Those that buy Pins to trade from eBay... HELP!

[SDSorority]

Hi all . Ok, I'm new to the pin trading world (I know, where have I been, right?), so bare with me. I just found tons of pin lots on ebay that seem to be a really good price (unless I'm missing something ). http://ebay.to/1F0C9BW Considering each pin is normally $5 or more, and I was thinking about putting them in our stockings this year to trade with during our next trip.

Here's my question... is it legal to trade pins that are purchased online? Have you traded non-WDW purchased pins before? Is it ok as long as they're legit Disney pins?

 

[Guiness92]

Whenever pin lots are sold on eBay they are always a mix or real and "scrappers" which is the term they use for fakes. Cast members trade anything, they are not allowed to question your pins authenticity. It's mostly a moral question for yourself. Some people argue the fact that everything that Disney sells is China made so what's the difference, some people say it hurts Disneys profits. Bottom line is, all are tradable, but do you morally feel ok trading a pin that you think could be fake.

I've bought pins on eBay, but only for my personal collection. I buy starter kits at the park for trading.

 

[SDSorority]

Whenever pin lots are sold on eBay they are always a mix or real and "scrappers" which is the term they use for fakes. Cast members trade anything, they are not allowed to question your pins authenticity. It's mostly a moral question for yourself. Some people argue the fact that everything that Disney sells is China made so what's the difference, some people say it hurts Disneys profits. Bottom line is, all are tradable, but do you morally feel ok trading a pin that you think could be fake.

I've bought pins on eBay, but only for my personal collection. I buy starter kits at the park for trading.

Good point.

 

[hddanis]

I have bought pins from eBay several times for trading and have never gotten any fakes (trust me, I go to the different sites to make sure). I've also never had any problems trading them in the parks. ive probably purchased at least 500 pins this way....we still wind up buying pins at the park, but the kids have the most fun trading them.

 

[SDSorority]

I have bought pins from eBay several times for trading and have never gotten any fakes (trust me, I go to the different sites to make sure). I've also never had any problems trading them in the parks. ive probably purchased at least 500 pins this way....we still wind up buying pins at the park, but the kids have the most fun trading them.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I must have 1000 pins in my collection. I would guess that 500 at least have been from trusted sellers on eBay. That's the key, get to know the seller, how long they have been around, what their feedback says. I've been a member of eBay since 1990s. There are many sellers that really care about what they sell and whether it is a scrapper pin or not.

 

[SDSorority]

I must have 1000 pins in my collection. I would guess that 500 at least have been from trusted sellers on eBay. That's the key, get to know the seller, how long they have been around, what their feedback says. I've been a member of eBay since 1990s. There are many sellers that really care about what they sell and whether it is a scrapper pin or not.

That's what I was thinking- be sure to get them from a trusted seller with good reviews.

 

[starry_solo]

That's what I was thinking- be sure to get them from a trusted seller with good reviews.

A lot of the scrapper sellers have great reviews because people don't know the difference.

Things to look for in the listing:
1. Pins that are commonly scrapped - these include hidden mickeys and some booster pack pins;
2. Read the listing. If it says that the pins are 100% tradeable, that's usually a big red flag.
3. Read the listing: If it says the pins pictured are representative but may not be the exact pins you receive, another red flag.
4. If the pins sell for less than $1, that's usually a red flag. Of course, you can get good deals but those are for the actual pins listed.

BTW, scrappers are not fake pins. Scrappers are pins that didn't meet quality and control and should have been scrapped (thrown away). There are fake / counterfeit pins where the factories use the same mold and create pins that have never been released before (and weren't authorized by Disney). Often, there are color variations.

There are several Pin Databases out there.

Pin Trading Database
http://pintradingdb.com

Pinventory
(in beta testing)

PinPics
http://www.pinpics.com

and lots of collectors forums out there:
Pin Trading Database
http://pintradingdb.com

(^^has a forum component but isn't very active)

Disney Pin Forum
http://www.disneypinforum.com

Pin Talk (a part of PinPics)
http://pintalk.*********/

Many knowledgeable people are on the forums to discuss scrappers.

P.S. I hope it's okay to put the website addresses here

 

[rbrainerd]

The pins with the hidden mickey, as seen by the little silhouette of his head on some pins, are CM only pins. You can not "buy" them for they are given to CM to trade with guests. I don't know why the are called scrapers but I do know about the CM picking up their quota to trade with guests.

 

[SDSorority]

A lot of the scrapper sellers have great reviews because people don't know the difference.

Things to look for in the listing:
1. Pins that are commonly scrapped - these include hidden mickeys and some booster pack pins;
2. Read the listing. If it says that the pins are 100% tradeable, that's usually a big red flag.
3. Read the listing: If it says the pins pictured are representative but may not be the exact pins you receive, another red flag.
4. If the pins sell for less than $1, that's usually a red flag. Of course, you can get good deals but those are for the actual pins listed.

BTW, scrappers are not fake pins. Scrappers are pins that didn't meet quality and control and should have been scrapped (thrown away). There are fake / counterfeit pins where the factories use the same mold and create pins that have never been released before (and weren't authorized by Disney). Often, there are color variations.

There are several Pin Databases out there.

Pin Trading Database
http://pintradingdb.com

Pinventory
(in beta testing)

PinPics
http://www.pinpics.com

and lots of collectors forums out there:
Pin Trading Database
http://pintradingdb.com

(^^has a forum component but isn't very active)

Disney Pin Forum
http://www.disneypinforum.com

Pin Talk (a part of PinPics)
http://pintalk.*********/

Many knowledgeable people are on the forums to discuss scrappers.

P.S. I hope it's okay to put the website addresses here

Thank you!!!!!!

 

[Luvchefmic]

There is advice here I agree with and advice that I don't. The bottom line is you have to " go with your gut ". Are there some sellers and listings that raise a warning to me ? Absolutely. The majority of the pins I buy are for my personal collection. Some I will buy for the sole purpose of the future trade. My comfort level is different than yours. The majority of the pins I buy are purchased/won one at a time. I have purchased " lots " over the years. Again, after I felt the seller was about as honest as they come.

 

[SDSorority]

There is advice here I agree with and advice that I don't. The bottom line is you have to " go with your gut ". Are there some sellers and listings that raise a warning to me ? Absolutely. The majority of the pins I buy are for my personal collection. Some I will buy for the sole purpose of the future trade. My comfort level is different than yours. The majority of the pins I buy are purchased/won one at a time. I have purchased " lots " over the years. Again, after I felt the seller was about as honest as they come.

I'm afraid if I build up my pin collection, I'll get attached and won't want to trade

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'm afraid if I build up my pin collection, I'll get attached and won't want to trade

When I die they will have to pry my Pluto pins out of my cold hand

Actually it's funny when I first decided I would collect only Pluto ( no other character sharing the pin with him ) I had NO idea how many there are...I am constantly on the hunt. Others I can let go. You'll get to that point in a few years

 

[SDSorority]

When I die they will have to pry my Pluto pins out of my cold hand

Actually it's funny when I first decided I would collect only Pluto ( no other character sharing the pin with him ) I had NO idea how many there are...I am constantly on the hunt. Others I can let go. You'll get to that point in a few years

 

[SDSorority]

Ok so let's say I buy a "lot" of pins. How do I tote them around the parks? I know lanyards were big way back when, before the birth of magic bands....

I found this display binder... is that overkill? http://ebay.to/11mvWTW

I'm not sure I'd want to lug that around the parks...is that what people do? I do bring a backpack, but generally that's reserved for my lunch, some water, a cardigan, some bandaids and my motion sickness remedies...

People don't wear the pins all over their t-shirts, do they? I'm thinking way too hard about this.

 

[frenzy70]

Can someone give a quick explanation as to how to trade pins at the parks? Can kids and adults do it?

 

[starry_solo]

Ok so let's say I buy a "lot" of pins. How do I tote them around the parks? I know lanyards were big way back when, before the birth of magic bands....

I found this display binder... is that overkill? http://ebay.to/11mvWTW

I'm not sure I'd want to lug that around the parks...is that what people do? I do bring a backpack, but generally that's reserved for my lunch, some water, a cardigan, some bandaids and my motion sickness remedies...

People don't wear the pins all over their t-shirts, do they? I'm thinking way too hard about this.

I usually put my pins in the old CD cases, the ones that we used to put in the car with 20-24 CDs

 

[Mouse3Dad]

Pretty much any CM is going to have pins. From the midway sweeps to supervisors. If you or your child see one you like, just walk up and ask to trade.

My daughter the first time she traded saw 4 CM's standing in the front of the castle. She walked up to the 4 CM's, waited till someone asked her if she needed something and ended up trading with all 4 of them.

As far as what we use to carry. We usually load the pins we want to trade on a lanynard's in the in morning before we leave the room. We usually load it up with anywhere from 10-15 pins. Usually either my wife or I will wear one, and one for our daughter.

Love the Idea about the old CD cases! Thanks starry_solo

 

[Maddie2]

I know lanyards were big way back when, before the birth of magic bands....

Is this true? Do people not wear lanyards anymore? It's been a while since we've been to the parks.

 

[redoctober25]

If I don't wear my lanyard (with 8-12 tradable pins) I usually keep them in a Baggie in my backpack. Easy access for when I want to trade them. I also keep a second Baggie to keep the traded pins separate from the tradable ones that I take out each night after returning from the parks.