How does pin trading work in the parks?

[JillC LI]

I don't get the point of trading just to trade, either.

But I don't know why people want to trade so much that they'll blindly buy pins just to trade them. It makes NO sense to me at all.

I thought this way initially too. But then we decided to buy a batch on eBay and give them to the kids to trade during our last trip, and it really added another element of fun for them. I personally wouldn't want to trade any of the pins that I buy, but it was definitely something new and fun for the kids to do, sometimes while waiting on lines or waiting for a table at dinner.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Wow! How rude! That's no way to talk to a child, even if what she said was true. Did you talk to anyone about it?

Also, has anyone purchased pins on eBay?

Could have reported the cast member for that..they are not there to argue about what pins they are trading. Many CM will have duplicates and 99% are very open and gracious with kids.

As others have said, the policy is that there not be duplicates on a lanyard. While it might seem crazy, a CM will likely get in more trouble for having a duplicate than by not trading. It also sounds that in the earlier story, the CM was fairly respectful in trying to follow the rules of their employer.

As far as the eBay real/fake argument. There are some people (that I even know personally) who will take pins as almost a type of currency. Need to trade and don't have something of worth they want? They will take a large amount of your "junk". Other people make pin bags, books, cases, etc and will "sell" those for a bunch of extra pins. I know a bunch of people who have done this and have then turned around and sold those pins on eBay in cheap auctions. Serious collectors have thousands and thousands of pins that they don't have anything to do with. So I would automatically think the worst and say that all those pin lot auctions you see a scrapers and counterfeits from china.

 

[Timekeeper]

I've always wondered if it makes any of the female CMs uncomfortable to have guys "stare at their lanyard" all day, whether pintrading or not. :lookaroun

 

[rufio]

As others have said, the policy is that there not be duplicates on a lanyard. While it might seem crazy, a CM will likely get in more trouble for having a duplicate than by not trading. It also sounds that in the earlier story, the CM was fairly respectful in trying to follow the rules of their employer.

As far as the eBay real/fake argument. There are some people (that I even know personally) who will take pins as almost a type of currency. Need to trade and don't have something of worth they want? They will take a large amount of your "junk". Other people make pin bags, books, cases, etc and will "sell" those for a bunch of extra pins. I know a bunch of people who have done this and have then turned around and sold those pins on eBay in cheap auctions. Serious collectors have thousands and thousands of pins that they don't have anything to do with. So I would automatically think the worst and say that all those pin lot auctions you see a scrapers and counterfeits from china.

I'm confused... Is this sarcasm? What you are saying about the collectors having tons of pins makes a lot of sense. So are you seriously saying you think they sell on eBay, or are you seriously saying they're all fakes?

 

[Timekeeper]

Just as with designer perfumes, handbags, and jewelry, eBay (or sellers on eBay, rather), sell both authentic and counterfeit items. That always has been, and always will be, the case.

Unfortunately, there's no way to really tell from an auction listing whether any given item is authentic (unless super high resolution photos from multiple angles are privided, and even then it can be difficult to tell the difference). Your best bet is to reveiw the seller feedback and see whether other serious collectors comment as to item authenticity.

Pins are particularly easy for counterfeiters (compared to other items), and are often cast from the same molds as their authentic counterparts. Anything that us purchased second-hand is subject to authenticity scrutiny.

 

[mco65]

My kids trade in the park, just to be trading. They will pick up a GREAT pin from one DC just to trade it away with the next DC..

 

[joanna71985]

I've always wondered if it makes any of the female CMs uncomfortable to have guys "stare at their lanyard" all day, whether pintrading or not. :lookaroun

And that is why I wear a hip lanyard

 

[jlevis]

...Your best bet is to reveiw the seller feedback and see whether other serious collectors comment as to item authenticity.

Pins are particularly easy for counterfeiters (compared to other items), and are often cast from the same molds as their authentic counterparts. Anything that us purchased second-hand is subject to authenticity scrutiny.

Feedback is a poor metric of a sellers reliability. Sellers often solicite positive feedback with various incentives; free shipping, discounts etc.

 

[AgentB911]

You are only supposed to trade authentic Disney pins. Those pins in the big lots on eBay aren't. However, most Disney staff can't tell the difference...and don't care, so they frequently trade for those.

The lot that I bought off of ebay all have hidden Mickey's on them, have the Disney logo on the back, and a Mickey ear backing. Plus I did receive some duplicates that I had previously purchased on property.

All of you are quick to say that the ones on ebay are fake, but yet offer no explanation on how to spot a fake from an authentic. :lol:

 

[Alison1975]

My kids trade in the park, just to be trading. They will pick up a GREAT pin from one DC just to trade it away with the next DC..

My younger 2 do this.. I have no issues with it..they just love trading. my older 2 are way more serious and are on the look out for specific pins.