Got my first batch of pins yesterday (and one 9 pc. pin/lanyard set). I spread them all out on the floor and had a great time. I felt like I was ten years old sorting through my stash of baseball cards or some such. This lot was 100 pins and I am shocked at how good they are. The majority are HM, LE, CL or otherwise not too common. Seller also included at least one whole set (alphabet).
I'll take some pictures when I get a chance.
Got my first batch of pins yesterday (and one 9 pc. pin/lanyard set). I spread them all out on the floor and had a great time. I felt like I was ten years old sorting through my stash of baseball cards or some such. This lot was 100 pins and I am shocked at how good they are. The majority are HM, LE, CL or otherwise not too common. Seller also included at least one whole set (alphabet).
I'll take some pictures when I get a chance.
That's great! I'm always worried about buying stuff on EBay because I figure I'll get less than I expect. You seem to be an expert though.
That's AWESOME!! I can't wait to see pictures. I bet that was so much fun!! A whole alphabet set? What's that about?
May 2008 CSR 
LifeIsForLiving wrote:Got my first batch of pins yesterday (and one 9 pc. pin/lanyard set). I spread them all out on the floor and had a great time. I felt like I was ten years old sorting through my stash of baseball cards or some such. This lot was 100 pins and I am shocked at how good they are. The majority are HM, LE, CL or otherwise not too common. Seller also included at least one whole set (alphabet).
I'll take some pictures when I get a chance.
That's great! I'm always worried about buying stuff on EBay because I figure I'll get less than I expect. You seem to be an expert though.
I used to feel the same way. Honestly though, it just boils down to risk mitigation. Do your research and steer clear of unknown commodities, and you'll be okay. First thing I did was determine how much a given bunch of traders could be had for. I checked ebay and other sources. Turns out, you can get pins for around $1 each. From there, the question is from whom am I going to purchase said pins. What I look for is not only their track record, but their record specifically as it pertains to what I'm buying. That is if someone's got great feedback and lots of happy customers, but those customers were buying mufflers; that's not a very good indication of what kind of Disney pin seller they are. So, I bought from sellers that primarily sell Disney pins and do not sell scrappers, or pins that are not tradeable (Euro, Propins, etc.). I also paid a little extra to get more HM and LE pins and no duplicates (by choosing this particular seller). Another important thing to remember is that an ebay transaction is a legally binding contract. When you add in the use of an escrow service (Paypal), you are covered several times over. If what you buy is anything other than what is represented, you can get your money back without too much trouble. I have had to do so several times.
Far as the alphabet set; the seller took the time to hand select good stuff. Got all or most of several sets.
When you buy bulk pins like this, be aware that you might be buying what in pin circle are called "scrappers".
Scrappers are often unauthorized extras that are produced at the factory (typically in China). Many of these scrappers are identical to the original pin, but others have defects that keen collectors will know. There are a few tell-tale signs: smell of kerosene, some time "Mickey" is misspelled as "Miokey" on the back stamp, often the colors are not right, etc.. etc. Dispins used to list known scrappers.
Many pin collectors and traders also buy these bulk pins, but they use them at pin events for pin games. Most of them NEVER use these pins to trade with other pin traders, at least, the ethical ones won't, simply for the risk that these could be scrappers. A pin trader that has been "caught" with trading scrappers will lose his or her reputation very quickly (till this day, I would not trade with certain people that I know who are notorious for trading scrappers).
So be aware of what you bought and what you might possibly have. If you buy them simply to enjoy the pins, then enjoy them for what they are. Just make sure that if you do decide to get into pin trading, you may need to do a bit of homework and figure out if there are any telling difference between your pin and the actual pin.
Zz.
No longer an active member.
I didn't know anything about scrappers! Sounds like you guys (Zapperz and LifeIsForLiving) both know all about them and are very careful. I'm impressed -- and thankful for the information!
May 2008 CSR
Indeed I am, as noted above, aware of scrappers and the inherent risk in buying pins in bulk. I did as much as one possibly could to safeguard against this. Several thousand people before me bought pins with no mention of scrappers. The seller is a pin trader that gets said pins trading at WDW, daily. I would expect if he/she were peddling scrappers their reputation would quickly circle the drain. Sure it's possible that there are a couple, that were traded for, but I'm not real concerned. I'll do what I can to spot any, but beyond that, I'm not losing any sleep.
Indeed I am, as noted above, aware of scrappers and the inherent risk in buying pins in bulk. I did as much as one possibly could to safeguard against this. Several thousand people before me bought pins with no mention of scrappers. The seller is a pin trader that gets said pins trading at WDW, daily. I would expect if he/she were peddling scrappers their reputation would quickly circle the drain. Sure it's possible that there are a couple, that were traded for, but I'm not real concerned. I'll do what I can to spot any, but beyond that, I'm not losing any sleep.
Daily pin trading! Now that's a job I could go for
Thanks for all the great information about buying in ebay, LIFL.
Got my first batch of pins yesterday (and one 9 pc. pin/lanyard set). I spread them all out on the floor and had a great time. I felt like I was ten years old sorting through my stash of baseball cards or some such. This lot was 100 pins and I am shocked at how good they are. The majority are HM, LE, CL or otherwise not too common. Seller also included at least one whole set (alphabet).
I'll take some pictures when I get a chance.
Great news! How'd you hide them from DW??
[url=http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/'http://www.mickeypath.com/']
[/url]
2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian
Oh, I've got lots of good hiding places 
Pretty easy with the pins, since they don't take up much room.
You should do a "pin hunt" the day before you leave! Then she can choose some for her lanyard!
May 2008 CSR
I'm going for full sensory overload. I'm mailing all of the pins and the costumes to the resort.
Some favorites, LE's, and partial sets. Sorry for the poor quality pictures, but I was in a rush to get these taken before DW got home from work today. Shameful quality is due to a pillow being the only thing I had handy to display the pins on and the fact that I was relegated to using my BB to take the pictures as the other camera that was handy (DW's) turned out to be quite a pain for shooting small detailed subjects. So...this'll have to due for now. I'm sure you get the idea.
Woo Hoo! Pin Pics!
Those chip and dale Aloha ones are great! And it looks like you might have some cast member pins in there. Cool!
May 2008 CSR
Can anyone tell me about the left-most pin on the top? I can't find any information on it. Is that Morty or Ferdie he's lifting?
Can anyone tell me about the left-most pin on the top? I can't find any information on it. Is that Morty or Ferdie he's lifting?
That's a Zapperz or MillieHubbard question!
Did a quick web search and found this: http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/group.cgi?group=139
If you do a cntrl:F search for Pin 27228, you get a similar pin (with the little guy described as Morty playing Tiny Tim in Christmas Carol)
You're the wo-man Admin! I didn't even consider that. Did a search including "Christmas Carol" and found it right away. Thank you.
http://www.disneystore.com/pin-sets-6-pc-a-christmas-carol-mickey-mouse-pin-set/p/1239580/14639/
Those look like some GREAT pins, LIFL. You guys are going to be collectors for sure. Just looking at them makes me so excited for your DW. It's like she'll have a giant treasure chest to explore!
That's my goal. She is my princess afterall 
Way cool!
Speaking of LIFL whatever happened to him and his promised trip report?!?
Bella
