Awkward situation at the trading tables regarding fake pins

[Girugamesh]

Two weeks ago at the trading tables at Disneyland, I saw a record number of 4 fakes of Frozen marquee #3 ( the one with coronation Anna and Elsa).
Most of them were in people's trader books and they all seemed new, except one veteran trader. Another was on someone's lanyard next to other Frozen collection pieces!

What do you do in a situation like this? Do you tell a stranger that their pin is fake?

The idea of breaking that news to a new trader, who maybe gave up a lot for what they thought was a good marquee, is sad, but they should be educated to avoid this from happening again, right? Even more heartbreaking was the dude with the fake marquee who had it on display as a collection piece

Some might take this information the wrong way because no one likes the messenger of bad news, especially from someone they don't know. What do you think?

 

[AshleyV]

If I were in their position, I'd definitely want to know (and can recall several instances where long-time traders gave me similar advice when I was first starting out). It may be awkward for you to tell them, but at least you're coming from a place of concern, which would hopefully spare them embarrassment if they tried to trade it later on... or the anger of another trader once they realized the marquee they just traded for was fake.

 

[Luki]

I guess the question is how to say it, but I suppose as with most things, it really depends on the situation.

 

[pinbum]

Some of the traders at DLR know they are trading fake pins.They could become very angry that you are calling them out.I would say stay away from those traders you know have fakes.

 

[reimanthapins]

I, too see these fake pins floating around the tables at DLR. Sadly I don't have the courage to tell someone the pin is fake unless they ask me or try to push a trade to me. Other than that, I just avoid it and carry on. Wouldn't want to be stuck in the middle. For instance, lets say you tell the Dude his pin is fake, and the person who traded it to him is still there. So the dude approaches that trader and explains, that trader now has a vendetta for you and the dude. I feel its best to carry on unless asked or pushed upon. Let someone else break the fake news. ORRRR make a social media post about it. "Just be advised they have made fakes of these and this is what they look like" That way youre not targeting them directly but giving the community a heads up in hopes that trader with the fake gets the message in a less direct way.

 

[meggiebeth]

This seems to be a big "problem pin" at the moment. I'm not usually that good at telling fakes but as I own the marquee in question fakes are as clear as day to me. I did see someone trading one online and let him know kindly that it was a fake- he was perfectly cordial but said he had had it authenticated. It was silver though :sad: Similarly I was in trade conversations with someone and one of their traders was the fake marquee- I felt bad telling her but figured I'd want to know and she had no idea and had traded for it at Disneyland. I would be more afraid to tell people in person though as I think it's a lot more confrontational.