I'm make a 3 tier wedding cake, 14, 10, 6.
I have the 9 inch Crystal look Spiked Pillars.
The lady at the bake shop said I need to dowel also, but I don't understand where the support would be in that, with no separator plates and no tier sitting on the other.
I thought the pillars would be the support needed. I have the crystal plates that sit on the pillars. I won't stack the cake until I get to the venue.
Am I missing something here?
Don't I just mark where they go with the plates, stick them in and put the plate on top?
You are right. Spiked pillars are the easiest stacking out there - in my opinion. Just mark your spot and push down. I usually have my pillars and plate pushed in prior to delivery. Then when I get to the reception locale I just add the layers to the plates. So much faster than the stacked construction.
Thanks for your response!!!
She just bought the shop from someone else and quite frankly, I don't think she's that experienced. She also tried to convince me the 7 inch was okay with a 3 inch cake pan, torted with a filling. I wanted to put gumpaste flowers in the center pn top of each tier. It would be, like, "what flowers?" 
One more question and I'll try to calm down and stop panicking (maybe):
Do I put the cakes directly onto the crystal looking plates that sit on the pillars, or do I need a cardboard cake board as well? I will have a heavy cake board on the bottom and the cake will be sitting on a silver cake "drum" type stand that is bigger than the bottom tier.
I think you can go either way - using a cardboard or not. I always use a cardboard. The only reason for this is because the customer can get my plates back to me sooner. I've had one occasion where a customer gave an extra layer to a guest at her wedding and gave the plate too, with the cardboard. I have a girlfriend that puts the cakes directly onto the plates. Personal preference. I don't think think there's a standard rule on this - or maybe there is and I'm not aware of it.
These pillars CAN be unstable, but you should be OK with only 3 tiers. The heavier the cake, the more likely it is to move around. Hopefully you are using a good dense cake.
When you start to stack it, don't move or reposition the pillars, it will weaken the cake and allow the pillar to move.
Also, once you stack tier two, if you notice any wobble, be even more careful placing the top. You will want to be extra sure the table is level.
I nearly lost the top two tiers using these pillars. I try to avoid them now.
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