The Old Dog Asks: Are Vanity Plate Owners Really Vain?
Today I read in the local paper that in Ticino Switzerland someone paid about $35,000 for a license plate numbered 888.888. This begs the question, WHY?
This plate was purchased during an auction of so called "coveted" numbered plates during which 47 were sold for a total of about $767,000. Again I ask WHY?
What's the most ever paid for a vanity plate? Watch for the shocking answer! Photo credit:
Definition of Vanity!
Hmmm that doesn't sound like a very nice quality! Source: Google Dictionary
How is "Vanity Plate" Defined?
Source: www.merriam-webster.com
What is The Most Ever Paid For A Vanity Plate?
According to the site therichest.com in 2008 Saeed Ghafour Khouri paid the equivalent of a staggering $14.3 million for the licence plate "1". See opening photo.
The Top 3 Most Expensive Vanity Plates in History
- 3. Dubai property owner Balwinder Sahni paid $9 million for a plate that has the number 5!
- 2. John Collins the owner of a company called Talacrest spent $813,622 for the plate 25 0 to put on his Ferrari 250 SWB
- 1. $14.3 million for the plate purchased by Saeed Ghafour Khouri
Did You Know?
- The money raised from the auction that sold the world's most expensive plate went to charity!
- Vanity plates can be a good investment as their value often keeps increasing over time!
- In 2013 UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency raised more than 88 million dollars selling personalized plates.
So, Are Vanity Plate Owners Really Vain?
I guess that it depends on your point of view. To those that buy them they are just a personal statement or even an investment. To most people though they are a pretentious waste of money!
When I lived in Ontario, Canada there were many personalized plates and I used to have fun trying to figure out what they said. For example KNOTTIE, WHYFOR, TEDEBEAR, GAZGZLR, NOT 4U or NICE 2 CU. The cost to convert a regular plate in Ontario to a personalized one is $310 Canadian Dollars ( $242 US). Perhaps at those more modest prices it's just good clean fun or even advertising!
What do You Think?
- Would you spend extra money to have a personalized or vanity plate?
- If Yes, up to how much would you spend?
- Were you shocked by the price of some of the plates?
- Are vanity plate owners really vain?
I hope that you enjoyed this article about Vanity Plates!
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
when money is equals to paper it happens...
This comment deserves a big upvote!
Thank you.
What for a OLDDOG Canadian plate? This is absolutely a vanity to me! Numbers doesn't give value to the person in my opinion...
OLD DOG is likely taken but I like to keep a low profile anyway!
Plates can be used to tell other more of who you are. They can express your personality or advertise a product or service. They can offer the feeling of being 'elite'. Are they vein you ask? Perhaps yes. It is not for me to say. It depends what the motive is. Is it about yourself or are you promoting a higher cause? One must consider the equation of the cost of the plate vs the return whether that be happiness, increased business, or promoting a worthy cause. For some it is just money and the end result cannot be priced. It is up to the person. For myself in certain cases I may choose to have one yes but would not spend a lot of money on it. There are more important things in life for me to do. Enjoyed the post my friend.
I always enjoy your thoughtful comments @enjoywithroy and I have similar opinions. Who am I to judge if someone is vain or not? in the case of the highest price paid apparently the funds went to charity.
I think it's rather strange, but to each their own. I'm not inclined to spend money on personalized plates.
A few months ago, I was driving to work and sat at a traffic light behind someone in a brand new top-of-the-line Jaguar with the plate "SO VAIN." Truth in advertising?
That plate that you saw fits in perfectly with this article. Thanks for sharing that!
When I was in dubai this year( I go every year) I always see insane cars with lisence plate numbers that seem just like that I was thinking if they can pay for a car like that then what’s a little more money ?
Amazing...money to burn!
We have an original STEEM vanity plate for free :)))
Well, it's a joke, the plate was photoshopped.
I would never buy vanity plate, even If I would be rich. I'd rather spend my money for travelling. The price in your post is really shocking! But it's a good point that it went to charity! Investment? I don't know...I would rather invest in education, researching or green technologies.
Finally, a little numerology: eight is a very powerful number. In China it brings good luck. 888.888 brings much more good luck.
I love your photoshop abilities have you done any tutorials about your methods.
I had never thought about the numerology angle and in fact I was wondering what the attraction to all of the 8's was.
Some more numerology: if you turn the number 8 horizontal, becomes the "endless" sign. In timephysics, 8 is the source symmetry of light (6 is the source symmetry of space).
unbelievable.. it's just a plate... I would spend it to be a whale on steemit.. lol
That is a great idea. Imagine having millions worth is Steempower!
The ones who pay knows that they could make money . Myself should not pay more as long as number 13 is not in the plate.
You would pay for number 13? Why?
I would pay extra to change if number 13 is on the plate 😉
Having a special message on my government issued plate isn't too high on my priority list so I imagine that even if I were a billionaire I wouldn't spend more than $500 USD on a personalized plate. Can't say for sure since I've never been a billionaire though. Many things could change!
The most memorable vanity plate I've seen was on a late model Corvette circa 2010 that read either PAIDCASH or PDCASH.
Yes, not too high on mine either. The funny thing where I live is that you're paying just to have a number not a message!
I am vain myself when my body was still normal.
I also planned to bleach my skin to make it fairer at one time.
So it is just like combing your hair to make it look good, some people just have the money for t.
I know what you mean. Most of us like to like to look our best!