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Question for you park traders

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Question for you park traders

stitchfan1015

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I've talked to some traders at dlr, with some nicer than others that can keep a casual conversation longer than a minute, but I've never asked: what is a typical day at the park like? How many serious trades do you make per stay? How long do you stay? What type of traders(people not pins) do you look for?

I'm just curious cuz there are some traders who look like they're having fun but there are others who look so serious they are unapproachable.

Going to dlr tonight ^_^ , maybe I'll see you there!

Thanks
 
Hi
I always do that..I would ask"Hows the picking on the lanyards?"Are other traders being rude and so on
We get talking pretty good too and then a CM would start too,Thats at WDW..never been to DLR
 
I see two things at DLR.
1.) Traders there to have fun and enjoy the tradition. They may trade anything from a DA LE100's to hidden mickey's and be happy all the same. Usually they have a plethora of hidden mickeys, rack pins, and some LE's sorted by character or theme. They are quick to tell you what they like and ask what you like. They will gladly let you leaf through their book even if you don't even have pins on a lanyard or out for trade. These people are the best to trade with, will talk the most, and are enjoyable.
2.) Traders that bring books with nothing but older HTF pins, or older pins they THINK are HTF and are near impossible to trade with. These traders will make you want to move on to the next trader really quick. They rarely end up trading anything and all the do is take up room for other traders with their 4 or 5 overstuffed books. They often have no hidden mickey's, will not tell you what they want, they will always ask for your hardest to get pin and expect their worst is comparable and they will usually ask for you pins right away. They are typically there just to trade up or swipe valuable pin off a naive trader.
 

Just to add to this ... As this is a very good description ... There's the "click" traders very social and talkative polite but tend to stick to their little circle which can be a little off putting... But it's understandable as most these ppl see each on weekly if not daily basis and have good relationships ...
 

I'll agree with that too.
 
For me, I don't actually spend a lot of time at the tables. I may look through some books, but really, I Mostly bring some Hidden Mickeys and rack pins just to trade with the CM's... most my time is spent scoping out CM lanyards and just going on rides with friends C:
 

Yeah that's basically what I do, I try not to spend too much time at the tables. Cuz someone has to take down emperor zerg!
 

Are cast members required to trade what they have off their lanyard? Can I trade anything with a CM as long as it is a Disney pin and not a scrapper? Can cast members say no I don't want that pin???? I've never traded with the cast members before so I don't know how that works...
 


Yes! They are required to trade with you. You can pick any pin off their lanyard and they will give it to you in exchange for any Disney pin you offer. The downfall is, because they are obligated to trade with everyone, their lanyards tend to get filled up with scrappers.
 
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Exception: In the park, there are a few CMs who wear teal or green lanyards instead of the usual black. They WILL NOT trade with adults - Their lanyards are exclusively for jr. pin traders (ages 3-12).
 
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I seek out other enthusiast traders in the parks. I will trade with CMs when there's a new set of HMs out. However, HMs are getting so small and lame that I might not pursue anymore sets.

I find that engaging with other enthusiasts like myself is the most fun. The pros are usually out to take advantage of others (as someone already mentioned) so while I might look at their pins I rarely trade. The most fun is to bump into traders while spending the day in the park. I almost always have a book with me. Either hidden mickeys or rack and easier LEs.
 

The only time they are allowed to decline a trade is when they already have the pin you are offering on their lanyard, at least that's the rule at WDW.
 

This is so accurate it's not even funny. The #1s are generally friendly but are quick to tell you that what you have is $#%@. The #2s don't say anything, stare at you as you walk past, and won't speak unless spoken to and never have anything that they're willing to give up.

Equally true about the cliques. They all know eachother and see eachother daily/weekly and are not the most welcoming group to strangers. Every time reminds me of junior high and it's not pleasant. For that reason, I tend to stick with CMs or guest traders who happen to just be walking around the park wearing lanyards.
 

With the exception that you get 2 trades per day per CM. So if you've already gotten 2 pins from this CM, time to move on. Also, at some stores like the emporium they have a whole pin board of traders (and not just the lanyards). Just remember to say please, and thank you as that's just good manners.
 
The please and thank you is a must. Thats how I got a extra pin. Plus a beautiful smile from the cm. It was like he had just hit the lottery or something. Which was wonderful to see!
 
Agree with Alex and Mark
This was my first week trading at DLR. came across some nice trades in the few hours I stay. I have a small book with hidden Mickeys to trade with kids that every other trader tells them no I do pin for pin out of that book so they dont have to feel like they cant trade
My 2nd book is LE and hard to find pins that I trade for what I like
avg. 5 pin trades a day this week from my LE book
avg. 15 from the OE book. In 4 hours or less
 
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