Son's into Pin Trading! Please share tips/secrets.

[zaja]

Hi all,
My son is really getting into the idea of pin trading. Swore we'd never do it. Go figure! Anyway, I have a few questions for all you veteren traders. What are the most desirable pins to collect. I know we'll have our own special ones - ride titles for me, fantasmic mickey for my son, - but, is there anything in particuliar to look for. Is it easy to trade with the other guests in the parks? Theres never been a down and dirty 'I don't want to trade with you fight' has there? I'm kidding. Mostly. Anyplace to get some great pins (for a great price) to start trading with? Probably some stupid questions here, very novice! Any other advice - especially tips on getting the good ones (if you don't mind sharing) would be great.

 

[keishashadow]

Collect what you like, unless you're considering them an investment.

eBay is the best/cheapest source of "trade bait". Buy in multiples from sellers to combine shipping. Beware Sedesma pins and the ones from S. America (fakes).

Energizer has a set of 5 Disney pins randomly inserted in multi-packs of AA batteries (kmart, grocery & drug stores).

CM's are your best source for your "trade bait". As long as your pins are authenic (stamped Disney) they'll trade with you as long as they don't have one on their lanyard.

It's a fun thing for you and your son to do together; enjoy the magic.

 

[zaja]

CM's are your best source for your "trade bait". As long as your pins are authenic (stamped Disney) they'll trade with you as long as they don't have one on their lanyard.

I thought CM's always have to trade with you?!

 

[safetymom]

I suggest asking your questions about pin trading on the collectors board here on the DIS. I am sure they will have lots of tips for you.

 

[zaja]

Thanks safetymom. I've never been to the disney collector's board before. Looks like they have some great info there!

 

[IStoleMyKidsPins]

Your best bet for cheaper pins is Ebay. Search under pin lots. Basically, for bigger lots{10 pins & up}, you can generally get them for about $3.00 a pin after s/h is added. Just be patient & persistent. Also, keep an eye on Disney Direct. They have 2 big semi-annual pin events & occasionally have other pins for sale. Right now they have Nightmare Before Xmas pins on sale. 2 pins per set, originally were $16.99 I think, now they're $5.99 for a set of 2. When they offer certain codes, your price will be even cheaper.

As far as trading with CMs, they'll trade with you. And a few hints. CMs with a green lanyard only trade with children, so you might find some better ones on those lanyards. Keep an eye out for manager type CMs{ones in suits or who seem like higher ups}. They tend to have nice ones too because fewer people trade with them. The emporium on Main St tends to always have a bunch of CMs around. The cart in the Wilderness Lodge lobby not only has the CM with a lanyard, but they also have a binder with about 7 pages full of pins for trading. I've also found that I can get some good Lanyard Pins from that cart as well, straight from the little plastic bag they were given to the CM in.

If you eat Kelloggs cereal. look for the specially marked boxes with "Wake Up in a Disney Park" on them. There is a coupon on the side. Collect 3 coupons & you can send in for a free pin. Or you can trade the coupons in for the pin at World of Disney at Downtown Disney. Also, Birnbaum's guide has a coupon for a free pin you can trade in at Pin Traders at DD as well.

Have fun!

 

[tclowe]

If you are staying at one of the Disney Resorts, a couple of them have special pin-trading nights. After dinner at Concourse Steakhouse, we saw the sign near the gift shops that it was pin-trading night. Plenty of serious pin traders. In addition, Disney has a roped off area where young kids (age 6-11 or so) can trade up to 6 pins for any pins on these pin boards. I heard that the pin boards have cast member pins and limited edition pins in addition to common pins. My 6 year old son didn't know the difference, so we just told to him trade for whatever pins that struck his fancy. Oh, parents can't help or coach. A few of those kids in line were very pin savvy! It was a Friday night when we went. There was a couple of tables with coloring pages and crayons to keep the young ones busy.