So I'm in Canada and last month during a trip to US I ordered SPS system from Global Sugar Art for a wedding cake I'm working on this coming weekend. Since its my first time working with a 12", 10" and 8" cake I figured the SPS will make it a breeze.  Until now I've done several 10",8" and 6" 3 tiered cake with bubble straws. 

Well just looked at the pillars and they're 4" high! For some reason I swear I thought they were 5" high.  What am I suppose to do? All my pans are 2" high, so from the top of my head my cakes are often 4.5" high and I was going to use extra buttercream to built it upto 5".  Now my issue is the pillars are approx .5" too short. 

I dont think I can purchase 5" pillars anywhere locally.  I looked prior to ordering the SPS from US. 

cut your cake to fit the pillar

The problem is I level my cakes while still in the pan as it's easier and have never really torted them nor do I have the slicer. 

Cake has to match the pillars.  No option there.  SPS DOES make a 5" pillar, but prob not available anywhere on such short notice.

Just dug up this post from a previous and thread and hoping I have the same experience...

"sillywabbitz Posted 27 Sep 2010 , 5:26pm

In the SPS thread Leah had some good hints for getting your cake 4inches. Mine tend to be too tall not too short

image: http://cdn.cakecentral.com/build/smiles/icon_smile.gif

and I find if it's just under 4 and 1/2 inches they really work perfect for me. Right at 4 inches and I still feel the plates are a little tall. Also be sure you are taking the collars off the plates (the little round rings that go where you insert the legs). This is a must if you want the plates to sit flush. 
When I level my cakes I do actually measure them. I sprang for an Agbay which makes it much easier to ensure you have your layers the right height but I was able to do a pretty good job before with a seweing ruler and a knife

image: http://cdn.cakecentral.com/build/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Read more at http://www.cakecentral.com/forum/t/697173/spsnot-so-much-for-those-who-love-it-this-is-jmo#uG0IKP7WzyrGeErj.99"

Find a few cake circles, put them in the bottoms of your cake pans, place the cakes back in the pans and level them across the top like you normally would.

Thank YOU! Why didn't I think of this! Thank you again! 

Happy to pass along what I've picked up on this site!

My cakes are always a little over 4in high and I always use the SPS system! The pillars are only 4in high but when added to the plate is gives it that little extra height :)