ORIGINAL: ELTIGRE
Tower may be a "reputable "firm to you I have quite a different experience with them and so do others. I dealt with them as far back as 1977(when they were honest businessmen)not so today. case in point- upon purchasing a scratch n dent engine I was subject to intense sales pressure to purchase props (on sale) for the engine that were completely unsuitable. also intense pressure to join their buying club which would have been of little benefit to me.real arm twisting. there are others.
You CALL them? The last time I phoned in an order to Tower was sometime in the '80s. I build my orders online. When I accumulate $150 worth of stuff (the minimum for free shipping and their discounts), I hit order. As for the super saver club, I joined last year because I was getting back into the hobby and knew I would be placing multiple orders. Between the free shipping and club specials on things I actually needed, I've saved a huge amount. Before I order I still check prices at other places but most of the time the combination of free shipping and discounts makes the Tower price the best. Can't say whether I will renew or not, but for someone just starting, it actually can be a good deal.