Seeking Advice from Veteran Traders!

[Boog1981]

I'm very new to this community and forum and I've noticed that some of you have an amazing collection of traders and I'm curious how you went about compiling them? Was it just something that took a lot of time? Do you buy up popular pins that you're maybe not so much into collecting because you know they'll be useful in getting something that you do really want? I've become interested in a couple of PODM's and higher end pins but I know I don't have the collection to trade for them right now and I know I won't luck into finding one on a Cast Member lanyard! I would like to trade rather than buy to get to know some other traders better and I enjoy the search and feeling of accomplishment that comes from trading. Thanks in advance for any advice you might have!

 

[Abyssinian28]

Hi! Welcome to trading!

You've managed to peg quite a few answers to building good traders in your question, actually! Let's see if I can break down how one acquires great traders in an easy-to-read, bulleted format...

-Purchase at Release
This is pretty much the easiest way to get decent traders. Just make sure you know when and where something is getting released so you can pick it up at retail, then trade it later. A lot of my traders that are valuable were ones I purchased for cost, and then kept for a few years. And sometimes, the pins that become mega-hits will surprise you!

-Right Place, Right Time
This mostly applies to cheap auctions and buying collections. It's a great way to get older power traders, like Disney Auctions and Disneyshopping.com. I have several traders that I paid a lot for, but that were still cheaper than what I knew the pin was going for.

-Time & Money
Some of it just really is time...everything compiles with enough time. And, unfortunately, money is a factor. I know some pin traders struggle with building their traders because their budgets are tight right now. It's very hard to "level up" without the resources.

-Avoid Scrappers
Pretty much what it says on the tin. Unless you're an expert on identifying scrappers/bootlegs, stay away from trading Hidden Mickeys. Well, unless HMs are your thing, of course. Be careful of huge lots on eBay, especially if they come from China. Usually, you can tell when something is a collection sale and when it's just someone cranking out the crap.

-Avoid the Undesirables, Focus on Popular Characters and Themes
Make sure you pick popular characters and themes. Personally, even though I collect Tinker Bell and Jessica, Stitch is my best trader. I tend to avoid Fab Five and most rack pins as traders, although they slip in there sometimes anyway. I'm constantly running out and having to re-stock Stitch, Chip and Dale, Wonderland, and Princesses. I keep a small mix of all the other characters and themes, as well.

-Balance Traders Vs. Collection
Trading is tons of fun (usually), but sometimes it really is better to just buy something. On the flip side, when you see a potentially good trader for a good price, snap it up. I'd say the Grails in my collection were half obtained with traders, and half by buying. Just be smart- don't buy at peak price. Eventually, the pin will show back up, and usually for cheaper.

 

[Boog1981]

Thanks for all the great advice, Abyssinian28! I am definitely trying to stay on top of all the pin releases and keep an eye out for those popular characters. I've noticed Stitch is super popular so I thought I would start to pick up his stuff but he's starting to grow on me so I'll have to resist the urge to keep him in my collection!

 

[pauly88]

Nicole gave great pointers

The time and money is the best advice ever. depending on what you end up collecting it could takes months or years to everything.
No worries every collector goes through this

 

[Firebaby22]

Time. Just slowly picking up nice stuff over time.

 

[Abyssinian28]

Thanks for all the great advice, Abyssinian28! I am definitely trying to stay on top of all the pin releases and keep an eye out for those popular characters. I've noticed Stitch is super popular so I thought I would start to pick up his stuff but he's starting to grow on me so I'll have to resist the urge to keep him in my collection!

Yeah, that's a danger, too. I have done that multiple times! Always better to keep something you've grown attached to- you can always trade it later if you change your mind (and maybe the value would have grown)! But regret sucks big time!

It was easier a few years ago, to build traders. Disney was much more invested in pin releases, and ds.com was an easy way to get LE 250 and 100 traders at cost. We all have more of a battle now...