Where do you buy your RC Stuff?

LLoo · Mar 09, 2006, 08:26 AM

Hello fellow Canadians,

I don't know about you but I'm very jelous of our friends towards the south who have a seeminly endless supply of RC Stores. I thought it might be a good idea for us to share with each where we buy our RC stuff and our experiences, either local, or online. How did the shipping go, comments on support...etc.

Let me start with my comments:

I personally am a fan of discount RC equipment, mostly because I want my RC budget to go as far as I can and since I still consider myself a novice flyer my planes meet the ground in unpredictable was ;-)

Zebra Hobbies (www.ZebraHobby.ca)
Pro's:
They keep adding new stuff to their lineup
They're now carrying the cheap BP motors
Delivery is QUICK.
I don't have to pay PST

Con's:
I can't think of any....

Wold Hobbies (Located in Hong Kong, sales via EBAY)
Pros
Their prices are really cheap!

Con's
They're in Hong Kong, so delivery takes a long time
Others on RCGroups have had problems with their orders....but my transacations have gone fine.

I've purchased from (many) other places but I think I've blabbed on long enough for now. Let's here from others....Leon.

================================================== ===============
Added summary of links from this thread - I'll do my best to keep it up to date
================================================== ===============

Canadian Online Stores
http://www.zebrahobby.ca/
http://www.truenorthernhobbies.com/
http://home.comcast.net/~truerc/index.htm
http://www.hobbywholesale.com/
http://www.greathobbies.com/
http://www.icare-rc.com/
http://www.rctoys.com/
http://skyhooks.ca/
http://shop.eliminator-rc.com/
http://www.truerc.net/canada2/home/homeca.html
http://www.rcmodels.ca/
http://www.hopuphelihobbies.com/

Local Hobby Shops with online presence:

Calgary
http://www.actionhobby.ca/

Winnipeg
http://www.eliminator-rc.com/

Scarborough
http://www.advancehobbies.com/

Richmond Hill
http://www.advance-rc.com/index.html

Streetsville Mississauga
http://www.hobbyhobby.com/

Markham
http://www.ajhobbies.net/textlinks.asp?page=about

Kitchener
http://www.flitecraft.com/

World wide online hobby shops which ship to Canada
http://www.hobbycity.com/
http://www.bphobbies.com/
http://www.allerc.com/index.php/
http://www.horizonhobby.com/
http://www.espritmodel.com/
http://www.aircraft-world.com/
http://www.amainhobbies.com/ (cars & trucks)

Customs Information
http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html

The Enemy · Mar 09, 2006, 10:58 AM

Hey Leon, great thread idea!

I have a few different places I go through.

www.TrueRC.com is great for discount batteries. The service is second to none. (Chicago, but never a shipping problem. Just started in Quebec, but I haven't ordered from there yet... I'll probably stick with Dan in CHI.)

HobbyHobby in Mississauga / Streetsville. Nice guys, very busy, fair prices. Sometimes difficult to get someone to help you out though...

Flightcraft in Kitchener. Overpriced but convenient. Didn't like them as a newbie, but after I was intermediate, they're much more palletable. (Don't deal with the young kid, he really doesn't care...)

www.ZebraHobby.ca .... Only ordered once, but got pretty good service. I did hear about an issue of missing parts in a couple shipments, but it was most likely a one time incident. And their selection is definitely getting much better.

That's all I can think of for now...

Corey

bororin · Mar 09, 2006, 12:21 PM

Hi Guys!

I share your envy to our friends down south... It is not easy to buy around here... Local hobby shops in Montreal are over priced and low on inventory (specially electrics).

I usually buy on... www.gwsexpert.com... also www.allerc.com even though I had a problem once that was difficult to solve but since then they made it up and I gave them another chance and all the other orders have come thru pretty smooth.

Also a friend recomended www.balsapr.com but I have never tried it.

Good idea LLoo...

Bororin

LLoo · Mar 09, 2006, 10:56 PM

I've used www.allerc.com and www.balsapr.com as well. Both were positive experiences. I have not seen gwsexperts before, I've added them to my bookmarks.

I was just at HobbyHobby today, I was like a kid in a candy store. Great place.

Thanks.

Cam Galbraith · Mar 09, 2006, 11:59 PM

I use www.greathobbies.ca and www.zebrahobby.ca. Good service from both, with many orders. Only snag I had with GH is when I had a pair of servos back ordered forever.

I also support AVF my LHS.

P-38J-Lightning · Mar 10, 2006, 10:25 AM

i also use www.greathobbies.ca but i find www.hobbywholesale.com has better deals!

P-38J-Lightning · Mar 10, 2006, 10:26 AM

oh and both are based in Edmonton, Alberta

The Enemy · Mar 10, 2006, 11:02 AM

Well, just placed an order through www.horizonhobby.com

I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes. It's even being shipped from 2 different warehouses, one in IL and one in CA!

P-38,
Hey, good to know that they're in Canada. I'll be looking at those places too in the future.

Corey

LLoo · Mar 10, 2006, 12:12 PM

Corey, what did you buy? Anything exciting?

I purchased 4 x HS-55 servos from Great Hobbies for $14.95 each! I've never found a better price, even from US sites! Their still on sale if anyone is interested. Great little servos, great price. http://www.greathobbies.ca/products/...od_id=HITHS55S What's AVF? Do they have an oline presence? I'm in London every once in a while.

Leon.

The Enemy · Mar 10, 2006, 12:28 PM

Leon,
I bought some new wheel pants for my Ultimate Bipe. (Had an unscheduled meeting with Terra Firma on Wed...) And just to make it all worth it, I got a TigerMoth slope kit. Comes without the motor and LG so it's a TON cheaper. But I love my TigerMoth and had to retire it because it was my feline's favorite till he got hit. The new Moth will be specially painted and named "Tiger's Moth" in his honour.
Corey

Cam Galbraith · Mar 10, 2006, 12:58 PM

Leon- Nice snag! I'm ordering 3 as we speak, but the shopping cart won't let me check out for some strange reason

Cam

Cam Galbraith · Mar 10, 2006, 01:07 PM

Never Mind! All figured out. I think all the Hitec stuff is on sale, the electron 6's are down to 45 from 59 or so I think...after I get paid next week I might pick one of those up!

Cam

rkhoo · Mar 10, 2006, 01:27 PM

I have used Zebra, thery are good. Price and service.

I have used backyardflying.com in Q, he is cool too.

AlleRC is fast.

HobbyLobby is fine too, esp with their @2.5 shipping for unit under 4"x4"x4".

I like to support my local shop if applicable. If compared to typical online shops, I am willing to pay a 20% premium on items less then $100; and 10% on anything above. Afterall we need to pay for our convient. right? Anything more then 30% is unacceptable. Am I too far off?

There are time the LHS has a better price and other time they just can't match up.

How much will my LHS charge on a $15US GWS 2205 outrunner, when they become available My guess is $39 CAD

I still want to support LHS if I can help.

Regards.

LLoo · Mar 10, 2006, 02:05 PM

rhkoo,

I certainly support my LHS, I've given them a small forturne. ;-) But sometimes it's just too hard to part with my money. I think your guess on those GWS motors will be bang on. My LHS brought in some of those BP21 motors, online US stores sell them from $14 to $20 but my LHS had them priced at $39.

Here's another good Canadian deal I found, Zebra has the BP21 motors on for $19.50.

The Enemy · Mar 10, 2006, 02:11 PM

Leon,
Was it FlightCraft that had them for so much?

I asked them what they would sell my Bipe for... Let's just say TWICE as much as my brother paid for it!
Corey

Mar 09, 2006, 08:26 AM	#1
LLoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Guelph, Ontario Canada Posts: 646	Where do you buy your RC Stuff? Hello fellow Canadians, I don't know about you but I'm very jelous of our friends towards the south who have a seeminly endless supply of RC Stores. I thought it might be a good idea for us to share with each where we buy our RC stuff and our experiences, either local, or online. How did the shipping go, comments on support...etc. Let me start with my comments: I personally am a fan of discount RC equipment, mostly because I want my RC budget to go as far as I can and since I still consider myself a novice flyer my planes meet the ground in unpredictable was ;-) Zebra Hobbies (www.ZebraHobby.ca) Pro's: They keep adding new stuff to their lineup They're now carrying the cheap BP motors Delivery is QUICK. I don't have to pay PST Con's: I can't think of any.... Wold Hobbies (Located in Hong Kong, sales via EBAY) Pros Their prices are really cheap! Con's They're in Hong Kong, so delivery takes a long time Others on RCGroups have had problems with their orders....but my transacations have gone fine. I've purchased from (many) other places but I think I've blabbed on long enough for now. Let's here from others....Leon. ================================================== =============== Added summary of links from this thread - I'll do my best to keep it up to date ================================================== =============== Canadian Online Stores http://www.zebrahobby.ca/ http://www.truenorthernhobbies.com/ http://home.comcast.net/~truerc/index.htm http://www.hobbywholesale.com/ http://www.greathobbies.com/ http://www.icare-rc.com/ http://www.rctoys.com/ http://skyhooks.ca/ http://shop.eliminator-rc.com/ http://www.truerc.net/canada2/home/homeca.html http://www.rcmodels.ca/ http://www.hopuphelihobbies.com/ Local Hobby Shops with online presence: Calgary http://www.actionhobby.ca/ Winnipeg http://www.eliminator-rc.com/ Scarborough http://www.advancehobbies.com/ Richmond Hill http://www.advance-rc.com/index.html Streetsville Mississauga http://www.hobbyhobby.com/ Markham http://www.ajhobbies.net/textlinks.asp?page=about Kitchener http://www.flitecraft.com/ World wide online hobby shops which ship to Canada http://www.hobbycity.com/ http://www.bphobbies.com/ http://www.allerc.com/index.php/ http://www.horizonhobby.com/ http://www.espritmodel.com/ http://www.aircraft-world.com/ http://www.amainhobbies.com/ (cars & trucks) Customs Information http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shipping/cost/zones/customs_clearance.html Last edited by LLoo; May 13, 2008 at 08:18 PM. Reason: Added Summary of Links

Mar 09, 2006, 10:56 PM	#4
LLoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Guelph, Ontario Canada Posts: 646	I've used www.allerc.com and www.balsapr.com as well. Both were positive experiences. I have not seen gwsexperts before, I've added them to my bookmarks. I was just at HobbyHobby today, I was like a kid in a candy store. Great place. Thanks. Last edited by LLoo; Mar 09, 2006 at 11:04 PM.

Mar 10, 2006, 01:27 PM	#13
rkhoo Fly by grace Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 727	I have used Zebra, thery are good. Price and service. I have used backyardflying.com in Q, he is cool too. AlleRC is fast. HobbyLobby is fine too, esp with their @2.5 shipping for unit under 4"x4"x4". I like to support my local shop if applicable. If compared to typical online shops, I am willing to pay a 20% premium on items less then $100; and 10% on anything above. Afterall we need to pay for our convient. right? Anything more then 30% is unacceptable. Am I too far off? There are time the LHS has a better price and other time they just can't match up. How much will my LHS charge on a $15US GWS 2205 outrunner, when they become available My guess is $39 CAD I still want to support LHS if I can help. Regards. Last edited by rkhoo; Mar 10, 2006 at 01:41 PM.

Mar 10, 2006, 02:05 PM	#14
LLoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Guelph, Ontario Canada Posts: 646	rhkoo, I certainly support my LHS, I've given them a small forturne. ;-) But sometimes it's just too hard to part with my money. I think your guess on those GWS motors will be bang on. My LHS brought in some of those BP21 motors, online US stores sell them from $14 to $20 but my LHS had them priced at $39. Here's another good Canadian deal I found, Zebra has the BP21 motors on for $19.50. Last edited by LLoo; Mar 10, 2006 at 02:06 PM. Reason: Forgot to include the URL

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Mar 09, 2006, 10:58 AM	#2
The Enemy AllAloneInSpaceAndTime Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,269	Hey Leon, great thread idea! I have a few different places I go through. www.TrueRC.com is great for discount batteries. The service is second to none. (Chicago, but never a shipping problem. Just started in Quebec, but I haven't ordered from there yet... I'll probably stick with Dan in CHI.) HobbyHobby in Mississauga / Streetsville. Nice guys, very busy, fair prices. Sometimes difficult to get someone to help you out though... Flightcraft in Kitchener. Overpriced but convenient. Didn't like them as a newbie, but after I was intermediate, they're much more palletable. (Don't deal with the young kid, he really doesn't care...) www.ZebraHobby.ca .... Only ordered once, but got pretty good service. I did hear about an issue of missing parts in a couple shipments, but it was most likely a one time incident. And their selection is definitely getting much better. That's all I can think of for now... Corey

Mar 09, 2006, 12:21 PM	#3
bororin Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Posts: 24	Hi Guys! I share your envy to our friends down south... It is not easy to buy around here... Local hobby shops in Montreal are over priced and low on inventory (specially electrics). I usually buy on... www.gwsexpert.com... also www.allerc.com even though I had a problem once that was difficult to solve but since then they made it up and I gave them another chance and all the other orders have come thru pretty smooth. Also a friend recomended www.balsapr.com but I have never tried it. Good idea LLoo... Bororin

Mar 09, 2006, 11:59 PM	#5
Cam Galbraith spin my head right round Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Canada Posts: 3,715	I use www.greathobbies.ca and www.zebrahobby.ca. Good service from both, with many orders. Only snag I had with GH is when I had a pair of servos back ordered forever. I also support AVF my LHS.

Mar 10, 2006, 10:25 AM	#6
P-38J-Lightning Team Me! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 3,166	i also use www.greathobbies.ca but i find www.hobbywholesale.com has better deals!

Mar 10, 2006, 10:26 AM	#7
P-38J-Lightning Team Me! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: AB, Canada Posts: 3,166	oh and both are based in Edmonton, Alberta

Mar 10, 2006, 11:02 AM	#8
The Enemy AllAloneInSpaceAndTime Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,269	Well, just placed an order through www.horizonhobby.com I'll be sure to let you guys know how it goes. It's even being shipped from 2 different warehouses, one in IL and one in CA! P-38, Hey, good to know that they're in Canada. I'll be looking at those places too in the future. Corey

Mar 10, 2006, 12:12 PM	#9
LLoo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Guelph, Ontario Canada Posts: 646	Corey, what did you buy? Anything exciting? I purchased 4 x HS-55 servos from Great Hobbies for $14.95 each! I've never found a better price, even from US sites! Their still on sale if anyone is interested. Great little servos, great price. http://www.greathobbies.ca/products/...od_id=HITHS55S What's AVF? Do they have an oline presence? I'm in London every once in a while. Leon.

Mar 10, 2006, 12:28 PM	#10
The Enemy AllAloneInSpaceAndTime Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,269	Leon, I bought some new wheel pants for my Ultimate Bipe. (Had an unscheduled meeting with Terra Firma on Wed...) And just to make it all worth it, I got a TigerMoth slope kit. Comes without the motor and LG so it's a TON cheaper. But I love my TigerMoth and had to retire it because it was my feline's favorite till he got hit. The new Moth will be specially painted and named "Tiger's Moth" in his honour. Corey

Mar 10, 2006, 12:58 PM	#11
Cam Galbraith spin my head right round Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Canada Posts: 3,715	Leon- Nice snag! I'm ordering 3 as we speak, but the shopping cart won't let me check out for some strange reason Cam

Mar 10, 2006, 01:07 PM	#12
Cam Galbraith spin my head right round Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Canada Posts: 3,715	Never Mind! All figured out. I think all the Hitec stuff is on sale, the electron 6's are down to 45 from 59 or so I think...after I get paid next week I might pick one of those up! Cam

Mar 10, 2006, 02:11 PM	#15
The Enemy AllAloneInSpaceAndTime Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,269	Leon, Was it FlightCraft that had them for so much? I asked them what they would sell my Bipe for... Let's just say TWICE as much as my brother paid for it! Corey