Does vendor price include a backup or is that extra?

Order the backup at the same time. It is always cheaper than adding it later or reordering.

Yeah, that's pretty much how it works with most vendors. The base price you see listed is almost always for a single piece — one ID, one person, one order. If you want a backup (or a second copy for a friend), that's treated as a separate line item, but most vendors will knock something off compared to what you'd pay for two full individual orders. You're usually looking at maybe 50–70% of the base price for the second piece, depending on whether it's the same state or a different one. Don't assume it's included though — always check the listing or message them directly.

Payment stuff: if you're using crypto (most vendors only take BTC or ETH these days), watch out for network fees. Bitcoin transaction fees can spike at random times, so what looks like a $100 order could end up costing $110+ just to move the coin. Litecoin and XMR tend to have lower fees, but not every vendor accepts them. Also, make sure you're sending the exact amount after the fee — being short a few cents can delay the whole thing until you send the difference.

Escrow is your friend, tbh, but only if you use it correctly. A lot of forums offer escrow services where the vendor ships first, you confirm the goods, then the escrow releases the funds. That saves you from getting ghosted after payment. But there are scammers posing as escrow agents too, so only use the official one listed on the forum's trusted vendors page. And never, ever send crypto directly to someone claiming to be an escrow via DM — that's a red flag.

Hidden fees are real and annoying. Some vendors don't include shipping in the base price — grab another $15–25 for tracked shipping. Others charge extra for signature confirmation, or for reship if the first package gets seized. A few even tack on a "customs insurance" fee that's basically a cash grab. Always ask for the full breakdown before you send a single satoshi. As for pricing, you're typically looking at $80–120 per piece for a decent quality ID nowadays, with backups around $50–70. Group orders can bring that down further, but that's a whole other can of worms.

Some vendors include a free backup at certain order thresholds. Check their site or ask.