Vendor raised prices - still worth it?
So I've been using this vendor for a while now, and I noticed they bumped their prices up a bit on the last drop. Honestly, I was a little skeptical at first — nobody likes paying more, right? But after receiving my latest order, I can say the increase is totally justified. They're putting the extra money into better materials and finishing, and it shows.
Ordering timeline: I placed the order on a Monday evening (their site says processing takes 1–2 business days). By Wednesday morning I had a shipping confirmation with tracking. It took about 9 days total from order to mailbox, which is pretty much what I expected for this route. No surprises, no delays. Actual in-transit time was around 6 days after it left their facility.
Packaging stealth: They've definitely stepped up their game here. The outside was a plain bubble mailer with a generic return address — nothing that would raise eyebrows. Inside, the IDs were tucked between two pieces of thick cardboard, and there was an extra layer of thin foam wrapped around them. No rattling, no obvious clues. Even the adhesive on the envelope flap was clean and professional. My mail carrier wouldn't have suspected a thing.
Communication speed: This was another area where I noticed improvement. Previously, their responses could take 24–48 hours. Now I'm getting replies within the same day, usually within a few hours. They also sent a follow-up message after I received the package to ask if everything looked good, which was a nice touch. Honestly, not many vendors do that.
VFM rating: With the old prices I'd have given them a solid 9/10. With the new prices, I'd still put it at an 8/10. You're paying maybe 15–20% more, but the quality bump is real — better print clarity, more accurate microprint, and the PVC feel is closer to a real state ID than their earlier runs. For me, that trade-off is worth it. If you're on a tight budget the old price was better, but you're getting a more passable product now.
Specific pros: Improved print registration — no misaligned text or off-center photos. The uv overlay is much more consistent, and the laminate doesn't peel at the edges like some of their earlier batches. Also, they added a few extra template updates that match the latest real-issue changes in my state. The turnaround time also seems faster than before, even with the price increase.
Cons: Obviously the higher price is the main downside. Also, their minimum order quantity didn't change, so you still have to buy two at a time. That stings a bit more now that each one costs more. I also wish they'd offer a tracked shipping option that's a little cheaper — currently you only get one choice and it's around $15. But that's a minor gripe.
So yeah, price increases that come with real quality improvements? I'm fine with it. If you're on the fence, I'd say go for it — this is one of those rare cases where the vendor actually delivered on their promise to level up.
Inflation affects everything. Surprised prices stayed stable this long honestly.
Which vendor? Want to compare to my current source.
15% is noticeable but if the product improved it tracks.
Yeah, I noticed the same thing on my last order. I've been using this vendor for a while now and was a bit caught off guard when I saw the price jump, but after getting the goods, I can't really complain. Let me break down my full experience so you can decide if it's still worth it for you.
Ordering Timeline: Placed the order on a Monday afternoon, got the payment confirmation within an hour. They processed everything by Tuesday morning and shipped it out that same day. Domestic shipping took 3 business days, so I had it in hand by Friday. That's pretty standard for them—never been more than 5 days from order to mailbox. This time it was actually a day faster than my previous order, which took 4 days. Tracking worked perfectly the whole way.
Packaging Stealth: This is where they've actually improved. My last few orders from them came in a standard bubble mailer, but this time the outer envelope was a plain cardboard mailer with a generic return address that looked like a small business shipping office supplies. Inside, the IDs were sandwiched between two thick pieces of cardboard—not the thin stuff that bends easily. The IDs themselves were each in a separate non-see-through sleeve, and there was no logos, no business names, nothing incriminating. Even if someone accidentally opened it, they'd just think it was a couple of sample cards. It passed the shake test too—no rattling.
Communication Response Speed: I didn't need to reach out this time, but I did send a quick question about the price increase before ordering. I used their encrypted messaging service (they switched to a better platform a few months back) and got a reply in about 6 hours. The response was polite, straightforward—they said the cost of materials and their own quality checks had gone up, so they adjusted pricing accordingly. That transparency actually made me feel better about it.
VFM Rating: I'd give it a solid 8/10. The 15% increase stings a bit, but the quality improvement is real. My previous order was already decent—plastic cards with ok microprint and a decent state seal. This new batch has noticeably sharper text, better lamination, and the holos actually catch light the same way as the real one I compared it to. Colors are more accurate too, especially the blue background on the state I ordered. So you're paying more but getting a premium product. If you're just looking for something to get into bars, the old price tier might have been overkill, but for serious use, this new quality justifies the hike.
Pros: - The UV patterns are much more detailed than before—they're using a better overlay. - The scannable barcode passed a couple of test checks I ran. - Thickness is spot on, no more feeling flimsy. - Customer service is still reactive and professional. - Ordering process was smooth, no changes there.
Cons: - Obviously the price increase—15% is not insignificant, especially if you're ordering multiple IDs. - They changed their payment options slightly; my old method wasn't listed anymore, but they had alternatives. - Shipping stealth is good but the cardboard mailer is slightly thicker so it stands out a bit more in a stack of letters—nothing your average roommate would notice though.
Overall, if you haven't ordered in 6 months or more, expect to pay more, but expect a better product too. I'm still going to use them for my next reorder. The value is still there if the quality matters to you.