Originally Posted By StitchMom84 I am sure there are many of you who have either participated in pin trading or know all about it. We're going to WDW this October, and, while I am not inclined to want to get really involved, my little grandaughter might think it's fun. She is of the age if she sees other kids trading, she will want to probably participate also. Would some of you be so kind (TDLFAN?) as to give me a few quick tips for helping her. I do not wish to have to take out a loan to do this, but what is the best way to get started for her? I have read that people will sometimes take pins with them to get going? Where do they purchase these and what are the best kinds to buy? I'm thinking that she might just want to get pins of some of her favorite characters or places/attractions ( if such exist ) in the parks? I don't want to get down there and start spending a fortune, but it would be fun for her to maybe get a few. Any ideas for me? As always, many thanks for your imput here.
Originally Posted By -em There are two main avenues to go with pins- To trade To collect Both have advantages and disadvantages. With young kids who start trading be advised that they will trade any and all pins for any and all pins. If you choose to go that way I would start looking for good deals on pins now (as its easier to watch them trade 3-4 dollar pins instead of 7-9 dollar pins..) The cheapest pins youll get at WDW is roughly 4 dollars a pin. You can do better, down to 2.50-3 dollars but it takes effort and leg work. Be very wary on buying from ebay. They may be cheap but they are often harder to trade and often fake pins. If you choose to go more the collection route what I see works well is a limit of say 1 or 2 a day, or say one from Magic Kingdom, one from Epcot etc. Make the limits in advance For either way- pick a theme (or themes) and try to stay in that or else it becomes oh thats pretty.. several hundred later... Its an addicting hobby (I own about 900 of them) but very fun.
Originally Posted By gaston lives I stay away from pins as I knwo they can be very addicting. When I visited Europe, I got a nice German hat...wel, as with all German Hats, you ahve to get hat pins from the countries you visit to put on the hat. It was fun, and I still have it nearly 20 years later, but it was costly.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I absolutely agree with the picking a theme idea - even 2 -3 themes ( like maybe just pirates / haunted mansion / and say one character - Donald. That will get more expensive than you can believe in a hurry. I started before most - collecting all the 20th anniversary WDW pins before it was popular - they were $3 each - not the staggering $6 - $15 each today.... And the bad part is they are small so it seems like you are buying not much - but when you add up all those little bags when you get home - yikes ! I accumulated hundreds before common sense took over ( at least to some extent) - for kids - I would encourage you to buy one of the starter kits - lanyard and 4 - 8 pins ( duplicates for trading) and basically only trade with cast members. Trade right from the lanyard- no need to be hauling suitcases of theese things around - If you allow the children to trade with others - try and be there. Unfortunately there are some very unscrupulous sharks there that would trade their mother for a limted edition pin they could trade for 5-6 pins - and IMHO ruined the experience completely. You will find them in Downtown Disney with their suitcases on wheels, and surly attitudes for the most part -- not a pleasant experience. There are other kids walking around with lanyards also, and since likely ( unless you are there and get one of the very limited surprise pins etc) - you won't have too valubale. Let the kids trade with each other - this also happens at the recently restarted pin events like at the Contemporary - where a CM usually alos explains at a high level the pin trading experience. My kids had their best trades at the Vero resort - where they hold trading at 4 Pm in the lobby - much less intense and stressful --
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Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I have two themes - Mickey Mouse, which are the majority of my pins, and anything I think is so spectacular I just have to have it. I don't come across too many of those, though. I did pick up a Mickey-as-Jack-Sparrow pin, with Mickey/Jack opening the Dead Man's Chest, last month. I don't think I got any non-Mickey pins on my last trip.
Originally Posted By -em ^ I love that pin and the rest of that set My recent favorite one is the adventurer's club jumbo -em
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<My recent favorite one is the adventurer's club jumbo >> I don't think I saw that!!!!!
Originally Posted By -em My themes: Memories (things that Ive done, seen,experianced that I want to remember) Then: Lilo Monorails Dumbo Wilderness Region (Lodge and Fort Wilderness) Minnie dressed as other characters Characters dressed as pirates Then the little collections (most due to lack of pins available) Tarzan Bear in the Big Blue House Small World Dolls Bottlecaps Princess Birthstones Cars New collections: Started within the last 3 months Sorcerer Mickey Dwarfs Princesses (only certain pins) Transportation I think thats it...
Originally Posted By -em <a href="http://pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=51849&sid=3579.1175627244" target="_blank">http://pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin .cgi?pin=51849&sid=3579.1175627244</a> its soo much prettier in person
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom When we were at WDW last June We did a lot of trading with CMs. The thing to look for with the CMs is a special laynard,I think it is green. We were told If the CM is wearin a green laynard they can only trade with children. If they are wearing a Yellow they can trade with anyone. I think that is really neat because it allows they children a chance at some really special pins that they might not otherwise be able to trade for.
Originally Posted By WolvesTwilight Green Lanyards are ONLY for children 3-12, anyone older cannot trade... but I've seen guests worm around this. They use their children to trade for them, its okay but defeats the purpose. Blue lanyards are for anyone of all ages. What I suggest, being a cast member and trading all the time? Buy the little box of 7-8 pins for around 30 bucks. You get some junky little pins and can go around and trade with cast members who've got nice pins. It's what we tell guests who are starting out. Another thing is to get what you want, not what you think is going to be collectable. Just because its a Hidden Mickey doesn't mean you should trade away something you really like for it. Also, just as a bit of a side note, Main Street is probably the best place to find new cast pins. And don't worry, all CMs will trade. Even if we're busy, just wait patiently and we will show you our lanyard. =)
Originally Posted By WolvesTwilight Green Lanyards are ONLY for children 3-12, anyone older cannot trade... but I've seen guests worm around this. They use their children to trade for them, its okay but defeats the purpose. Blue lanyards are for anyone of all ages. What I suggest, being a cast member and trading all the time? Buy the little box of 7-8 pins for around 30 bucks. You get some junky little pins and can go around and trade with cast members who've got nice pins. It's what we tell guests who are starting out. Another thing is to get what you want, not what you think is going to be collectable. Just because its a Hidden Mickey doesn't mean you should trade away something you really like for it. Also, just as a bit of a side note, Main Street is probably the best place to find new cast pins. And don't worry, all CMs will trade. Even if we're busy, just wait patiently and we will show you our lanyard. =)
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Another thing is to get what you want, not what you think is going to be collectable. Just because its a Hidden Mickey doesn't mean you should trade away something you really like for it. < exactly - too many traders think in terms of value -- and todays $40 pin on ebays is tomorrow's $2.99 pin with free shipping ( with very few exceptions) - buy and also trade for what you like
Originally Posted By -em >>Also, just as a bit of a side note, Main Street is probably the best place to find new cast pins. << No the Wilderness Lodge is LOL! Battle of the Merchandise CMs! -em
Originally Posted By WolvesTwilight I say Main Street because our Pin Replenishment for MK is at Main Street, so the CMs don't have to wait for Coodinators and managers to refresh the lanyards. =P
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom Thanks WolvesTwilight. I was pretty sure that green was for the children, but could not remember what color was for everyone else. My Mom & Dad may have traded with you a few times. All the CMs they traded with was extremely nice. It was a very pleasant experience for them. They are not "rabid" collectors, just souvineer hunters helping my brother with his collection. Of which he almost never parts with any of them. Only if he winds up with a double of one he already has. They kept buying the boxes with 2 or more pins for trading. Pin trading & collecting can be very fun. My Mom joked that they felt bad because EVERY castmember they seen they had to have a look at their lanyard. It lead to some very interesting conversations between the CMs and my parents. My parents are very much people persons and love to talk to EVERYBODY. Just like others have said, trade for pins YOU Want, not because you think they have value. Most importantly, Have Fun!
Originally Posted By StitchMom84 Thanks! You have give me allot of great info that is surely going to be helpful. It is always easy to get caught up in this type of thing when you get there and end up going overboard..and as I said, I just want to be prepared in case my little grandaughter wants to give it a try. As, always, you guys are great!!!
