Pin Trading Beginner

YoungNY

YoungNY

Active Member
Original Poster
So I want to start pin trading, but I have no clue what I'm doing. I bought my lanyard, but have no pins yet. I was looking in the Disney store and the pins ranged from $6-$20 each. Then I was looking on eBay and people were selling pins for $25 for 10 or something like that. I don't understand the difference. Are there good pins and bad pins? How do I know how much it's worth? What happens if someone wants to trade with a pin I don't want give up? How do you approach someone about trading? Just looking for tips, so I can get started on my next trip in September.
 
Hakunamatata

Hakunamatata

Le Meh
Premium Member
Most pin trading that happens on property happen one of two ways. First, you trade with CMs and the second is you trade with collectors at one of the pin trading kiosks or stores. I don't think I have ever seen someone trade with someone else, say, just standing in line for an attraction. Not that it doesn't happen, but I don't think its real common.

There are good pins (based on rarity and availability) and bad pins (non Disney nock offs). If you are buying on ebay make sure you pay close attention to the sellers reputation and I would not buy a whole bunch from one person until you are certain they give you good legitimate stuff.

You might try websites like http://pinpics.com/ for additional info.
 
ishmael0316

ishmael0316

Active Member
Yes indeed! Buy a big lot of pins from Ebay and use those to trade for the pins you want at Disney. I collect a lot of pins and the cast member only princess lanyards. Cannot wait to get some new pins of the girls in August!
 
Joshua&CalebDad

Joshua&CalebDad

Well-Known Member
As alluded to before, you can purchase pins on Ebay (it is substantially cheaper) but beware they may be knock-offs. You really aren't supposed to trade knock-off pins, although I'm sure it happens. Try and purchase pins from someone with a higher rating, you'll probably be safer in that respect.

As for how to trade pins, the easiest way is to approach a CM at the one of the parks or resorts. The rule is they will trade a maximum of two pins. CM that trade pins will wear their own lanyards.

There are also special places, like in Downtown Disney in the pin store, where they have a big board that you can trade at. They don't always have the board open just at certain times. Just ask when the will conduct pin trading and be sure to come back at that time.

Good luck and have fun.
 
WDWNooby

WDWNooby

Well-Known Member
This is great to know. I don't remember seeing this store on my first trip in 2009. Where might this store be?

Joshua&CalebDad said:
There are also special places, like in Downtown Disney in the pin store, where they have a big board that you can trade at. They don't always have the board open just at certain times. Just ask when the will conduct pin trading and be sure to come back at that time.

Good luck and have fun.
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Joshua&CalebDad

Joshua&CalebDad

Well-Known Member
WDWNooby said:
This is great to know. I don't remember seeing this store on my first trip in 2009. Where might this store be?
Click to expand...

It's called "Disney Pin Traders" and is located in what is called the "Marketplace," this is the area located on the east side of Downtown Disney. Just ask one of the CM's down there and they will direct you. You can't miss it.
 
NiarrNDisney

NiarrNDisney

Well-Known Member
You can look at the pin boards when you can't find anything that interests you.
All Pin Stations have pin boards as well as other stores around property.
 
copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
When pin hunting on eBay I steer away from the "lots" of pins but rather look for a seller who has a listing for a loaded lanyard. Many times folks will sell lanyards from past trips once their kids get too old or loose interest. I recently purchased a lanyard with 18 pins for $23. 3 of them were clinkers but the rest are all original DIsney pins. It was a reasonable deal and I will give it to our DD for our trip this fall so she can trade for ones that she wants. We keep separate lanyards from each trip on her wall.
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
TestTrack Dummy said:
Is there a way to verify a pin is legit? Like a seal or something?
Click to expand...

The only sure way to ensure a pin is legit is for you to buy it brand new from Disney.

Everything else they have done can be and has been faked. The places that make the fakes are often the same places that make the real pins. They just use a cheaper metal, less metal, take less care in making the pin, etc.

Most of the bulk lots on eBay are scrappers/fakes. Anytime a seller doesn't show the exact pins you will receive, pretty much gonna be fakes. Or if the pictures have pins in little ziploc baggies. Usually fakes.

PinPics has a whole sub forum dedicated to posting information about known fakes and how to detect them.
 

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