what is a good hobby store

[gavabc]

could any of you tell me a good hobby store in the north island

[Kevinator9]

hobbycity is a good store.

[pope]

rc bandit is a good online store, if your are looking for gliders/slopies, there is good one overseas.

cheers
dave.

[Skycruiser]

436, wattsup, rc bandit

I buy pretty much everything from hobbycity now though.

Airsail is worth a visit if you go up to the big smoke. Good place to stock up on balsa.

[stripy]

whats 436?

[Skycruiser]

http://www.the436modelshop.co.nz/

[Ralph Walton]

I've had good success with hoby city too. Cept its in hongkong. I tend to buy 80% of what i need from overseas.
For example aircraft world shop in Japan have $US2 shopping on small items. So you can buy 2 apc props for about $US3 each, spend $2 on shipping and get them cheaper than just down the road.
And you don't even have to go out the door!

[stripy]

Kevinator, are you talking about the hobbycity in N Zed or the one in Hong Kong. The .com is a great store with cheap prices and thousands of items, then shipping is fast and cheap yet well packaged. 436 isn't that great of a store. In Whangarei there is a model store that has a few bits and pieces but it really depends on what you want. If you aren't prepared to go overses that may be a problem but I did and it turned out great!

Stripy

[Kevinator9]

Yea I was talking about the hobby city in nz. There is one on quay street central auckland and one on mecari way albany northshore.

[jackosmeister]

Wattsup.co.nz, rchelis/hobbyhanger.co.nz, top-rc.co.nz stock a lot of cheap chinese stuff, Airsail good but $$$, Some of the guys at rcbandit have %^&@ attitudes and leave you not wanting to return!

[Skycruiser]

Wattsup are always very helpful, pretty reasonable prices too. RCbandit once sent me an urgent order without payment up front (misplaced my c card) which I thought was excellent customer service, seeing as it was only my second order with them.

[jackosmeister]

Rcbandit are probably at their best online. In person the service is very average/rude/arrogant. All of my RC mates avoid them at all costs, even going as far as ordering from overseas at the same cost. Ive spent upwards of $1500 bucks in one hit at rcbandit and didnt get boo for a discount. (I wouldve spent close to 4.5g's all up with them!!) They seriously shoot themselves in the foot locally.

Ive only ordered from wattsup once, happily do it again though, Went in to the shop in hastings when I was there last and was very impressed with the way they knew their Sh%t! Very knowledgeable and give good advice.


Rchelis/Hobbyhanger have the best service online service I have ever experienced. I brought a whole bunch of stuff for a trex when i was just starting, half an hour later I got a phone call on my cell about some parts i had ordered not being compatable with each other and suggested I get "X" parts instead and they are half the price. Kevin virtually always ships before payment and includes chocolates :D, Ive had stuff arrive by courier 12 hrs after placing the order! Totally awesome service , and does great deals.

[stripy]

Yeah ive ordered from hobbycity hong kong with good results, service not too bad. Wattsup was overall good but by far hobbyhanger had the best service. Also very helpful with the products and compatibility. Like swapping the charger for a nz compat one. Not bad prices either.

[Dynamic_G]

I've had no problems from RC bandit for any of my purchases.

$1500 and no discount?? Did you ask for one??

Sorry but seems hard to believe. I'm sure Matt or Carl would have given you something if you had asked.

RC Bandit would have one of the best range of planes in NZ. Airsail for sure never stocked any decent composite slope soarers before RC Bandit came along!

[kevinc]

I have bought from Hobby City before but find that most of the stuff is just cheap chinese stuff. However they do have some really great stuff but postage is so expensive. I get a lot of my electric stuff from SC Models they are very helpful and have help me set up a lot of planes. YOu should have a look and ask questions of them they are very helpful

[siang]

Hi, I guess I'm abit late on this post. I'd recomend rcbandit, rchobbies and Hobbyhangar.

Surprisingly, I do find Matt from rcbandit very supportive on info. esp when I'm new to this hobby and they have loads of plane and cars, very well stocked. I think one needs to get to know them, I did have the same feeling about them as Jacko but now I find them very friendly.

Grant from rchobbies is another very suppotive LHS. I haven't been getting much from him due to the travel distance but he's shown plenty of support for me. I once purchase a clutch, on reaching there, he change it for me at no extra charges. I felt so obligaed that I end up purchasing more from him. I'd say he's the friendliest LHS that I've met.

Hobbyhangar is another excellent one. They have made me a few excellent deal too. Ask and you'll be surprise ..... provided it is reasonable, haha.

I'd say support your LHS if the difference isn't that much or we won't have the privallage to see all those heli expert flying at Waitangi Heli Rumble. :)

[ben199]

Hey,
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth...
I've found -RCbandit-best for motors/esc
-wattsup -best for building supplies
-Rchellis -best for ARF kits/batteries/radio gear

I also had an RCbandit moment.... not the best service but I think I caught them at a bad time, since then they have been great. Their website/online shop is good.

Wattsup... I've found to be good, even looked for the best courier deal for me rather than the easiest which was more expensive.

Rchellis... Great, the first and best online shop I've used, very friendly and helpfull.

[gsrac3r]

I have spent heaps at rcbandit, Storm Cl1 Petrol 1/8th buggy as well as a TT01 car plus heaps more.. and i only got a discount when i bought the cl1 ($50off) and TT01 (1 free battery)...

I spose rcbandit could work on the customer service skills... I rang them up one day and asked if they had a part and got a big "NO" and that was it...

Anyways yes, they are a good shop with heaps of everything but sometimes they don't give the best customer service...


Acorn Models in Christchurch is cool as well, i bought parts off them for my old tamiya dirt thrasher, they were very friendly and quick at posting as well.

Hobby City (Auckland), very cool shop, nice to deal with.

thats about the only places ive dealt with...

:) :D

[NZ_Nitro]

RcBandit New Plymouth has closed down