Also, don't be afraid to ask someone what dollar value they think their pin is worth. If it last sold for $35, but is listed (and not selling) at $50 and they say anything from $45-$65+ I'd just walk away. People who overvalue their pins are just wasting your time. Kind of like the people on Facebook that list pins for higher than they've ever sold on eBay, and knowing they don't have to pay 10% eBay fees. I mean, come on. But if someone says their pin is worth $35 and it last sold for $35, you can pretty much trust they are being honest. If they add 10% on top of the last ebay fee they are trying to get the upper hand. If they say 10% less than the last eBay price or even lower, then you have found someone decent. A lot of people won't know either. It's a pretty big mix of veterans, newbies, and in between.
I have also found, that people with full on peacock lanyards but have almost nothing in their trade books are just trying to trade up to add another peacock show-off pin. If they hardly give you the time of day, just keep walking. They think only BT's, Gomes, & other grails exist and are worth their time. People with peacock lanyards and STILL have tons of pins in their books, probably have been around a while and know what they are doing. Peacock & no traders to me means they just want to belong to something so they buy/trade up to show off and think that earns respect in the community. With some it may, with others they are just a flash in the pan or a target to sell to in shady Hollywood back alley deals. lol If they have $1500 worth of Ariel on their lanyard and about 2-3 pages of DSF/DLR/WDI mediocre crap, just walk on. They probably want to try to trade a bunch of pins up to some Ariel pin they've been wanting and unless you have some Ariel pin that isn't on their lanyard, you're probably better off moving along. Now, chances are they have a side collection, you never know. But eh, just move on, unless they have someting you REALLY want in their book. Then just ask them to look at yours and see if anything interests them. (See if I'm right.)
These are just opinions too so take it for what you will, but I also find at DLR PTN's this usual set up. People are creatures of habit For fun let's say to room is 18 sections with a table in each, 6 tables wide by 3 rows deep, There are doors by S2 & S5. The preview boards are by S15-S16 ok. Get your bearings. I find it kind of goes like this...
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6
S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12
S13 S14 S15 S16 S17 S18
S1 will be a hidden mickey trader & Vinyls, S2-S3 will be ok folks kind of a mix, S4 will be a bit harder trader but trades can be had and older pins found, S5-S6 will be mid-level traders that are ok traders, some Vinyls.
S7 will be vinyls & people who overvalue their pins, S8-S9 will have some sharks, S10 will be people showing off but not doing much trading, squatters, S11-S12 will be a lot of action, mix of people not many grail-level pins though.
S13 will be people who know each other well and only trade with themselves, tough crowd, S14- older traders that value hard but can be ok traders, some Grail hunters/peacocks, S15-S16 are peackocks & grail hunters, people looking for VHTF pins only, S17-S18 will be mix people with newer folks near S18. Usually DPF people are all over, but the usual crowd seem to be around S14-S17. Also any one section may flow directly over 1 space.
Does that make sense? Probably not, It has zero factual evidence to back it up. I'm sure a shark could be in S6 just like S17 or S1 who knows. I have no idea why I think that, but I can picture the faces of people, their pins, and the trades I've made throughout the various PTN's I've gone to and it just seems that way. Anyone will trade with anyone if the trade is right. So don't be afraid to ask. Also, I find you can get really good trades after PTN in the hallway as people who just want to trade anything will trade. They also stick around, and as always, if you build rapport trades flow easier. The people who settle in the bar area of the hotel are usually experienced DPF'ers with lots of pins. Last time we had a French couple join us and we did lots of great trading well into the night.
It does get warm. Bring a small water bottle if you can. Also, it's super crowded. I carry a large backpack and it's a pain because there is ALWAYS someone behind you. If you don't want a table, just come leisurely after 5pm. If you want a table, the line will start to form before 4:15pm probably.
Anna PTN pin will be the "it" pin, also the WDI princess hall pins. PTD's are still hot and as always Rapunzel, Ariel, BT's, Gomes, etc. So I'm sure you'll see a few books with "the goods" layed out on top enticing people over. PTN's are a great place to see rare pins and to assess if you really want the pin or not. I've seen a few LE100 Tink's I don't want that bad after seeing in person.
One warning... NEVER take your eyes off your book if you pins are just pushed into cork. I garauntee you there will be pins stolen at the PTN. It happens EVERY time. Especially watch for guys 15-30yrs old with long sleeves on. Yes I am stereotyping, but they are the ones that seem to sneak a pin up their sleeve when someone's not paying attention. Just a friendly warning to all. They are not all crooks, but just be vigilent with long sleeves and twitchy attitudes.
Lastly, just have fun! Take pics, note the pins coming out that you want and their release dates! See you there!
