Have been a member for about five years and on some services you get instant acceptance just for being a member, when i set up my shop i set up a merchant account and credit card terminal no questions asked, was really easy.
also i dont know if they do it now, but membership used to be according to size of business, but if you start when small the fee always stays the same and can be used for any business you run. think i pay around £70 a year, well worth, and the benefits are real benefits not just offers to temp you.
Had to phone for some legal advice a year or two back, and the guy i spoke to was very helpful, was ex tax inspector and knew his stuff inside out. - was worth just for that phone call alone.
regards
steve