I would like to suggest that you indicate the date speicfied in ECAS for every update of the members. Ex. "APPLICATION RECEIVED" ECAS, you can type in the date instead of the word itself, "APPLICATION RECEIVED". I also changed the color of the column to highlight the updates in ECAS.
In 2011 I paid all fees together as you are paying or telling, but my application got rejected last year and I haven't received my cheque back yet its been over 8 months, I have sent 100 emails to visa office in New Delhi and no reply.
So, by paying your fee ahead of the time could be bad sometime, patience and slow and in order work helps and is the right way for everything.
I was also in Canada and I put my application to Ottawa but they forwarded it to Delhi visa office unfortunately.
I am still waiting for the cheque, Paying RPRF ahead ,not saying its bad thing but there is a possibility if anybody's file get rejected he may have to wait for long time or can not get fees back like me for saving 3 working days.
other than that ,as you said bro its personnel choice if somebody wanna save 3 days or a long time.
I would like to suggest that you indicate the date speicfied in ECAS for every update of the members. Ex. "APPLICATION RECEIVED" ECAS, you can type in the date instead of the word itself, "APPLICATION RECEIVED". I also changed the color of the column to highlight the updates in ECAS.