TOPICS CURRENTLY COVERED

Adding Pins to PinPics -- Administrative Actions & Stuff -- Bad Trade/Sale -- Bootleg & Fantasy Pins -- Buying Disney Pins at other Venues -- Discount Codes -- Disney Shopping -- Events -- Event Services -- Event Sponsorships -- I am looking for a specific pin... -- Logos & Signatures -- Trade Assistant - How Do I Turn it Off -- Scoop Sanderson -- Traveling with Your Pins

Hello! Welcome to the Dizpins Message Board Community FAQ. This is a list of frequently asked questions along with answers to help you out, organized alphabetically by subject.

Before we go any further, though, here is the DIZPINS TERMS OF USE link. It outlines the rules and regulations about posting on any of the Dizpins Boards. Please familiarize yourself with it. http://www.dizpins.com/mmc/tou.htm

Now, without any further ado, let's get crackin'!

ADDING PINS TO PINPICS

Q: Can someone add this pin to PinPics?

A: Anyone can add a pin to PinPics. Log in and click the "Add a Pin" link that appears along the left-hand column of links on your screen. If you don't have a picture, don't worry about it. All you need to create a pin listing on PinPics is the information about the pin that is requested on the form. Someone else will add the picture as one becomes available. Thank you for helping out!

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS & STUFF

Q: I made a post on one of the Dizpins Boards, but now I can't find it. What happened?

A: Your post may have been either moved, deleted or closed. You might want to check the Closed Topic Board first, to see if your post was closed. When administrative action is taken, the moderator will attempt to contact the post author. If you do not have your e-mail public in your profile, and you don't have your ezInbox activated, a moderator has no way to contact you, so if you want notification of administrative actions, provide either your e-mail address, or enable your ezInbox. If, for any reason, you did not receive a message detailing the action taken on your post, and you want to know what's up, e-mail a moderator. Look to the left of the "New Topic" icon on any of the boards, and you will see the links to click to e-mail a moderator.

Q: Can I say the word eBay in a post?

A: Yes. There is no need to bleep out the word eBay in any post by using random characters or asterisks. People do it, but it is by no means required. Please refer to the Dizpins Terms of Use for more information on this.

Q: Can I link directly to an eBay auction, talk about a specific auction or seller, or comment on secondary sellers on eBay?

A: No way, bub. Please refer to the Dizpins Terms of Use for more information on this.

Q: How do I get my Dizpins references switched to a new e-mail address?

A: E-mail The Dizpins Reference Center to have your references transferred. It will not be immediate and can take a week or more, so please be patient. Do not e-mail references to Dizpins; use the Dizpins Reference Center Referral Form for that purpose.

POTENTIAL BAD TRADE/SALE

Q: Help! I'm in the middle of a trade gone bad that was initiated through PinPics. What do I do?

A: Do not under any circumstances post any individual's information connected with your situation on any of the Dizpins Boards. Please e-mail PinPics at info@pinpics.com and a PinPics Moderator will be in contact with you to request further information. Please keep all e-mails pertaining to the trade gone bad. Or you can use this link to the Pinpics Trade Reporting System.

Q: Help! I'm in the middle of a trade/sale gone bad that was initiated through Dizpins. What do I do?

A: Do not under any circumstances post any individual's information connected with your situation on any of the Dizpins Boards. Please e-mail a Dizpins moderator or send all of the info to info@dizpins.com. Look to the left of the "New Topic" icon on the Sale or Trade Board, and you will see the links to click to e-mail any of the moderators. A moderator will be in contact with you to request further information. Please keep all e-mails pertaining to the trade/sale until the sale/trade has been completed.

BOOTLEG & FANTASY PINS

Q: What is a bootleg pin?

A: A bootleg pin is one that is manufactured to look just like an authentic Disney pin, and it blatantly infringes on Disney copyrights and/or trademarks. It is made illegally and may bear a Disney copyright and other false information on the back (a backstamp). It will feature Disney characters and often it will feature Disney wording and fonts as well. Bootleg pins are illegal, but they show up on Disney Cast Member lanyards on Disney properties because it has become very difficult for Disney to keep up with the rate of bootleg production. Folks are making these bootlegs very quickly and before Disney can react, they are already in circulation. These pins are sold illegally via auction sites, but they are NOT permitted to be sold or traded on Dizpins or PinPics. Please visit the following links for pictures and information on bootlegs:

Dizpins NOT Wanted Page
PinPics Bootleg Pin Group

If you see a pin on PinPics that you feel should be labeled as a bootleg, or if you wish to dispute the bootleg label on a pin on PinPics, please e-mail PinPics directly at info@pinpics.com instead of posting about it on the Dizpins boards. Thank you. Bootleg (Unauthorized) pins are not to be traded or sold on Dizpins.

Q: What is a fantasy pin?

A: A fantasy pin is different from a bootleg pin. A fantasy pin hints at a Disney character or theme, but does not infringe on Disney copyrights. You will not see faces or read copyrighted Disney wording or fonts on fantasy pins. They are made with the love of Disney in mind, but are not illegal. Fantasy (Unauthorized) pins are not to be traded or sold on Dizpins. Please see the following links for pictures and information on fantasy pins:

Dizpins Fantasy Pins PinPics Pin Group
Fantasy Pins - Not 'official' Disney Pins PinPics Pin Group

If you see a pin on PinPics that you feel should be labeled as a fantasy pin, or if you wish to dispute the fantasy pin label on a pin on PinPics, please e-mail PinPics directly at info@pinpics.com instead of posting about it on the Dizpins boards. Thank you. Fantasy pins are not to be traded or sold on Dizpins.

BUYING DISNEY PINS AT OTHER VENUES

Q: Where can I purchase Disney Pins other than at a Disney Venue?

A: There is a character store at Prime outlets, one at Premium outlet and Lake Buena Vista factory stores. I believe the Target is down from the Lake Buena Vista Store. Here is a couple of web sites:

www.lbvfs.com/
www.primeoutlets.com/cntr...ntrid=1077
www.premiumoutlets.com/ou....asp?id=17

Kissimmee Target
3003 W Vine St , Kissimmee, FL 34741-3822 US
Phone: (407) 846-6611
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 10pm Sun 8am to 9pm
Pharmacy Phone: (407) 846-0100
Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 9pm Sat 9am to 6pm Sun 9am to 6pm

Kissimmee West SuperTarget
4795 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy , Kissimmee, FL 34746-5332 US
Phone: (407) 594-0029
Hours: Mon-Sat 8am to 10pm Sun 8am to 9pm
Pharmacy Phone: (407) 594-0030
Pharmacy Hours: Mon-Fri 9am to 9pm Sat 9am to 6pm Sun 9am to 6pm
1-Hr Photo Lab Phone: (407) 594-0029
1-Hr Photo Lab Hours: Mon-Sat 9am to 9pm Sun 10am to 8pm
Optical Store Phone: (407) 594-0032
Optical Store Hours: Mon-Fri 10am to 8pm Sat 9am to 6pm Sun Noon to 4pm

Here is Wal-mart's info in Clermont, FL - about 6 miles west of Disney property (Animal Kingdom)

Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #5299
550 Us Highway 27
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 536-2746
3.78 miles

DISCOUNT CODES

Q: Is there a current Disney Direct discount code?

A: Click Here to see any and all current Disney Direct codes.

DISNEY SHOPPING

Q: Where can I find a sneak peek on what will be released in the future?

A: You can find pictures of upcoming releases on the Sneak Peek thread.

Q: What is the phone number for D.S. Customer Service?

A: You can call Guest Services at 1-800-328-0368 during the hours of 7 am - 1 am ET.

EVENTS

Q: What are the days and times of official Pin Trading Nights at Walt Disney World?

A: Please refer to the official WDW Mickey's Pin Trading Afternoon and Nights website.

Q: What are the days and times of official Pin Trading Nights at the Disneyland Resort?

A: Please refer to the Dizpins Disneyland Resort Pin Trading Nights website.

Q: When is the next pin event at Walt Disney World or Disneyland?

A: Please refer to the Dizpins News Page. Scroll past the Dizpins logo, and the pictures of Tigger and Pooh. Right below that, you will see some blue bars with white wording inside them, with dates directly below. Clicking on the blue bars will take you to informational pages on each event represented.

EVENT SERVICES

Q: Can someone tell me the number for Event Services?

A: The Local number for Event Servives is 407-827-7600 and the toll free number is 866-247-1203.

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS

Q: How does sponsorships work for events?

A: First thing you would need to do is have the person who wants to sponsor you sign up for the event. They will receive an online confirmation from Disney. After they sign up they would need to call Event Services (1.407.827.7600) and request a proxy form. They will need to fill out the form & return it to Disney. This form is used to transfer the "name" from them over to you. This way seems to be the easiest with newbies because the person sponsoring does all the work -- all you do is show up (with I.D.)
Now there is a 2nd way to do sponsorship -- and that would involve you signing up & paying the fee upfront. The person sponsoring would then send you the amount. However - you would have to fill out the RSP and worry about payment. So this is the less preferred way to do it. Even Disney doesn't like it. ;-)
It can't be stressed enough to get all of the specifics up front before the sponsorship is confirmed. And it is best to get all of the specifics confirmed in writing through e-mails.

This covers the butts of the sponsor and sponsoree, but before any final confirmations are completed, all of the specifics of the sponsorship need to be spelled out, i.e., cost, who gets what gifts, etc.

Once all of the specifics are confirmed in writing, at least if there are any problems after the event, we have documentation to try and sort through any difficulties.

I AM LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC PIN...

Q: I want to trade for or buy a specific pin. What can I do?

A: Add the pin to your wants in your PinPics account, and post an "ISO" (in search of) on the Trade Board and/or the Sale Board. Please confine your ISO's to one post on the Trade Board and/or the Sale Board for the consideration of others.

LOGOS AND SIGNATURES

Q: How do I get one of those cool logos that appear at the bottom of people's posts?

A: There are several Dizpins members who make logos. Go to the Coffee Shop Board or the DIZPintroductions Board and request a logo from one of our many talented mebers!!

Q: How do I get my logo to show up in my signature?

A: Detailed instructions can be found on the Test Board. There is a stickied post at the top of the board telling you how to do it. If you need help, please post on the Test Board. http://p095.ezboard.com/fdizpinsboardsfrm9.showMessage?topicID=3166.topic

WHEN ARE SCOOP SANDERSON'S TALKS??

Q: I don't want to miss Scoop? When is he at the Magic Kingdom?

A: Click here for the link to Scoop's talks at the MK, including location and schedule (cancellations, etc.). To find Scoop, his talks are held in the very back of the Expo Hall, in the movie theater with the big movie screen.

TRADE ASSISTANT - HOW DO I TURN IT OFF

Q: How do I turn the Trade Assistant off?

A: Login to Pinpics. After you have successfully logged in, click the My PinPics on the left-hand menu bar. On the resulting page, Click here to set up your trades. On the resulting page, put a check mark inside the box that says "Do NOT include me in the Trade Assistant." Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the button that says "Done." Click on the "Log Out" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
To turn the TA back on, follow the same instructions, except you will be removing the check mark in Step 4.

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PINS
Compiled by Roger ~ rkyam

Q: I am going to be traveling with my pins soon. Can you give me any travel tips?

A: Why the concern?

With passenger safety being such a high priority these days, the importance of carefully screening of all items being taken onboard an airplane has increased. All items placed on board the aircraft must pass through a security screening. Because pins are comprised of mostly metal, they are very visible to the screening methods employed by the airport security personnel. Besides being impenetrable by x-ray screening machines, pins also have sharp posts or edges on them that may be of concern to certain security personnel. These are the main two factors that cause concern when traveling with pins.

Checked luggage or carry on?

This is usually the hardest decision to make when traveling with your pins. There is a certain secure feeling you get knowing that your pins will be with you at all times, and checked luggage does get lost on rare occasions, so carrying them on board may seem like the best choice. Also, with new regulations, checked luggage cannot be locked. However, security issues also have to be weighed against concern of the possibly loss your pins if you put them in checked luggage. If you choose to carry on your pins, they will be subject to inspection and possible rejection at the security checkpoint. If your pins are denied access to the aircraft by the security personnel, (see "Security screening process" below), you will either have to forfeit your pins, or make other arrangements to get them to where you are going.

Another thing to consider is "weight". Pins weigh A LOT. And depending how many you are carrying, you might run into problems with the airline's baggage allowances. Most carriers have recently lowered the weight limit for both checked and carry-on luggage. American Airlines, for instance, has a weight limit of 50 lbs per checked luggage and 40 lbs per carry-on luggage. And don't forget you are limited to two pieces of checked luggage and one carry-on and one personal item (purse, laptop bag, etc.) per person. If you choose to take your pin bag on board, it will be counted as either your carry-on or personal item. If you exceed any of these allowances, you will be subject to an additional fee by the airlines. You should check with the airline you are flying to make sure you understand their policies regarding baggage allowances.

An alternative is to ship your pins ahead of you to your destination. Various shippers like FedEx, UPS and the US Postal Service, are able to ship pins to different locations around the world. There are certain restrictions that shippers have regarding where each will deliver to, so if you decide this might be the way to go, call both your shipper and the package's destination to make sure they can deliver and accept your package. Shippers can also provide insurance if desired. This is a more expensive alternative, but it eliminates any concerns associated with taking your pins with you.

Before you leave.

Whether you are putting your pins in checked luggage or plan to carry them on board, you should always pack your pins so that they can easily be removed from your luggage if security wants to inspect them. If at all possible, keep all your pins together. Don't have loose pins scattered throughout your luggage. Being able to get to them easily will also benefit you for reasons I will go into later.

At the airport.

Again, due to the heightened security at the airports, it is imperative that you give yourself ample time to get through the check-in and security screening process. If all goes well, you can use the extra time to just sit back and relax.

However, if for some reason the security screening process does not go smoothly, or worse yet if you are not allowed to take your pins as carry on luggage, you will need the extra time to get things straightened out.

When determining how early you should arrive at the airport, also take into account the dates and time of day you will be traveling. Holiday travel season is of course busier than normal. Plan to arrive at the airport one and a half to two hours ahead of your scheduled departure time.

Security screening process.

Domestic checked luggage is (at least for now) selectively x-rayed and screened for explosives. All checked luggage for international flights are required to be x-rayed and are selectively screened for explosives. Random hand inspections are also a possibility.

Although the x-ray screening machines cannot see through pins, the type of dangerous items of most concern in checked luggage can be screened for even with pins in the same bag. If they do hand inspect your bag, they will most likely allow you to check in your pins after they have determined what they are.

Because carry on luggage is easily accessible in flight, your carry on items will be scrutinized carefully. All carry on items must pass through an x-ray screening machine. Your pins will be clearly visible to the security personnel, and depending on the judgment of the person on duty, you may be asked to open up your bag for inspection. It is then up to the security personnel to decide whether or not you will be allowed to take your pins on board the aircraft. Sharp objects are banned items, so if the security personnel interpret your pins as being sharp objects, you will not be allowed to take your pins on board. If they are denied, you will either have to forfeit your pins, or make other arrangements.

Also, besides the normal security screening process that everyone entering the gate area needs to go through, there is the random screening performed at the departure gate itself just prior to the boarding of the aircraft. In this process, a few people are "randomly" selected to be checked for a second time. This check is a hand inspection of your persons and your carry on items. Usually, if you have passed the normal screening process when entering the gate area, you will not have a problem if you are selected for this second check.

If for whatever reason, you are not allowed to carry your pins on board, the best solution is to then go back to the check in counter and ask to check your pins in as checked luggage. This will require that you remove your pins from your carry on luggage and if required, pack them in a separate box that the airline should be able to supply. This process is a lot easier if all of your pins are already packed neatly together. Again, give yourself enough time to do this if required. If someone is with you who are not going to be traveling, you can give your pins to him or her to keep or send to you. The airlines will not hold your pins for you.

Who's in charge, and whom should I call?

In the U.S., passenger security screening is handled by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and not by the airlines. Calling the airlines can get you information regarding the general security guidelines, but does not specifically get you answer about getting pins through security. The same goes for trying to get specific questioned answered by the airport personnel. Guidelines and enforcement policies are the responsibility of the TSA. If you have any questions you can go to the TSA website at www.tsa.gov.

So what does all this mean?

When traveling with pins, each of you will experience unique and different situations. There are different airlines, different airports, different security screening processes and different screening personnel. There is also a difference in how comfortable people feel about checking in, carrying on or shipping pins. This all adds up to no one person's particular experience being completely representative of what you will experience.

Checking or shipping your pins avoids most of the security issues, and you don't have to carry them around the airport and in the plane. However, there is always the risk they may get lost. And even if you decide to carry your pins on board, you may be forced to check them in anyway. There is no right answer that always applies to every unique situation.

Consider all the alternatives, decide what is best for your particular situation, and be prepared to change those plans if you run into any glitches along the way. Make sure you give yourself enough time to work out those glitches too.

For as much discussion and concern that exists regarding traveling with pins, there are very few bad incidents that have been reported on this subject. Be smart, be prepared and you should have little or no problems traveling with your pins.