DSF PTD Thoughts

[Bryana]

I'm somewhat new to pin collecting/trading so I do not 100% know how DSF orders their pins. I'm assuming they get rounds of 10 or so pins and then post them on a board to show what the current and upcoming pins are. Is that right? If so, here is an idea. I'm sure that not everyone will like the idea but hey it is an idea.

Instead of releasing one pin at a time until it sells out to bring in the next pin why not have the factory bag the pins in black bags (like vinylmation chasers) and then mix them all up. DSF can show what the pin possibilities are on the board. You get one random pin with a PTD ice cream purchase. You only get the pin when you buy the ice cream and it is limited to one per person per day. The one per person per day will stretch the pins out. They will not necessarily have a mad rush because you don't know what pin you are going to get. Then....and this is the fun part.....don't like th pin you got!?! Trade it!

 

[siberiaya]

Sound like a good idea for me.

 

[Psycho Pixie]

OMG, i love this idea!!!!

Mystery bag the PTD's and put like 6 different ones in the box! They are a Gift with Purchase after all, why not?!?!?

Someone needs to Tell Theresa about this idea!!! It might kill the insanity of the PTD's a little bit.

 

[TinyHat]

This sounds like a great idea!

 

[lovecheshire]

It's a good idea. However, you end up having to go every day and what happens if you keep getting pins you don't want. Ultimately you could end up spending more money this way. For me, I don't need every pin that comes out. On the ones I do want, I tend to purchase one for me and an extra for trading. Occasionally, when I know I need more then one extra for others a family member will come with me.

 

[BellesEnchantedRose]

I was just talking with my mom about this! We LOVE this idea sometimes pin trading gets too serious and I think this will bring back some more fun.

 

[kronos]

I'll jump on the +1000000 bandwagon.
I'm sure the DSF'ers might not like this too much and who would really blame them.

 

[Molly]

A collector LOVES this idea a pin flipper HATES it! You did not see a mad rush for the Pumbaa pins did you? If they are stuck with what they get they will just give up probably and that makes it better for the people that just want the pin for their collection. If they get one they dont need they will trade it for one they do, flippers don't trade usually so I am for this all the way!

On a side note, I was at DTD last week and the completer mystery pins were being sold for 3 bucks with every 30 dollar purchase, well they were in little black bags but the cashier asked me to pick my own from the bag and said that people like to feel them to see what shape they are so they can get the ones they want! That of course would be an issue if in fact employees of the DSF are flipping them on ebay because they would just feel the bags and take the more profitable/desirable ones. If they could package them in a generic type of small box then this would be the best answer ever!!

The real problem though is the actual releases, which by my calculations should they do an online lottery that is open to everyone in the US, the cost to hire office staff to pack, print and ship, the cost would be less than hiring the security guards that they have to have on hand for the multi night sleep outs in the alley. Someone needs to get these people a bottom line because clearly they are using some terrible advisers if they think that losing money, putting people in danger and of course juicing the secondary market is a better option that doing something safe, cheaper and fair for ALL collectors and not just the ones in the area.

Side side note...it has be said over and over on these boards that the employees/manager are actually selling pins or getting their mules hooked up so maybe that is another thing that Disney needs to take a look at? I am not personally in the know whether this is true or not because I do not live around there but if it is this of course is a huge problem.

 

[Psycho Pixie]

It's a good idea. However, you end up having to go every day and what happens if you keep getting pins you don't want. Ultimately you could end up spending more money this way. For me, I don't need every pin that comes out. On the ones I do want, I tend to purchase one for me and an extra for trading. Occasionally, when I know I need more then one extra for others a family member will come with me.

It just means you get to trade for the one you do want. the mystery bag, much like the mystery boxes, and r/c boxes would encourage trading rather than reselling.

I TOTALLY understand where your coming from though, for me, DSF is a drive and if your going there, you want to get the pins you like, not some random one right? But i dont generally collect PTD's so for me the pin is a trader most of the time anyway.

 

[broncobilly83]

That is a pretty cool idea!

 

[PinHunters]

Although this idea is great, we only ever buy PTDs for characters we are going to keep. So not having the guarantee that we are getting OUR character kind of deters us and maybe others. (This especially doesn't help if people say, 'well, trade for your character,' if your character is much more wanted by everyone than whatever other character you happen to get stuck with).

The ONLY time that we have traveled to DSF (outside of a release) is for Belle PTD that was going straight to our collection. We would have loved to go to the Kevin one too to trade for a keeper but with traffic we knew our priorities were with going to work.

 

[markheardjr]

As a PTD collector, a mystery bag idea is ok provided it is less than 10. I think 5 is fine. LE500's too. So that is 2500 random pins and you get 1 per day. I don't know how long it will take 10 pins of LE300 or LE500 to be sold but I don't want to have to make that many trips. I think 1 per day with 5 pins, if I take my wife, which I usually drag her with promises of ice cream, I can get my 5 after probably 3 or 4 trips, or trade for the 1 I need. With 10 pins, I'd feel compelled to have to keep going until I had 7 or 8 of them and a few duplicates to trade for the few I need. I don't like that idea. Also, if you preview something too good, locals will just keep going each afternoon and buying them up trying to get the good one. And then you put unfair requirements on the CM's who want to be nice and friendly but have to tell people "NO" when they ask for this shaped one, or the heavier one, or for a new one. I don't trust everyone and their friends to honor that.
Also, I dont' think you preview them. If you preview Flynn for example, it will cause a mad rush. Just let it happen. I like to know what's coming usually, but as I want ALL PTD's I'll get it regardless of who it is. Previewing just creates hype, fear, paranoia, etc. But I am open to the idea of mystery bags if you can harshly enforce the CM's to honestly give a random pin regardless of who is asking. That would be fun.

 

[ILuvAriel922]

I definitely like this idea for the PTDs it will help to cut the middle man. For the BTs though they need to figure out something for our of state collectors. At least allow us to make 1 order per household. Even in my home there are 2 pin collectors, but we'd be willing to sacrifice and deal with 1 for the greater good. If only everyone felt that way though :/

 

[dawny]

Again so many fair easy safe solutions to a small problem, the point is does DSF think they have a problem? I am sure they had NO PROBLEM selling 300 pTD last night--do the math. Thats the point, they are there to make money. They dont give a rats behind (got in trouble for swearing the other day) if you have to drive, or if you cry, or if its your favorite must have character, to them it is a gift that you get for coming for ice cream. They are not a pin store. They are a restaurant that pairs up with a movie theater. Now as far as the releases and the camping and stuff THAT i am surprised they dont do something about. You would think they would be afraid of a law suit.

 

[Psycho Pixie]

refined idea based off some of the replies up there....

bump to le400? Do 6 different mystery pins at a time. have them all on the black display board so people see what they might get. 1 per person, per day. ((but if theres 4 folks at one table they can order 4....)) Dont refill the box until the last one sells.

for the regular releases it would be a whole different ball of wax, and we are just trying to figure out the PTD's right now right? I have some ideas for the regular releases....

 

[markheardjr]

refined idea based off some of the replies up there....

bump to le400? Do 6 different mystery pins at a time. have them all on the black display board so people see what they might get. 1 per person, per day. ((but if theres 4 folks at one table they can order 4....)) Dont refill the box until the last one sells.

for the regular releases it would be a whole different ball of wax, and we are just trying to figure out the PTD's right now right? I have some ideas for the regular releases....

If you do mystery pouches then I think 2 per person is required. All you're helping are families and resellers than can take less trips to buy more even more than now. At least now I can get 2, while a family can get 8. They usually don't get 8 of a random PTD, they maybe get 3 or 4. If you do mystery bags and limit it to 1. I can only get 1 while they can get 4. I would have to make 4 times as many trips. Locals would just go each day at lunch. I think 2 per person per day if you do mystery bags. Maybe you can get lucky and get 2 different ones. If you get the same you can trade with someone there probably.

Mystery pouches will create a littel buzz too. "Oh what did you get?" "Oh, it's cute." "Oh, I'll try and see what I get." That sparks and interest and people will buy them. If it's Merbabies and Le500, people will just pass and it will sit forever. But do Merbabies and Wall-E and you will move them equally as fast because people will take a chance on Wall-E.

 

[C.Fr3dricks3n]

Ok. So let's say 10 pins are previewed? Say I want Dug with a water bowl filled with ice cream. Vinylmations eventually run out (limited release?)? I am assuming that the PTD will still be LE 300 and $15.95? At what point are new pins added in the mix? How do I know all the Dugs are gone or are still in the mix?

It's like the candy/toy machines at the grocery store. The picture says its in there but how many quarters do I put in the machine to find out all Dugs are gone?

The concept is good but being an older trader, I would just wait until my pin is up for trade or sale. I'm not buying multiple PTD's to maybe get the one(s) I want. Personally, I don't want Stitch pin #14 (sorry stitch fans) but you get the point.

The system works. It's just 2 pins that made it hectic. Rapunzel and mad buying rush to reveal Kevin. Unless Dug is released, I do not see the same crowd there again? The pins went a lot quicker on the weekends due to non pin people wanting ice creams after the movies.

I see nothing wrong with going in for an ice cream that I know what the pin is. I'm not driving to get a pin that won't trade or I did not want. It cost me too much in time and gas to get a little black bag that's made in China.

 

[drb195]

I definitely like this idea for the PTDs it will help to cut the middle man. For the BTs though they need to figure out something for our of state collectors. At least allow us to make 1 order per household. Even in my home there are 2 pin collectors, but we'd be willing to sacrifice and deal with 1 for the greater good. If only everyone felt that way though :/

Not to sound crass because I am in CA and do make alot of the releases, But DSF is a part of disney, they do not care about the demographics of who spends money, they only care about the money. pin release days are their best days of the year. 150 people lined up to drop $200 in one transaction. That is what they care about. They do not care that I live an hour away, they do not care that people live 3hrs away in San Diego, they do not care that people live in Europe. If I do not show up, they might miss my wit and my charm, but they won't miss my money because someone else will be there to pick up the slack.
Here is a true example of how much disney cares: The November D23 day at WDI, we camped out with about 100 or so other traders. there are no bathrooms available to use for us in the middle of the night(at least DSF provides these!!) I said something to the manager about providing porta johns, her response " No, we do not want you here lining up overnight anyways, it's not our problem!)
The same is true about customer logistics. they do not care where any of us live, just that they make their bottom line look good.

Again do not take it personal. i have no beef personally with what you are saying.

 

[starry_solo]

Disney and lawsuits =

Any company would think about lawsuits. I'm sure Disney does, but not as much as people here seem to think.

If the alley next to DSF doesn't belong to DSF, then Disney has no responsibility for it. Same as the sidewalk, so what if someone falls on it in front of DSF (pretty sure that belongs to the city) and you can be sure that Disney doesn't give in quickly to lawsuits, otherwise it would be an invitation to get sued more.

 

[dawny]

DRB195...you said it all...and it wont change but i like the cool ideas,,,hey i guess ya never know !

 

[drb195]

DRB195...you said it all...and it wont change but i like the cool ideas,,,hey i guess ya never know !

I love the idea of mystery pins, in fact, I have proposed this idea here and to dsf management many times, so far to no avail. The only thing to do is make the best of the situation. I missed out on getting kevin because I could not get off work until 5. OH well. Someday I will acquire that ornry bird!! I have not yet failed to get the pins that I desire for my collection and until I die, I will never give up either. That is the biggest part of the fun is the thrill of the hunt. I love the hunt, I live for the hunt. When I finally hunt down a pin, I move on to the next elusive little bugger!! That's the beauty of this hobby, nothing is beyond my reach in my eyes. it just varies how long or how deep that reach has to be.

 

[Romancing_Train]

Ok. So let's say 10 pins are previewed? Say I want Dug with a water bowl filled with ice cream. Vinylmations eventually run out (limited release?)? I am assuming that the PTD will still be LE 300 and $15.95? At what point are new pins added in the mix? How do I know all the Dugs are gone or are still in the mix?

It's like the candy/toy machines at the grocery store. The picture says its in there but how many quarters do I put in the machine to find out all Dugs are gone?

The concept is good but being an older trader, I would just wait until my pin is up for trade or sale. I'm not buying multiple PTD's to maybe get the one(s) I want. Personally, I don't want Stitch pin #14 (sorry stitch fans) but you get the point.

The system works. It's just 2 pins that made it hectic. Rapunzel and mad buying rush to reveal Kevin. Unless Dug is released, I do not see the same crowd there again? The pins went a lot quicker on the weekends due to non pin people wanting ice creams after the movies.

I see nothing wrong with going in for an ice cream that I know what the pin is. I'm not driving to get a pin that won't trade or I did not want. It cost me too much in time and gas to get a little black bag that's made in China.

It's not hard to ask the supplier to provide a single box at a time premixed. Only a clear bag of previewed pins would be on the top for the store to see. Maybe they order two boxes and that way there's no run out.

You don't mix the boxes, or add a bag, they're pre mixed and it stays separate.


Also if people think these won't sell, they could do a filler LE 500 and then a Special edition LE 100 in each box. The LE 100 could follow the 'theme's they've been having.

Filler of 500 could be somthing NICE like a Jessica or Stitch, Rapunzel or somthing that would sell EITHER WAY.
4 LE 300's, Possibly 1-2 Fab Five and/or 3-4 Major movies
LE 100 companion pin to one of the 4 300's. OR Maybe just something special to build hype and it's NEVER announced until someone gets one. Like a glitter dress Princess, so the pin would even LOOK nicer.

 

[markheardjr]

The pins went a lot quicker on the weekends due to non pin people wanting ice creams after the movies.

Completely disagree with this statement. The movie people are not buying PTD's, the pin traders are. And the same people practically lived at DSF for the last 5 days waiting for the next pin, forcing the issue just to reveal the next one. Then there was a constant wave of people and each time it was close to switching 50 more people would come out of nowhere and line up for the next pin. Greedy pin traders made the releases go that fast. I wish DSF would have stuck to their word of "summer" and told everyone there were no more for sale. Withold Kevin, release it on a day when you have an unpopular release that all the sharks will skip and only the veterans would come. Like the retro signs, or Alice cupcakes, or movie reels. Reward those that are loyal regardless of what's coming and show up anyways.

These people are unable to contain their greed. I was there at the release when it switched from Peg to Esemerelda. Everyone was waiting in line to get the next one even before it was announced and most had already bought 2 pegs and were maxed. They were just occupying the space until the next was announced so they could buy whatever it was. DSF had to kick everyone out of the store except maybe 10 people. I still needed Peg so I went and bought the 1 I needed. People were mad that I didn't buy 2 to help it along. I only needed 1 people. Let someone else behind me buy extras. I then had to go wait in another 50 person line outside to get Esmerelda. MANY people simply left when there was no Kevin.
The same thing I have witnessed for months now when unpopular DSF releases show no surprise pin. People came and got a wristband and then left without buying anything when there was no surprise pin. Or when there is a surprise pin, they just get extras of that so they can flip it. Or call local friends to come buy more. Also, these people buy the most profitable pin only and leave the rest for people that feel lucky just to get anything these days. Quick, everyone buy just the Lady & Tramp engine car, because when it sells out we can charge a ton for it when all people can buy are the other cars. Or let's buy every Rapunzel, Merida carousel pin and leave the crap ones for others. That is just blatant greed and poor morals. And to DSF, all you did is take a spot from someone that actually wanted the pins just to see if there was a surprise pin you could flip. (not "you" as in Master, "you" as in these pin flippers, fyi, just to be clear.) I just don't get it. Who raised these people? Some with their kids there teaching them to act like that. I just shake my head. Do us all a favor, just stay home.

I garauntee you the 3 bears egg pin will be sold out by number 155 but everything else will last to like 170. Just because people are going just to buy the 3 bears to sell it. That is why I think DSF should up edition sizes for popular pins. And come on, DSF knows which ones will be popular. So do the 3 Bears Le500, and the rest LE300. The bears will still be worth more than the others. I just gives a chance to more people that actually want them to get them. I am not worried this weekend. All I want is Pooh. But now that I can't get a PTD, I might just trade for Pooh rather than spend gas, parking, and time to get the 1 pin I want and have to deal with all of it.

 

[Romancing_Train]

Completely disagree with this statement. The movie people are not buying PTD's, the pin traders are. And the same people practically lived at DSF for the last 5 days waiting for the next pin, forcing the issue just to reveal the next one. Then there was a constant wave of people and each time it was close to switching 50 more people would come out of nowhere and line up for the next pin. Greedy pin traders made the releases go that fast. I wish DSF would have stuck to their word of "summer" and told everyone there were no more for sale. Withold Kevin, release it on a day when you have an unpopular release that all the sharks will skip and only the veterans would come. Like the retro signs, or Alice cupcakes, or movie reels. Reward those that are loyal regardless of what's coming and show up anyways.

These people are unable to contain their greed. I was there at the release when it switched from Peg to Esemerelda. Everyone was waiting in line to get the next one even before it was announced and most had already bought 2 pegs and were maxed. They were just occupying the space until the next was announced so they could buy whatever it was. DSF had to kick everyone out of the store except maybe 10 people. I still needed Peg so I went and bought the 1 I needed. People were mad that I didn't buy 2 to help it along. I only needed 1 people. Let someone else behind me buy extras. I then had to go wait in another 50 person line outside to get Esmerelda. MANY people simply left when there was no Kevin.
The same thing I have witnessed for months now when unpopular DSF releases show no surprise pin. People came and got a wristband and then left without buying anything when there was no surprise pin. Or when there is a surprise pin, they just get extras of that so they can flip it. Or call local friends to come buy more. Also, these people buy the most profitable pin only and leave the rest for people that feel lucky just to get anything these days. Quick, everyone buy just the Lady & Tramp engine car, because when it sells out we can charge a ton for it when all people can buy are the other cars. Or let's buy every Rapunzel, Merida carousel pin and leave the crap ones for others. That is just blatant greed and poor morals. And to DSF, all you did is take a spot from someone that actually wanted the pins just to see if there was a surprise pin you could flip. (not "you" as in Master, "you" as in these pin flippers, fyi, just to be clear.) I just don't get it. Who raised these people? Some with their kids there teaching them to act like that. I just shake my head. Do us all a favor, just stay home.

I garauntee you the 3 bears egg pin will be sold out by number 155 but everything else will last to like 170. Just because people are going just to buy the 3 bears to sell it. That is why I think DSF should up edition sizes for popular pins. And come on, DSF knows which ones will be popular. So do the 3 Bears Le500, and the rest LE300. The bears will still be worth more than the others. I just gives a chance to more people that actually want them to get them. I am not worried this weekend. All I want is Pooh. But now that I can't get a PTD, I might just trade for Pooh rather than spend gas, parking, and time to get the 1 pin I want and have to deal with all of it.

ALL MY EMOTIONS SAID BETTER THEN I EVER COULD.

 

[iheartpins]

I think it's sad were seeing less and less people selling the pins at cost or close to it. Something for your time, gas, pin for yourself ect... is one thing. It's getting harder and harder for the average Joe to get these pins. I own no beloved tales. I am getting my first one this time because I got lucky to get my pm in first. I will cherish because it something I collect.