How does pin trading work in the parks?

[rufio]

I'm thinking about getting started in pin trading. I just saw a DVC BLT (my home resort) pin for sale on eBay and purchased it just because it was awesome. Now I'm thinking about getting one of those big lots on eBay, but I'm not too clear on how it really works. Could you guys help me out here? :wave:

Thanks!

 

[TheGenXer]

I think there are some websites with some specific "rules" pretty clearly spelled out. Fairly sure the cast members are required to trade if asked, especially with kids.

I don't really trade, but do get some pins that I like on each trip, they adorn the area around my computer desk as reminders of each visit. I did trade once, with a cool lil' girl in line at Space Mountain. She loved a Donald Duck I had and happened to have a pin with Aladdin, a character I've never been able to purchase in the parks.

 

[AgentB911]

To the best of my knowledge, any/all cast members that wear a lanyard and pins are obligated to trade with you. At least, that's how it worked on our last trip in '09. My DD loved it.

So what we did for our upcoming trip is purchased a lot of pins on ebay for $20. We also supplemented this with some pins we all liked on yardseller. We also bought inexpensive non-Disney lanyards to put the pins on. On the right are pins that we like, and want to show off, and not trade. On the left are all the pins we'd like to trade for ones we like.

Hope this helps! (And if I'm wrong, someone please correct me!)

 

[luv]

If they're wearing a lanyard around their necks, they'll trade with you.

Don't touch the lanyard. It's a rule. You wouldn't want strangers touching you like that. Neither do the Disney staff.

If they're wearing a green thing with pins on their waist, they won't trade with you. Those are for Kids Only.

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.

Because they frequently do that, you run a high risk of getting a fake pin. Don't spend six or eight dollars on a pin just to trade it.

The only pins I trade are duplicates I get when I'm trying to complete a set of pins...the kind where you don't know what you got until you open the box. When I trade those, I do it for Hidden Mickey pins. Like most people, I generally buy pins I like and don't want to trade.

Pin collecting can get very expensive, very quickly. If you can resist the urge, you should! (...says the pin collector)

Good luck and have fun!

 

[rufio]

Sounds awesome! I'm going to get on eBay today and order a big lot! How many should I get to start? I know some of the lots on eBay ensure that they are authentic.

 

[draybook]

Also know that cast members wearing teal(I think it's teal) colored lanyards only trade with kids. Other than that you can trade up to two pins with the same CM in a given day. You simply pick the one you want and you give them one of yours(your choice) in exchange. We got my son started trading two trips ago and we all had to join in on the fun on this last trip. Now we've got to order more pins before September because we need more pins to trade.

It's an absolute blast, especially during peak seasons when you don't feel like waiting in a line all day long.

 

[jlevis]

Sounds awesome! I'm going to get on eBay today and order a big lot! How many should I get to start? I know some of the lots on eBay ensure that they are authentic.

I can ensure you that I am the legitimate owner of the Brooklyn Bridge. You'll find it on ebay and I can sell it to you cheap. :fork:

Ask yourself how someone on ebay can aquire large lots of pins which sell retail for 5 or 6 dollars and then can sell thm for 50 cents each.

 

[mickey&me]

We thought that all cast members wearing pins traded with kids. Until my 7 year old son asked to trade with one and she told him, "No, I already have one like you want to trade. You have to trade one I don't have it." When he told her that he wasn't interested in trading any of the others he had, she told him, "Well, you could go buy one I don't have, and then I'll trade with you." I was absolutely floored.

 

[rufio]

We thought that all cast members wearing pins traded with kids. Until my 7 year old son asked to trade with one and she told him, "No, I already have one like you want to trade. You have to trade one I don't have it." When he told her that he wasn't interested in trading any of the others he had, she told him, "Well, you could go buy one I don't have, and then I'll trade with you." I was absolutely floored.

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?

 

[plaz10]

Here's a great article that really lays out the details

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/pin-trading/

 

[sgtmgd]

We thought that all cast members wearing pins traded with kids. Until my 7 year old son asked to trade with one and she told him, "No, I already have one like you want to trade. You have to trade one I don't have it." When he told her that he wasn't interested in trading any of the others he had, she told him, "Well, you could go buy one I don't have, and then I'll trade with you." I was absolutely floored.

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.

 

[fosse76]

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.

I love how people like to report CMs for nonesense like this.

 

[luv]

Sounds awesome! I'm going to get on eBay today and order a big lot! How many should I get to start? I know some of the lots on eBay ensure that they are authentic.

And everything on eBay comes from pet-free, smoke-free homes, lol.

People lie to sell stuff. Everyone does. Disney does.

No way to acquire all those pins for less (or even the amount) as they're selling them for.

If you trade with Disney staff, you will likely get inauthentic pins.

We thought that all cast members wearing pins traded with kids. Until my 7 year old son asked to trade with one and she told him, "No, I already have one like you want to trade. You have to trade one I don't have it." When he told her that he wasn't interested in trading any of the others he had, she told him, "Well, you could go buy one I don't have, and then I'll trade with you." I was absolutely floored.

She wasn't lying. They have to have all different pins on their lanyards - no duplicates.

If she was rude, that's wrong and there is no excuse for it. She should have suggested that you find someone else to trade with...but that "no duplicates" thing is a rule.

 

[jlevis]

We thought that all cast members wearing pins traded with kids. Until my 7 year old son asked to trade with one and she told him, "No, I already have one like you want to trade. You have to trade one I don't have it." When he told her that he wasn't interested in trading any of the others he had, she told him, "Well, you could go buy one I don't have, and then I'll trade with you." I was absolutely floored.

As a pp said the CM was correct. They can not have duplicates on their lanyard. Her suggestion that he go buy one was rude, however.

 

[draybook]

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?

I've bought about 300 or so to date. I know there's a chance that some or most are knockoffs, but I have yet to lose any sleep over it.

 

[rufio]

I've bought about 300 or so to date. I know there's a chance that some or most are knockoffs, but I have yet to lose any sleep over it.

Good to know! I'll probably try this before my December trip! Is there any way to tell if they're authentic?

 

[draybook]

There's supposed to be the official Disney stamp on the back as well as the weight should be "heavier" than the tin copies, but who knows?

 

[Alison1975]

I've bought about 300 or so to date. I know there's a chance that some or most are knockoffs, but I have yet to lose any sleep over it.

Ditto..just bought 200 recently.. My kids love to trade at the parks.. we spent a small fortune in August buying ones for my then 9 year old to trade...never again. I spent way less and go way more on ebay!

 

[rufio]

Ditto..just bought 200 recently.. My kids love to trade at the parks.. we spent a small fortune in August buying ones for my then 9 year old to trade...never again. I spent way less and go way more on ebay!

Sounds great! I'll definitely be looking on eBay. Do you remember who you purchased from?

 

[Alison1975]

Sounds great! I'll definitely be looking on eBay. Do you remember who you purchased from?

I will message u