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How do you go about approaching traders at the parks?

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How do you go about approaching traders at the parks?

Zagales14

Duke Alex, Master Zapper
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So I've pondered about this for some time now... How do you go about approaching a non-cast member trader at the parks or downtown disney?? How often do you get a trade to go through? Does wearing a lanyard with pins serve as indication that you are available to trade with others? Do you have any tips for trading with others?
 
I usually go up to the people by the Little Green Men tables in Disneyland and simply ask, "May I look at your pins?" Pretty simple. Though I've never asked someone walking around the park with a lanyard on. Though I have been asked by people if the pins on my lanyard are for trade. A simple, "Excuse me, are your pins for trade?" should work as an ice breaker. Good luck!
 
If I'm at the LGM tables, I just put on a friendly smile, say hello, and ask "May I see your pins?" Or if they ask first, "Can I see your book?" or some other pin related question that eludes to look at pins... I say "Sure of course!" Wearing lanyards helps that either highlight what u collect or one that can be traded off of is also a great nice breaker. I wear my Little Mermaid lanyard and sometime my Nightmare lanyard when I go, and people always compliment my pins, and various convos happen on where did I get the pin, what do I collect, how hard is trading, etc etc.

In terms of when walking around the parks, thaaaat's a little trickier... I only talk to others that way if we catch one another staring at our lanyards and/or if someone approaches me about my lanyard as I walk around :lol: It's harder bc I notice some people just buy the pins as souveneirs but don't actually trade them. In that scenario if u have collection lanyard on, ice breakers are much easier because they sometimes marvel over ur pins (and then u can maybe slide the fact that u have a trade book w/ u Cx). I can't tell u how many ppl/CMs have approached me when they see the Ariel Grotto Reflections pins on my lanyard (Thannnnnnnnnnk u Docfish!!! ^_^) and ask either, "Is that for trade?" or "where can I buy that in the park?!" (<---- I feel really bummed when I have to tell them u can't buy that pin in the park anymore lol)
 
In Epcot, I go up to the tables, smile, say hello, and ask "May I please look through your pins?". I also always ask if I may turn the pages, because I've traded with some people that would prefer themselves to turn the pages in their book. I try not to trade for something in their books if I know I have nothing good enough to trade for it, so, that kind of prevents a lot of trades. I'd say I trade about 25% of the time I go up to a table. I wish there were more traders in Epcot.
If people come up to me with pins on their lanyard, I only ask them if they are for trade if they are interested in one of my pins.
I have yet to wear any of my collection pins on my lanyard because I do not believe my collection is developed enough.
 
I'll approach pretty much any pin trader anywhere and either ask if I may see their pins or ask what they are looking for. Easy peasy. Sometimes people are surprised. Sometimes people are not interested, or say they are not. Sometimes it leads to some great trading.

One day near the ice cream shop in MK I saw a fella (no lanyard) check a cast member for pins. Afterwards I invited him to trade. He kinda laughed and said that I probably would not have anything he was looking for. Undeterred I asked what he collected. He said "motorcycles". I told him I had a cute Minnie Mouse on a motorcycle and I proceeded to open my book. He assured me he already had it....until he saw it. I think his reaction was the most excited I've ever seen another grown man get over a pin. He pulled out a bag of newly purchased Star Wars weekend pins and enthusiastically traded for my motorcycle pin.

Cant tell you how many times I've had that kind of thing happen. I almost always carry a pin book with me no matter which park I am in.
 
Thanks for all the responses!! I feel like if there is a table where a trader has their books open, it should always be fairly easy, as you know they are there for the very purpose of trading. However, stopping someone who is walking around, but has a lanyard on with pins you are interested in gets tricky!!
 
When a trader is wandering the park or DTD even with a lanyard on I do not approach I figure if they wanted to be pin trading at the time, they would be at the tables. However stuck in line next to a fellow pin trader and talking pins or trading... totally cool. lol

I find it annoying when someone walks up to me while i am wandering the park and asks to see my lanyard. not because its rude, because its not... I dont think it is rude at all. It's all in how the person approaches me... A couple times people have thought I MUST agree to a trade, like I was a CM. and twice I had a very annoying woman get pushy with me, following me around and trying to get a pin from my lanyard she saw me trade off a CM before she could get it. After a couple of experiences like that, I just don't want random strangers bothering me while i am wandering the park.

At the tables, i try to chat with the trader while flipping pages in the books. I mean we are all human right? It drives me batty when someone walks up, doesnt make eye contact and just starts touching my pins without asking.
 
I'm with everyone else just be polite. Ask may I see your book. The usual response is yeah sure go ahead. Look through their book if you see something you like hand them your book and see if they like anything to begin the trade. As with lanyards I've only approach someone once. I just said excuse me would you be interested in trading? They said yes and we both traded for some hidden mickeys that we each needed. Just be polite and courteous
 
I think the thing to remember is there will be jerks out there, but don't let them bum you out, they will have lousy pin karma. But look for the people who look like they are having fun!!! Those are the ones you want to trade with!!! Don't be afraid to ask to look at people's pins!!! You might meet really friendly people who love to trade!!! Remember, pin trading is supposed to be fun!!!
 
I was wondering about this too. I plan to take my lanyard to Paris with me, I know it's not such a big thing there but hopefully I get a few trades
 
I was super intimidated to trade at the park. At first, I only looked at books. (I do ooh and ahh over like every pin, and that usually makes the other person smile. Cant help it, I really love pins!) I was sure I had nothing worthy of a real pin trader, but my friend convinced me to show my book off, and to my surprise, the other traders loved it! When I left for a bit to go on rides (I might love pins but I only get out to DL every so often), the pin traders even asked my friend where I went, cause they wanted to look at my pins again. I ended up making several trades, and it was a lot of fun. I say, you smile, go for it, and enjoy it!
 
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