Lanyards - Collecting vs Trading?

[Aquata]

I have an interesting question and I want to keep this as friendly as possible. A fellow pin collector/trader and friend of mine were talking and discussing lanyards. She has some beautiful Rapunzel pins, two of which are the two Opening day pins. She displays hers on a lanyard. I asked her why and if she was ever worried about losing the lanyard. She said that they are safely secured and made the argument that why buy something that is... basically to display... if she can't show it off and display it? I made the argument that, what if someone were to ... like ... mug her for her lanyard (far fetched maybe but times are crazy. Look at everything we hear about people stealing pins from other traders! ) and isn't it just to draw envy from others? She politely said, that it wasn't her intention to make anyone "jealous" but she is proud of her pins and has them really at core for her and her alone and yes, to display them. She mentioned that her lanyards are usually for display and are not for trading and what was so wrong with that? Basically we went in circles but it was all friendly conversation

I do sort of understand where she is coming from though. Being new to trading, I didn't wear lanyards for a long time because of an encounter I once had. I was always a collector. I had a lanyard with all my Megara/Esmeralda pins and at one point, while in line for TSM, one lady was asking me about my pins and if I would trade. Honestly? I just always collected and trading, it went right over my head. I know it sounds lame but I didn't realize that wearing a lanyard signified basically a willingness to trade. I politely told her that these pins were just my collection and I didn't do trading and a couple were even cherished gifts. She then snapped, "Well, if you aren't trading then why are you wearing a lanyard?" and turned around, ignoring me/not looking at me the rest of the time we were in line

Needless to say, that pretty much scared me out of wearing my pins to the park for a good two years. Back then it hadn't occurred to me that wearing pins I wasn't willing to trade would spurn negative feelings in others. I just wore them for me, my enjoyment of having them.

I guess I just wanted to discuss, what are people's feelings on lanyards/seeing LE pins on lanyards? Is it wrong to be a collector and wear the pins to the park to display them when you have no intent of trading? Or is it completely acceptable? Again, I don't want to create hostility here so lets keep this discussion friendly. I just honestly was never aware of how other people may have viewed collectors wearing lanyards as a negative thing/attempt to spurn jealousy.

So ... thoughts?

 

[SoraPandora]

That lady sounds like a real b**ch. Plenty of people wear their keepers on a lanyard.

Personally, even though I love trading, I find lanyards to be awfully cumbersome. I put my traders on foam, and keep them in a clear cosmetic case in my purse when I'm trading in the park. That way, I don't have to worry about them getting lost or scratched, like they might hanging around my neck.

The last time I went to a PTN, I did wear a lanyard (a special one custom made by Wyllieam) with all my Figaro pins (keepers) on display. I used locking pin backs, so I wasn't worried about losing them. (And besides, none of them were super expensive or HTF pins.)

I understand the desire to show ones collection off, especially in groups of other pin traders, but usually, I just have my favorite pins on display in my room, and thats fine for me. I enjoy them enough for everyone.

 

[Aquata]

That lady sounds like a real b**ch. Plenty of people wear their keepers on a lanyard.

Personally, even though I love trading, I find lanyards to be awfully cumbersome. I put my traders on foam, and keep them in a clear cosmetic case in my purse when I'm trading in the park. That way, I don't have to worry about them getting lost or scratched, like they might hanging around my neck.

The last time I went to a PTN, I did wear a lanyard (a special one custom made by Wyllieam) with all my Figaro pins (keepers) on display. I used locking pin backs, so I wasn't worried about losing them. (And besides, none of them were super expensive or HTF pins.)

I understand the desire to show ones collection off, especially in groups of other pin traders, but usually, I just have my favorite pins on display in my room, and thats fine for me. I enjoy them enough for everyone.

Thank you for your opinion. As far as that lady went, I just had no idea. I honestly thought for a while, even now, that maybe I was in the wrong but me wearing my keeper pins was completely innocent - not to draw envy from anyone. It was just another fun piece of "Disney Wear" like the mickey ears And lanyards and pins go together like... well... peanut butter and jelly! But now I'm always hesitant. I did want to put my R/C girl collection on a lanyard because it is just beautiful to me when it sparkles in the sun but I don't want to draw negative feelings from anyone. Lately, I also have just stopped wearing lanyards because now I just... don't know what's right

Edit: Also wanted to add that I do what you do as well, keep many on a cork board in my room and my PODMs are all hanging on my wall and understand that sentiment entirely. I think every day I pass them at least once and go : *_*

 

[shooting4ownhand]

I don't see wearing a lanyard as a negative thing. I can see why people would want to show off their pins even if they aren't going to trade them.

 

[Deanopeez]

As a new trader, if I were in the park next to you in line, if I saw something I'd like, I would probably strike up a conversation and ask about a trade. HOWEVER, if you explained that they were your personal collection, I would probably ask you all about it and keep talking friendly-like instead of low-judging you. Anybody who is rude in a Disney park is probably not somebody you'd want to trade with anyway, no?

 

[torianne-2008]

I can not wear a laynard with my fibromyalgia it gives me a headache I can not stand it at all. I keep my traders in my pocket or in a pouch in my backpack. My husband wears a laynard with his traders on it he use to wear a few of his keepers on there but he got tired of people asking to trade when they were not for trade. Now my son wears his on a laynard to pin events to show off some of his fav. I have a friend who has about five different laynards and he trades them out he feels why by pins if you do not show them off.

 

[disneykitty24]

I was thinking of posting something like this for a while now. I got a AWESOME Lion King lanyard from Wyllieam,and I want to wear it to WDW in a week. I want to display some LK pins that I like, but arent for trade. I figured I still would like to trade, so Im putting the LK pins on one side to "show off" and the other side will be for trades. Anything on the one side can be traded. I dont want to walk around ll the time with a lanyard of pins I dont really care for. I want to show off ones I love Thats just me though. Who knows. Maybe someone will have something LK that Ill trade another LK pin for

 

[VillainousGoof]

I was thinking of posting something like this for a while now. I got a AWESOME Lion King lanyard from Wyllieam,and I want to wear it to WDW in a week. I want to display some LK pins that I like, but arent for trade. I figured I still would like to trade, so Im putting the LK pins on one side to "show off" and the other side will be for trades. Anything on the one side can be traded. I dont want to walk around ll the time with a lanyard of pins I dont really care for. I want to show off ones I love Thats just me though. Who knows. Maybe someone will have something LK that Ill trade another LK pin for

THIS!

I have some to trade and some to show off and I will maybe bring a few extra traders in a bag or my pocket.

 

[jessykah77]

This is exactly what I plan to do. Wyllieam made a Haunted Mansion lanyard for me and I plan to wear it to WDW next week and put some keepers on the left and traders on the right. While I'm new to the pin world, I think I'll enjoy wearing my lanyard because of the pins I enjoy so much. Sounds like the lady in Aquata's instance was a real turd muffin and I wouldn't let that bother me at all. Your pins are your pins to wear (or not) as you see fit and makes you happy.

I was thinking of posting something like this for a while now. I got a AWESOME Lion King lanyard from Wyllieam,and I want to wear it to WDW in a week. I want to display some LK pins that I like, but arent for trade. I figured I still would like to trade, so Im putting the LK pins on one side to "show off" and the other side will be for trades. Anything on the one side can be traded. I dont want to walk around ll the time with a lanyard of pins I dont really care for. I want to show off ones I love Thats just me though. Who knows. Maybe someone will have something LK that Ill trade another LK pin for

 

[mylittletyguy]

I wear a lanyard, but it's only for the sets that I am looking for other completers for. I found that every time I met someone I was flipping through my pin book and I was getting annoyed zipping and unzipping and zipping and unzipping of the book. I have encountered people that have asked me to trade or I have asked to trade with people and usually more than not we end up not trading for various reasons....but if someone was rude to me about it I wouln't lose sleep over it....you encounter mean people everywhere. They are the ones that are miserable....not me Happy Trading!

 

[initial_tb]

What a crazy encounter! There are so many people in the parks who are not "collectors" or "traders" who wear lanyards just for the fun it. Currently I am wearing a lanyard of HMs that I wear for trade but I do have my tiki and villain lanyards for when I feel like showing off my collection.

 

[wonderwoman3553]

I always love to see what other guests have on their lanyards. Its always a good conversation. I love to hear their stories about their pins.

 

[Psycho Pixie]

Many many traders have display lanyards that are not available. In fact most of the folks at the LGM tables have a display lanyard around their necks and the traders are in books on the table.

The lanyard around my neck is almost always a display lanyard. My "trade" lanyard sits on the stroller so that me, hubby or the daughter can grab pins to trade with a CM.

The woman you incountered in the line was rather unusual. and disrespectful as well.

 

[chowdmouse]

I usually keep traders on my lanyard, but i always have one special pin on it as well- front & center, most obvious spot-
http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=34432&sid=8378.1351137813.v2

A lot of people ask to trade for it, and I take the opportunity to tell them it is not for trade, but also strike up a conversation about why it is so special to me. I tell them about adoption, and the importance of spaying & neutering their pets. If it is adults only, I bring up the topic of how many animals are euthanized every day in the U.S., and ask if they are aware of how many animals are being euthanized in their own community.

I am happy to say that no one has ever been rude to me about it, but quite a few looked at me like I was crazy. I honestly think some are so surprised at the conversation I am bringing up, they forget about being snippy

And maybe, just maybe, I have inspired someone to go out there and do some volunteering.

Erin

 

[Deanopeez]

I usually keep traders on my lanyard, but i always have one special pin on it as well- front & center, most obvious spot-
http://www.pinpics.com/cgi-bin/pin.cgi?pin=34432&sid=8378.1351137813.v2

A lot of people ask to trade for it, and I take the opportunity to tell them it is not for trade, but also strike up a conversation about why it is so special to me. I tell them about adoption, and the importance of spaying & neutering their pets. If it is adults only, I bring up the topic of how many animals are euthanized every day in the U.S., and ask if they are aware of how many animals are being euthanized in their own community.

I am happy to say that no one has ever been rude to me about it, but quite a few looked at me like I was crazy. I honestly think some are so surprised at the conversation I am bringing up, they forget about being snippy

And maybe, just maybe, I have inspired someone to go out there and do some volunteering.

Erin

So cool! As the proud papa of a rescue kitty, and having just adopted another from a friend who could no longer care for him, I definitely feel where you're coming from. Nice to see you using your collection to send a message as well.

 

[MrsTheKing]

I usually wear traders on my lanyard, but around a holiday, I will wear a lanyard with holiday pins on it. Right now I have a Halloween themed lanyard that I wear to the park (with locking backs, of course).

 

[andrewtarant]

Lanyards are very much necessary to wear at business lounge. There are so many varieties are available in lanyards but i mostly like printed lanyards which is also best option for business to start promotion of their products by giving lanyards to the employees as a corporate gift.

 

[Stitch2814]

I personally wouldn't dream off wearing any of my collection on a lanyard as I would be to worried about loosing them as not to cheap to replace. I only wore a lanyard when I was in Paris for trading with cast members and even then I didnt really want to wear it lol mine are in middle of being framed for wall display

 

[kupo1121]

A lot of people ask to trade for it, and I take the opportunity to tell them it is not for trade, but also strike up a conversation about why it is so special to me. I tell them about adoption, and the importance of spaying & neutering their pets. If it is adults only, I bring up the topic of how many animals are euthanized every day in the U.S., and ask if they are aware of how many animals are being euthanized in their own community.

And maybe, just maybe, I have inspired someone to go out there and do some volunteering.

Erin

Wow...a lanyard that not only carries a great pin (I love the Adopt a Pet Stitch ones...they just make so much sense) but carries a great meaning as well

I personally wouldn't dream off wearing any of my collection on a lanyard as I would be to worried about loosing them as not to cheap to replace.

This is my worry. I am collecting Sugar Rush and I'm seriously considering getting a lanyard soon to wear all my Sugar Rush pins. HOWEVER, I'm going to WDW for Marathon Weekend in January and I'd love to wear some of my pins, but they aren't easy to replace some of them. I'm also nervous about them getting scratched (I doubt I'd lose them considering I'd probably be so nervous that I'd check my lanyard every 2 seconds and would instantly know if one was missing). At the same time, I've heard locking pin backs are bad since they make an indent onto the post and I don't want that too happen.

I'd love to display my pins, but I just feel like they'll cause too much anxiety? What do you guys think?

 

[markheardjr]

She was probably one of 2 things. A newb or a shark. Most people know when you have a lanyard of one particular theme you are probably displaying a collection of keepers, not for trade. On the other hand, if your lanyard is a bit random and has some hidden mickey's chances are you're looking to swap. Next time I would politely decline a trade offer and tell her they are just for show but bring some traders in your bag and offer her a trade from those. The person wearing the Tangled Opening day pins is walking around with $375-$400 on their lanyard. I walk around with a $1000 camera around my neck and no one even mentions they like it. To each their own. She better be ready for all the traders asking her for it. And hopefully she knows their real value and never gives in, whatever the sob story someone gives her.

 

[Psycho Pixie]

Holy Resurrected thread batman!