Overly Competitive Traders…

Now when I say overly competitive traders I mean the ones who treat this as a ESPN sports game and eliminate the true meaning of community and collaboration. These are the people who are usually a bit more on the “aggressive” scale in comparison to some who are more kind and welcoming- thing is, there are unfortunately more people out there who are… rude in this community and base it solely on “I’m better than you, my pins are superior to yours”.

I’ve noticed this a lot at the Disney parks and pin traders events outside the parks- people turn the pins into means of “I’m better than you- when did you start? Oh two years ago? Then you suck.” sort of things. Which, unfortunately so, is rather common. People, regardless of what pins you have and how good you are, will turn this into a competitive sport to compete with who is superior. Those who have been in this for years are less likely to trade with someone just starting off because you have the “newer pins” and “not in the community long enough” to understand the ins and outs and that is what irritates me to no end. The thing is, is that people like this are quite the majority in a community that prides itself on inclusivity and respect as well as the diversity of people and collections- not a good look if you ask me.

Too many times I have had to deal with people say “ooh, yeah, um… I can’t trade with you because you only have pins from 2018, I have pins from 2006, which is like better than yours because it’s like, vintage by now, you can’t trade with anyone because you have those models…” which is inherently false and damaging to the community of members new and old, especially newer members who just want to trade and grow.

In April I attended an event in good ol’ Viva Las Vegas called Pin City, many people in the pin trading community might’ve known about that event and attended it, however I did notice an overwhelming majority of traders were on the “eew, those are your pins…? Those are like… newer..?? Not trading you…” because I said I’m looking to trade for specific sets/collections (i.e. Alice in Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Star Wars, and Sugar Rush Racers Blind Box Set). The problem is that people have this overwhelming bias towards new traders vs old traders, mostly favouring old traders to newer ones. While I met and traded with an incredible amount of traders at that expo who were willing to trade with me, teach me some cool tips and tricks to pin trading, I met my fair share of rude folks.

This is definitely not a new thing, it seems to be a thing that’s been around since pin trading started in 1999-2000-ish range. People became far too invested and have let that consume their very being to the point of it being how they treat people, how they treat YOU. The fact remains is that some people turn this into a glorified competition of who is better. Speaking of competition, don’t get me started on the amount of times where people have tried to legitimately fight or start fights with people over mere pins. I get it, many hold sentimental value and even nostalgic value for many, many even have goals on particular genres and styles of pins they want.

For example, I have two Disney Parks KH Pins that I got recently- four if you count my old Organization XIII Mickey and the Pin of the Month Keyblade for January (Sora’s Keyblade), the two newer ones I obtained at Christmas at a pin traders store, last ones for sale that day as my luck would have it- well- somewhat luck I should say. You see, a young man, I’d estimate about 15-18 year range slapped my hand when I was about to go up and pay for it, he was stopped, yes, but he said he wanted them, he was going to get them but couldn’t find his card at first. Mate, I’m sorry but I got them in my hands before you did. I of course had other crazy instances but I’ll save those for the video version when I make it…

Kiddie Traders…

This has a double decker issue that ties into the next issue, it also ties into the previous as I have seen youngsters get into tantrums over pins- shocker, I know, not really- it is going to happen… especially considering what I’m about to reveal…

Not many might be aware of this but I can confirm a few things… as some of you might be aware of, there’s a new summertime event happening at the US Disney Parks- “Kids Pin Trading Summer” or something like that. The area outside Frontierland at Disneyland has now become a prime kiddie trading spot- only for kids 3-16 from what I know, let me know if the age range is wrong, I only know bits and pieces of this. So the concept is this, select tables ONLY for kids to trade, no one else. If you are over that limit you’d be asked to leave the area. You CAN trade elsewhere but the boards there are for kids only. Now this is where things get… messy.

I have noticed this growing issue in particular with kids who trade, ESPECIALLY the younger ones. Now hear me out as I know this may ruffle some feathers on some of you lot but you just need to hear me out… I’ve noticed a lot of parents hand their kids these eBay/Temu/AliExpress bags of pins and the kids get so giddy- they have a huge lot of pins! However… those are all scrappers. I encountered a mum and dad with their young daughter at Christmas and the girl bolted to me to trade, she had soooo many fakes and she wanted one of my chaser pins. I had to say no thank you, the girl was so upset and I discreetly asked the parents where they got the pins, the mum laughed and said “Oh I got them off eBay! Lot of 50 for $30 bucks! Best deal ever- she doesn’t need to know what kind they are, to her they’re just pins to trade!”

No. No no no. The girl took the premium pins off the pin boards and swapped them with SCRAPPERS. I did tell a cast member and they said this is unfortunately a regular thing, parents basically give their kids fakes, tell them to trade them off, the parents tell them what pins they should get and the kid innocently trades them to better the collection. This spells sooooo much trouble for the HONEST people who teach their kids the etiquette of trading. The problem is that with the kids only trading in that area the boards can be easily infiltrated with fakes by bad actor parents/enablers because they know kids don’t care about quality, only quantity.

The problem speaks for itself, Disney already has a massive problem with counterfeit pins- this only heightens the issue further because the cast members specifically put the good pins on the kids board, however that’s backfired. Kids are innocent, they don’t understand the difference between “real pins” and “scrapper pins”, they just see pins. Simple as that. Some parents don’t even know what to look for either which can cause them to be scammed horribly with these boards. Now, there are some really good people out there who would happily go to those tables and donate some good pins to help even the odds for the kiddos who are trading, but there’s also some really bad people who would happily ruin that for them. Honestly, I’m genuinely surprised Disney US has not cracked down on this particular issue-

One big issue with pin trading kids is this… they can and will throw tantrums over not getting a pin they want, meaning if you have a pin you don’t want to trade and they see it, they immediately want it and if you don’t cough it up the parents basically look at you like you have just eliminated the younglings in the Jedi Temple as if you are Anakin Skywalker himself. Kids want what they want, that’s a given, and while not all kids are like this there are a vast majority who would gladly throw a tantrum at the drop of a pair of Mickey ears and scream until they get the pin they want. At Christmas I had to do just that, there was a little girl at the gift shop doing Disney Trivia for a pin trade, she started bawling her eyes out and throwing things because the prize pin was Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and not Ariel. Thankfully, I had an old Tsum Tsum Ariel pin in my pouch (Authentic pin, don’t worry!!) to trade and I told the Cast Member that I could answer the question and win that pin and give her my Ariel pin, the guy was rather thankful that I’d even do that. So was the mum. News flash, I won.

Which leads me to this point here, kids want what they want, if they see it, they want it, no pin of yours is necessarily safe when they got their eyes on it, they want all pins they can get their hands on- especially if it’s from a favourite movie or character. Problem is, many parents don’t really get the concept of “no means no” and will pester the trader into surrendering the pin- saw this happen in Tomorrowland’s Pin Traders section over last summer, poor young man looked utterly cornered because he did not want to trade his LE 2000 It’s A Small World pin for a Muppets pin, the little boy was throwing a fit while the parents tried to get him to trade, eventually cast members did get involved and I watched the ordeal happen from the bench in the shade. The parents were asked to leave the young man alone and to leave that area of the park and perhaps go ride some rides elsewhere. Thankfully they did but the boy was still screaming and crying. I also say this as someone who has been in the classroom, these kids DO NOT understand the concept of “no means no” and will try their bloody hardest to keep that going until they get their ways- spoiler alert, that never works. They might have that at home but in real life they are not always going to be handed that platter of whatever they so desperately want. This kids pin trading event could be good but it could also be a massive L on Disney’s part…

Fake Pins/Scrappers…

Real pin? Fake pin? Whats the difference?! A pin is a pin, yeah? *insert incorrect buzzer sound* WRONG!!! Big time wrong!

I’m surrounded by idiots…/j

Well let’s do a crash course on pin trading with real and authentic Disney Pins VS Fake Scrapper rubbish pins! I’m using the post by @/touringplans on Instagram as my base here (credits to OP!!)

Now pay close attention to the quality… the pins that are faked can look VERY convincing but there’s some other interesting details to pay attention too…

Scrapper:

Paint dips

Rough, dull and scraped surfaces.

Missing metal divider.

No pin post nubs.

Metal color is very gold.

Official Pin Trader banner indistinct and of poor quality.

Made in China font wonky; not consistent

Waffle edge not clean.

Authentic Pin:

Smooth enamel, no dips or scrapes

Distinct thick metal divider lines.

Two pin post nubs.

Clear font on reverse.

Metal color is lighter.

(Credits to this website here for the information: https://www.disneypinforum.com/threads/spotting-scrappers-warning.76766/ )

This is why trading can be soooooo hard within the US Disney parks because there is NO PROTECTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS against bad actors with scrappers!

The parks in Paris have protections in place to prevent scams and scrappers from entering their parks, the park’s cast members are actually trained to recognize the fakes and terminate trades before they happen if they discover the scrapper pins- now you can’t always blame someone for having a scrapper pin and wanting to trade it, many times these people don’t actually know they have fakes and will trade their pins without knowing and thus putting them in a major pickle later on if they educate themselves.

However, Hong Kong and Shanghai are a lot like the US parks (Aulani and the cruises count for US too) with the issue, so let’s dive into this more…

Here’s what I know about the overseas parks:

Paris is heavily known for being the most cautious overseas park regarding fakes. Cast members actively inspect pins and will politely decline trades for unauthorized pins or scrappers.

A pin must contain a copyright symbol, a Disney character, attraction, or design, and be in good condition.

“Fake and "scrapper" Disney pins are a widespread issue at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disney, mirroring the counterfeit problems found in US parks. The Asian Disney parks have unique policies, trading cultures, and counterfeit trends that you should navigate carefully.” - the_figment_guy

Many fake pins found in US parks feature Hong Kong or Shanghai designs. Conversely, if you are in HKDL or Shanghai and spot US-exclusive pins on a cast member's lanyard or pin board, there is a very high probability they are counterfeit.

HOWEVER… Hong Kong and Shanghai Disney enforce strict authenticity rules. Cast members are instructed to only accept pins that bear the Official Pin Trading logo. This means Tokyo Disney Resort pins, non-Disney pins (like Marvel/Star Wars if not stamped), and fantasy pins are regularly rejected. Some pins MAY slip through the cracks as not every cast member might fully remember/know!

(See this video here for more information)

What about Tokyo Disneyland?

I thought one might ask so let me clear this up here…

Pin trading is practically non-existent as an activity at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Cast members do not wear lanyards or maintain pin boards for trades.

In short, no pin trading in Tokyo’s Disney parks! Sorry, folks!!

The Pin Wars…

No, I’m not talking about pins for Star Wars and you and your mates duking it out with lightsabers saying you have the high ground and that their opponent underestimates their power while over a lava river on a volcanic planet… I’m talking about the actual wars people start over LE (limited edition) pins at the parks and at special events.

There have been reports of people ripping pins out of people’s hands at Pintastic Tuesday drops at Disneyland and Disney World locations and even at Pin Trading events such as Pin City’s expo in Las Vegas back in April. While none have exactly gotten to the point where one may throw hands and bust a lip or break a nose there is a lot of verbal confrontation and the occasional shove or stalking.

As some of you may know, at Pin City they released an LE 300 Kingdom Hearts pin of King Mickey, Donald and Goofy. The pin was highly sought after and people, understandably so, had waited hours to get into the ballroom to wait in line and have even waited in line inside the ballroom to obtain that pin- I was the last guy to obtain that pin that day, the last person to buy it. I have it. Now with such a highly sought after pin from such an incredible event one will face their fair share of challenges…

A woman with her heavily autistic son from Texas approached me demanding I give her that pin because she didn’t have her card due to her son hitting the pin tables for pins, ma’am, you had a Trenta Caramel Frappe from the Starbucks downstairs that you JUST BOUGHT and you are asking the guy who stood in line fot 2-3 hours for that pin to just hand it over? The bloody hell l will, mate! I did offer to have her buy it from me, however an elderly gentleman and his wife said “Sweetheart, you don’t give people like this the kindness, I know you mean well and you are incredibly generous to even present that offer, but you keep that, ma’am, you leave them alone, darling, you go have fun!”

That woman’s son began to have a small meltdown because he wanted it, I worked with SPED kids and I know the challenges but even so, she left the line, he was off buying and trading, she messed it up for not only herself but her son. She tailed me for 10-15 minutes throughout the venue and even caught me talking with an individual from my university who was in town- what sucks is she was wearing a “School of Medicine” shirt with the school’s name and logo on it and threatened to contact my university. I did tip off my university about the encounter and the one lady from my department, kindest woman in that entire department, I’ll call her S for this, had her jaw drop.

She then asked “…..did you at least get good pins and merch?! I know Sam collects too! I do as well! But no need to worry, if that lady calls and starts trouble, I know you are innocent- you got the last in pin! That’s no easy feat! Sheer luck! But if she calls- we got you! The EDU Department will handle it”

S emailed me later on that week to say that whoever that lady was never followed through but she did let the others know in case!

I have had other instances where pin wars have happened near me- I mentioned some above… yikes… all for a bloody pin, get a grip you lot… it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get it, most of you are scalpers anyway who would inflate the price to an ungodly amount to make a quick buck.

Scalpers…

Let me come out and say this now, loud enough for people in the far back row who need to hear this….

PINTASTIC TUESDAYS WITH THE PIN DROPS DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE TO LOSE YOUR BLOODY SENSES AND SCALP ALL THE NEW PINS WITH YOUR LITTLE BUDDIES!!!

Looking at you scalpers for the KH Monthly Keyblade pins!! Mr. and Mrs. take two-three pins per person and scalp them for four times the price! I see you with the $2,000 Kingdom Key pin on eBay! You are not slick you degenerate scumbags who want to fill their pockets basically scamming people!

It’s people like this who ruin pin trading, who turn it into an ESPN sport by making things hard and causing mass chaos with the pin hunts. I get it’s LE 4000 but honestly this needs to stop. Disney needs to step the bloody hell in and do something because this has gotten out of hand. Even at Pin City it was horrible! Someone got a whole book of pins from Disneyland, all standard open edition pins, usually $15-24 USD in the parks- not even the rare ones mind you, priced at $70-80 USD. I asked someone at a table about that anf the older woman snapped a me saying “Well, I don’t care what they are in the parks! I say they are this much because I am an annual pass holder! I know more than you, kid!”

I might look like a kid but I swear… NOPE! Not going to snap! Not today!

SCALPERS RUIN PIN TRADING MAGIC!! DISNEY, PLEASE STOP THESE RUBBISH PEOPLE!!!

Don’t even get me started on the whole Epcot Figment popcorn bucket debacle that happened a while back… that was a nightmare from what I read about. $5k for a Figment popcorn bucket…? Really? Are you that utterly ignorant…? If it ever comes back you will honestly become the laughing stock as you spent that much on a popcorn bucket on bloody eBay… I mean, if you have that much financial freedom then hey, you do you, but if you are one of those people who just spends and spends and goes into Disney Debt then, well, yeesh… maybe you need to rethink your priorities….

Scalpers? Go touch grass, stop being these problematic toss pots and actually get a better livelihood rather than basically scamming people out of their money for a mere pin.

ANYWAY!!!! If you have ever had any weird or problematic pin trader encounters, experiences, or want to share your thoughts (BE CIVIL!!!!) then comment, reblog and share this post!

Be sure to drop a follow! :3

- Windblume