Look out, Pin Traders
 

I knew of someone who was making fakes 8 years ago so I think the answer to a) is "it didn't take long at all."

Can't answer for B.

I had heard it was happening, but I have no idea how to tell the real ones from the fake. I just get most of mine (the very few I do buy) from Disney itself so I know they are real.

Sounds like a Goofy scheme to me.

Anytime a popular item's market value greatly exceeds it's manufacturing cost you can pretty much expect to see fakes.

Pins, Baseball cards, Autographs, etc...

I'd heard people talk about counterfit pins and other Disney merchandise. It sounds like they made a heck of a lot of money!

You could trade a fake one with a CM. Anyone who consequently trades with that CM has the possibility of getting a fake.

I solve the problem altogether by not even getting involved in pins. I don't begrudge those who do, but that is one hobby I don't really get.

The intercepted shipment was 150 pounds worth of pins - that's about two vests worth!

Wait, are you suggesting that I will trade a fake pin to a CM?;)



I don't even bother with the trading at all. I hope that the fake ones don't make it onto the Disney racks.