Order one ID or two at the same time?
Honestly, it depends on why you need it. If you're just testing the waters or need one for a specific event, order one first to see if it flies. That way you're not stuck with two duds if something's off. But if you already know you'll use two, the shipping cost kinda evens out, so it's tempting to grab both. My advice? Read the sticky on getting started first—it covers the basics like lighting setup shadows and signature background stuff. Seriously, do that before ordering anything, noob question or not. Beats wasting cash.
0
0
Login to reply
Debated this decision myself and have now placed orders both ways. Here is my thinking on it and what the tradeoffs actually look like.
The case for ordering one
Your first order from a new vendor is a test as much as it is a purchase. You are evaluating the vendor's quality, communication, shipping reliability, and product accuracy. Committing to two cards before you have seen even one from this vendor is accepting risk without information.
Ordering one first is cheaper and lower-stakes. If the quality is not what you expected, you lost $100 rather than $200. If the vendor does not deliver, you are out less. The information from the first card tells you whether it is worth ordering more from this vendor.
The case for ordering two
Many vendors discount for bulk orders. If you already have reason to trust the vendor from reviews and prior experience, ordering two at once saves on per-card cost and on shipping — two cards in one shipment costs less to ship than two separate shipments. Vendor communication and production time is shared across both cards.
A duplicate also provides backup. Cards get damaged, lost, or confiscated. Having a second card from the same vendor, same state, same information is practical insurance. Most experienced collectors keep at least one backup for any card they use regularly.
My approach now
First order from a new vendor: one card. Second order from a proven vendor: two cards at minimum. The first order is information-gathering; subsequent orders from the same vendor can be optimized for cost.
If you are choosing between a vendor you have used before and a new vendor, the established one is worth paying slightly more for on a two-card order. The uncertainty cost of a new vendor is real and not fully captured in the price.