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Free events are dying out!

Free events are dying out!

TankCop

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Location
Clovis, CA
My last trip to My D-Pins pin trade events are nearly empty outside and so few people came last time it was upsetting to me where I paid good money for travel and hotel costs.

I mean this place is just over a block away from Disneyland.

This place needs to get bigger again for me to want to go back when you only have 7 traders is upsetting!
 
I have enjoyed the My D-Pins trading events. I have not been in a place where I could attend in 2025. Perhaps earlier release of the flyers (seems like I only see the flyer a week or two before the event)? Perhaps its the holiday weekends? Perhaps its the parking lot? I do know the last event conflicted with a D23 event that was probably one of the best pin shopping opportunities I had in 2025.

Anyway, I would love to see the My D-Pin events do better also.

The events that seem to be succeeding in Anaheim are reselling/profiting focused and not the best place for fun trading. It is unfortunate this is where pin trading is at right now.
 
@TheMickeyMouseRules - I always ask at trade events 'Are you trading or selling?' so that I know to move on if it's just a re-seller. I usually get a hesitant response of 'both' when it's clear by every pin being individually price marked that they're selling. I did get one firm 'trading only' and I was so thrilled that at least someone got a table with the intention to trade at it!

I admit to some frustration at the shift in pin trading - it used to be that someone liked a pin, wanted it, and tried to trade for what someone else wanted, LE size was almost the only comparison being made. Now everyone asks 'what do you value that pin at?' and it's more like the stock market than pin trading. Everyone wants the stats, to buy up inventory, to know what's going to be hot, and I get it...I just wish it was a little less...transactional feeling. I have no problem buying pins, I just...also really loved the feeling of trading before and want more of that back in the game.

@TankCop - I get your frustration, never knowing how big an event is going to be, or if it's worthwhile. I'm debating if I want to drive out to Vegas in April for Pin city as I suspect it'll be more selling than trading.

But hey, at least we can trade online, and that's been a game changer for pin circulation.
 
Ajk said:
I wonder if this is more of a phenomena around the parks where the resellers generally live. Or maybe the biggest events. For my local events, both NY and NJ, they get great turnout and are trade only.
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Yes agree, around the parks is where resellers tend to dominate.

ViciousLady said:
I'm debating if I want to drive out to Vegas in April for Pin city as I suspect it'll be more selling than trading.
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If Vegas works out with my schedule, I may attempt to get to the event. I believe the one-off events have decent potential. Even getting a short distance away and run by a different group (ie, one in Carlsbad, CA) seemed to assist with trading vs reselling. I wasn't able to attend, but @d.ducks mentioned to me the July 2025 Carlsbad PTE was one of the best they had attended in recent times. I was happy (yay! good trading) and yet sad (I had a conflict and was sad to have missed a good PTE) to hear this.

I am going to make every effort to get to the next My D Pins event and plan to spend the whole day supporting it.
 
@ViciousLady I agree with your feedback!

@TankCop, I feel your frustration and agree with it. And I live locally. Personally I quit attending My D's events quite some time ago. Even though it's "Trade Only" the reseller vibes has increased tremendously, and it very discouraging to me. Plus, I had a situation this past year with them, that really turned me off. I won't go into detail. Let's just say, "inadequate communication on their part."

@Ajk I am pleased to hear the events you attend are trade only. And you always seem successful.

@TheMickeyMouseRules any idea if the Carlsbad event was SDPinNerds? Or the Pin Mafia (⁠+⁠_⁠+⁠) lol - I just have a problem with this Reference Name.

I've attended SDPinNerds a couple times. I always enjoyed it.

As WE ALL KNOW - "Pin Trading" has changed a lot, but such is Life in general. I too can remember when it was LE for LE when I started.

I think it's wonderful Pin Pics is still up and going, Thriving actually. There are quite a few members here who have been successful as of late with it.

And then Pin and Pop. Yay.

And our Own Home Community here.

So we're not at the mercy of the resellers. Even though, more often than not, it feels like it.

And @TankCop I want to thank you for posting this thread. We need a place to voice our concerns, and get solid feedback. And our community is a place one can safely do so.

In closing, and I don't know if this is in the events thread that the Mickey Mouse rules watches over, there's going to be a pin trading event on January 31st at the picnic tables at Disneyland. And I'm not familiar with the group, but I'm actually looking forward to going. So, new opportunities are popping up all the time.
 
It was pin mafia... agree about the name. Trying to stay open and again was glad to hear the event was successful for d.ducks.

I need to get SDPinNerds on my schedule. I don't add them to our calendar because I am not sure if they are more of a private event...

@Connies_Hobby do you have a time for the trading at DTD on January 31st. This is the area outside the park near where the tram drops off? Would love to add it to the calendar.
 
I live so close to Carlsbad and didn’t know they had pin trading, do you know if there will be another event?
Has my-d pins released any 2026 events? I am trying to find some good pin trading events this year.
 
 

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Is that the event run by that nice gal in the wheelchair? I went to her last event in the picnic area maybe a month or two ago and got some solid trading done. I may switch reservations to go that day just for the trading. 🙂

And I agree, for whatever reason - be it the constant Kraken events or whatever - the My D Pins last two events have been completely dead and I left early both times. Maybe it's connected to the sudden sharkiness of the girl who trades for them in-store now. I know I won't give them business inside because she literally asked for $40 worth of pins for their $5 pins. It's a shame as they used to be very reasonable in their trading, but maybe she lost them other business as she lost them mine.
 
It is, I had a great time at their last event!
Bummer to hear about my d-pins, I’ve only been once recently and didn’t end up getting anything.
 
Good grief, FINE! I'll attend the free trading event this weekend in my town. You people will not let up! 😆

Seriously, I was going to let my social anxiety keep me home, but this thread shows why I need to go and support local trading events. 😊

*EDIT: The local trading event is next weekend...more time to prepare!
 
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Ghosthostchelsea said:
Anyone going to this on Sunday? It just popped up on my Instagram. Never been to this location for a pin event.
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I'm not going to this one - but maybe that means I'll find room at the tables at the park lol - but it's a great shop and I've been to a couple of Kraken events at this location. Big free parking lot in a strip mall. I definitely recommend events there - and if you like trading cards, check out the store itself. 😀
 
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