Pin Trading Starter Kits

[HunnyPot]

I've never pin traded before, but am interested in starting on my next trip. How should I go about starting? Should I buy one of the starter kits? How have you all started? I have a lanyard and two pins already, but I thought it might be good to just buy a set and add the two pins I already have. I got the lanyard and pins for free back in 2004 as part of my package. Should I try to buy a starter kit before leaving, or just buy one when I get there? Any insight you all have to trading, please share because I am really hoping to get started!

Thanks so much!

Only 13 more days!!

 

[mousermerf]

Starter set and "free with package" pins are common.

CM's cannot trade for a pin that is already on their lanyard, aka: if someone with the same pins as you got there first, they can't trade with you.

Cheapo Disney store, Disney online, etc, pins are typically varied enough to make good "seed pins." Avoid anything you recall seeing frequently before

Also, buying cheap Epcot pins the day before you goto MK, or vice versa is good, as if the CMs have park pins, they're typically from that park.

 

[HunnyPot]

Should I buy a starter kit? Can you buy pins at the resort? We're staying at CBR.

Thanks for responding!

 

[rainfully]

Should I buy a starter kit? Can you buy pins at the resort? We're staying at CBR.

Thanks for responding!

You can buy pins anywhere they have a cash register. :lol:

Seriously, show me one gift shop that doesn't sell any pins and I'll faint.

 

[tigsmom]

I wouldn't bother with a starter kit. Hit ebay, the outlet stores and the like to find some cheap pins. You can get them all over WDW & DL.
Remember if pins are sold in sets then they must be traded in sets... if 3 pins are sold in a box then they must be kept together. There are set rules for trading, just follow them and you should be ok. Oh one more thing... its very addictive. :lookaroun

Click Here for Rules and advice

 

[DisneySam]

The Pin starter kits IMHO are a little on the expensive side. I just got the lanyard and picked four or five pins that I liked, from the hotel store. At least you get all pins that you like.

I agree with Tigsmom, check out EBAY sometimes you can get a good deal on pins.

 

[New2WDW]

Just be very careful when buying pins on Ebay, because they may be selling unofficial Disney pins. I have purchased a group of pens from someone who I can no longer find on Ebay and the pens were excellent. I wish I could find that person again. Can anyone offer advice on who to purchase from since I only ordered that one time and was told by that lady how important it was to make sure you had the real merchandise. Am I making any sense?:veryconfu

I started with starter sets for my girls (I have too many lanyards now) and I have purchased from the Disney store also. Typical pens range from $6.50 - $10.50 at WDW so if you get a group of 5 pens for say $20.00 from somewhere else then those pins would be good because they would average out to about $4.50/pin after tax and shipping. The deal I got off of the internet averaged about $3.50/pin! And then you go and trade for a regular pin at the parks and you get a pin that would have cost you $6.50 or more.
Anyway, hope that helps! And like it was stated before.....ADDICTING!

 

[ErickainPA]

I haven't traded pins yet, but I have 2 lanyards (1 from when we married and 1 from our last trip, both were free, hubby also has 2) The latest one I had a coupon that was mailed from Disney to me and when I went to get the pin, the woman handed me a bag that had 2 lanyards and 2 pins in the package. Right now the pins on the one from our wedding I wouldn't trade any of them, but the newest pins I would trade. As suggested check e-bay for pins to trade since the Disney ones can add up quickly. (I found one at Ft Wilderness, it was on the ground and ended up in the bottom of my shoe, no scratches on it so I now have it as part of my collection, it was a $10.50 pin I never would have bought

 

[HunnyPot]

Thanks everyone! There is a Chracter Warehouse about an hour from me, so I think
I'm going to check there and see if I can get any good deals. I appreciate all the help. I have one other question though. It's been said that if you buy a pin set, you have to trade it as a set...so, will the CM's have sets on their lanyards, or just individual pins?

Again, thanks for all your help! :wave:

 

[New2WDW]

Thanks everyone! There is a Chracter Warehouse about an hour from me, so I think
I'm going to check there and see if I can get any good deals. I appreciate all the help. I have one other question though. It's been said that if you buy a pin set, you have to trade it as a set...so, will the CM's have sets on their lanyards, or just individual pins?

Again, thanks for all your help! :wave:

I believe that the sets mentioned are pins that go together as pieces. Otherwise it is a pin for a pin swap. I can not think of any examples of a true set right off hand, but if you buy a set of Stitch pins off of the Disney Store site (which is usually 5) then you can trade them since they are separate pins.

 

[GoofyMom2]

We love pin trading! It is very addictive.....

You can get some great deals off of Ebay. I have a person I buy from all the time. PM me if you want their name on Ebay as I don't think I should endorse a single seller on a forum. :animwink: They have a lot of buy-it-now and low ship so you can get them before your trip.

You can trade 1 for 1 w/ CM. CM with green lanyards will only trade with children. But ones with a black lanyard will trade with anyone. Limit 2 pins per cast member. There are also Cast Lanyard pins, Limited editions, Surprise pins etc so it really can get crazy. Just trade for what you like and have fun!

I personally like the lanyard/pin sets to start with. Per pin they end up being cheaper than buying the pins separately.

Trading pins is a great way to chat with CM and to meet people. It has also helped my shy DS age 9 to talk to people. The only bad part about it is I end up carrying all the pins by the end of the day, they get heavy! LOL:lol:

Have a great time!

 

[MommytoMJM]

sets ar ethings like 2005 (all individual pins, but must be traded as a set) you also can't trade ones that are presonalized or damaged in anyway. There are a few other things to keep in mind, let me know if you wnat that info.