Trading Pins?

[soccerbabies]

We have traded pins in the past with ones bought at WDW. I think I will look into the ones on Ebay!

 

[HeatherFeather]

I am also going to suggest checking the Disney Outlets in Orlando for inexpensive GENUINE traders. I have often, as recently as yesterday, been able to buy pins for $1 each. The ones yesterday were the yo-yo ones, I think originally $11 each and some HSM3 ones.

Yes, I left plenty for other people.

 

[Urbss]

I've bought pins at the parks and bought ones in lots on Ebay. I have a couple that are duplicates where one was bought brand new and the other was gotten for a little less than a dollar (per pin in a lot). Side by side they look identical. I've even looked at them through a loop and can't seem to find anything that would differentiate them.

Maybe Disney should consider getting their pins made in the USA instead of China.

And, if Disney really cared about the obvious counterfeiting going on, there are many security features that could be used to discourage counterfeiters from even trying.

Just my two cents.

Urbs

 

[satorifound]

I am also going to suggest checking the Disney Outlets in Orlando for inexpensive GENUINE traders. I have often, as recently as yesterday, been able to buy pins for $1 each. The ones yesterday were the yo-yo ones, I think originally $11 each and some HSM3 ones.

Yes, I left plenty for other people.

I can't wait to go to the outlets this trip. We are actually renting a car so we can do that stuff. Yay!!

 

[momminnie]

My husband has bought numerous lots of pins from ebay. He has bought them with the intention on having fun trading them with others mostly cms. Never had a problem. I have found that the ones who have pins that they don't won't you to have they tell you which ones they are.(other traders not cms) These so called hard core collectors should not be trading if they are collecting them in the 1st place. The game is for people to have fun and interact with the cms and other guest. If a person is that interested in collecting the pins they wouldn't be getting them off ebay in lots with a chance of getting fakes or trading with other people in chances that they would get a fake.I say trade and have fun. If you want to collect and not be in danger of getting a fake just buy them at Disney.That way you won't stress out about the possibility of getting fakes.I hope you have fun. Oh btw my son who enjoys trading pins is not a social butterfly, but he will trade pins. As his mother when I see him interacting with others and having a good time trading these pins it makes me happy. He is not interested in if they are fakes or not.

 

[opaleyes]

As you've figured out by now, they're most likely fakes, even if they have the logo. Will the CM turn you away if you try to trade them? Probably not. It's not a very nice thing to do though. I went through the same thing. I bought a lot on eBay before I knew better, and ended up having to get a refund. I love collecting, and trading with the CMs is fun for me. I think people saying that collectors shouldn't get to trade is just silly. It's like if you wanted to buy a real coach purse for a deal, and went to a purse swap where everyone was claiming to have authentic, albeit used, purses. And you got a knock off, even though you brought a real Louis Vuitton to trade. An extreme example I know, but it's the same sort of idea.

Sure, I can buy pins flat from the parks, or eBay, but trading is fun because I get to interact with the cast members, and I can find pins I wouldn't otherwise be able to get. I got a gorgeous Disney Cruise lines pin that I love by trading at the parks. Having never been on the cruises, it would have been unavailable for me to purchase in person. I love the pins I trade for because it reminds me of my trips.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing, and getting a refund, which I'm happy for. There are reputable sellers out there who can sell you small lots. I know someone's linked you to the eBay thread on the collector's board already. If you're really into the idea of pin trading, check out disneypinforum.com too. There are threads on there where people will sell lots of their authentic pins for people to go to the parks and trade. Will they be as cheap as some of the ones on eBay? No. But they'll be authentic and you can trade guilt free, and they'll be cheaper than rack prices.

 

[opaleyes]

And, if Disney really cared about the obvious counterfeiting going on, there are many security features that could be used to discourage counterfeiters from even trying.

They're working on it:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=8127760

 

[AmandaRG]

They're working on it:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=8127760

That is awesome!