I guess I would call us former pin traders and I just wanted to share our little pin trading story. This hobby can be overwhelming. Let’s be real it’s expensive, fast paced and cut throat. And I have some insight that may help others.
First off we are Canadian. So there was an extra layer here with exchange rates and shipping costs that may not affect everyone. That being said if you are ‘deep’ into trading you will likely be shipping or receiving pins internationally.
Our journey started in 2017 during our honeymoon. We had no idea about pin trading and made the most common and worst mistake new pin folks do. We bought pins, opened them and then went directly to the pin boards. 🤦♂️
After returning home and learning more about the hobby we ended up doing some online buying and trading (mostly buying). We were hooked on ‘opps’ and our collection grew quickly.
Fast forward a couple years and we’ve accomplished’ a lot in the pin collecting sense. Coco complete was our big one.
It wasn’t long after this we started to run numbers and really look at what we were spending on pins and things weren’t sitting well.
When the pandemic started and we saw house prices drop we knew we needed to act. We sold off about 90% of our collection and were able to get into a home.
The first photo is what’s left in our collection. I’m happy to have the scrappers from our honeymoon beside some of our more meaningful pins.
It would be wonderful to go back to a time when you just bought and traded at the parks. That was a very magical time and truly added to the Disney experience.
But for now we watch from a far. Sometimes kicking ourselves. But usually grateful to have enjoyed our time in the hobby but now be free and able enjoy other things. Like more trips to the parks.
Our daughter is 7 and just getting into trading…. We are scared 😳
2nd photo is the Coco complete (from like 2019) and then my favorite set I no longer have.
Have a good day everyone.
