What is the deal w/pin trading?

[pixiewings71]

We like to buy a blind set off eBay (from a reputable seller). The kids love getting the pins in the mail before the trip. They take turns picking from the collection. We bought a group of 25 for 30$ (including shipping). Obviously they are going to get down to pins they don't really care for. Then, when we are in Disney, they trade those less desirable pins for ones they want from the CMs. It's a lot of fun!

Unfortunately these are probably scrappers. Legit pins are not going to be this cheap. I buy pins from eBay as well, but I only have certain sellers I use now, I was burned too many times with lots that were all scrappers.

we use mousepinsonline (i think that's the site) and we have never had any scrappers we have been using them for i think 8 years. we buy 75-100 pins so we have 25 at least for each of us to trade normal. we will keep 3 or so and trade the rest.

I've used MPO as well but not for a few years now, now I just use some eBay sellers that I trust. When I used MPO I did not receive scrappers (to the best of my knowledge) but I did get a lot of Pro Pins, these were tradeable when we had them but you would need to see if they are still good.

As for trading, we enjoy trading with CM's very much, it really helped my shy youngest DD open up more and become comfortable talking to others. We got a lot of great pins from CM's, and some scrappers. We like to trade in the books and we even like to trade with some of the "professional" traders. In truth we look like those "professional" traders but we are the farthest thing from that, we carry a book around with us because it helps us remember what we are looking for, it also helps us have a lot of traders (not scrappers if we can help it) on hand so we can help others complete sets whenever possible. I've found many good deals to be traded for with "pros" and yes, I've even purchased a pin to trade a time or two, each time has been a very even trade with the owner of the pin I needed/wanted saying simply "go buy me an LE whatever and we can trade", I try to keep the edition size the same and if I don't feel comfortable with it I simply say "no thanks" and walk away. It's always a pleasant and polite conversation whether or not I complete a trade. Plus, some of those "pros" have some incredible pins and most love to talk about them, I've had some really great discussions that started over pins. lol of course there are some who are jerks but I don't dwell on them.
Figment gave some great info and there is a link in my signature for some eBay sellers, pin trading should be fun so try not to stress over it too much.

 

[figment_jii]

I've found many good deals to be traded for with "pros" and yes, I've even purchased a pin to trade a time or two, each time has been a very even trade with the owner of the pin I needed/wanted saying simply "go buy me an LE whatever and we can trade", I try to keep the edition size the same and if I don't feel comfortable with it I simply say "no thanks" and walk away.

This is a key thing to note...if you know a fair amount about pins, then it's easier to deal with the "professionals." Unfortunately, I've heard too many of the "professionals" taking advantage of folks new to trading - asking them to buy an LE pin exchange for an open edition pin or a hidden Mickey CM pin or even asking them to buy multiple pins. So, I think if you know the approximate "value" of a pin you want, then dealing the pros are okay. However, I got the sense that the OP was a newbie and probably not that well versed in pins.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

oh ive seen the ppl who have given MPO bad reviews but ive never had trouble with them and have never gotten turned away with the pins, but i will check about pro pins now thanks pixie

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i responded to one of the posts linked too. However its not worth it to fight with ppl mousepinsonline has never been bad for my family and I. I don't do it to collect to sell for money i do it for fun in trading and yes i have gotten more than a few pro pins in the grab bags. I am sorry that some ppl here are bashing a good site and I hope it will not drive them out of business since I know they have always been where I go.

 

[figment_jii]

I am sorry that some ppl here are bashing a good site and I hope it will not drive them out of business since I know they have always been where I go.

I think part of the issue is that the question isn't whether you get pins that can be traded, but do you get scrappers from MPO? Whether folks like it or not, scrapper pins can be traded because CMs aren't going (for the most part) say no to a trade unless there is a non-subjective reason why (e.g., not a Disney pin, a duplicate, etch.). So just because the pin can be traded doesn't mean it isn't a scrapper.

While the reviews of MPO aren't great here on the Disboard, I appreciate folks taking the time to report whether they think they got scrappers or not. Having more information is useful when I'm trying to decide whether to buy pins or not from a seller.