Trading Pins from Ebay

[Tammylynn]

What should I do with pins that I know are scrappers? Also, if Art is unsure about the others, do you think that it is okay to trade those pins, since I think that they are real?
Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

On my recent trip I had this same struggle. The pins I really felt were scrappers went back to the seller. The ones I wasn't sure with I kept. Any pin I felt was for real I traded in the parks (unless I liked it!).

I can't with conscience trade a pin that I have any doubts about. So I only traded pins I'd be happy getting in return.

Some of the pins I traded for may be scrappers but they were what I wanted so they are on my display anyway. I'm happy!

 

[thelionqueen]

lion, I believe that this seller is unknowingly purchasing scrappers. In her response to me, she said

Who would say that they bought the pins from a manufacturer that supplies Disney? That is an immediate red flag. She must not know that the same manufacturers that supply Disney manufacture scrappers.

I don't know what to do about the pins. I think I'll take them to Disney and ask Art the Doorman at the Beach Club. He is very knowledgable in the area of pins, and I'm sure he will point me in the right direction.

BBBC just messaged me this:



I don't know what to think of it.

Thanks for everyone's responses, I am SO impressed at what everyone is doing to help the whole scrapper situation..so a BIG Thank you all!!:thumbsup

In response to Mount's post about the seller unknowingly buying scrappers, I just had to smile. Technically, her response COULD make sense, here's what I mean. She posted that she buys from an licensed manufacturer that supplies Disney. Scrappers are made in the same factories, using the same molds (for the most part-there are exceptions to this) that DO supply Disney. I believe that the EXACT way this seller phrased that is VERY misleading to buyers and "technically" could be true.

Here's the problem, they are NOT authorized by Disney NOR do they use the same quantity/type of materials that the authentic pins are. For example, Disney orders 10000 of one type of pin. They then order and pay for the specific amount of materials and labor it would take to produce it. Once that "quota" is met, the scrapper makers, use the molds and whatever materials (if any) are left over and add substandard materials to make the scrapped pins.

As a disclaimer, this is what I was told by someone who is very aware of this situation @ Disney. This is not my personal assessment as to the production of scrappers, and I am, by no means an expert on knowing everything about this subject; just sharing what I was told and my own experience.

Bottom line is, there is NO ENTITY of the Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries that supply this amount of pins to ANYBODY or ANY company anywhere PERIOD!!! Ask youself this...WHY would Disney have an overseas company that would DIRECTLY compete with its US Park and Retail sales??? Why would they have ANYTHING ANYWHERE that would offer its products for 90% off the retail price they command? IT WOULD'NT!!! Has anyone been lucky enough to find ANY Disney merchandise ANYWHERE for 90+% off regularly? I can tell you, being a penny pincher, I HAVE lucked out here and there and found sale merchandise from Disney, but it is VERY rare, and I'm lucky to find one or two things, not thousands, and certainly not on a regular basis.

Anyone who knows anything about the Disney company and how strictly it manages its copyright (this problem excluded thus far) knows they would NEVER and I mean NEVER have anything that would even REMOTELY compete with its MASSIVE retail sales using its copyright.

I think we can dissect and investigate this to death and never fully know exactly how this works or what these sellers are doing. The bottom line is this, I think we all know that these people are not selling Disney products legitimately. I think if we all look at this simply and logically, there is just no way these people could have come into this product in any other way than illegally. Whether it be buying scrappers from overseas or theft, bottom line is, don't buy from them. Buy from Disney and there is no question.

Sorry for the vent, it just makes me so mad that these people are hurting a hobby and company I love. It takes me SO much of my personal time and effort to fight this fight. But if I can make even ONE person NOT buy from these people and not infiltrate scrappers into the pin trading community, I will continue to educate as best I can. Thanks again to everyone who is taking the time to educate themselves and making a difference!!!!!

 

[thelionqueen]

Couple more things to add. While Art is EASILY my favorite CM (and person for that matter) he may not the most knowledgeable regarding scrappers.

He does know a lot about pin trading, but in his position as a greeter, and just his excellent and perfect demeanor in general, I do not think he would have enough time and/or knowledge about this to be the best resource. I may be wrong, I've never talked to him about scrappers, just pin trading. By the way, tell him the Colorado Clan says hi and we miss him!!

Mount..my advice is this...do whatever you feel is right, simple as that. If you feel good about trading the pins you feel are authentic, I say go for it. However, if you have any question at all, I would say keep them, don't trade them. Personally, I would send them all back and ask for a refund. Only because its brain damaging to try to figure out what's right and what's wrong. And even worse, if it were me and I were trading at the parks, the LAST thing I would want to worry about is "is this pin real, will this CM not accept it, etc". Buying from Disney takes all that questioning and guilt away. YES it is more expensive, but let me tell you. When you're at Pin Traders, looking at all the gorgeous authentic Disney pins, and pay a little more, it makes up for it in every other way imaginable. Only you can decide what is right for you, and as long as it makes you feel good (that is why we all love pin trading isn't it?) GO FOR IT!!

No matter what, enjoy your trip and pin trade until they utilize a jack hammer to chisel the smile from your face

 

[MountNittany]

Thanks for everyone's responses, I am SO impressed at what everyone is doing to help the whole scrapper situation..so a BIG Thank you all!!:thumbsup

In response to Mount's post about the seller unknowingly buying scrappers, I just had to smile. Technically, her response COULD make sense, here's what I mean. She posted that she buys from an licensed manufacturer that supplies Disney. Scrappers are made in the same factories, using the same molds (for the most part-there are exceptions to this) that DO supply Disney. I believe that the EXACT way this seller phrased that is VERY misleading to buyers and "technically" could be true.

Here's the problem, they are NOT authorized by Disney NOR do they use the same quantity/type of materials that the authentic pins are. For example, Disney orders 10000 of one type of pin. They then order and pay for the specific amount of materials and labor it would take to produce it. Once that "quota" is met, the scrapper makers, use the molds and whatever materials (if any) are left over and add substandard materials to make the scrapped pins.

As a disclaimer, this is what I was told by someone who is very aware of this situation @ Disney. This is not my personal assessment as to the production of scrappers, and I am, by no means an expert on knowing everything about this subject; just sharing what I was told and my own experience.

Bottom line is, there is NO ENTITY of the Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries that supply this amount of pins to ANYBODY or ANY company anywhere PERIOD!!! Ask youself this...WHY would Disney have an overseas company that would DIRECTLY compete with its US Park and Retail sales??? Why would they have ANYTHING ANYWHERE that would offer its products for 90% off the retail price they command? IT WOULD'NT!!! Has anyone been lucky enough to find ANY Disney merchandise ANYWHERE for 90+% off regularly? I can tell you, being a penny pincher, I HAVE lucked out here and there and found sale merchandise from Disney, but it is VERY rare, and I'm lucky to find one or two things, not thousands, and certainly not on a regular basis.

Anyone who knows anything about the Disney company and how strictly it manages its copyright (this problem excluded thus far) knows they would NEVER and I mean NEVER have anything that would even REMOTELY compete with its MASSIVE retail sales using its copyright.

I think we can dissect and investigate this to death and never fully know exactly how this works or what these sellers are doing. The bottom line is this, I think we all know that these people are not selling Disney products legitimately. I think if we all look at this simply and logically, there is just no way these people could have come into this product in any other way than illegally. Whether it be buying scrappers from overseas or theft, bottom line is, don't buy from them. Buy from Disney and there is no question.

Sorry for the vent, it just makes me so mad that these people are hurting a hobby and company I love. It takes me SO much of my personal time and effort to fight this fight. But if I can make even ONE person NOT buy from these people and not infiltrate scrappers into the pin trading community, I will continue to educate as best I can. Thanks again to everyone who is taking the time to educate themselves and making a difference!!!!!

I will probably buy the starter sets next time, like I did last year. It was only about $3 a pin!

I can also try MousePinsOnline, or whatever it is called.

Couple more things to add. While Art is EASILY my favorite CM (and person for that matter) he may not the most knowledgeable regarding scrappers.

He does know a lot about pin trading, but in his position as a greeter, and just his excellent and perfect demeanor in general, I do not think he would have enough time and/or knowledge about this to be the best resource. I may be wrong, I've never talked to him about scrappers, just pin trading. By the way, tell him the Colorado Clan says hi and we miss him!!

Mount..my advice is this...do whatever you feel is right, simple as that. If you feel good about trading the pins you feel are authentic, I say go for it. However, if you have any question at all, I would say keep them, don't trade them. Personally, I would send them all back and ask for a refund. Only because its brain damaging to try to figure out what's right and what's wrong. And even worse, if it were me and I were trading at the parks, the LAST thing I would want to worry about is "is this pin real, will this CM not accept it, etc". Buying from Disney takes all that questioning and guilt away. YES it is more expensive, but let me tell you. When you're at Pin Traders, looking at all the gorgeous authentic Disney pins, and pay a little more, it makes up for it in every other way imaginable. Only you can decide what is right for you, and as long as it makes you feel good (that is why we all love pin trading isn't it?) GO FOR IT!!

No matter what, enjoy your trip and pin trade until they utilize a jack hammer to chisel the smile from your face

Good point though, he may not know too much about scrappers.

I think I'll just keep the pins, because I don't mind if I own scrappers, just as long as they look real. I will not trade scrappers to CMs though .

 

[MountNittany]

Do you think that it was fair to leave this feedback?

Beware! Some scrappers received. Seller offered a refund, but I kept pins.

 

[Tammylynn]

Do you think that it was fair to leave this feedback?

I think it is fair to alert other buyers. The problem is that they may not know what 'scrappers' are. Maybe if you haven't left the feedback you could change it to 'unauthorized' or even 'fake'.

 

[pixiewings71]

OMG. That is so crappy. This BBBC needs to be reported. So I ordered 25 pins from mousepins is there anything I should be looking for when I got them. I have heard good things about them but also saw once that they are not good to deal with.

I've always been happy with my mousepins purchases. The only thing is they send Propins as well as Official Disney pins. The CM's will take the Propins but "regular" people traders (read intense collectors here) will not.

Alright. I looked even closer and I believe I lucked out on every pin but the Sorceror, Tink, Dumbo, and Snow White pins. The backstamp fonts are exactly the same as my rack pins on the sets and Pluto. What should I do with pins that I know are scrappers? Also, if Art is unsure about the others, do you think that it is okay to trade those pins, since I think that they are real?
Thanks for all of the advice everyone.

I think you should do what you feel right doing. I can't say really but I'll know soon because I should get the ones I ordered from them soon. If I have any doubts I will return them.

Do you think that it was fair to leave this feedback?

I think your feedback was fine, but I think it will get buried very fast. She seems to sell a lot so her feedback moves quickly. But you did the right thing.

 

[MountNittany]

Does anybody know about cfc93?

 

[LittleFlounder]

Does anybody know about cfc93?

I don't have experience with that seller, but I wouldn't buy from them. I don't think you can trust any seller who sells in lots of 25-200! and all their pictures are the same.

 

[DisneyTreasurePins]

If BBBC was getting them from same supplier as Disney why are they limited to only 20 different styles? Check your pins with Pin Pics.

Scrappers can have :

Small scratches all over front.
Small lettering for Official Disney Pin Trading and Copyright Disney/Limited Edition
All pins are different but the Nubs around the Pin
Come in baggies

These are just some things Ive found from other boards and from my pins.Does BBBC pins come in little zip baggies?


Chris

 

[Jen M]

Do you think that it was fair to leave this feedback?

That is awesome good for you. I think what you did was great. She can't say that you were another ebay seller with the comment you left. I think you did a great job and more people should leave comments like that.

 

[MountNittany]

I don't have experience with that seller, but I wouldn't buy from them. I don't think you can trust any seller who sells in lots of 25-200! and all their pictures are the same.

I agree. I will not buy from them

Chris, thanks for the info

That is often true, but the pins I received all fit under the criteria of "real pin". My only problem at this point is the font on the back of some of the pins. Everything is fine, except the year number on some of them. It just isn't the same as my rack pins, but some of them seem perfectly legit.

Tammylynn, I am only going to trade the pins that I think are real, just as you said. Thanks for the advice

 

[MountNittany]

Perfect example of why these sellers make so much money. I showed the pins to my pin trading cousin today, and he said that he thinks they are real because they have the official backstamp on them, and because he saw them in the park. Disney needs to educate people about scrappers. They are the SAME as the pins that are legit Disney pins, but they are lower quality. They are made from the SAME mold.

 

[Jen M]

I know this site is mainly about ebay but I am wondering if anyone who has ordered from mousepins can tell me how long they before they send you tracking info. They claim they send tracking info but I haven't recieved mine yet and it has been 3 business days.

 

[pixiewings71]

I don't think I've ever received tracking from mousepins for my shipments. But if you need it contact them and let them know you haven't received and ask if they can resend it.

 

[thelionqueen]

Perfect example of why these sellers make so much money. I showed the pins to my pin trading cousin today, and he said that he thinks they are real because they have the official backstamp on them, and because he saw them in the park. Disney needs to educate people about scrappers. They are the SAME as the pins that are legit Disney pins, but they are lower quality. They are made from the SAME mold.

Exactly right!! And what's worse, is that I think the majority of those people trading scrappers have no idea what they're doing. So while you can't blame someone for truly not knowing, if they weren't selling them on ebay at all, this wouldn't be an issue.

This is a very hard issue for Disney to get a handle on, but rest assured they are aware of the problem. Solving it is a whole other ball game. It could literally take years going through all the legal channels and loopholes. But just recently, they announced that they are placing MUCH higher levels of quality control on productions overseas..we will see if that has any impact.

Mount..just a personal note to say THANK YOU for taking the time to educate, post, leave feedback, and everything else you've done regarding this. It is TRULY inspirational to know that people want to do the right thing, and are willing to stick their neck out! You ROCK!!!

 

[pixiewings71]

maybe, instead of making these pins overseas they should make them here...then scrappers wouldn't be such an issue!!

 

[thelionqueen]

maybe, instead of making these pins overseas they should make them here...then scrappers wouldn't be such an issue!!

ita!!!!!!!

 

[MountNittany]

Exactly right!! And what's worse, is that I think the majority of those people trading scrappers have no idea what they're doing. So while you can't blame someone for truly not knowing, if they weren't selling them on ebay at all, this wouldn't be an issue.

This is a very hard issue for Disney to get a handle on, but rest assured they are aware of the problem. Solving it is a whole other ball game. It could literally take years going through all the legal channels and loopholes. But just recently, they announced that they are placing MUCH higher levels of quality control on productions overseas..we will see if that has any impact.

Mount..just a personal note to say THANK YOU for taking the time to educate, post, leave feedback, and everything else you've done regarding this. It is TRULY inspirational to know that people want to do the right thing, and are willing to stick their neck out! You ROCK!!!

Thank you so much!

maybe, instead of making these pins overseas they should make them here...then scrappers wouldn't be such an issue!!

It would still be a problem, I'm sure, but it would be better. I bet they'd up the prices, even though they still make a bundle.

 

[MountNittany]

I'm going to buy a few pins from different sellers. I will post if they are real or fake. I'm pretty sure now that 20 of the BBBC pins were scrappers, and 20 were real.