About us
Plates4less is a trading style of VRM SWANSEA (VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKETING) LIMITED. Established in 1997, we are located in Swansea, the UK centre for personal number plate transfers. We are officially registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA RNPS supplier no: 3166) to supply number plates for vehicles registered in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. We sell cherished registration marks owned by clients, previously unissued DVLA Personalised Registrations, previously unissued DVA NI Private Number plates and our own stock of private plates.
Our expertise comes from working on a daily basis with the DVLA (formerly known as the DVLC) and handling hundreds of sales and transfers each week.
VRM Swansea (Vehicle Registration Marketing) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 734204. We act as a credit broker not a lender and offer finance options from a panel of lenders.
Opening Times
- Monday-Friday: 8:30am-6pm
- Saturday: 9am-4pm
- Sunday: 9am-4pm
Our internet service is permanently open for business. Through our website you can research number plates, search for your perfect private plate, make purchases, enjoy substantial discounts, sell your private plates and send us your questions, all in the confident knowledge that we employ the highest levels of expertise and security.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 01792 477316
- Email: sales@plates4less.co.uk
- Postal address: VRM Swansea, PO Box 465, Swansea, SA1 8YN
Our Values and Code of Practice
We are committed to operating our business in accordance with ethical and good business practices. This includes, but is not limited to, the avoidance of high pressure selling techniques and the non-exploitation of vulnerable or uninformed customers.
We are fully committed to supporting and upholding all relevant laws governing our trade, including, but not limited to:
- Sale of Goods
- Distance Selling
- Supply of Services
- Unfair Contract Terms
- Data Protection
- Our Registration at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO number Z9704649)
- Trade Descriptions
- Business Names Act
- Office of Fair Trading Consumer Credit
- Display of Vehicle Licence Plate Regulations
- British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion
General Standards of Trading
We shall not act or trade in any way, which brings our industry or the governing body, the DVLA, into disrepute and shall do our best to inform our customers of their full legal obligations relating to their business with us and the government, in advance of any business being agreed.
Our Terms and Conditions of business are available to read online and a printable version is available for our customers’ records. They have been written in plain English and are accessible from other key areas of our website to be read and understood before entering into any agreements.
Where we are beholden to third parties for their co-operation in the completion of any contract or agreement, this will always be explained and any necessary disclaimers will be presented, prior to entering any contract or agreement.
Customers will be given realistic timescales for the completion of sales and transfers and be kept up to date with the progress of their transaction as and when new information becomes available.
Advertising
Our advertising shall not be misleading or inaccurate, nor shall it in any way misrepresent the registration mark being shown for sale; registration marks will be presented as close as possible to the final legal representation of the font, spacing and style which has been approved by the government, under the law. We shall always strive to limit our advertising to private plates, which are genuinely available for sale and transferrable under the government cherished transfer scheme, refraining from making any exaggerated claims. Our prices will clearly show any additional fees which are payable in the final price and an itemised breakdown of the constituent elements forming the price will always be provided. Where there are limiting factors which may affect the supply, normal timescales, or the successful assignment (transfer) of a vehicle registration mark, then these will always be explained to the customer in advance of purchase.
Protecting Our Customers
We believe that integrity in dealing with customers is a prerequisite for a successful and sustained business relationship. We value our customers and the trust they place in us. We will safeguard the information provided to us by our customers in accordance with all relevant laws and contractual commitments. We are honest about the products and services we provide and would never intentionally misrepresent these. We strive to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of our products or services so that we can pass the savings onto buyers and sellers alike. We will not charge you more if you telephone us to place your order or charge a premium rate for telephone advice.
Our systems are designed to ensure that our customers only buy private plates, which are suitable for them and their intended vehicle. For example, we provide an online Transfer Age Rules Checker. Whether a customer orders online or over the telephone, we ask questions to determine the suitability of any given registration mark. We will always obtain our customers’ requirements before making any recommendations so that only suitable marks are offered.
The availability of personal private plates for sale, changes minute by minute. Where a purchase or transfer cannot be completed through no-fault of the buyer, a full refund shall always be given without unnecessary delay.
Under Regulation 13 of the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations, there are certain instances which remove the customer’s right to cancel a contract and we will always inform any affected customer, before they agree to enter into any contract or agreement with us.
That said, wherever possible, we will do our best to allow cancellations where good reason can be given and where the government will allow us to similarly rescind any contracts concerning the same registration mark.
During the selling process, we will collect full payment from the buyer for safe deposit with our bankers before releasing any documents to the DVLA and completing the transfer of the private plate. Only when the DVLA has informed us that the transfer has been successful shall we release the funds to the seller, protecting both buyers and sellers at all times. We cannot normally disclose the identities of either buyers or sellers due to the strict provisions of the Data Protection Act, but we must comply with any legal requests received from the Police in order to help them uphold the law.
Customer Complaint Procedure
If you require clarification regarding any aspect of your private plate purchase, or if you have any queries, these can be addressed immediately over the telephone during office opening hours on 01792 477316; our friendly, fully trained customer advisors will do their best to help you and resolve any issues.
If you would like to make a formal complaint, we request that you do so in writing, either by email or letter, so that we can fully and accurately investigate your case. Please give us the main points of your case as well as the Registration Mark and the names of any personnel you may have already dealt with.
The email address for formal complaints is administration@plates4less.co.uk and our postal address is: VRM Swansea Ltd., PO Box 465, Swansea, SA1 8YN.
We aim to acknowledge formal complaints within 24 hours of receipt, Monday to Friday and to respond within 10 working days. In complex cases, we will ensure updates are sent every 10 working days and will provide a final response within 8 weeks. The formal complaint will be dealt with by a manager or senior member of our personnel. Our written responses will include point by point coverage of your complaint as well as listing the outcomes of any necessary internal investigations and any actions taken.
In the unlikely event that we are not able to resolve the case to your satisfaction we reserve the right to employ the services of an independent mediator or arbitrator.
If your complaint is related to finance and you are not happy with our final response, or if we have been unable to resolve your complaint within eight weeks, you may have the right to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service:
Address: Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR
Tel: 0800 023 4567 (free of charge) or 0300 123 9123 (calls to this number are charged at the same rate as 01 and 02 numbers) or 020 7964 1000 (calls using Relay UK).
Website address: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/
Please be aware that complaints must be referred to the Financial Ombudsman within a maximum of six months of our final response to you.
We Are Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard Compliant - For Your Security and Peace of Mind
A recent survey of businesses in the UK revealed that only 12% are operating safe and secure practices to an internationally recognised security standard, when it comes to handling your personal data and in particular your payment (credit or debit) card data. Security breaches involving the theft of payment card data are costly and time consuming to rectify. Your identity may even be cloned without your knowledge. We take this very seriously and are accredited to the highest standards. We also do our best to ensure that all our business partners adopt the same high levels of data security for your safety and peace of mind.
We Are Members of the Federation for Small Businesses
The Federation for Small Businesses is the UK’s leading Business Organisation.
The Environment
As part of our goal of developing a sustainable business, we are committed to making continuous improvements in the management of our environmental impact through the limitation of pollution and environmental waste, together with the increased use of environmentally friendly products and practices. We cross-shred and recycle all documents and paperwork after its useful life.
www.plates4less.co.uk is a carbon neutral website
Our Supported Charities
Amount raised so far: £178,526.00
We have chosen to support 13 charities that we feel do outstanding work for others facing serious life difficulties, donating a portion of the proceeds of selected sales to a fund, which is transferred directly to these charities. Look out for these logos on our site.
www.tyhafan.org This charity provides a family hospice, offering comfort, care, and support for life-limited children and young people.
www.macmillan.org.uk This charity provides free, qualified, nationwide support for those with family members struggling with cancer.
www.mariecurie.org.uk Marie Curie Cancer Care provides free nurses and hospices for those suffering from cancer in the UK and Northern Ireland.
www.maggies.org/our-centres/maggies-swansea/ Maggie’s provides free practical, emotional, and social support to people with cancer, as well as their family and friends.
www.nspcc.org.uk The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children protects children across the UK, with the vision of ending child cruelty.
www.walesairambulance.com Wales Air Ambulance is an all Wales charity providing emergency air cover for those who face life-threatening illness or injuries.
www.cancerresearchuk.org Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors, and nurses to help beat cancer sooner.
www.rnli.org The Royal National Lifeboat Institution saves lives at sea.
www.bhf.org.uk Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer. The British Heart Foundation helps fund research into the causes of heart disease, medicines that help extend life for heart failure patients and technologies to keep hearts beating such as pacemakers and implants, to extend lives.
www.sjacymru.org.uk For 100 years, St John Ambulance Cymru has been at the heart of Welsh communities, committed to providing a lifeline to the people of Wales. Solely funded by donations and aiming to have a first aider in every home in Wales by teaching people in the workplace, community and schools.
www.alzheimers.org.uk Alzheimer’s Society is the only UK charity that campaigns for change, funds research to find a cure and supports people living with dementia today.
wwww.prostatecanceruk.org 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. We want a future where lives are not limited by prostate cancer. We unite the brightest minds and the most passionate and caring people to help men live long and live well. We provide funding for research as well as awareness, information and specialist nurses to support men and their families.
www.versusarthritis.org Versus Arthritis is here to ensure that no-one faces the pain, fatigue, and isolation of arthritis. 10 million people live with arthritis every day in the UK. That’s 1 in 6 of us, left to cope in agony - isolated and alone, waiting years for a diagnosis and surgery - unable to move, work or look after loved ones.
Versus Arthritis is here to provide vital support and information; fund pioneering research and campaign on issues that matter most to people with arthritis.
Arthritis and MSK conditions such as back pain can affect any of us at any age. Please support us so that our families, friends, and colleagues don’t have to face the pain alone – and we can all hope for a future free from arthritis.