Pin Trading Store Question

[yoda_5729]

Hi, my family is new to pin trading and I was just curious if anyone had any details on places, like antique malls or flea markets that sell authentic Disney pins, meaning some of the older ones that aren't in the parks anymore.

specifically I was interested in any that might be near Chicago or Orlando. I wasn't sure if anyone had a list of them, so sorry if this has been discussed. Thank you for reading this, and to any who respond.

 

[CaptainShortty]

Your best bet is to buy them from a reputable seller on Ebay. You can buy in any quantity you want and they're generally not very expensive.

 

[wilkeliza]

I have always bought ones I really want that are no longer in parks from ebay. The best was to know it is real is to look for posts with pictures of the pin that have the pin trading logo. There is a great site that lists the pins so that you can find out what year and if it is a regular pin, cast lanyard, hidden mickey, or limited edition pin so you know what you are looking for. When you buy from ebay the best thing to do is read the reviews from previous buyers. I also go through the negative reviews to see if anyone claims they were sent a bad pin. I also try to look for posts that appear to be from people who know their stuff about pins. That typically includes things like what parks, editions, number, etc. the pin is from. Also if you want new condition you want them on their backs. Some people will be selling pins that are used and traded so they won't be on their back.

If you want just a lot of random pins to use for trading when you visit the parks I have found the best and cheapest thing to do is buy a lot from ebay. I bought a lot of 20 for 17.95 and just had it shipped to my resort. It got their the day I arrived and I traded 18 of those pins for ones I wanted with cast members and other guests. I ended up liking 2 of the pins I was sent so I put them away and didn't trade.

 

[Hakunamatata]

We used to buy a bunch from eBay as well. It can get addictive.

 

[yoda_5729]

First, thanks for the replies. We have ordered some on ebay and a few from another store, though I am surprised there isn't a store anywhere near Orlando to get older pins. I understand they would be more expensive and all, but with Disney's big pin trading push, I'd think that'd be a plus.

I went to a Disney Store in Chicago recently and saw they were selling vinylmations, but no pins. That to me doesn't really make sense.

Thanks for the information, though I'd think someone in the area would try selling them in a store, assuming Disney was okay with it. It'd actually be cool for Disney to even have a store with older pins at Downtown disney, but that'd be pretty doubtful.

 

[Hakunamatata]

First, thanks for the replies. We have ordered some on ebay and a few from another store, though I am surprised there isn't a store anywhere near Orlando to get older pins. I understand they would be more expensive and all, but with Disney's big pin trading push, I'd think that'd be a plus.

I went to a Disney Store in Chicago recently and saw they were selling vinylmations, but no pins. That to me doesn't really make sense.

Thanks for the information, though I'd think someone in the area would try selling them in a store, assuming Disney was okay with it. It'd actually be cool for Disney to even have a store with older pins at Downtown disney, but that'd be pretty doubtful.

Disney store got out of the pin business right before they sold out to The Children's Place. Now that they are company owned again they could someday return. I don't understand the whole vinylmation fad. Ugly little plastic overpriced things.

 

[erasure fan1]

Disney store got out of the pin business right before they sold out to The Children's Place. Now that they are company owned again they could someday return. I don't understand the whole vinylmation fad. Ugly little plastic overpriced things.

Yea I dont get it either. Ahh the wonders of what will catch on to become the next fad.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Disney store got out of the pin business right before they sold out to The Children's Place. Now that they are company owned again they could someday return.

Unfortunately, our Disney Store closed down a couple of years ago. They had sold a small selection of pins and just before they closed, the manager had started having a pin trading night in the store. I had traded with others at the time, I was sad to see it end. I'm hoping another Disney Store opens up again in it's place.
Most of the designs of the Vinylmations figures are very unappealing to me, I can't believe some of them sell at all.

 

[Random Vids Inc]

Disney store got out of the pin business right before they sold out to The Children's Place. Now that they are company owned again they could someday return. I don't understand the whole vinylmation fad. Ugly little plastic overpriced things.

Some I like. But most of them do nothing but confuse me. Confused as, "Why would anyone want that!?!"

 

[Figment73]

Some I like. But most of them do nothing but confuse me. Confused as, "Why would anyone want that!?!"

My daughter and i recently started collecting the vinyls. I too am confused by some of them. We collect just the character ones. Some of them i just don't get..... And some are just ugly. We have the complete Have a Laugh set, some of the villians,some of the muppets,and almost a complete set of the Animation ones. I like to stick with the traditional Disney characters vs some off the wall ones.

 

[Figment73]

Some I like. But most of them do nothing but confuse me. Confused as, "Why would anyone want that!?!"

My daughter and i recently started collecting the vinyls. I too am confused by some of them. We collect just the character ones. Some of them i just don't get..... And some are just ugly. We have the complete Have a Laugh set, some of the villians,some of the muppets,and almost a complete set of the Animation ones. I like to stick with the traditional Disney characters vs some off the wall ones.

 

[ZapperZ]

Hi, my family is new to pin trading and I was just curious if anyone had any details on places, like antique malls or flea markets that sell authentic Disney pins, meaning some of the older ones that aren't in the parks anymore.

specifically I was interested in any that might be near Chicago or Orlando. I wasn't sure if anyone had a list of them, so sorry if this has been discussed. Thank you for reading this, and to any who respond.

In case you haven't heard of it, there is an active Disney pin trading club in the Chicagoland area. The Windy City Pin traders meet once a month at Fuddruckers in Downers Grove. You get to meet other pin traders, trade pins, and even buy them (since we're not on Disney property).

http://www.windycitypintraders.com/

The next meet in Saturday next week. Drop me a note if you plan on attending, so that we can look out for you.

Zz.

 

[Figments Friend]

-

My advice is what others have touched on, eBay is a awesome spot to find old pins and score good deals on pin lots that can be used to trade with. Just be wary of fakes! ALWAYS buy only from someone with a 100% or 99% feedback that has several transactions. It is a plus to buy from someone who also specilizes in pins, as this increases the chances of getting real Trading Pins and good ones at that.

I usually buy 50 to 80 pins off eBay in various lots pre-visit to specifically use for trading with CMs. I would recommend buying a small lot on eBay, maybe 25 or 30 to start with. You will be amazed at the cool pins you will see being offered for trade by CMs and other Guests! I have better luck trading with CMs as a lot of Guests are either serious collectors and trade only for similar collector material, or just not interested in 'generic' simpler pins i usually have from the lots. Do not get discouraged if Guests are not up for trading. All CMs will always say yes to a trade...and they usually have exclusive pins. The interaction you will have with them is always enjoyable as well!

Trading with other Guests and even Locals can be fun too. A GREAT spot to meet up with enthusiastic Pin Traders is Downtown Disney on Thursday nights at the main Pin Shop. Locals arrive with huge binders PACKED with pins and are usually very open to trading even the most simplest pins. It can give newbies to Pin Trading a real sense of the incredible assortment of Pins that are actually 'out there' and the amazing diversity. It is great to just look through their stuff. Same goes for EPCOT's Pin Central near the Fountain of Nations on weekends. Many locals show up with binders and welcome people to view them even if you are not going to make a trade.

A note of caution though if visiting these two places however - BEWARE of anyone wanting you to buy pins from the shop or stand to trade for a pin of theirs ! Chances are what they want you to buy is Limited Editions in trade for common CM Lanyard pins that can be found elsewhere for a few dollars on eBay, or for free on a CM lanyard. I fell into this trap some time ago. I spotted some Cast Lanyard pins i wanted in someones' binder but they were not interested in the pins i had for trading. They suggested i buy certain pins they wanted from the shop ( all Limited Editions, the more expensive pins of course) to use to trade with them instead. I did this for two pins ( sucker that i was...) but then realized what was happening. The last pin i was about to trade with them, they wanted TWO pins for their one..which immediately threw up a red flag. It is a general rule in Pin Trading that you trade only ONE pin per pin, no matter how fancy or rare it is. So i declined and realized i was getting duped. So just a heads up - their are people out there who prey upon newbies. Be careful!

Always try to be aware of the pins you have so you will not be taken advantage of by 'Pin Sharks' . This was a problem some time back, perhaps still so, thus why the Pin Trading Nights at the various Resorts stopped. Be cool and have fun...just be aware.

Pin Trading is a lot of fun and makes the visits to WDW or DisneyLand all the more enjoyable. The 'thrill of the hunt' and the delight of finding a favourite character pin makes for a nice additonal vacation memory.

 

[ZapperZ]

Trading with other Guests and even Locals can be fun too. A GREAT spot to meet up with enthusiastic Pin Traders is Downtown Disney on Thursday nights at the main Pin Shop. Locals arrive with huge binders PACKED with pins and are usually very open to trading even the most simplest pins. It can give newbies to Pin Trading a real sense of the incredible assortment of Pins that are actually 'out there' and the amazing diversity. It is great to just look through their stuff. Same goes for EPCOT's Pin Central near the Fountain of Nations on weekends. Many locals show up with binders and welcome people to view them even if you are not going to make a trade.

A note of caution though if visiting these two places however - BEWARE of anyone wanting you to buy pins from the shop or stand to trade for a pin of theirs ! Chances are what they want you to buy is Limited Editions in trade for common CM Lanyard pins that can be found elsewhere for a few dollars on eBay, or for free on a CM lanyard. I fell into this trap some time ago. I spotted some Cast Lanyard pins i wanted in someones' binder but they were not interested in the pins i had for trading. They suggested i buy certain pins they wanted from the shop ( all Limited Editions, the more expensive pins of course) to use to trade with them instead. I did this for two pins ( sucker that i was...) but then realized what was happening. The last pin i was about to trade with them, they wanted TWO pins for their one..which immediately threw up a red flag. It is a general rule in Pin Trading that you trade only ONE pin per pin, no matter how fancy or rare it is. So i declined and realized i was getting duped. So just a heads up - their are people out there who prey upon newbies. Be careful!

Is pin trading at the the Pin Trading store in Downtown Disney still going on? They stopped that about a year ago, and the pin trading area is now gone.

Secondly, there really is no rule about how many pins you need to trade to get a another pin between guests or pin traders. Certain pins are worth more than others because it is either more expensive, or is in higher demand. It is up to you to decide what a pin is worth, and whether you want to continue with the trade. Many pin traders would trade, say, 3 cast lanyard pins for one LE pin. Why? Because most know that you can get cast lanyard pins off a cast member by trading a throw-away pin that one can buy for $1!

The best way to not get duped in pin trading is to educate yourself. This is true for any kind of endeavor you want to get into. Ask to look at the back of the pin and see if you can find the LE number. The smaller the LE number, the more "valuable" or in demand it will be. So if you want to trade, say, a Soda Fountain pin with LE 150, with a "common" rack pin or even a large LE pin, then the trader is well-justified in either turning it down, or would want some more besides that pin.

I'm not defending pin sharks or those who have no scruples and will take advantage of you. I'm just saying that there could easily be more to this story that it appears.

Zz.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

-

My advice is what others have touched on, eBay is a awesome spot to find old pins and score good deals on pin lots that can be used to trade with. Just be wary of fakes! ALWAYS buy only from someone with a 100% or 99% feedback that has several transactions. It is a plus to buy from someone who also specilizes in pins, as this increases the chances of getting real Trading Pins and good ones at that.

I usually buy 50 to 80 pins off eBay in various lots pre-visit to specifically use for trading with CMs. I would recommend buying a small lot on eBay, maybe 25 or 30 to start with. You will be amazed at the cool pins you will see being offered for trade by CMs and other Guests! I have better luck trading with CMs as a lot of Guests are either serious collectors and trade only for similar collector material, or just not interested in 'generic' simpler pins i usually have from the lots. Do not get discouraged if Guests are not up for trading. All CMs will always say yes to a trade...and they usually have exclusive pins. The interaction you will have with them is always enjoyable as well!

Trading with other Guests and even Locals can be fun too. A GREAT spot to meet up with enthusiastic Pin Traders is Downtown Disney on Thursday nights at the main Pin Shop. Locals arrive with huge binders PACKED with pins and are usually very open to trading even the most simplest pins. It can give newbies to Pin Trading a real sense of the incredible assortment of Pins that are actually 'out there' and the amazing diversity. It is great to just look through their stuff. Same goes for EPCOT's Pin Central near the Fountain of Nations on weekends. Many locals show up with binders and welcome people to view them even if you are not going to make a trade.

A note of caution though if visiting these two places however - BEWARE of anyone wanting you to buy pins from the shop or stand to trade for a pin of theirs ! Chances are what they want you to buy is Limited Editions in trade for common CM Lanyard pins that can be found elsewhere for a few dollars on eBay, or for free on a CM lanyard. I fell into this trap some time ago. I spotted some Cast Lanyard pins i wanted in someones' binder but they were not interested in the pins i had for trading. They suggested i buy certain pins they wanted from the shop ( all Limited Editions, the more expensive pins of course) to use to trade with them instead. I did this for two pins ( sucker that i was...) but then realized what was happening. The last pin i was about to trade with them, they wanted TWO pins for their one..which immediately threw up a red flag. It is a general rule in Pin Trading that you trade only ONE pin per pin, no matter how fancy or rare it is. So i declined and realized i was getting duped. So just a heads up - their are people out there who prey upon newbies. Be careful!

Always try to be aware of the pins you have so you will not be taken advantage of by 'Pin Sharks' . This was a problem some time back, perhaps still so, thus why the Pin Trading Nights at the various Resorts stopped. Be cool and have fun...just be aware.

Pin Trading is a lot of fun and makes the visits to WDW or DisneyLand all the more enjoyable. The 'thrill of the hunt' and the delight of finding a favourite character pin makes for a nice additonal vacation memory.

While I don't like some of the "pin sharks" that hang out in WDW, you do need to know what you are going to get yourself into when you start trading. Trading can very regularly not be one for one as well...that only pertains to the CM trading. I do a lot of trading and it isn't at all uncommon for me to trade multiple pins for just one depending on what the trade entails. It all has to do with value and you try your best to equalize it.

Is pin trading at the the Pin Trading store in Downtown Disney still going on? They stopped that about a year ago, and the pin trading area is now gone.

Secondly, there really is no rule about how many pins you need to trade to get a another pin between guests or pin traders. Certain pins are worth more than others because it is either more expensive, or is in higher demand. It is up to you to decide what a pin is worth, and whether you want to continue with the trade. Many pin traders would trade, say, 3 cast lanyard pins for one LE pin. Why? Because most know that you can get cast lanyard pins off a cast member by trading a throw-away pin that one can buy for $1!

The best way to not get duped in pin trading is to educate yourself. This is true for any kind of endeavor you want to get into. Ask to look at the back of the pin and see if you can find the LE number. The smaller the LE number, the more "valuable" or in demand it will be. So if you want to trade, say, a Soda Fountain pin with LE 150, with a "common" rack pin or even a large LE pin, then the trader is well-justified in either turning it down, or would want some more besides that pin.

I'm not defending pin sharks or those who have no scruples and will take advantage of you. I'm just saying that there could easily be more to this story that it appears.

Zz.

I believe that the DTD tables were removed sometime ago and they try not to do much trading there. From what I heard, people would set up shop for an entire day and there was even talk that people were using the area to sell. Clearly Disney was not ok with people trying to profit right under their noses and they removed certain people and then the tables altogether.

 

[ZapperZ]

I believe that the DTD tables were removed sometime ago and they try not to do much trading there. From what I heard, people would set up shop for an entire day and there was even talk that people were using the area to sell. Clearly Disney was not ok with people trying to profit right under their noses and they removed certain people and then the tables altogether.

Yes, that's what I thought. The only place left with pin-trading tables the last time I was at WDW is in front of Pin Central store at Epcot.

Zz.