Worlds Worst Hobbie Shop

[hydromania]

I have come to the conclusion that Hobbie shop in Saint Mary's Maryland must be making to much money.You would think that When you have spent Big money through Them,you would have people that would at least give you the time of day.I have not been able to get one spare part in 4 weeks.Instead all you get is a different face every day,the run around with no matter what it is.It will be internet shopping for me,I will pay the shipping just to know that when you place an order,ask a question,look for some answers,There will be someone that can get what ever needs to be done ---DONE!!!!

The Sister Shop in Waldorf Maryland has been ok,but why drive 45 minutes when the closests dougs is 3 minutes away.

Can someone out their tell me if I'm just being a Pain,or is this just that way when it comes to hobbie shops.

People out there would have to agree that Missing one week because you need a part is to be understood.But to try and stock up on the things that could fail,- go out then have them fail,- not have the parts to get you going again, could really p%#@ you off.

Please tell me all the good internet hobbie stores so I can do some shopping,Already know.hobbyzone,hobbytron,funrcboats,Bonzi,whobbies ,ehobbies,aeromarine,Marine specialties.
Any others that are great to work with?????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????

[scorpien boats]

www.towerhobbies.com


i have two hobby shops in the area, one is great and one really really sucks

[Hydro Junkie]

You aren't alone. I have a "hobby shop" three blocks from home. Unfortunately, they only cater to the car set :( The next closest is almost 10 miles away, but they only stock things that fly and roll :( . As far as I can tell, very few "hobby shop"s really carry anything for boats :mad: . I can't even find a shop that carries Futaba radio gear or K&B engines :( The best shop in the area doesn't even carry a marine engine, but they do carry Pro Boat Buds in both sizes, with a full stocking of replacement parts!!!!!! Just to get parts like motor mounts and spruce sticks 48" long, I have to drive almost an hour and a half :( . Kinda bad when I live outside of Seattle, which doesn't even have a hobby shop. I haven't had the personnel problems you described, though. If I want something, they will all order it "SPECIAL" for me. I've come to the point where I'm going to start having to order parts online, just to get what I need. The only thing I have going for me is having people in the area who make and sell fiberglass and metal parts. Come to think of it, I'm just about to the point of needing a strut and shaft. Guess it's time for some phone calls :)

[hydromania]

sounds like we all need to go into the hobby buis.and stock our shelves,advertise for rc boats and show the land lovers what fun really is.Cannot say the planes are not fun,(they have to be).

[Hydro Junkie]

I agree, planes can be fun, especially if flown by a skilled flier. On the flipside, if you crash a boat you dump out the water, look for damage and if you find none, you go boating again. You crash a plane, you break out the broom and look for the radio, engine and any hardware that might be useable on the next one and head back to the shop to build a new one. I think boating sounds more cost effective. Having said that, I have plans for about four planes sitting in my shop, think I should start one? I'm thinking "FINISH THE BOATS FIRST"! :D

[hydromania]

Stay with the boats,you have alot of time in boats and have stored a good amount of knoweledge in that nugget.Like you said,you have a 50% chance of getting back on the run if you flip or reck your boat.When I flipped My Miss Bud,it ran till the carb sucked water.Brought it back to the dock and give it a couple of gentle pulls to claer water of the piston,shot some gas in the card and the zen started up on about the third pull.Ran two tanks through it after that to dry and lube,she has been running ever since.

Now as far as trying to run over a pyling? That happened on the 26th of March had the sponsons repaired,canard stayed off and I was up and running with a better performing boat.Imagine that!!!Remember that was a problem solving adventure.

Still need to gel coat the sponsons,one day I guess after I finish the haul on the other boat I am building.

[Hydro Junkie]

Since you brought it up, how long till painted and running pics?

[hydromania]

I ordered the running gear and a few other odds and ends tuesday.I hope to have more pictures for you maybe next week.As far as running prob. in about 4 weeks.I still need to get some of the miss bud and show it running without the canard.The digital camara is the issue so I have to take pic,develope,scan and then send them.I digital camara fell out of pocket into about 8 feet of water getting out of a boat and up on the dock.All that trying to take a pic of the miss bud while running.It was My works Camara.Bummer(Just so you know the Marina is my home Life,I am a manager for a cable company) BOOOOO to Satalites.

Anyway,
Still need to get the servos and rigging,for that matter the haul is not done yet.But it is coming along.Fiberglassing sucks.

[BoatDoc]

my LHS helps out where thay can. they'll order just about anything i ask for! there's not many boaters here. but i think the best shop i've dealt with is climate. they've taken real good care of me and answered all of my stooooooopid questions about electrics. but i'm on my own when it comes to nitro...the only help i get is guys who race APBA hydro's. and that's a bit different!

[Hydro Junkie]

Look at the bright side. You could be building a plug rather than a running boat. My problem is having to design everything as I go, and still be scale. I did learn one thing, though. Trying to go TOO SCALE is a @#$%#%@ pain in the @%$ :D When you get finished with your new boat, would you like to come out west and help me with my five? Actually, I have to order the radio gear before I go much further with the first one. I'm looking at a Futaba 9C transmitter and receiver set with digital servos. The only problem is IT'S EXPENSIVE!!!!!!! I'm looking at $500 to $600 for the works. What is nice is I can use the ONE transmitter for boats and planes by changing frequency modules on the transmitter. How's that for multitasking :D

[Ron Olson]

Most LHS's suck when it comes to boats. I have 3 in town and they don't carry diddly-squat. One has a small pegboard with some parts on it, another has 2 small drawers of parts and the 3rd, the newest, has a few RTF boats, the usual crap. It's much easier for me to make a phone call to the Chicago area to Gary Preusse and have whatever I need at my doorstep within 1-2 days. I still do support my LHS's buying whatever they do have.

[BoatDoc]

my LHS is trying to set accounts with places like octura right now. there's only a handful of boaters around here (i don't know any of them) but the shop is trying real hard to get what we want. the LHS folks may not be boaters, but they understand how much it sucks when you can't get what you want!

[mjmsprt40]

My LHS seems to stock everything for everybody. It helps that the person running the boating department is an avid boater, so I've not noticed a shortage of parts. Too many people, though, so it can take half-past forever to get waited on.

[Hydro Junkie]

Consider yourself lucky. Only one hobby shop in my area employs a boater, and he is strictly a scale person. I may have to go WAY IN DEBT and open my own shop. :cool:

[hydromania]

I will say that the people at Horizon AND Whobbies are fast with shipping,I do not know what is going on with the local store here?They order from the same people I do!Still it takes them 2 weeks to get what you need.Turn around time through the net takes about three days,confirmation of order, annnnnnddd I get an email when it has been shipped.A little feed back when ordering goes along way.Another real good place to shop is fun rc boats,i believe the lady that takes orders is Debbie,,,,,, she is great!!!!!!!

I guess I am just one of those people that like good customer service.Getting the run around is no way to drag another dollar out of my pocket.

Then again it is a terrible thing to have a couple of hundred in gift certificates,and three weeks later still have a 150 left becuase the local hobbie shop has nothing in stock to spend it on. NOW THATS A REAL BUMMER.

[wizardrc122]

Try Areomarine they always help me.http://www.aeromarinerc.com/

[BoatDoc]

i have to agree, the guys at aeromarine are very helpful. since i recently decided to get into electrics, i also have to say the Chris Fines at fine design, ray fuller at Fuller's Fast Electrics, and Peter over there at climate have been SUPER helpful to me in setting up my new boat. even a couple of the electric car guys at my LHS have started trying out the whole boating thing after seeing my Climate Blizzard. so, even though i don't know a lot of local boaters...there is always someone around who is willing to help out. and the parts are always just a phone call away!!!

[Ron Olson]

MJM, I had to bring this one back up to page 1. Seeing how you live in Villa Park, you have one of the best hobby shops that you haven't heard of, well, maybe you have. Gary Preusse has it all, if there is something that he doesn't have, he'll find it in short order. If you are ever in need of something and need it right away, give him a call at 279-2451. He does worldwide shipping. I'd love to go to his house sometime, it must be a Gold mine of R/C boats and accessories.

[BMAD01]

Here's a great one in Florida! Rocket City RULES! Brian Watts runs it, and he's a total boat junkie! You can either do the internet order thing, or call him in person. Either way you're gonna get results! :D I've gotten many parts from him for my 2 boats. Call him up and meet him, you'll be a happy boater when you're done!!! :D :D Brian :D



http://www.rocketcityracing.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jpdmfpi8
Here's one in California
http://funrcboats.com/Store.htm
Tennesee
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/

[mjmsprt40]

MJM, I had to bring this one back up to page 1. Seeing how you live in Villa Park, you have one of the best hobby shops that you haven't heard of, well, maybe you have. Gary Preusse has it all, if there is something that he doesn't have, he'll find it in short order. If you are ever in need of something and need it right away, give him a call at 279-2451. He does worldwide shipping. I'd love to go to his house sometime, it must be a Gold mine of R/C boats and accessories.


I wouldn't be surprised if Gary does have it all. I've run into him a few times down at my local pond, and-so help me-- it would be quicker to name the stuff he doesn't have.

Al's Hobby Shop in Elmhurst is the place I've found to have the best supplies and information around here, but I'll sure keep gary in mind too.

[BMAD01]

GEEZZEE!! AL'S HOBBY SHOP!! Yer bringin back fond memories! :) I used to live in Aurora, Ill., an I'd drive all the way to Al's cause they had EVERYTHING!! Great place! Brian :D

[Ron Olson]

A lot of these guys are great to deal with. I talk to Remy of Aeromarine at the Toledo show every year, I met Chris Fine last year at the MI Cup race, he talks to you like he's known you forever. Peter Richards of Climate have a good time together whenever we are in a chat room or meet in person. Brian, super guy. I used to chat with him online, the guy puts in 16 hours every day in his garage.
I haven't done any business with Al's, but have seen Cindy at a few races. She runs the place since her dad passed away, she does know her stuff!
I deal mostly with Gary, he has caller ID so he knows who is calling. I send him a lot of money. :)

[CFRACR]

Its good to hear that there is still some of the personal touch out there. All of my favorite LHS have gone to RC heaven.
I moved a few years ago & live in a pretty small city. Only one LHS & its a large mainstream one. 2 years ago when I first went in, nothing but the usual RTR(Hobbico,Kyosho & Proboat stuff) support parts for some, mostly the Miss Bud (hehe) but that was it. I have been pressing the manager since that boats are bigger than he thinks & the people are going elsewhere. This hobby shop did not even support the local boat club that runs at a lake 3 miles from them.

Well things have changed now!! When you go in, there are Super G's on the wall & more support parts for boats. More props & even some hardware sets.
He is even taking in trades on boats & fixing them up and re-selling used rigs.
The first used one only sat there for a week & was sold!! So now he has been on the look out for more. Just got a Stryker Cat used with a Picco engine. Sold in two days!!

I am happy because when I need certain things I can run down the road & get it. I still do most of my shopping online & make the rest of my stuff myself. But I still manage to spend 100.00 or more monthly there.