How does it work?

I have never traded pins before, and I'm not really a pin collector, but I'm curious about how it all works. I have a AAA travel package pin with Chip driving a purple car. I actually have three of them, and thought that I would bring them to WDW when I go in June. I am going with two of my best friends, and was thinking I would give one to each of them and use them to trade for a pin that we like. I know that you can only trade pins that are on lanyards, but do you have to wear them to trade? Like if I put it on my purse, would that be ok? Obviously I don't want to ask to trade for a pin that might be out of my range. According to pinpics.com (pin number 4345) this particular retired pin's ratio for trading to waiting is 62:57. What would be appropriate to trade for?

Besides this the only official pin that I have is the 2004 Music Magic Day pin (28429) that I received when I performed in WDW when I was in high school with my show choir. I do not wish to trade this pin for sentimental reasons. But am thinking about getting into trading and collecting a little bit here and there.

I don't know about what they have to be on to trade them or trading ratios, but I have traded at the parks before.
Every time, so far, that we have traded with a CM they have traded straight-up. last I heard they have to keep a minimum of 12 (I think, maybe 13?) pins on their lanyard at all times.
One of the best ways to start pin trading is to go on E-Bay or someplace and acquire some really cheap pins and then start trading up with the CM's to start a decent collection. :yes:
Hope that helps a bit.
I'm sure others will be along with a lot more info about pin trading for you, too.
Have fun! :D

Buy junk pins at a Disney Store if one is near where you live. Trade the junkers for good ones from castmembers.

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Originally Posted by elvistelth

Buy junk pins at a Disney Store if one is near where you live. Trade the junkers for good ones from castmembers.

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The last time we had pins at the Disney Store that I'm a part-time Cm at, was when UP came out on DVD/Blu-Ray. You had to buy the WHOLE package to get 4 pins. So if you were planning on doing that anyway, then that is one possible route.
I just got off the phone with our lead manager, and she said that when the Toy Story double feature comes out on Mar. 23 you will be able to get 4 pins with that package too.
Any that are left over after a certain time are not put out to be sold. They are taken out of stock and sent out to be destroyed as per company policy. Some stores may be different, but Disney is pretty darn consistent when it comes to those policies.
I think you can get 'em (other "less desireable" pins, that is - I happen to desire them all :wink:) for about a buck a piece on E-bay.
Hope that helped a bit more! :D

Whne my kids traded, I remember CMs with two different colored lanyards. The little ones could trade any pin they wanted with the CMs, but older kids and adults were limited to only one of the olored lanyards and the CMs would make appropriate trades with them. In other words, adults could not trade a starter pin for a collector's edition pin, but children could. This "policy" was to keep adults from trading upfor collector's items while not inhibiting the little ones form the fun of the trade.

Thanks. It sounds like the best way to trade the pin that I have is with a CM. You know, I never noticed the pins before on cast memebers last time I was at the parks, but I will look for them the next time now that I'm interested.

Here are some pin trading tips:
*You can trade up to 2 pins at a time with 1 CM
*The pin has to be an official Disney pin (with the Disney logo on the back)
*If the CM has a green lanyard, they can only trade with kids 12 and under
*If the CM has the pin already, they aren't supposed to trade (they technically are supposed to have 9 or 12 different pins on their lanyard)
*Please make sure to not grab the CM's lanyard (I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me). If you want to get a better look at a pin, just ask the CM

Have fun! I love pin trading with guests. I enjoy the interaction.

I fully agree with all said above. Cast members are the way to go for most beginners and even some vets like me. They'll always help you get a fair trade. Plenty of them have great fun trading. Some will do a "mystery pin" set on the other side of their lanyard and it's always a blast seeing what you get. I highly recommend either E-Baying a large amount of "fodder" before arriving or buying several packs such as the Muppets or Pirates pack in the park. 6 or 7 pins for fairly cheap (Maybe 15-20 dollars?) that you will not get too attached to.