Tower Pre-Order question

[tamiya_1971 722]

On a pre-order, does Tower Hobbies charge your card immediately or at the time the order is fulfilled/shipped? 

NM, I just asked the Virtual Assistant at Tower.

 

There are several benefits to pre-ordering or backordering with us:

- No upfront payment: You don't have to pay anything until your package is shipped. This ensures that you are not paying for a product that you haven't received yet.
- Price drop benefit: If the price of the item you've ordered drops before it's shipped, you'll be charged the lower price. This ensures that you always get the best deal.
- Priority in line: By placing a pre-order or backorder, you'll be in line to receive the item as soon as it comes into stock. This is particularly beneficial for popular items that may sell out quickly.
- Faster delivery: The sooner you place your order for a new or backordered product, the sooner you will receive it. This can help you get your hands on new products faster than others.

[GToddC5 2659]

I wish it were that simple - and years ago it was - but in recent years I watched several items I had on pre-order come into stock, but my pre-orders were not prioritized and sat stagnant. Some of them never shipped and were cancelled, losing my discounts and Loyalty points in the process. The only way I would pre-order with them now, would be if I wasn't using any discounts. But then, without discounts what's the point - I'll order from AMAIN. Tower only gets my business if in stock and discounts apply. I say all this while wishing you the best of luck with your choice, and maybe prepare you not to be surprised if they don't perform as expected. 

[tamiya_1971 722]

Their customer service blows for sure. I’ve asked them about pending points on my account several times with no response. AMain irks me too. They put out discount codes. The more you spend, the less discount you get. I don’t get that logic. 

[Saito2 8338]

I keep a nice little burning ball of hatred in the back corners of my mind for what Horizon did the Tower. It almost would have been better to let them die peacefully.

[Rinskie 1284]

57 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

I keep a nice little burning ball of hatred in the back corners of my mind for what Horizon did the Tower. It almost would have been better to let them die peacefully.

I concur. Growing up I either had a Tower catalogue, a Tamiya catalogue or a copy of the latest RC Car Action with me at all times. I poured through the Tower catalogue and spent most of my youth dreaming about everything within from airplanes to snow plows. Now I wouldn't spend a single red cent with them. I buy domestically from Amain or TQ.  

[RichieRich 846]

I hope your preorder works out. But, yeah, I've had the same issues in the past with Horizon/Tower and preorders. After I pre-ordered, the order just sat and never updated even when the product was showing in stock. The last one they botched so bad, I started ordering from Amain and other shops. I haven't spent any money there since 2023.

[Kpowell911 2494]

7 hours ago, Saito2 said:

I keep a nice little burning ball of hatred in the back corners of my mind for what Horizon did the Tower. It almost would have been better to let them die peacefully.

Horizon have caused far more damage to this hobby than Traxxas have yet Horizon seem to get no stick!

[Saito2 8338]

6 hours ago, Kpowell911 said:

Horizon have caused far more damage to this hobby than Traxxas have yet Horizon seem to get no stick!

I'm going to guess its because Traxxas is much more blatant about their heinous deeds with big headline-grabbing actions like lawsuits etc. Horizon, on the other hand, more quietly gobbles up smaller companies and either assimilates them into the Borg collective or dismantles them. Their actions may be "quieter", but for the hobby, far worse overall.

[Kowalski86 4795]

45 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

I'm going to guess its because Traxxas is much more blatant about their heinous deeds with big headline-grabbing actions like lawsuits etc. 

It's partly the headlines, and partly the fact that people don't pay attention to monopolies as much. Some people look surprised when I tell them how Princess Leia, Miss Piggy, and Homer Simpson are now officially Disney Princesses.

I think what really hurts the hobby are all of these recent bizarro, off-scale RCs with propietary body mounts and electronics. It forces aftermarket companies to roll the dice and make parts in a weird size for models that may or may not last very long on the market.

[Tamiya Fan 1 443]

Tower Hobbies is owenrd by Horizan Hobbies now. That is when tower changed. It is Horizan run, just a 2nd name. Tower used to be the only place to shop! Not so much now.

Amain Hobbies not to bad. On Ebay, Liquid RC, Nitro Hobby also good.