What is your feeling on Disney Guest Award Pins?

[NHMickey]

How do you feel about they Pins and the way they are handed out?

I just completed a trip to WDw and spent a fair amount of time looking at trader books and was surprised at the number off CTT's and even Scoop pins that where for trade.

I have been given a few of these awards by different Managers and by Scoop (Sandy was given one this last trip) and we hold these awards very dear. We understand they mean very little to some and to others they are just a pin to go with a set of PTP's...


But in seeing so many on ebay and in the books of so many traders (I was amazed at the number) I was waondering how you all feel...

And what are your thoughts on the DLR Pin Team doing a Mass Awarding to all those at the last PTN at DLR?

 

[BeautyLLM]

I hope I don't get flamed here...I'm going to take a chance and respond...be kind....

I have been present several times when someone was "awarded" one of these pins. Honestly, there was really only one time (at one of the Epcot events) when I saw a pintrader awarded a CTT for actually doing something that "continues the tradition". Otherwise, it really seems to be "who you know" that affords you the opportunity to receive one of these pins (and yes, I admit I am guilty of this...who else is willing to be honest here?) Now, in defense of the "who you know" pin award....although I have been rather silent on the boards lately, my "continuing the tradition" spirit happened more on the boards than it did at the parks in front of a cast member, so to a certain extent, "who you know" was an important and necessary requirement...otherwise how would the "powers that be" know that I was "continuing the tradition?" These pins are very special to me. I would never trade them or trade for them. But I wonder how many people who have been awarded these pins actually did something to "continue the tradition"...certainly not all the people who got one at the last PTN at DLR. That kind of blanket distribution dilutes the true meaning of these pins. Same thing goes for the ones available on ebay. You can probably buy an Oscar on ebay too...but if you didn't earn it, what is it worth?

 

[Mickey527]

I agree with everything you said Nat.
I also get very frustrated seeing alot of the "big traders" especially the DTD crowd who all have 3 or more of the CTT pins. I have been trading for quite a long time and frankly the DTD people scare me.
I have the 2001 and 2002 pins and cherish them for the way they were rewarded to me. I get very angry when I see people trading or selling these pins. I feel I was awarded these pins for the way I continue the pin trading traditions, not because some person happened to like the shirt I was wearing that day, or the pretty lanyard I had on. Or maybe because I was young and cute. ( I heard that laughter from here guys)
Even the Scoop pin was very hard to get and there are many people who deserved to receive one and were never rewarded with it. And then to see them posted on e-bay or on a pin pics list really bugs the stuff out of me.
I know there was one small event that mostly FL residents were able to attend where Scoop gave out two Scoop pins. His intention was for those people to continue the meaning of the pin by awarding it to someone who they felt carried on the trading in the way it was meant to be done. I was awarded one of the CTT pins this way by Darlene, and I cherish the pin and Darlene for thinking that I deserve it. I know there were quite a few of the people who were given two pins who passed the pin on to deserving people. I also know there were a few who put this pin into their trade book for their own pin profit.
Someone wrote to me recently about a pin they have that they know I want. She is giving me this pin with the understanding that someday I will find something for her as trade. She said to me that she has pulled out of trading recently because of the "trade for profit" ideal that pin trading has become. It is a shame that pin trading has come to this, and if anyone can find a way to eliminate these CTT and Scoop pin hoarders please let us all know. Peggie

 

[NHMickey]

Very well put Leslie and Peggie....

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Ditto to all that was said.


I think as time goes by and I think back to being awarded these pins they actually mean more now.

Would I trade my Scoop - I have to admit I would have if I could have gotten Master Gracey - sorry Scoop. But since I know have him my Scoop goes right back on the "don't even ask" lanyard.

SO I guess I can see trading for an ultimate grail but not just for the sake of getting a pin that has monetary value.

Leslie - I to was awarded my CTTs more for board and meet behavior than for being seen by CMs but that only makes me realize that what I might have done made someone so happy they felt the need to tell others about it.

 

[Buzz2001]

I agree with Leslie 100%.

 

[olbear]

I agree totally with all that has been written here. Kudo's to the writers, I couldn't have sad it better.

Back in 2001, when Fred and I first entered into this hobby, I was awarded 2 of the CTT pins. Both were very dear to me. Although one became tarnished when I saw in later months and the coming year how the person who awarded me one of them acted as a pin trader, as well as their attitude in general. I then became very disallusioned in the pin they had given me, and it no longer had much meaning to me. So I set it aside in my book.

A while later at EPCOT I met this wonderful Japanese couple, and were working on a trade and chatting as well. They were alot of fun to talk with and bubbled with enthusiasm. They of course had some wonderul pins of my favorite bear, so I was certainly enjoying myself. Anyway, as we were finishing up he saw the CTT I had set aside in my book and he gleamed. I took notice of this, as we continued to chat. Now I know I could have gotten a really great pin from him for it, as a matter of fact he had a HTF Pooh auction pin that I wanted, but outside of that CTT, I had nothing to trade for it.

So as we were saying goodbye and thanking each other, I took that CTT out of my book and gave it to him , and thanked him for his friendliness, and generosity in trading. His wife started to tear up and he was beaming! He hugged me and then reached back in his bag, and gave me the Pooh auction pin!!! WOW!!! It was one of my first truely "magical" moments in in trading. He said he would never trade it and always keep it as a gift from his "new American friend". Now I guess some would say, we traded. But in my heart, I feel I awarded it to him and he "gifted " me the Pooh pin.

As far as my other CTT's and my Scoop pin go, I would NEVER ever trade them. I can remember the time I got each one of them, and what the circumstances were. It was always very special. And yes, I probably got my Scoop pin because Scoop new me. But I am sure, and certainly hope it was because I do what I can to promote the true spirit of Pin Trading. I know not everyone who deserves them is recognized.

In that regard I think of my husband Fred. He has never been awarded a CTT or a Scoop pin. As many of you know, I am "out" there trading and having fun, while Fred for the most part is a "wall Flower" at most meets, watching my purse, extra bags, watching people or yes, NAPPING!!

Fred is very quiet about his trading. He enjoys seeing a kid with a brand new lanyard, who is obviously just starting. He will ask the parents permission and appproach them with small pin bag in hand that we use for kids. It has a little of everything in it, including some LE's. He will then trade with them, or many times he has just given them a pin of their favorite character. I think it's wonderful. But I guess I'm a bit prejuduice where he is concerned,

I do hate seeing these pins in traders books. It means the pin that we hold dear had little or no meaning to those who were awarded it. And I have to honest and say, it makes you wonder how they got it in the first place. It seems if you are awarded it for a good reason, you'd want to keep it. I guess I'm over-sentimental.

So as for me, I'll always cherish my CTT's and Scoop pin, for those that don't, well, as Donna used to say, I guess they just, "don't get it". Their loss!

Blessings to all,
Winnie