Trade City - Your opinion

[daber]

I was very disappointed. This was probably the worst event of the 10 years (except for maybe the one where nothing was centralized and we were running all over EPCOT.) Again the price went up and the quality went down.

The LE size was down on all the pins but at the end of the event everything was still available (even the LE 10 framed set!). The early bird pin is just ugly. I'm glad I didn't get suckered into the breakfast or desert extra ticket. Those pins weren't something to write home about either.

The two welcome pins were interesting if you wanted to collect the set. I think they were to prod you into doing so. But then you had to buy the mystery sets. And stand in the trade board lines to complete the set. And with one of the pins being an LE 100 that you had to find in one of the boxes you bought. Way too much hassle.

No kid trading area like prior years.

No Sunday like prior years (again had to pay extra for the Vinylmation piece)

No snacks (prior years there was ice cream, popcorn, a sheet cake, etc.)

And our farewell pin????? No jumbo and no boxed set like prior years. Instead of 5 pins, one fairly ugly pin to match all the others they handed out. I predict the CM lanyards will see a lot of these.

 

[debranator]

I agree with you..I will never go again...
In fact,I am just about to stop pin trading after that.
To me..it was a shameless ripoff....
Disney.did a horrible job of it....
and here is my copy and paste..from another thread...
on what I think of the traders at the tables who profit from other traders:
I went to trade city..for the first time..
and..was appalled at most of the behavior at the back tables and at the yacht club.
I will NEVER again trade with anyone that takes a table for trading.
I am now convinced that these folks are thieves.
Case in point....
On Thursday night....I went to the tables..looking to trade...
I met a man...who seemed so nice..and honest.
He was so helpful..explaining about limited editions and such..
and..he made it clear..that he would only take limited editions of 250 or less for his pins.
AND..he kept referring to the original price point of each pin.
So..I was interested in a CM vinylmation pin...
and..I showed him my extra event pins..that I had bought...
all 250 LEs...
one that he said he wanted was sold out and cost me 17.
So..he said..that I could have the CM for it..and to pick another.
But,every pin I picked..he said was too nice.
So..finally...thinking I was being more than generous...
I picked the regular Yankees rack pin...
He told me:NO!@ that one is 10 bucks and also too good for your pin.
I then realized that he was just a crook...
and..bowed out.
I was so disgusted with the whole thing..that I did not go to the convention on Fri.
on Sat....
I watched him..and many others at the event....
demand that newbies buy them expensive event items to trade...
and...they did.
Over and over again..I saw this man..and a bunch of his cohorts take advantage of newer traders.
It is awful..and..I am sure that he justifies it...
but..it is wrong..and certainly not in the spirit of magic.
I am now...seriously rethinking pin trading....as a hobby.
As so many..have made it their business.
I also saw..that a lot of these traders have a system....to get the LE and AP pins at the event....
they go in teams on the lines.....one spaced about every 4th person...so that when..they change the boards..or the vinyls...
they are first....
They then get the LE or whatever..and..go to the tables...
and..ripoff the next newbie.
terrible.
I really wonder how they sleep at night..and...how the heck they justify this behavior....
I saw one witch..actually scream at a child..not to touch her pins in her book...as..children..were not allowed to look at them.

 

[diznut66]

Don't even get me started about these "professional" traders. Amazing to see how much pins on eBay are from trade city. When it comes to vinylmation I quit too because I watched as people in trading lines staggered themselves to get completers to put on eBay. I will not attend again. I did better trading with castmembers

 

[stinkerbell]

There are always going to be pin "sharks" at pin trading events. I had my fair share of jerk pin trader experiences at Trade City as well. But I didnt let them ruin my time there. I made some great trades with several people in the back. You just have to learn to stay away from the sharks and remember that not all traders are that way. Dont be afraid to say no to a trade and dont be offended if a trader doesnt like your pins. It also helps to research the pins you want so you know what is a fair trade.

I had a great time at Trade City! There may have been less to it than in years past, but it didnt matter to me. I had fun trading at the boards and came home with some great pins - including 27 Artist Proof pins!

 

[webprinter]

I had a wonderful time but don't have anything to compare to as it was my first year. My only complaint was that I traded someone in the back room who seemed very nice and kind for a scrapper and didn't recognize it. I also pulled a 2 scrappers off the board but recognized them after looking closely at them. I assume the CM didn't recognize it as a scrapper as they were very good ones. I didn't pull anything good off the boards but had fun anyway. I guess I need to figure out how to spot the APs and the LEs. I managed to finally get two LEs at the end but they were 5000LE. Oh well, it was still a lot of fun. Now I just need to figure out how to get DH to take me down there again next year. He layed at the pool all weekend. I guess I will have to remind him how relaxed he was.

 

[daber]

Sorry about the shark that bite you Debranator. Yeah, this has also been a problem for the past 10 years that Disney can't control. That is why they stopped the trading at DTD. But they are a minority. There are lots of good traders out there. I had two unpleasant experience as well in the back this year. I only have 14 want pins, and I know they are all in the stratosphere. But I'm willing to trade fairly. The guy had a pin from the 1980s that I want. 2 LE 60s weren't good enough for him. Another guy had a pin that I had never seen and I was luke warm for it. He started pulling about 5 low LE pins out of my book then said I still didn't have enough dollar value to trade for his pin that he wanted me to have.

Stick with the hobby and develop friendships with other traders that don't look at each piece of metal and attach $$$$.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I do miss the tables at DTD. This year it was more difficult to find pins to complete my sets, without fellow traders. I did find some fair trades at the tables in EPCOT. It was my husband who pointed out the sharks to me. He even referred to them as such. I will not buy pins to make a trade.

 

[pixiewings71]

Sorry about the shark that bite you Debranator. Yeah, this has also been a problem for the past 10 years that Disney can't control. That is why they stopped the trading at DTD. But they are a minority. There are lots of good traders out there. I had two unpleasant experience as well in the back this year. I only have 14 want pins, and I know they are all in the stratosphere. But I'm willing to trade fairly. The guy had a pin from the 1980s that I want. 2 LE 60s weren't good enough for him. Another guy had a pin that I had never seen and I was luke warm for it. He started pulling about 5 low LE pins out of my book then said I still didn't have enough dollar value to trade for his pin that he wanted me to have.

Stick with the hobby and develop friendships with other traders that don't look at each piece of metal and attach $$$$.

 

[debranator]

Sorry about the shark that bite you Debranator. Yeah, this has also been a problem for the past 10 years that Disney can't control. That is why they stopped the trading at DTD. But they are a minority. There are lots of good traders out there. I had two unpleasant experience as well in the back this year. I only have 14 want pins, and I know they are all in the stratosphere. But I'm willing to trade fairly. The guy had a pin from the 1980s that I want. 2 LE 60s weren't good enough for him. Another guy had a pin that I had never seen and I was luke warm for it. He started pulling about 5 low LE pins out of my book then said I still didn't have enough dollar value to trade for his pin that he wanted me to have.

Stick with the hobby and develop friendships with other traders that don't look at each piece of metal and attach $$$$.

You sound like a real sweetheart,and thank you for being so nice.
I did meet a few lovely folks there..but..the majority..were not sharks..but..thieves.
I honestly..felt dirty..being near them..
from now on..my pin hunts..will be with CMs..as obviously..I cannot tell a shark..until..it bites me.

 

[NHMickey]

It is a shame to see how the effects of a few can change the fun for many. I still trade when I go but it is mostly with CMs now as I have found that it is only the really hot pins that trade and most of my "Older" le's are not really wanted cause no one really knows what they are anymore.

But I still like the events to meet up with everyone I have met over the years. Wish I could have made this one.

 

[debranator]

It is a shame to see how the effects of a few can change the fun for many. I still trade when I go but it is mostly with CMs now as I have found that it is only the really hot pins that trade and most of my "Older" le's are not really wanted cause no one really knows what they are anymore.

But I still like the events to meet up with everyone I have met over the years. Wish I could have made this one.

The main problem is..it is not.."the few"..
it is the majority..at the trading tables.
and why is this?
It is because the crooks..have the incentive..to stake out the trading tables..first.
they arrive and fight each other for the best tables..so..that almost every table is taken..very early..by these profiteers..
especially..the front ones...
so..that..there is no room..for the honest traders to even set up their books...
so..I will always avoid the tables..from now on.

 

[olbear]

WOW!! Although I was not entirely happy with the event, for all the same reasons that Daber spoke of, I am so upset with those of us who happened to set up at the "front" tables labeled as "thieves" and "crooks". I just so happened to be able to set up at one of those front tables on both friday and saturday. But I am not a "thief or crook". SO you might know who I am, I was wearing a denim vest on friday covered with pooh pins, and both days had my mini Pooh with me wearing his vest of mini pins.

If you don't know me please don't label me. Just ask Daber, he knows what kind of trader I am. Many times I have done an "unfair" trade. That is unfair to ME. I have also given away many pins. I did so at the event to one young lady, new to pin trading. She did a nice trade with me. She also happened to see another CM Hat box pin that she thought was so wonderful. Well, I saw her birthday button, picked up the mint, still in the original box, Peter Pan hat pin and gave it to her and said Happy Birthday. She almost cried on me. Afterwards, her father stayed and thanked me for being so nice and generous. I was so happy to spread the magic.

As far as the tables go, many of us were able to sit at the front tables, as many of the tables were EMPTY with no one sitting at them. The tables were nicely spaced out and not crowded at all as in the past. So although there were fewer tables, there were still many that were empty. In years past it was a challenge to get space at a table at all.

Yes, there are "pin sharks" and I dislike them as much as anyone. But they are believe it or not, the "minority". Most pin traders do their best to be fair. Unfortunately because some traders are not educated about pin values, they assume they are being taken by a pin "crook". It is best to educate yourself about what pins you have to trade and what pins you are wanting to add to your collection.

As Nat mentioned, many new traders have no idea about the value of the older pins. I have 1 pin trader bag that has some of the original "Mystery Pins" and "Surprise Pins". It is my guess if you saw these pins and wanted them, you might try to make a trade for these types of pins for what you think is a really great pin. But because you do not know the history or value of my older pin, you would probably label me a crook. Please keep this in mind before you make future assumptions that are actually hurtful.

I pride myself on being a nice fair trader, and I have been awarded numerous CTT pins for just that. by the way, a CTT is a "Continuing The Tradition" award pin that in the past was awarded by CM Managers, to guests when caught being a fair pin trader. I was also awarded a "Scoop" Pin Trader Pin by Scooop himself. This is a pin that I most value. Again this pin was only awrded by Scoop Sanderson, a Main Street Character. You probably saw him at the event. Many of us that have been around pin trading for years consider him the "pin ambassador" for WDW. He exudes and exemplifies what pin trading is about.

I am not meaning to fuss at you, really I'm not. I just want everyone to think about what you say in regards to traders and generalizing and lumping so many into a bad light. I hope in the future you have many opportunities to meet some wonderful fair traders and develop a better overall oppinion of pin trading.

There are some of us still out there that continue the GOOD tradition of pin trading.

Blessings,
Winnie

 

[debranator]

WOW!! Although I was not entirely happy with the event, for all the same reasons that Daber spoke of, I am so upset with those of us who happened to set up at the "front" tables labeled as "thieves" and "crooks". I just so happened to be able to set up at one of those front tables on both friday and saturday. But I am not a "thief or crook". SO you might know who I am, I was wearing a denim vest on friday covered with pooh pins, and both days had my mini Pooh with me wearing his vest of mini pins.

If you don't know me please don't label me. Just ask Daber, he knows what kind of trader I am. Many times I have done an "unfair" trade. That is unfair to ME. I have also given away many pins. I did so at the event to one young lady, new to pin trading. She did a nice trade with me. She also happened to see another CM Hat box pin that she thought was so wonderful. Well, I saw her birthday button, picked up the mint, still in the original box, Peter Pan hat pin and gave it to her and said Happy Birthday. She almost cried on me. Afterwards, her father stayed and thanked me for being so nice and generous. I was so happy to spread the magic.

As far as the tables go, many of us were able to sit at the front tables, as many of the tables were EMPTY with no one sitting at them. The tables were nicely spaced out and not crowded at all as in the past. So although there were fewer tables, there were still many that were empty. In years past it was a challenge to get space at a table at all.

Yes, there are "pin sharks" and I dislike them as much as anyone. But they are believe it or not, the "minority". Most pin traders do their best to be fair. Unfortunately because some traders are not educated about pin values, they assume they are being taken by a pin "crook". It is best to educate yourself about what pins you have to trade and what pins you are wanting to add to your collection.

As Nat mentioned, many new traders have no idea about the value of the older pins. I have 1 pin trader bag that has some of the original "Mystery Pins" and "Surprise Pins". It is my guess if you saw these pins and wanted them, you might try to make a trade for these types of pins for what you think is a really great pin. But because you do not know the history or value of my older pin, you would probably label me a crook. Please keep this in mind before you make future assumptions that are actually hurtful.

I pride myself on being a nice fair trader, and I have been awarded numerous CTT pins for just that. by the way, a CTT is a "Continuing The Tradition" award pin that in the past was awarded by CM Managers, to guests when caught being a fair pin trader. I was also awarded a "Scoop" Pin Trader Pin by Scooop himself. This is a pin that I most value. Again this pin was only awrded by Scoop Sanderson, a Main Street Character. You probably saw him at the event. Many of us that have been around pin trading for years consider him the "pin ambassador" for WDW. He exudes and exemplifies what pin trading is about.

I am not meaning to fuss at you, really I'm not. I just want everyone to think about what you say in regards to traders and generalizing and lumping so many into a bad light. I hope in the future you have many opportunities to meet some wonderful fair traders and develop a better overall oppinion of pin trading.

There are some of us still out there that continue the GOOD tradition of pin trading.

Blessings,
Winnie

I DO get your point..it IS unfair of me to label ALL pin traders at the tables..with the same brush.
And..I do not believe that i met you there.
But..,,MANY that I met..tried to take me to the cleaners.
I am a new trader...
But..I did a lot of research...I have a few thousand pins after trading for about 4 months...
and..I buy rare pins on ebay..all the time.
I also know the rack prices of all the current pins..as I am in the parks 3 or 4 days every week.
I brought 2 books with me..loaded with rare pins.....
CM 10,15 and 25 year pins..and tons of stuff.
One trade that I did..that seemed fair at the time....
did not seem all that fair when I checked the prices of the items later.
not only was I taken for a ride...
but..the couple tried to get more of my rarer pins...and I would not budge..thank goodness.
Of course,traders do have moments of generosity..most I assume...
but, what is the norm?
And.....I did see it on all levels..not just the pro table traders.
At one point in the convention..after they let in the public on Sunday
....I got so annoyed at all the noobs...being hornswoggled..
by being made to buy new pins just to get a HM...
that..I took a table..with another noob trader pal...
to counteract the thievery.
and..laid out a few hundred lanyard,hm pins..you know..the small,cheaper stuff.
AND...I put out a book of better rack pins...the bigger ,shinier stuff.
and...
I told everyone that looked..that I would trade..pin for pin.
as..they were all just junk traders...
so..why did I care..as long as..I got a similar pin back..
I id not even pick when they offered..I told them to choose..sort of like what a cm does.
But,I said....the lanyard pins..were for lanyard pins..and the nicer pile..was for nicer pins.
and..I saw a strange phenomenon....
even the younger children.....uptraded.
they would have a pin of the same size and type...and would offer me to take my pick...
when I left it up to them..95% of the time..they gave me the worst pin that they had.
I said nothing..as it did not matter to me.
BUT< the table traders...kept trying to trade the tiny lanyard pins with me...and take the better pile.
So..my conclusion is "that pin trading...seems to bring out the worst in a lot of folks.
Not all, of course...but............

 

[Spiffie]

This was my first year attending a pin trading event. I have only been collecting/trading for 1.5 years, so I am pretty new. However, I have done a LOT of research and made friends with a LOT of nice, reputable traders. These new great friends of mine have taught me to be a smart trader and I, in turn, have shared that information with my husband and children and when approached by someone with questions, I share what has been shared with me. I am aware that there are people who are in this hobby to profit and there are people in this hobby to enhance their quality of life.

I met OLBEAR at Trade City, chatted it up with her and her Pooh Partner in Crime and she even let me hug her Pooh. I know that she is not a shark. I also know that MOST true pin traders will go out of their way to make a trade with a person if it is at all possible. I initiated 2 trades myself with 2 different people that ended up walking away from because they wanted more in trade than I was willing to part with for what I was trying to get.

These types of instances are not isolated to pin trading. In any hobby you will find those types of people. Be smart. Don't let it ruin your hobby or your love for the hobby. Make GOOD friends. Help each other out. There are far more good traders than bad traders.

 

[rotary2808]

This was our second year attending and I can say from experience that not all of the people on the front tables are sharks. One person we dealt with almost exclusively that we met last year. Another one we met this year was really nice as well and really easy to trade with.

I'll agree there are some sharks at the events and those are trades that I just walk away from, but I think there are more good people than bad. Also, I enjoy the friendships I've made and if those are the only people I ever trade with at the event then that's okay too.

 

[olbear]

I met OLBEAR at Trade City, chatted it up with her and her Pooh Partner in Crime and she even let me hug her Pooh. I know that she is not a shark. I also know that MOST true pin traders will go out of their way to make a trade with a person if it is at all possible.

I remember you and so does POOH. He loved the extra hug!! I hope we get to meet again in the future.!!
Blessings,
Winnie

 

[olbear]

SO happy you understood and were not offended at my post. And so glad that you "get it" and have become a well informed/educated pin trader. That was a wonderful trade table you got going. Sounds like you had fun and continued to learn. Way to go. It's all about the friends and fun isn't it?

Take care and..
Blessings,
Winnie

 

[debranator]

SO happy you understood and were not offended at my post. And so glad that you "get it" and have become a well informed/educated pin trader. That was a wonderful trade table you got going. Sounds like you had fun and continued to learn. Way to go. It's all about the friends and fun isn't it?

Take care and..
Blessings,
Winnie

Hi Winnie,
of course I am not offended...
they say...WAAAAY worse things about me in other threads.
or..should i say..they infer worse things about me..
must be because I am so shy and afraid to voice my opinion.
I DID learn a lot.......
and..I WILL set up at a table again..my way...
with pin for pin trading...so that noobs can get hidden mickeys and the other little pins....
but....I will do it..to counteract the bad traders....
I stopped getting mad..I get even.
I would love to meet you guys one day..ya'll sound so nice.

 

[pixiewings71]

This was my first year attending a pin trading event. I have only been collecting/trading for 1.5 years, so I am pretty new. However, I have done a LOT of research and made friends with a LOT of nice, reputable traders. These new great friends of mine have taught me to be a smart trader and I, in turn, have shared that information with my husband and children and when approached by someone with questions, I share what has been shared with me. I am aware that there are people who are in this hobby to profit and there are people in this hobby to enhance their quality of life.

I met OLBEAR at Trade City, chatted it up with her and her Pooh Partner in Crime and she even let me hug her Pooh. I know that she is not a shark. I also know that MOST true pin traders will go out of their way to make a trade with a person if it is at all possible. I initiated 2 trades myself with 2 different people that ended up walking away from because they wanted more in trade than I was willing to part with for what I was trying to get.

These types of instances are not isolated to pin trading. In any hobby you will find those types of people. Be smart. Don't let it ruin your hobby or your love for the hobby. Make GOOD friends. Help each other out. There are far more good traders than bad traders.

Absolutely 100% the BEST advice I've seen lately! Perfectly said! And remember, just because it's a Disney hobby that doesn't mean there aren't people who will use that to their advantage.

 

[daber]

When AZJazzyJeff was on the boards, he would organize a disboards meet somewhere in WDW the week of the pin event so all of us could get together. Sounds like we should do it again, even though Jeff isn't here. Who could forget Around the World in 80 pins?