Stinks how many dealers do this. Dealership happened to get my plates in while my gti was being looked at for a water pump failure issue. My salesman called me and asked me if I wanted the plate mounted on the front or not, because some people don't want them on the front, I said no, and he just threw the second plate in my trunk. I think some dealerships think it is a liability for them if they don't install the plate in a state where it is the law, but it is nice when they leave it up to the customer
I don't know how it is in other states, but I have driven in Texas for many years with no front plate, and I would say 1/4 of cars I see don't have them. I think it is something the police will use of they think you are up to something else and want to pull you over anyway, but I have probably driven by hundreds of cops over the years and never once have been pulled over for it.