[bosoxx65]

First off, my apologies for posting this here when i know there is a Pin Forum. I wanted to place this somewhere that got a lot of looks so i didn't have to bump the thread all the time.
** Mods -- please move if you feel this belongs elsewhere**

Anyway. I've been thinking about getting Sandy involved in the collecting of Disney pins this September. Can any and all explain about the process or collecting in Disney..IE: the lanyards you always see the castmembers wearing around the parks. What's the best way to trade to get pins you are interested in? Where's the best way to get a lot of pins inexpensively? I'm all for collecting rares and hard to attain pins, but i like to build surplus up first. I'm a big Ebay'er so i'm sure there's plenty to be found there.

Rumor: many years ago i was told that castmembers were told to be "very liberal" when trading pins with guests. Not sure where i heard it, but it seemed to make sense. I was told that CM's are encouraged to do so when approached and that's why you see them wearing those lanyards full of pins.
What's the truth or myth about this?

I realize we are good many years behind in the collecting game, but i guess it's never too late to get started

Thanks everyone!

[Daisee]

Our family started collecting pins sort of by accident. We went to WDW one year and purchased our trip as a package. We received free lanyards for each person in our family. The lanyard had 2 or 4 pins attached. Of course my children did not realize that those pins were not considered "special" but when they approached CM's they were more than willing to trade with them. OF COURSE, we were told a few years later by a very imfomative CM that they receive special "hidden Mickey" pins that are RARE and if they do not want to trade them, they wear them backward on their lanyard.

[Allyson]

Originally Posted by Daisee

OF COURSE, we were told a few years later by a very imfomative CM that they receive special "hidden Mickey" pins that are RARE and if they do not want to trade them, they wear them backward on their lanyard.

Yes - we had a CM tell us that she just doesn't wear the pins she doesn't wish to trade.

As for getting started...I bought my DS a lanyard package (they are sold in all the pins shops and come in many character varities) with four pins or more on them - duplicates of each. My son got the Buzz pack and it had two different pins - two of each for trading.

We got started that way...I bought several more pins throughout the trip (some he traded, some he did not) and I've heard many people get good deals on lots for trading on Ebay.

[DayDreamer]

Great question and thread. I want to get my wife into pin trading. Hopefully that might make her a little more Disneyfied.

[Soundgod]

I've backed into collecting, but I'm very low key about it. My wife is more into it, but she's also built a collection of pins for coasters we've ridden at other parks. My collection started with a couple package pins from Disney Travel and the special pins from the tours I've taken at WDW and DL. I also have a limited number of special (to me) pins and several of the passholder pins for parks and parties. But I'm not going wild with it or with stuffed Goofys. Collections get out of hand rapidly and take up room. And pin prices add up real fast to when you're buying them at a minimum of $10 each. We have yet to unpack all our books and records from our move two years ago and I really don't want to load the attic and garage. I'm also not really interested in trading.

[bosoxx65]

great advice and tips everyone..

thanks

[Campbell87]

If you can try checking out your local Disney store too, I know in the UK our Disney Stores get pins in from time to time and they can be really cheap. For one trip we stocked up on multiples of Disney Store pins and traded them with CM's and the traders in Downtown Disney. We saved a fortune doing it this way which left us with extra $$$ to buy pins in the parks.

[dac921]

I bought MissSMIG pins on eBay.. 90 pins for $45.00 including shipping.
She had a blast pin trading...

[The Goof Father]

I started my kids into trading and they were having lots of fun. Eventually I came across a Goofy pin that I had to have...

Then another...

Then another...

Then another...

Soon I was looking for the Cast Lanyard Pins with the hidden Mickeys, for a greater challenge and besides lots of those are really cool!

I bought a number of pins at the park that first time and it was spendy. I do recommend looking for a reputable seller on EBay or even Gingita here on MB, because you can get your pins much cheaper that way. Stay away from the Sedesma pins and some of the others made overseas! They are knock offs! You may luck out and be able to trade them, but I suggest staying away from them...

I try to have at least 5-10 trader pins for each of my family members. We could do more, but that amount seems about right without becoming too much of a focus.

Have fun!

[bosoxx65]

Last night i checked Ebay for some pin deals and most of what i saw in huge lots were over $200

Some smaller lots of 20 pins for $50.. but nothing that really jumped out at me

[dac921]

Here is a Buy Now on eBay.. 58 pins for $60.00

eBay: Lot 58 pins pin Disney New Collection Lot (item 250112712992 end time May-08-07 20:40:15 PDT)

[bosoxx65]

awesome....!!

sadly we have Ebay blocked here at work, but i'll take a peek when i get home.

Thanks for the assistance

[unamadreditre]

Originally Posted by dac921

Here is a Buy Now on eBay.. 58 pins for $60.00

eBay: Lot 58 pins pin Disney New Collection Lot (item 250112712992 end time May-08-07 20:40:15 PDT)

Those are the Sedesmasa pins. I'm not sure but I believe CMs aren't supposed to trade for these.

I don't do the whole pin trading thing so maybe someone who does can chime in here.

[The Goof Father]

Originally Posted by unamadreditre

Those are the Sedesmasa pins. I'm not sure but I believe CMs aren't supposed to trade for these.

I don't do the whole pin trading thing so maybe someone who does can chime in here.

Some will trade with you and some will not, and believe me it is LAME when you get rebuffed. My DS traded for one and then was not able to trade it away when he saw a pin he liked more. But the real moral of the Sedesma pins is that they are knock offs, so I suggest staying clear!

[zefyr]

Pin trading/collecting is a definite addiction (But I don't have a problem...honest!) I actually got my mom addicted to it too (maybe it's genetic...hmmm?!) and she ended up trading more than I did!

Cast members will trade pins with you so long as the pin you give them isn't one they already have on their lanyard. For example you can't offer them a Pooh pin if they already have a Pooh pin on their lanyard.

The other thing is that the color of the pin now dictates who can trade. The CM lanyards are either yellow or green (at least that's what they were last year when I went). One color is a kid only lanyard for trading and the other is for adults. Disney did this because adults were trying to trade for all the 'good pins' and the kids didn't have a chance.