Starting/Growing a Collection - ? from a Newbie

My first post was introducting myself in the Introduction Forum. As I stated there I am new to Disney Pins. So new that I currently own zero pins. My two kids really got into them during our last 2 visits to WDW and I became interested as well. I live in Virginia and we only make it to the parks once a year.

My question is what would be the best way to go about acquiring pins? I'm strictly going into this as a hobby and not looking to profit in anyway. I love all things Disney and these pins fascinate me. I am overwhelmed by how many there are don't know where to start. I figure on acquiring pins from movies that I like - Up, Lady and the Tramp, Robin Hood, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and anything related to WDW. The Disney Store, as you know, has a limited selection, but I may buy a couple of the Disney Parks Mystery Pins Sets to get started.

I have scanned the Sales Forum on here and found a lot of cool stuff. Will probably make some purchases there before too long. I have also looked at eBay, but I don't trust my knowledge of what is authentic and what is not enough to make a purchase there. I believe you can order some of the Open Edition items directly from the parks at disneypins.com, is that correct? If so, I may do some of that. And I will take plenty of money with me the next time we visit the parks.

Other than that, is there any avenue that I am missing? Eager to get started and hopefully one day be able to start trading as that seems like a lot of fun. Just don't have the inventory for that now.

Looks like you've covered just about all the remote avenues for acquiring pins except for the DPF Buddy System, where you have some kind hearted soul(s) pick up stuff directly from the park.

The sales forum, here on DPF, will likely garner you the best deals though. Best of luck!

You are off to a great start dude! From one noob to the next I will say this, this site will help you with any doubts, purchases, and pin tactics. The biggest advice that I've learned so far is not to be afraid to ask someone more knowledgable. In my case I was one of the dummies that purchased a pin lot on ebay thinking I knew it all, but once I joined this forum certain folks take you under their wing and will even help with your want/grail list! In addition, the pin faqs/guides forum IS SO USEFUL! It's a very good starting point to get educated in many different areas of pin trading.
I hope you get really passionate in this hobby because it is so fun! If you ever need to talk to a fellow newbie don't hesitate on messaging me.

Happy Trading!

p.s. I hear fantasiescometrue.com is a fantastic website, and a alternative to ebay, for pin purchasing.

Thanks a ton for the feedback and advice. Very much appreciated! Glad I found these forums. Seems like a bunch of great people.

I just started my collection too. I'm at a whopping 1 pin so far, so I'm not too far ahead of you. I just looked through the marketplace forum myself. It is SO much nicer than having to sift through the scrappers on eBay, isn't it? It feels like a much safer way to build up traders for the parks.
Also, I second fluffystitch's suggestion of the FAQ/guide section of the forum. I've learned so much! I almost feel like I could identify a scrapper if I got one! (at least I hope :anxious: )

Anyways, I hope to see your collection grow! Happy trading!