MyPlates.com Rips Off Customers – Price Increase $85 to $195
Angry about the price increase? Let MyPlates.com and other customers know by commenting on the MyPlates.com Facebook Page. Unfortunately, you will need to “Like” them to leave a comment, but let others know about this enormous price increase: MyPlates on Facebook
I’ve always liked personalized license plates. When I was a kid, it was amusing to try and figure out the riddle of a cryptic plate. When I bought my first car in college, I went to the local tax office to find out how to get personalized plates. Since then, I’ve had them on almost every car I’ve owned.
A couple years ago I was excited to learn about new personalized license plate designs from MyPlates.com, a private vendor for the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. I decided to get one of the newly designed plates, even though it was a bit expensive at $95 per year. The personalized plates I had in the past were ordered directly from the Texas DMV in Austin, at $40 per year. So even though the price was higher, I thought I would be cool to have one of the new designs. Fast-forward about a year and a half later and I receive this letter (see below) informing me that if I want to renew my plate, the renewal rate is $155 per year. And other specialty plates will increase from $85 to $195 per year! Since this is the only vendor with which the State of Texas has a relationship, it looks like I am stuck. It’s not like I can run to a competitor. I certainly don’t want to pay $155 per year for plates, in addition to regular registration fees. How can the state promote a company that does this? What is to stop MyPlates.com from increasing the price to $255, $355, or heck, why not $1000? It’s quite aggravating to me.
My attempt at a solution: I’m going to see if I can register the same plate number with the state, instead of the misguided folks at MyPlates.com. I will keep you posted, but as for now, it seems MyPlates.com has a license to rip you off.
P.S. As of the posting date of this article, “RIPOFF” is available for purchase.
Related Articles:
- MyPlates.com Sends Customers Misprinted License Plates
- MyPlates.com NOT IN GOOD STANDING with Texas Comptroller?
Tags: myplates, myplates.com
Any update?
Have you heard from Tx DMV ?
I too think it is a RIP OFF!!
If this is the state’s specialty license plate program I think they should look for another vendor. They offer no reason for such an increase.
I’ve contacted the TxDMV to complain. They said they record the complaint. Who knows what good that will do. If you’ve taken the time to read this post, please take the time to complain yourself. Call the number above and complain. Also, if you have a Facebook account, make your feelings known by leaving a comment on the MyPlates.com Facebook Fan Page.
http://www.facebook.com/myplates
Do you happen to know that the state contracted the vendor MyPlates to raise money for the Revenue fund of Texas? Why would they lower the prices if that is helping Texas. Also the state is who sets the prices for MyPlates. I had an $85 dollar white plate. I called the state to ask what happened? The state had them change that white plate to its original price of $195 in order for MyPlates to meet the quota they have guaranteed the state in the contract they have. You don’t go to a dealership and ask why they raise the prices on the cars every year. From the blog you posted it also sounds like you lost a plate you had from the state at the “grandfathered in” price..so isn’t it your fault for not renewing the plate on time?
@Daniel, did you read this post? I’m not sure that you did. What part of this post makes you think I lost the plate I had from the state? What part of this post makes you think I did not renew my plate on time? I’m confused on how you reached these conclusions. I re-read my post and I wasn’t able to see anything about losing my plate or not renewing on time. Do you have some secret password that unlocks the internet and shows words I didn’t type? If you do, can you tell me the secret password?
Josh – get a life. The program will raise over $25 million for the state. This is money that the state DID NOT have until it sourced the plate program. And guess what, it does not cost the state a dime.
Have you ever thought that this program is actually benefiting Texans by putting more money in the kitty to keep our roads maintained and safe??
You should do more research if you are going to make public comments. Actually, don’t bother. I am sure all 4 people that read your blog actually would care wither way.
Hi Mr. Few, Next time read the article. I actually like the program. It’s the price increase to existing customers that I don’t like. And thanks for being my 5th blog viewer.
50% off MyPlates.com promotional code cuts the new pricing in half, however the “white” plates would still cost more than the original price. The search for that coupon code has been fruitless. If anybody has any promo codes, please comment.
I did start looking into changing my ” ylrflr ” personal plates to another message but stopped after finding out they went up 100 %. Chauk-up a ” Lost Sale “.
A little bit too much for me.
This does suck. I had two personalized plates before. One in Cali the other in Louisiana. Beiieve me the prices were no where near what they are asking in this state. Oh, by the way you owned the plate for LIFE…….
Wow. I’m amazed that people will get on here and declare that they don’t mind paying almost $200.00 per year for a personalized plate! I relocated to Texas in 2007 and I had a personalized plate from Pennsylvania that I had duplicated down here. I’m grandfathered in and pay just $40.00 per year for the basic white plate. It’s still a ripoff because they charge that fee every year, whereas in PA it was a one time fee of at most $60.00.
I know they have layaway plans now and the annual cost is less if you pay multiple years in advance, but it still seems like greed to me. Sure the fancy colors are nice and it optimizes customization, but it’s not worth an amount some people might pay for auto insurance. I mean, it’s a vanity plate! At worst the State of Texas should give people an option: $40 – $60 for the basic white plate OR $$$ for the designer MyPlate. Right now, anyone who wants a vanity plate is forced to plunk down $195.00, and that isn’t right no matter where they claim the money is going. Greed stinks.
You can still get personalized plates from the state for $40. You just cant get the variety that MyPlates offers. You can get “orgainzation”, some college plates and some professional sports team plates. $195 for plates is a RIPOFF. When notbody pays the price, MyPlates will either lower the price, or fold up their operation.
https://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/SpecialPlateOrderServlet?grpid=60