Pin Traders -- HELP!

**Imaginerd** · 03-19-2005, 11:29 AM

[Should this be in Non-Disney Park Offerings?

]

Hi everyone! I’m a long time (well, since it’s been around) reader and first time poster here on MiceChat.

My name is Jared and I am doing a project for my Anthropology class about an underground subculture. I chose to do it on Disney Pin Trading, as I am a huge Disney nut, but have never really experienced anything related to Pin Trading. Last week I did my very first pin trade for this project, oh what a rush! (I was actually nervous!)

If you are a Pin Trader or have ever traded pins and wouldn’t mind taking a few moments to answer some of these questions, I’d really appreciate it. You can either post your reply here or email me at [email protected] – Thanks!

Feel free to skip any questions. None of this will be published in any way - I go to art school

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place?

2. How many pins would you say you have?

3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?

4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading?

5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you?

6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading?

7. Anything else I should know?

If you wouldn’t mind telling me a little about your background. Location, age, sex, married, single, kids, work at the park, etc…

THANK YOU!

Jared
jaredzone.com

**Club 33** · 03-19-2005, 11:42 AM

Sure, no problem.

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place?

I first got into pin trading, hmmm, must of been three years ago at DLP. That was where I got my first pins. I live in the US though, so most of my pins are from DLR and WDW.

2. How many pins would you say you have?

That's a tough one. I'd have to say off the top of my head about 30, perhaps a few less. Somewhere between 25-30 I think.

3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?

No actually I have not.

4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading?

It's always fun to trade with CMs and find new and exiting pins. And as I buy new pins, my collection grows. I love walking through the park displaying my pins.

5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you?

Yes, my "DL Tour Guide in Training" pin, see #6 for why.

6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading?

Yes, two actually.

I was at Walt Disney World, and decided to where all my pins. The only problem with this was that I ended up wearing three lanyards! I ventually ended up buying a Pin Briefcase, or whatever you want to call it.

I was at DLR, in Tomorrowland by the Premiere Shop. I was looking at some pins of those "Master Traders". You know, the ones who have hundreds of pins and are out for the LEs (Limited Editions). Well, I found this one pins that I really liked, it said "DL Tour Guide in Training" on it. Now people have said I probably should be a DL Tour Guide, so I wanted the pin. However, the woman who owned it wouldn't trade it to me unless I had some limited edition pin to trade for it. Well I was very dissapointed about this. About an hour later I was trading with a CM in Tomorrowland, and I noticed he had a LE Mr. Toad pin. Well, I traded him for it (CMs have to trade with you) and ran back to the woman at the Premiere Shop. She said that the pin I had would be just fine, and traded me the pin. That pin is now one of my favorites, and I'll never trade it.

7. Anything else I should know?

Well, since you're new to Pin Trading, here's some extra rules.

-CMs have to trade with you, so long as they dont already have the pin your trading.

-Teal and Blue lanyards are for kids under 9 only, to prevent adult "Master Traders" from snatching up all of the good pins from the kids.

Ok, hope that helps.

**Retlaw Yensid** · 03-19-2005, 11:45 AM

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place? December 29, 2004. Disneyland, Downtown Disney, right by the monorail.
2. How many pins would you say you have? 30ish
3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?
NO.
4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading? I like rare, cast exclusive items.
5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you? Walt & Mickey Partner's statue pin.
6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading?
A) I was neverous my first time.
B) My girlfriend has had a cast member actually ask to trade.
C) I am still really nervous, so as my girlfriend and I were leaving the park I promised that I would trade with the next CM I saw wearing a lanyard. I ened up trading with a "manager-type" and got great information.
7. Anything else I should know?
I personally feel there is a proper etiquette to pin trading, mostly involving respect of personal space and an appropriate diologe.

**prillzilla** · 03-19-2005, 04:25 PM

Okay here goes,

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place?

Disneyland in May 2000, almost 6 years ago! It was the canoe from the first Gift With Purchase map set.

2. How many pins would you say you have? Over 800!

3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?
Yes, DLR holds Pin Trading Nights twice a month for the past 2 years. I have only missed 2 I think. And the first Pin event DL has held was the Chip & Dale pin adventure just this past Feb.

4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading? It's fun and an addiction.

5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you? ooh, that's a toughie.
Maybe the Cast Member Hitchhiking ghosts

or the Studio CM Lilo & Stitch surfboard pin

Both were traded for.

6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading? It is mostly fun. How about watching the sun come up in line for the Stitch jumbo Elvis pin? Actually I love trading online(through the mail). I love getting pins in the mail from Japan, England, France!

7. Anything else I should know? Like I said, it's an addiction!

If you wouldn’t mind telling me a little about your background. Location, age, sex, married, single, kids, work at the park, etc…

Aprille :-)

**PrincessP** · 03-19-2005, 04:44 PM

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place?

Jan 2000, at WDW, I was there supporing my sister and mom in the maraton
at first I just bought 1 pin of each of my favriote rides from each park. I still have them and the race pin.

2. How many pins would you say you have?
about 500

3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?
I have attened a disney event, but not a pin trading event. I trade before the actual event and after. At DL , still haven't done a pin trading night
I did do a few pin trading night in WDW when I was there a few years ago.

4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading?
I collect Nightmare before christmas stuff and they do pins!!

5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you?
Hitch hiking ghost CM pin, is really cool it moves and glows in the dark

6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading?

nah, not really

7. Anything else I should know?
collecting in general is an addiction

**DL_CRAZE** · 03-19-2005, 04:44 PM

I have never really got involved in pin trading but when u buy them, do u buy them by the pack or seperately. And how much is the going price?

**AStarOnMars** · 03-19-2005, 05:06 PM

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place?
DL, 2 years ago.

2. How many pins would you say you have?
A little over 150

3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?
No.

4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading?
I don't really like trading unless I have two or more of the same pin ... I am more of a collector

5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you?
Yes, one from the late 60s of Tomorrowland

6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading?
I did the pin quest at DCA where you got a free Mickey Statue pin ... my bf decided to trade his right a way since we had mine ... the one he end up trade for was a WDW resort pin ... I did not like it so he tried to trade 5 times with other CM but they already had the pin ... needless to say we still have the WDW resort pin.

7. Anything else I should know?
Most of my pins are from the 80s, they use to be my Aunt's pins

Age: 22
sex: female
status: bf (3 years)
work: college student, major is Social Science in preparation to be a secondary
teacher. I tutor on the side.
Disney info: an AP member, never been to WDW, been going to DL since I was 5.

**CinderellaPrincess** · 03-19-2005, 06:21 PM

1. When did you first get into Pin Trading? Which Disney park did it take place?
DLR, not really a trader, more of a collector, i pushed it off for a long time but once you take a good look at the incredible art that is on them, you are hooked!!!

2. How many pins would you say you have?
only about 20, i only collect LE's and attraction pins

3. Have you ever attended a Disney Pin Trading Event? When? Where?
no

4. Why do you participate in Pin Trading?
it's a cheaper way to participate in Disney activities

5. Do you have a Pin that is most valuable to you?
my LE Princess Birthday pin i got in my birthday bucket the last birthday trip I spent at DLR

6. Any fun stories you have about Pin Trading?
I was a lucky participant in the Parade of Stars and got a VERY LE Guest Performer Blue Fairy float pin. It's the most memorable time I've ever spent at DL!!!!

7. Anything else I should know?
until you give pin collecting/trading a try, don't knock it...lol

**figment1986** · 03-19-2005, 06:39 PM