Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will you send me a list of numbers to choose from?
A: Sorry, but no. We have lots of plates stored in different locations. It isn't practical to go through them to build and send a list of alternate serial numbers.
Q: Do you have plates other than the plates shown on your website that I could choose from?
A: We try to keep some of each year, type, and quaility of plate on the website. It takes considerable time to locate the photos, index the plates, enter them into the order system, and put them on the website. In some cases, we have other plates. However, unless the plate on the website is sold or on hold, we don't e-mail photos, etc. of other plates due to the time required.
Q: Do you buy plates?
A: Not in most cases. We have not enlarged our collection in several years. Time doesn't allow us to attend swap meets (which we really enjoyed) or otherwise buy, sell, and trade plates like we would like to. Unless plates are excellent to mint Texas pairs in years and types that we need, and are priced "right", we are not currently purchasing plates.
Q: Do you trade plates?
A: Not now, but we may do so in the future. We will probably post trades on our website if we do.
Q: What grade is this plate?
A: Grading is very subjective, so we don't use grades. "A picture is worth 1000 words", so please use the photographs to assess the plate.
Q: What if I'm not happy with my plate?
A: We want you to be 100% satisfied with your purchase and give a 10-day money back guarantee on every plate we sell (other than bulk plates, road signs, and miscellaneous items), less shipping charges. Please see the details listed in "Return/Refund Policy" under our "Shipping/Return Policy".
Q: Do you sell or can you make reproduction plates?
A: No, all license plates we offer are genuine, officially-issued plates. We offer repainted plates intended for display on or registration of antique and classic vehicles, but they are officially-issued plates that have been refinished.
Q: Will you physically look at a plate and describe it for me?
A: No. Our plates are stored in several locations and are filed by state/year/type in alphabetical and numerical order. We have far too many plates to pull, look at, e-mail comments about, and file back in order so we can find it next time. We use the same photos you see on the website to answer inquiries. We can e-mail you a much larger photo that you can blow up to make your decision if you wish. (Expect a lengthy download time if you are on dial-up internet, because the photo files are very large).
In the rare case that a plate has serious defects that do not show in the scan, we will notify you before shipping the plate and give you the chance to cancel your order. After the plate is shipped, you have 10 days to decide if you want to keep it and to return it for refund (see our return policy).
Q: May I ask a question about a plate before buying it?
A: Yes, please e-mail questions to
(We used graphics rather than a hyper-link to prevent mailbots from reading our address. Please type it into your e-mail program.)
We promise to answer your inquiry as soon as possible, but please do not be upset if it takes a little while. As we said, working with license plates is a part-time affair.
Q: Will I receive the exact plate shown on the website?
A: In most cases the answer is yes, the plate shown is the plate we will send. However, if we sold or have placed the plate shown on "Hold" because someone ordered it before you, and if we have others in the same condition, we will advise you (usually with photos) and request that you tell us whether or not to ship a substitute.
Q: Where do you ship?
A: For now, we ship only to United States addresses.
Q: Is my shipment insured?
A: While we haven't had many plates damaged in shipment, we prefer to insure all shipments in case of loss or damage and automatically include insurance cost in shipping charges for your protection.
If you do not want your order insured, tell us when placing the order that you don't want shipping insurance. However, you thereby assume all liability for any loss or damage that may occur and forfeit the right to return plates that are damaged in shipping.
Q: Is shipping insurance required?
A: No. If you do NOT want us to insure your shipment, please tell us when you inquire about the plates and we won't add insurance. However, you are fully liable for any shipping loss or damage. Plates cannot be returned for exchange or refund if they are not in the original condition as shipped.
Q: Can I pay by credit card, cash, or PayPal?
A: Sorry, but we do not take credit cards, PayPal, or other forms of electronic payment. We accept U.S. currency, but discourage mailing cash due to risk of loss in the mail. Please see the How to Order page for complete instructions on how to place your order.
Q: Can you ship my order C.O.D.?
A: No, full payment is required before orders are shipped.
Q: How long will it take to get my plates?
A: We normally ship orders for 1-4 plates by U.S. Priority Mail, which is generally delivered in 3-4 days after shipping within the continental United States. Hawaii and Alaska take longer. If you request, we can ship by U.S. Express Mail (overnight) or UPS. However, the shipping charges are MUCH higher and we don't recommend the additional cost unless you have a very pressing need for the plates. Shipping times above do not include 14 days required for payment to clear unless payment is made with a U.S. Postal Money Order.
Q: Can you find plates for me that aren't shown on your website?
A: Sorry, but our sales are limited to the plates shown.
Q: Can I put an antique or classic plate on the front of my car if I have a valid current plate on the back?
A: It depends - laws vary from state to state, and we don't personally know the details of laws in states other than Texas.
If you are a Texas resident and do not know the Texas Year-of-Manufacture law, please see our Texas Year of Manufacture section.
We contacted most state DMVs and posted the information we were able to acquire under each state's name in our DMV Information section. You may use information posted there as a guide, but we DO NOT represent that our plates can be legally used on vehicles driven elsewhere. Check with your local DMV to see what is lawful in your area before purchasing plates. You are solely responsible for determining whether using plates purchased from us is legal in your area, for complying with all governmental regulations, and for all consequences of not doing so.
Q. What paint, equipment, etc. do you use to restore plates?
A. Sorry, but we don't discuss details of our restoration equipment or methods. We spent lots of time and money designing and having equipment custom-built. It took us years to research and perfect the products and application methods we use. We consider them a trade secret, so that's the $64,000 question we can't answer - unless, of course, you send a money order for $64,000 in which case we'll sing like a canary!
Q. Why won't you repaint or restore my plates?
A. We no longer have shop space due to closing our retail store. We hope to set up another shop in the future, but for now our equipment is in storage and can't be used.
Q. Why are some repainted plates marked "Blems"?
A. "Blems" stands for "Blemished". Blems shown on our site have serious defects in the metal or the paint did not When we began doing restoration work, we pulled hundreds of plates in various stages of decay from inventory and used them to test different repair and finishing processes and to see at what point we consider damaged plates no longer cost-effective to restore.
We drastically improved all of them. Some came out perfect, just as we hoped. However, others didn't for various reasons. Some had deep rust pits or edge damage. Others had hard metal creases or dents we couldn't repair as perfectly as we hoped. Some had noticeable paint defects or the lettering wasn't as smooth as we wanted.
Regardless of the defects that still show, the plates are perfectly acceptable for Texas Antique and Classic registration and are very acceptable for display on "driver" cars that are not perfect themselves. Restored "Blem" plates are often better than originals due to the high quality paints we use. While they won't meet a collector's or show car's close viewing standards, they look fine when viewed on a vehicle from a few feet away.
We sell "Blem" plates at reduced prices - sometimes less than the repainting cost alone - and sometimes less than you can find a rusty original. We think it's a win-win deal. We learned what works and what doesn't from testing various processes and customers with "driver" cars get better plates at a reasonable price.
Q: What causes the off-color streaks and glare in some photos?
A: Reflections and off-color streaks result from wrinkles in plastic storage bags. We hand washed our plates years before creating this website. We heat-sealed the bags to protect the plates from scratches and keep out dust and dirt when we carried the plates to outdoor meets. It is not feasible to cut and remove each bag to photograph the plate. If you have questions about a plate, please e-mail us. Additionally, we offer a 10 day money-back guarantee.
