to as I get to trade occasionally, love those lbes). Alas I am but a small fish, who still believes in one for ones, trading what I want for what you want...the dream is alive.

 

[snowgooseltd]

We visited WDW in February 2000 and were bitten by the "pin bug". Don't you think someone should design a pin around that theme? Where or where are Nat and Dom when we need them?
I, too, collect what I like and wear a pin or two every day. The problem is, I like way too many. I've made my share of mistakes and purchased pins that I've decided I don't particularly like, so they become my traders. Unfortunately, this does not give me very desirable traders...this makes me a less than smart, savvy trader, but I love my collection. My husband humors me and I don't smoke or drink (much) or gamble ( only rarely) so I figure, this is my vice. Not a bad way to go...what do you think??

 

[holycow]

Cinderella Millenium Pin! I saw a girl with it on at Sams club and asked her, she told me they didn't sell them any more! Did that stop me? No, I love a challenge...I searched high and low and got that pin....I was bit...
I haven't done much trading...most people just say "you have some nice pins"
but I am hoping to change some of that this weekend!!

Holycow

and welcome to all you "newbies!!"

 

[Barb]

I started with the Millenium pins, too. Every Friday, it was a 35 minute to the DS. And, it's been pins, pins, pins ever since! I was hooked. I was collecting series pins (POMs, etc.), and decided that was getting way to expensive. So, now I just buy what I like. Problem is I like them all! There isn't a pin cart in WDW that I can pass buy without stopping!!

 

[goofymom/pop]

This past winter I was planning a trip for my DS, Dniece, Dnephew, DSister and i
My son and I had been to the world many times but the rest of the crew was
new to the Disney addiction. So I started asking ?s on this board to get the
kids a few traders. I thought it would give my seven year old something new
to do on our May trip, and keep things exciting for him. I sold all kinds of things
and/or traded for pins. I had a nice little thing going just for the kids and then it
happened, Jazzy Jeff decided I needed my own pins to trade at the world and
sent me a set.....that was it. HOOKED!!! I loved it. The kids loved it, and my sister
was really HOOKED!!!! she spent half of her time looking at castmember lanyards.
Well I still dont have a ton of pins, but we love Mickey and keep all our Mickey pins
unless we have doubles. My problem is the cash flow, It is hard to buy two of
everything just to have a trader.....but we will see how this trip goes. My newest
pin thing is trading DL International Mickeys with a friend in Caly, and I send him two pin
a month from WDW he sends me two I. mickeys...yeah!!! I cant wait, so I am
buying loads of traders this week.....

cindy