IDSKY/OldIronSides Skeptical for Order

Man, I felt the exact same way a few weeks ago. I was on the fence about IDSKY and OldIronSides because you barely see any chatter outside this subreddit, and the stuff you do find is usually people asking the same questions we are. So I decided to just place a test order with both vendors to get some firsthand data. Here's my experience to help you out.

IDSKY:
Ordering was pretty straightforward. I put in my order on a Monday evening, got a confirmation email within about 6 hours. Communication was decent – I followed up with a couple questions about custom text placement and they answered within 24 hours, which felt reasonable. The turnaround was faster than I expected: payment processed Wednesday, shipped Thursday, and the pack landed on my doorstep the following Wednesday (so about 6 business days total to the Midwest).

Packaging stealth was solid – came in a plain bubble mailer with a generic return address that didn't scream "ID vendor." Inside the mailer was a folded piece of cardboard, and the IDs were tucked into a sleeve between two layers of cardstock. No extras, no weird adhesives, just clean and low-key. I can see why people trust them for domestic shipping.

As for scanning, I've tested them at a couple local spots that use basic scanners – both passed without issues. I haven't hit any high-end clubs or airports, but for general use they've been fine. Build quality is solid, the raised text feels legit, and the UV matches what I've seen from real IDs. My biggest con with IDSKY is the limited state selection – they only offer a handful, so if you're not in one of those states you're out of luck. Also, their website UX is clunky, but that's minor.

OldIronSides:
I went ahead and ordered from them too because I wanted to see if the "sketchy for scanning" rumor held up. Communication was slower – I messaged them about an order status and it took almost 3 days to get a reply. That was a red flag for me. Order timeline was similar: placed on a Tuesday, shipped Friday, arrived the following Monday (so about 6 business days as well). Packaging was okay – same kind of plain envelope but inside was a thermal shipping bag, which felt a little more conspicuous? Not terrible though.

Here's where it gets dicey: scanning. I tried the same test spots and the ID from OldIronSides failed at one bar's scanner. The barcode was apparently off by a couple digits in the encoded data. The physical card itself looks decent – good colors, clear microprint – but that scanning issue is a dealbreaker for me. Other people in the forum have said the same thing, so it's not just my unit. Also, their pricing is a little higher than IDSKY, so value for money takes a hit.

Overall VFM and final thoughts:
If I had to put numbers on it: IDSKY gets a solid 8/10 for VFM – price was reasonable, stealth was neat, scanning works, and communication was prompt. OldIronSides gets maybe a 5/10 for VFM – the scanning problem undermines the whole purpose, and the slower communication doesn't help. For IDSKY, the pros are reliable stealth, good scan rates, and quick shipping. Cons are limited state options and a clunky website. For OldIronSides, the pros are decent physical card appearance and fast shipping. Cons are scanning failures, slower communication, and a higher price.

Bottom line, I'd recommend IDSKY for anyone in one of their state options. OldIronSides feels like a gamble right now, so unless you absolutely need a state they offer and IDSKY doesn't, I'd steer clear. Hope this helps your decision!