What to do with my pins...

[CraftyMommy]

I read on several trip reports lately that you can get pins for cheap on ebay to trade at WDW. I was reading "well known" trip reports on here with pages and pages and pages of replies, so I figured the information I found in their trip reports was accurate, as is most of the info I get on the Dis. It sounded like a neat idea to me, so I spent $40 plus shipping on a big lot of pins. I also ordered a lanyard for myself and my son from Disneystore.com. We were going to start the exciting world of pin trading next month.

Then I do some more reading up about pin trading and find there are fake pins, called scrappers. After reading several threads I received my pins in the mail. The ones I received are definitely counterfeit pins. I can't trade them with good conscience at WDW.

What would you do with them? Consider it lost money? Will Paypal refund me if I do a claim? We were on a tight budget already so it was a bit of a splurge to get these pins and lanyards. I have lanyard starter sets coming from the Disney Store that I now have fake pins to put on them.

So sad, disappointed, and disgusted with the counterfeiters of this world.

 

[2Tiggies]

Were they advertised/ listed as genuine pins? If so you may have a course of action to pursue resolution or refund through PayPal but this can be a time consuming, headache generating process.

Not sure what to advise but I highly recommend you look down at the bottom of the list of discussion forums on the DIS, under the Just For Fun section, there is a dedicated thread that is kept up to date with 'safe' and 'not safe' sellers on eBay. I don't pin trade but I looked into this when my DD expressed an interest in trading.

I'm so sorry this happened to you x

 

[CraftyMommy]

Were they advertised/ listed as genuine pins? If so you may have a course of action to pursue resolution or refund through PayPal but this can be a time consuming, headache generating process.

I just looked at the description. It says "100% Tradable at Disney Parks" and "Official Disney Pins" in the description. I guess I should file a claim. Do I file the claim through Paypal? Ebay? Both? I never had to file a claim before.

 

[Cadyrose]

Did the eBayer claim that they are 100% tradeable? If so, I think I would take pictures showing how you know they are scrappers/fakes and let them know that you are unsatisfied and would like to return for your money back. If they refuse, (say they stated no refunds) but you can still prove that they falsely advertised the product, file a claim against them through eBay.

If you research pin trading in here, there is a collectors forum that has a list of good/bad sellers.

I unintentionally bought scrappers before and my daughter traded them. She was never denied. But now that I know that they are out there, I agree with you! You don't get as many but at least you are trading in good conscious when you pay more per pin.

 

[2Tiggies]

I just looked at the description. It says "100% Tradable at Disney Parks" and "Official Disney Pins" in the description. I guess I should file a claim. Do I file the claim through Paypal? Ebay? Both?

Take a screen shot of the listing and save it. These traders are known to remove descriptions when they know they are under scrutiny so keep it as a basis for your claim under mis-selling.

FWIW CM's will actually trade scrappers but like you, I dont have the conscience to risk it even if I think the pins may not be genuine. What I did for DD last month was to purchase her a starter trading lanyard which was marked half off at the pin trading store. Once she had traded them all we found they had more packs so I bought her another two (identical), kept the one lanyard to put my photopass card on and gave her the pins which she traded out there. It still worked out cheaper than buying individual pins to trade with although I admit we were lucky to find the end of season clearance packs

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I just looked at the description. It says "100% Tradable at Disney Parks" and "Official Disney Pins" in the description. I guess I should file a claim. Do I file the claim through Paypal? Ebay? Both? I never had to file a claim before.

Yes, you should file a claim. You have to focus on the "Official Disney Pin" as technically you can trade scrappers at the Disney Parks so focus on something you know to be untrue.

 

[2Tiggies]

If you research pin trading in here, there is a collectors forum that has a list of good/bad sellers.

That's the one

 

[Mariep26]

I personally would not consider it lost money. First look at the auction listing - is there any indication that the items were represented as genuine? If so, open a case with eBay stating that the items were not as described. Also look and see if the lister has a return policy before opening a case. If you indicate that they are counterfeit and you do not want them and he/she will take them back -- you may be out the cost to ship them back but you can do it on the cheap and get a good portion of your money back.
If the seller does not respond to your message or refuses to give you your $$ back, definitely open the case and then follow the eBay process. The seller will be given a certain amount of time to respond. The burden is on you to keep the process moving and watch your eBay dashboard for messages. I recently had an issue with an item I received and it was not as described. The seller didn't want to risk her good feedback so she returned my $$ and I did not leave any feedback. You are able to leave the seller name in the thread on this board to warn others or you are well within your rights as a buyer to leave negative feedback. I recently looked on eBay at a few questionable sellers as I was trying to see if you could tell by the pictures that the pins were scrappers and I noticed that a few were downright abusive and demeaning in response to negative or neutral feedback provided. If you need any help navigating the eBay process, feel free to PM me. $40 is not a small amount of money IMHO and your budget shouldn't have to suffer because of unethical sellers. Good Luck!

 

[Eosphotog]

Reporting it will do little. They are technically tradeable, and technically follow the "official" rules. If they weren't listed as authentic, then ebay will likely do nothing. I know, because I did the same exact thing as you for my trip.

Here are some things to consider:

- Most people don't know the difference.
- Many, if not most, of the pins I saw on cast lanyards were not authentic.
- Many, if not most, of the pins on trading walls were not authentic.
- CM's try to get rid of the obvious fakes, but many just shrug, even when I point out an obvious one to them.
- You can buy booster packs that have 5-7 pins for $15 or so on ebay. These are sealed and authentic. I did this to be able to trade in good conscience.
- You will occasionally get really lucky and find a really nice pin on a lanyard. That, in my mind, is what made the hunt for me

I did take some of my ebay scrappers to give away at the parks. One tinkerbell pin which was useless to me really made one girl happy which was a bit of magic for both of us.

Btw, single guy giving away pins to kids = creepy.
Single guy with 4YO in tow giving away pins to kids = awesome.

Go figure.

 

[matheke]

I read on several trip reports lately that you can get pins for cheap on ebay to trade at WDW. I was reading "well known" trip reports on here with pages and pages and pages of replies, so I figured the information I found in their trip reports was accurate, as is most of the info I get on the Dis. It sounded like a neat idea to me, so I spent $40 plus shipping on a big lot of pins. I also ordered a lanyard for myself and my son from Disneystore.com. We were going to start the exciting world of pin trading next month.

Then I do some more reading up about pin trading and find there are fake pins, called scrappers. After reading several threads I received my pins in the mail. The ones I received are definitely counterfeit pins. I can't trade them with good conscience at WDW.

What would you do with them? Consider it lost money? Will Paypal refund me if I do a claim? We were on a tight budget already so it was a bit of a splurge to get these pins and lanyards. I have lanyard starter sets coming from the Disney Store that I now have fake pins to put on them.

So sad, disappointed, and disgusted with the counterfeiters of this world.

If all else fails and you can not get your money back, donate them to a childrens hospital and they can give them to the kids there. If you itemize on your taxes, you can use it as a charitable donation.

When is your trip?


Dan

 

[codimouse]

I just looked at the description. It says "100% Tradable at Disney Parks" and "Official Disney Pins" in the description. I guess I should file a claim. Do I file the claim through Paypal? Ebay? Both? I never had to file a claim before.

I purchased an item listed as the real deal and when I got it the item was fake.
I filed with both Paypal and eBay as I was furious.
I got my refund the next day and I didn't have to return the fake item. I just tossed it out.

Sandi; sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[stindall]

I just looked at the description. It says "100% Tradable at Disney Parks" and "Official Disney Pins" in the description. I guess I should file a claim. Do I file the claim through Paypal? Ebay? Both? I never had to file a claim before.

Did it have photos of the back of the pins? I'd screenshot everything and open a claim with both ebay and paypal. The worst that can happen is they tell you too bad so sad. That's exactly why I haven't bought pins off ebay, can't trust anyone!

 

[bytheblood]

I am not condoning or questioning ethics, but wanted to share my thoughts on this. This is MY opinion for MY pins. One size does not fit all.

• Most of the pins you get from CMs come from these same lots. This could mean that you are trading an $8 pin for the same pins that are causing you so much stress.
• Disney is allowing this, therefore it is not a "Disney abomination" by their standards
• Disney CMs do not inspect the pins to see if they are genuine or knock-offs.
• They are not really worth any major significant value. If I pay $8+ for a pin, it is because I really do like it and intend to keep it. If I should trade it for a "counterfeit pin" but I like the counterfeit, then there is no real loss for me as I am still getting what I want.
• I cannot take them with me when I die.
• If I am collecting them because I like them and decided I don't want them one day, I am never going to get what I paid for the pin in the park because pin trading is so big.

Disney allows people with pin books to sit in certain locations within EPCOT and Downtown Disney and rip their guests off. They sell some pins for $100+ and tell you they are retired when they are in fact available. If Disney isnt going to put a stop to this, they really are not that interested in what is being sold on the internet. If they were, they would sue and shut down many of these sites like pin castle, mousepinsonline, etc.

 

[jfelcie]

How would I recognize a "fake" pin?

 

[bytheblood]

How would I recognize a "fake" pin?

http://disneypincollecting.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/how-to-tell-a-fake-from-the-real-thing/


http://disneypinforum.com/showthread.php?205-Scrappers-Vs-Counterfiets-(and-how-to-tell)


http://disneypintrade.com/thread-59.html

 

[copcarguyp71]

I usually look for a local seller with only one or maybe two lanyards listed that are clearly from past trips. Sellers with tons of them listed should be a red flag. Also consider Craigslist from a local seller as well.

That being said we bought a lanyard for our 9 year old DD for our last trip in October with 17 pins...three of them were clickers as one was from Discovery cove and two were just some no-names but for the $27 I paid it was still well worth it.

Sorry you lost out.

 

[bluehawaii19]

I own a lot of legit pins (ones I have purchased myself at Walt Disney World). I do a lot of trading and noticed this year, when I added my pins to PinPics.com, quite a few are scrappers which is unfortunate.

Most I traded with cast members and even on pin boards. One I traded at EPCOT to a pin trader.

It sucks that I now have fakes in my possession as I traded legit pins for them and was happy at the time because I actually wanted all these pins I traded for. Only one of them is obviously a fake in appearance (Cheshire Cat has bug antennas on the pin and in the legit pin, he has actual ears) but unfortunately I didn't even notice at the time I traded.

One pin I did find on a Disney bus (on the floor) so at least I got that one for free I guess.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I read on several trip reports lately that you can get pins for cheap on ebay to trade at WDW. I was reading "well known" trip reports on here with pages and pages and pages of replies, so I figured the information I found in their trip reports was accurate, as is most of the info I get on the Dis. It sounded like a neat idea to me, so I spent $40 plus shipping on a big lot of pins. I also ordered a lanyard for myself and my son from Disneystore.com. We were going to start the exciting world of pin trading next month.

Then I do some more reading up about pin trading and find there are fake pins, called scrappers. After reading several threads I received my pins in the mail. The ones I received are definitely counterfeit pins. I can't trade them with good conscience at WDW.

What would you do with them? Consider it lost money? Will Paypal refund me if I do a claim? We were on a tight budget already so it was a bit of a splurge to get these pins and lanyards. I have lanyard starter sets coming from the Disney Store that I now have fake pins to put on them.

So sad, disappointed, and disgusted with the counterfeiters of this world.

Unfortunately I cannot help you with the fakes you are holding but can help with making sure it never happens again. We have used mousepinsonline twice to buy in bulk and every pin was authentic. approx $1.85 a piece in lots of 25, 50 75 and 100. Lots we got also included hidden mickey's. Never a problem. Proper tagging on back of every pin

 

[CraftyMommy]

Unfortunately I cannot help you with the fakes you are holding but can help with making sure it never happens again. We have used mousepinsonline twice to buy in bulk and every pin was authentic. approx $1.85 a piece in lots of 25, 50 75 and 100. Lots we got also included hidden mickey's. Never a problem. Proper tagging on back of every pin

From what I am reading mousepinsonline has fake pins. The logo on the back is faked. All of the fake pins I bought on ebay have that "authentic" tag on the back too.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I remember my Uncle used to trade pins of various states when he went to Lion conventions throughout the country. That was pretty cool.

I never really understand Disney pin trading, though.