As a beginner I wanted to share this thought with other beginners and maybe seasoned flyers as well? I recently purchase an ARF product from an online organization (Troy Built Models), the contact was great, the product shipped fast. When I got the unit I began putting it together, about 75% complete I decided to check the electonics Tx/Rx, to my surprise an important component of the Tx did not work. I called Troy Built and within 24 hours the issued was addressed by Troy Built's staff, (great guys). A complete new unit was given to me without a problem and fast, 24 hours! On the other hand I ordered product from one of those Big Hobby online companies, who's prices are hard to beat, checked to make sure all the components were in stock, paid a hefty shipping charge and still over a week later nothing has even been shipped.

Point I'm trying to make here is, "what if what I purchased from the big online guy is none functional". I'm still waiting for my initial purchase, how long will it take them to get me a replacement (if they choose too)? For you beginners like me, I think you might want to consider a stateside vendor first, like Troy Built Models who will put your issues from beginning to end in the front of the line?

Well, this is just a suggestion from my personal experience, hope it will help another beginner.

Your experience is a common one. Some sites charge a little more but provide excellent service.

Others are cheaper but the service may not be as good.   

We learn through experience and by reading other people's reports.

Welcome to the hobby.

My experience is that the best service comes from the Local Hobby Shop.  You pay a bit more but you get your money's worth.</p>

TBM, Tower, Horizon and way too many good state side places to mention are usually very good at shipping and customer support. Out of country stores are famous for slow shipping and zero customer support. One of the first things you can do is use the search engine here on RCU to find threads about most of these companies Before you buy from them! I just tried to buy some parts from Hobby Kings state side warehouse and they won't give you a phone number for service. I was told in an email that they are an on line company only and except no phone calls. The prices were right but I won't deal with any company that I can't phone and speak with a Representative. I do get with other guys that are placing orders with Hobby King and buy my electric items from them but not very often. Off shore companies do require several weeks to ship sometimes, that's normal but the lack of customer support is not acceptable to me. Just being state side is also no guarantee, there are a number of rip off companies right here in the states. It pays to always do a search first and RCU is a good place to do it. If I can't phone the company I don't use them. Just one of my own little quirks.

Gene is absolutely correct in what he says about off shore hobby companies. Your best bet is not to spend any money with them that you can't afford to just go out and throw in the trash. If you actually receive an item, and it works, that is great. If you don't receive an item or if the item is defective, oh well. You just lost whatever money is involved. As far as Hobby King's US warehouse is concerned, that is a joke. I have been asking on this site for two years for someone to post a picture of a brick and mortar building with Hobby King's name on the front of it, but nobody has. Why? Because it does not exist. I do believe they have either a trailer that they are calling a warehouse or a UPS store where they keep some parts (both have been reported) but nowhere near the size that we would call a warehouse.

Good that you did your homework and researched what you were going to buy and where you were going to buy it from. Too bad a lot of people don't do this and are sucked-into the flashy marketing, websites video and cheap pricing on both chicom and a few US-based vendors.  These places are quick to take your money and then go silent or give you the runaround when problems occur.
There are a lot of good US-based and a few chicom vendors who provide good service but there too many bad ones as well.

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I didn't want to mention HK as being the company I'm still waiting on but yup they sure have poor contact info. Tried their online 24 hour contact 3 times, they forgot to mention that 24 hours meant thats how long you have to wait for the rep to respond online! Just got an email from them telling me that the items I selected that were "in stock" are now JIT and shipping will be sometime next week. I'm guessing this will be one of those one month waiting periods before its in my hands. Thank God I have the unit from Troy Built Mods to play with until HK's arrival, keeps me in the game.

Thank you all for your responses and suggestions,
VietVet1
</span></span>

Normally, I would prefer the local hobby shop to on-line mail order, however, when the economy went to the trash can a few years ago, we had two hobby shops, and both of them went belly-up. The closest hobby shop now is about an hour drive away.

I've always had good luck and success with the big houses - Horizon, Tower, and others. In fact, I ordered a set of servos from Tower a couple of years ago and got one servo and one glow engine for an RC car. I was billed for servos. I called them and told them about it. They sent me the servo along with pre-paid shipping to return it to them. They deducted the cost of the second servo as sort of an apology for messing up the shipment. That's pretty good service. I would imagine that Horizon would give the same level of service.

However, I really miss the local hobby shop. It was always a good place to just visit and shoot the breeze about RC. The shop owner was a classy builder.

CGr.

I have had both good and bad local hobby shops over the years, the ones in Calif. went from kind of OK to completely useless. When I moved here I had two that were OK and one great one. One is still OK and the great one was sold and now is just OK, the third one is a total waste of time now. When I was in Calif. I mail ordered most everything, it was cheaper then driving down the mountain just to be told: We can Order That for You. Hobby King has about a three week turn around time but if it says the item is on back order you will get it sooner or later, much later!! Six months or more sometimes. That local warehouse is a total sham and stocks almost nothing. I did get a reply to my 24 hours on line question but only to be told they don't have the item there in stock. The shipping from China is often more then the products ordered. I have had great luck with there electric motors and batteries without any problems but our last order from them was a bit of a shock, the shipping was the same cost as all the products we ordered.
With gas prices we now have it's about the same price for me to have items mail ordered then to drive across town to my local hobby shop. I have now gotten in the habit of phoning them to see if they have the items needed in stock before I bother driving there. If I get that, We Can Order that for you from them, well, I can order it myself without having to drive to pick it up. State side orders only take three to four days, I get my stuff faster then the hobby shop. Not to mention the new owner of what used to be the good hobby shop is a butthead.

You should see this image I have in my mind (butthead)

Most if not all state side suppliers have FREE shipping if you purchase the required amount items. Tower is always giving deals on shipping and usually free if you buy $150 worth of stuff.

Frank

Butthead

Thank you Dick, we will never know what was going through Gene's mind.
My problem with mail order deals is I haven't had to order anything that cost enough to get those free shipping deals. After a few years in the hobby you end up having everything you need, that's need, not want!! At the moment all I need is a wing tube. Inner and outer but 1.5 inch X 30 inch. Average price is about $45.00 here state side, from HK about $12.00 plus shipping but they only have the carbon fiber tube, no outer tubes. I will order one and make my own glass outer tube. I have also heard good things about there covering, supposed to be as nice as Ultra? Been thinking about giving it a try. I need so much covering I'm afraid to figure out how much. 50% of the cost of my new build may be in covering alone!!

Pretty much never sway away from Tower Hobbies. I have never had a single problem.

Here's some reviews of the Hobby King CF:

<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, Helvetica Neue, Arial; color:#293c7f; font-size:16px">Customer Reviews</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="460"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="56"></td> <td width="231" valign="middle" align="center"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><table width="100%" class="fancybackground discbreak"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Overall Rating</td> <td></td> <td rowspan="3">
<font color="#999999">Neil Emeny
<font style="font-size:9px"> likes</font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Value</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Quality</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td width="100px"><span id="thumbR29472"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="middle" align="center" style="cursorointer;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="1"><font style="font-size:9px">35 thumbs up!</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>I ordered 4 of these CF tubes and 2 out of the 4 were faulty and had almost no torsional strength . This is very disappointing. The return cost for warranty would cost more than the value of the CF tube.

On the other hand the other 2 of the 4 were excellent quality and I have one of them in use as a DLG boom now.

They are at a good price, but quality control is needed prior to shipment. <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="cursorointer"><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#00F; font-size:9px;">

No comments. Reply..</span></span></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Overall Rating</td> <td></td> <td rowspan="3">
<font color="#999999">Customer
<font style="font-size:9px">14 likes</font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Value</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Quality</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td width="100px"><span id="thumbR53338"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="middle" align="center" style="cursorointer;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="1"><font style="font-size:9px">3 thumbs up!</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>i ordered 6 of these tubes, but I did not like the qualety. They are way to soft and brittle. I could crack the tubes between my two fingers. The tubes did not have any torsial strength and even with a small twist they split open.

May be I had just bad luck with the tubes I received but they did not make it into my glider :-( <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="cursorointer"><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#00F; font-size:9px;">

No comments. Reply..</span></span></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td><a style="cursorointer">Create an account</a> <table cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Overall Rating</td> <td></td> <td rowspan="3">
<font color="#999999">wan42060
<font style="font-size:9px">80 likes</font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Value</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Quality</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td width="100px"><span id="thumbR70467"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="middle" align="center" style="cursorointer;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="1"><font style="font-size:9px">1 thumbs up!</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>standard CF tube, but too a way lower price than the local hobby pusher :-) <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="cursorointer"><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#00F; font-size:9px;">

No comments. Reply..</span></span></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td><a style="cursorointer">Create an account</a> <table cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Overall Rating</td> <td></td> <td rowspan="3">
<font color="#999999">ed.au
<font style="font-size:9px">43 likes</font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Value</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Quality</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td width="100px"><span id="thumbR114049"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="middle" align="center" style="cursorointer;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="1"><font style="font-size:9px">1 thumbs up!</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>i brought this to replace a steel wing rod for a discus 2.63m glider but found it way way to bendy, it doesnt look like carbon fiber more like just a graphite tube. wall thickness 1/2mm-3/4mm at best.
<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="cursorointer"><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#00F; font-size:9px;">

No comments. Reply..</span></span></td> <td align="right"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Overall Rating</td> <td></td> <td rowspan="3">
<font color="#999999">luckysoul
<font style="font-size:9px">454 likes</font></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Value</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Quality</td> <td>UNRATED</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td width="100px"><span id="thumbR114911"> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="middle" align="center" style="cursorointer;"></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="1"><font style="font-size:9px"> Like it?</font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>cheap carbon rod but too bad it come with the complusory packing.

so that the only bad point i guess <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td><span style="cursorointer"><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#00F; font-size:9px;">
</span></span></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>

I think I would pass on it. Maybe aluminum tubing would work better.

Frank

Tower is my number 1 on-line store as well. Ido use others as well as the LHS but overall Tower is excellent.

I had been leery of ordering things from Hobby King due to all the bad reports about them.It seemed most of the complaints were from ordering from their international - Hong Kong warehouse. I have placed 5 orders from their USA warehouse only ordering items in stock and I have received the orders in 3-5 days. I have hobby stores locally and shop at them for items in stock, if needed to order items from Great Planes I order myself through Tower because I receive it quicker and cheaper than the LHS. Another local LHS who deals mainly with Horizon products prices their items at higher than MAP I dont deal with; I go to another LHS who orders me the item at 10% discount and doesnt charge me the shipping. You have to shop around. One regional chain Hobby People are selling powermaster 15% for $10, I guess I will be stocking up this week.

I will order from Hobby King from time to time. It does take longer, you shouldn't order anything that is on "Backorder", and you run, a risk, I don't know how high. of getting a defective item. I also understand that if I want to return something (has happened to me once, out of many orders), I know it's not worth the hassle and I just eat the item. I do most of my business with stateside suppliers, Central Hobbies, Tower, Chief Aircraft and others. Yes you generally get what you paid for, but Hobby King is still worth the wait for some items. Don't expect the experience to be the same as ordering from Horizon or other reputable stateside suppliers.

Edit for spelling.

I just tried hobby king for the first time a few days ago and SO FAR i'm absolutely nothing but impressed, shipping was very fast, "shipped next morning" faster than tower hobbies has ever been for me which is where I normally order things and was here on the complete opposite side of the country in two days, the lipo I ordered came balanced very close and at a good level, the motor and esc I ordered also work fine so far. I have cycled the battery 4 times and it's great so far. If you noticed I used so far alot, time will tell lol.

<span style="font-size: larger;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Your a lucky guy, maybe you should play the lottery? My order went in on April 6, all items listed as "in stock", today is April 15 and they just notified my "order was packed and getting ready to ship</span></span>, <span style="font-size: larger;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">allow 48 hours for a tracking number". Coming from Hong Kong what would you say another 3 weeks?</span></span>

He's not "lucky" nor the only one... most of my friends have ordered from them successfully too... but I tell them all the same thing...

I've ordered more than 10K worth of stuff from them without problems...


HOWEVER

1. - I NEVER order anything that is not in stock.

2. - I ALWAYS use EMS shipping (see next since you no longer can ship batteries EMS ).

3. - Now that the laws have changed vis-a-vis LiPo's I order LiPos separately when coming out of country and they take 2-3 weeks to arrive.

4. - I'm cognizant that they are of almost NO HELP if I do have a problem, so each order has some risk.

5. - Refunds? I don't think they have heard of those!

Usually my orders arrive faster from HK than they do from Tower and Horizon, even though they are coming from Hong Kong.

-

Tower, Horizon, TBM, BPHobbies, Chief Aircraft and others have absolutely fabulous problem resolution, and great after sales support, but that is why their prices are more than HK too.

I buy tons of stuff from Tower and Horizon, especially on things I do not want to take a risk on.

Just choose what you need knowing the caveats.

<span style="font-size: larger;">1. Thanks for your opinion,

2. a little brevity will do next time?</span>

<span style="font-size: larger;">3</span>.<span style="font-size: larger;"> I got what you were saying in the first 2 lines</span>.

<span style="font-size: larger;">4. 10-4</span>

Don't see how it is possible for orders to show up from Hong Kong faster than Tower Hobbies. In all of the years that I have order from tower they have either shipped the same day if ordered early enough or have shipped the next day. If I order on Monday I have always received it by Friday. Ordering from Hong Kong it takes a min of 1 to 2 weeks for shipping That doesn't count for packaging time. My wife orders from Hong Kong very often and when she receives an email saying it is shipped she will not receive it for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
When I order I am ready to get it and not willing to wait very long let alone received damaged goods.
Just my 8 cents.

Gene

<span style="font-size: larger;">Amen, Brother.
</span>

I have bought from HobbyKing twice, once for batteries, once for Orange Rxs. Both times my order took at least 6 weeks to arrive. I have ordered from Tower Hobbies in the AM and got my order the next day or day after. I usually buy planes from Tower. HeadsUpHobby and Value Hobby are  other great online, stateside stores. I just got a new motor for my TechOne Mustang from HeadsUpHobby for $14.00 shipped and a new battery for it for $11.00 shipped from Value Hobby. I just looked and the HeadsUpHobby DSM2 compatible RX is now on sale for $9.99 which will be $12.00 shipped. Not bad for stateside shops.

Not true.

I order on Friday and have my order in hand to the East Coast the following Thursday, at worst.

The exception are LiPo shipments that have to route via Europe, those take just under 17 days to arrive.

My packages from HK arrive faster than packages from Tower ordered at the same time. The latter is going UPS though.