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An interview with pin trader Andy
We recently got chatting to Andy Sayles about his pin collecting, something he has been doing since the '60s. We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we did writing it!
Thanks so much for chatting with us Andy, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm 68 years old and have been off and on pin collecting for many years.
The pins I do collect, I collect for keeps for by and large.
Those that I trade are usually duplicate of those I keep or occasionally pins I no longer want. I don't just get pins to trade.
I'm not into pin collecting for the money-making aspect. As I said, it has been off and on; school, the U.S. Navy, triplets, then work for 20 years, now I'm retired.
Collecting for keeps is what we do too. When and how did you get into pin collecting?
On one of my earliest visit to Disneyland (1960's), I saw someone with a collection, and of course, I want to do it. That was my start, and I never stopped doing it since.
I think you're the longest-running pin trader we've spoken to (even if on and off!) What has been the most significant change between when you started collecting and now?
Well, obviously, the price for one and the quality of the pins for two.
The number of people now involved and the number of sites offering pin trading.
Just like Disney, pin trading is worldwide; age makes no difference and the ability to communicate.
Has your hobby rubbed off on any other members of your family?
The kids (albeit they are now 24) all participate in pin trading when we are at Disney or on a Disney Cruise, but that's it.
What are your main collections, and why?
I don't have a main collection. I collect pins that I like and enjoy; they may be one or could be several.
That is a great way to collect; being a completionist must be stressful on folk! How many pins do you have?
Because it has been off and on, I say I have 1,200 pins.
And out of those 1,200, do you have a favourite pin?
It is a brass pin with the outside showing Cinderella Castle that when you open it, it shows Walt Disney's picture with a saying of his; "It's kind of fun to do the impossible".
Great pin! What do you like the most about pin trading?
Meeting people online, conventions, person-to-person learning their stories, and just having a conversation with them.
And if you could change one thing about pin trading, what would it be?
That would be difficult as I have a few pet peeves, but I would pick making pin trading as easy and as simple as possible.
There are sites with multiples interactions and connections, and unless you are a computer wiz, it is very difficult to handle.
And finally, do you have any advice for someone who wants to get into pin trading?
Borrowing a line from Nike, "Just do it!".
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We couldn't agree more! Thank you so much, Andy, for taking the time to chat with us.
If you're a pin trader and would like us to interview you, please get in touch!
Written by tosbourn - Tuesday 08 June 2021
This article was last updated on Monday 12 July 2021.
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