Beware hobby shop repairmen!

[MaximumST'er]

I had the worst experience I've ever had at my LHS today! I took my car in to get it instected because my engine (that I know how to tune very well) wasn't acting right. I'd ruled out all the usual suspect "things" worn sleeve, plug, glow starter, carb, fuel filter, air filter....ect. The guy there (a "nitro expert" said he'd have it figured out in 10 minutes or less. Ok, fair enough. :) I went to get my truck today, and I was horrified at what I found. It turns out that the low end fuel inlet was cracked from overtightening the screw. The only problem was, I'D NEVER OVER TIGHTENED IT! not once! :mad: It turned out that the guy had gotten frustrated and screwed it so hard it cracked it. When I got the bill, it was over 40 bucks!!!!! It turns out he'd thrown in a $7 OS glow plug, 2 $5 McCoy plugs, a $5 carb part, and another $2 carb part into my bill. Parts which shouldn't have needed to be purchased to fix the problem, (which i'll never know what it was) :mad: ! So now i'm broke, and I get my truck home and I noticed my had was covered in shock oil...oil from the BROKEN shock shaft! It seemed that the guy had also ran my truck into the walls of the track trying to get it tuned right! :mad: AAARRGGGG!
Needless to say, i'm never going back to that LHS! You know who you are!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:
Nick

[SteveP]

You should make one more trip back to the hobby shop and speak with the owner, assuming you weren't dealing with him in the first place. You should have NEVER paid for three glowplugs if you didn't have three shiny new plugs handed to you when you paid the bill. I could see replacing ONE if yours was defective when you brought your truck to the shop. But, if he blew the plugs trying to tune your engine, that's their problem. Ditto with the shock problem. Go back and tell him you'll accept a shock rebuild kit and a new shock shaft in exchange for the three glowplugs he blew up trying to tune your engine. I would want them to fix the shock because they broke it, but according to what you're saying, the don't have a very good chance of getting it right...

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: SteveP ]

[jeepinator]

hmm.. Vancouver Washington ... hobby shop ... hmmm

Did you happen to be in a hobby shop that is IN Vancouver ?

[ammoace]

Yeah, what Steve said. Unless you signed a "We aren't liable for damages to your stuff while it is in our care" form I think that the old saying, "you break it you bought it" goes both ways.
Later,
Jerry

[Josh00]

umm dude sounds like you got shafted...heh...If it was me I would be a little more outgoing tell them whatts up Im only 14 but I woudlnt accept that...Ask them to replace the broken shock and to refund your money on the glow plugs that you never even saw! thats retarded....Does the truck even run now?? and if he cracked the low end fuel inlet i mean he should totally repair that.... I dunno I wouldnt go there anymore..

[clancy]

I have noticed a degrade in the quality of people in the lhs. If you call them they have no clue what you are asking for. Even when you are there they can rarely answer any questions. It's too bad because I usually get so frustrated dealing with them that I end up buying mail order. If they don't like me to take my bus there perhaps they might want to consider putting some effort into training or hiring knowledgable staff? groan, mumble, curse, whine, etc ;)

[grandmasterofpool]

I hear ya on the decline of hobby shop personell. The problem IMO is that those jobs don't pay that much so they can't afford to hire anyone with half a brain. I've found the best thing to do is to ALWAYS ask for advice from the owners. They're the ones who usually know what's up.

[Jwelch]

I agree. I was at a hobby shop in my area, and I asked the guy for a good FM radio under $150, with dual rate and throttle EPA. On the shelf, he had a 2PEKA, and a 3PDF. He handed me the PDF, telling me that it was $130. I checked the tag, and it was $190. His excuse was "It was $130 when I bought it..". I asked for the PEKA, but he more or less REFUSED to give it to me! He said that it was a bad radio, and had none of the features that I wanted. But, in truth, it did have all of the features that I wanted, so I corrected him. He ran away, and grabbed the owner. The owner also told me to buy the PDF, but I couldnt afford it. I said this, and he told me to save up and come back later, because I would be wasting my money on a PEKA. These blatant attempts to sell the customer something more expensive, while telling lies at the same time, infuriates me. I wish that LHS's would realize that they cant prey on buyers, but they must instead serve them, and try to sell honestly. I really cant believe what Nick (Max ST'er) went through.

[XXXER]

OUCH! You guys are just GIVING me a kick between the legs REPEATEDLY!

I happen to WORK at a hobby shop, and I do some repairs, etc. You want to know why it is so hard to see if they have what you need over the phone? Because it is much easier to talk to in person, and having the part with you, can help identify what it is. Most hobby shops are like the one I work at, the parts are not always in order :mad: so, it may take a while to find them, so, again, it is easier to identify, if you were there, helping looking, and having the part, or whatnot.

Things to do BEFORE heading to the hobby shop: WRITE A LIST OF WHAT YOU NEED! Get out a little post-it, and write down a description of the parts, the part #, and the MSRP, so you know that you are not totally getting reamed. As for larger kits, take in a mail-order add, and get them to cut a deal with you, most do.

Nick, you are telling me that you did not have 10 minutes? When we do repairs, we get them done, ASAP, especially tuning engines, we will go right out, and fix it then. If he was busy, then come back at another time, when they are not, so you can see what he is doing, and throw your opinion in there when you need to. I am sorry that happened to you, but not all hobby shops are super cool like mine. Do not let this one incident ruin your loyalty to local hobby shops.

-Steve

[matt stepanian]

Hats off to you, XXXER! May the sun always shine on your grass, er, something like that. We really need more guys like that. The woman running A-1 Hobby in Mesquite Texas is great, and is there to help us. The guys at Indy R/C World in nearby Garland are also helpful, and knowledgable. Some shops ARE better than others.

[broken_parts]

While were on the subjects of LHS, for my first rustler kit i just couldnt get it built so i took it to them,they didnt tell me how much it was gonna be at first- when i came to pick it it cost me 60$ is that fair???

[internetspy]

a-1 i had always have trouble with them they are way to high.. i know you got to support you lhs but this is outragous.. i got fed up with a-1 and went to wild bills in dallas they are the best they got towwer hobbies prices... the owner will tell you everything even where to find racetracks,cheaper places..that is a great hobbie shop :D

p.s. not trying to promote wild bills.. :D

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: charles ]

[MaximumST'er]

I agree with all of you (especially Mattski, I wish hot chicks ran my LHS!!! :p ) Yes, My LHS is in Vancouver off 134th street next to Hot Trax. I've always trusted them with parts and information I get from them. Anyway, I realized when I left in a rage that I left my fuel bottle there, and i'm going back to get it today. It's probably empty...go figure. I'm giving them the recipt and asking them to fix my shock shaft. he DID put fresh batts in my Rx pack when my NiMh's dumped, and my radio was dead, so I had to charge it. I don't even know if my truck runs or not!
I mean, I don't want to cause any disrespect or nothin to them, I just want resitiution.
Nick

[Chisel]

I agree with Mattski, some hobbyshops are better than others. I was the R/C manager in a hobby shop locally to me for 3 years, I fixed many broken cars. Some people were happy with the price it cost, some were not. I would never "tack on" parts that weren't needed, and if I broke something that wasn't already broken on the customers truck, I fixed it at no cost, that is a no brainer!! I have been to other hobby shops though where they treat customers like sheep, like they don't know anything at all, and should just do what they say. Just a word of advice to all, do your homework on YOUR vehicle, learn how to work on it, that way you won't be at the mercy of someone less honest than yourself. MAXIMUMST'r, If I were you, I would go talk to the owner, explain to him what happened. Chances are, he was unaware of anything that took place. BEWARE, sometimes owners are worse than employees though! GOOD LUCK I hope everything works out for you.

[MaximumST'er]

I know how to fix my truck, I've torn it completely down before and put it back together, engine's too. I guess I was a bit desperate to get it fixed. It's too bad I won't know what was REALLY worng with my truck, Maybe the engine had phantoms in it? :eek: Anyways, I hope I get at least some money back from the plug and other stuff.
Nick

[very low budget racer]

The LHS that I go to that repairs cars charges 30 bux an hour + parts, but when u give the guy your car to fix he most of the time refuses to fix it for you and says " I would love to take the 30 bux an hour from you but its better in the long run if you learn to fix it yourself" and this is the hobbyshop that sells for retail, never gives good info and when I ask if they have parts support for a vehicle they say yeah we have a dogbone set, you should be fine.

[T3_Racer]

My LHS is AWESOME!!! The guys that work there are all brothers and know exactly what the deal is. They are always really nice and will stop what they are doing to help me out. There has been neumerous times when i have mistakenly asked for a part by describing where it is on the car ("...its next to the springy thing and holds the metal thing to the graphite thing..." well not that bad) and they will always get it no matter how bad i am at describing it.
Im sorry ST'r, that really does blow, i guess you'll just have to move to MI and go to my LHS for some real nice guys.

R&L Hobbies RULES!!

R&L hobbies homepage (http://www.rlhobbies.com) :D

[R/C Homie]

My LHS dudes are pretty cool, I had a dude work on my GT. He also has the same truck so thats a bit reassuring, He took it home and the next day i get a nice call and he told me what the main problem was, so i said "ok i'll be there tommorrow to pick her up". So i went to the hobby shop and met um there. He nicly pointed out what the problem was and what he had fixed and handed me my truck. He said well, the price is normaly $20 per hour, but buy me a fuel tank ($15) and we can call it an even trade. He said he worked on it for about an hour and a half so i thought that was pretty cool of the guy, he also used his own fuel and stuff. So basically this guy was really nice, prompt and all around good guy. So i think that hobby shop dudes have a worse name then they should. The one thing i do see is compitition, at both hobby shops i go to. I once called a guy at Hub hobby and asked for traxxas steel yolks, he said "we dont have any" so i asked if the other local store carried them in a near by town. He responeded in a snotty voice "Thats HOBBY TOWN USA!! not hub hobby". So at both hobby shops the guys there claim that the hobby shop they work at is alot better, and HATE when u mix um up or reccomend the other to somone. so thats the end of my almost pointless story. CYA!!!!

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: R/C Homie ]

[PnP 420 Racing]

I think the people at my hobby shop ********** more than they work. They take long vacations,and everything's always on back order,cvd's,backplates,the AE 15 shim,and all he knows about is planes. Oh planes planes and helicopters. :rolleyes: I've pretty much learned not to listen to the people at the hobby shop any more,and just get what i want. :mad:

[Smitty]

Wow I'm lucky. Even though my LHS isn't to local (70 miles round trip) it is one awsome place. They work on my car for free just to help and sometimes they give me stuff for free. Like one time I left my t-maxx cause I couldn't get it working and they added a new glow plug and fuel line for free. They don't try to force you to any product that you don't want either.

[Serius Black]

MaxximumStwhatever - I think you should have used a little more tact before posting this topic. You should also get your facts straight.
First off, I'll say that I DON'T work for that the hobby shop you speak of, but I've been racing there for around five years. There is no better hobby shop in the area, and the owner is as fair as they come.
From the way I understand it, you brought your truck because it wouldn't start. The "nitro expert" noticed it was getting too much fuel, so he attempted to try and lean out the needle. The mixture wouldn't change. He tore the carb apart and found that there was damage to the needle and seat. He apparently rebuilt the carb, using a few new parts, and was able to get it running again. Since he was having to retune the engine, he may have blown through a glow plug or two. Big deal! If spending 40 bucks to get someone else to fix your car is too much, and you can't do it yourself, maybe it isn't the hobby for you.
The shop apparently took three hours to fix your truck, and they charge $20 an hour. You paid $40 dollars for parts AND labor, AND they threw a new set of batteries in your car at no charge. Those horrible, horrible men!
As far as the broken shock shaft, how do you KNOW that they were responsible. I've had parts break in my car on the way home, from getting crushed by my pit box, or falling off a seat. The "nitro expert" that fixed your car is one of the best racers in the state of Oregon and Washington, and he knows not to abuse customer's cars. I doubt that he did it, but even so, he'd make it right if you mentioned it to him.
Did you complain to the shop owner before posting this message? That would have been the smarter thing to do, instead of blurting out your own THEORY of what happened on one of the largest public r/c forums in the world.
I've seen your car at the shop numerous times being worked on for various reasons. Sounds like you need to learn how to twist your own wrench.
:mad:

[ 07-27-2001: Message edited by: Serius Black ]

[paxil]

hay xxxer witch lhs do you work at?

[E-Maxx]

Well Maximum, I tried to solve your problem with all my knowledge.Anyways I have not had a hobbyshop problem(yet). I believe "Competition RC" is the place to be! Talk to James(I think that's his name). You will be surprised by how nice, and how much knowledge he knows!
Philip
PS: Fell sorry for you Maximum.

[SteveP]

I guess I was mistaken in assuming I could take MaxSTer's word at face value that is what actually happened. If what Serius Black says is true, then you owe the hobby shop a PUBLIC appology. I still don't feel you're responsible for the glowplugs burned up while tuning the engine, but that's offset by the time they spent on your truck. If the needle and seat are damaged, the only way that could have happened is closing the needle too tightly. I see it happen often enough where someone is told they should run the mixture needle X number of turns open. Then they close the needle with an air ratchet, and start the "one turn, two turns, and two-and-a-half."

The biggest lesson here is not to get involved in these disputes because I'll never know where the real truth lies.

[MaximumST'er]

Steve is right. I went back today to wrap up some things, and I realized my anger had gone public. I apoligized and I was really embarrased. I feel really bad too to think that people's reputations were injured on account of my maladious expression. Internet bulliten boards aren't to be used as a tool to vent frustration and anger. Reprocutions are a ***** , and let this be a lesson to people who dirt on establishments in internet chatrooms and bulliten boards. No one likes to be put on the spot and that's exactly what I did. Sincere apologies to those who were injured.

[XXXER]

paxil: I work at MRS Hobby Shop in Sandy, at about 7th East, and about 94th south, I just started working there about 2 months ago.

[jeepinator]

MaximumST'er,
that was pretty good of you to stand up and say you were wrong. Probably the hardest thing to do as a male :p

I am with Steve, your first order of business should be resolution through direct contact with whom you have a problem.
Upon failing this, you can post a warning based on the facts as best as you can recall them (trying to keep away from emotion if at all possible).
The Internet can be such a benefit to consumers, but this same power, when not used wisely, can be pretty counterproductive !

OK, I get off the soap box now ...

Y'all have a wildly fanatstic weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ammoace]

Well I must say that I still feel that what Steve and I said "would" have been good advice had we had all of the facts. Also I too think that if you have a problem with a company or shop or person you need to try and resolve the problems before sending out a APB on how terrible someone or someplace is.
Just my thoughts,
Jerry

[clancy]

xxxer I agree to a point. If one calls in and says they need the thing on the middle of the car that has a widget holding the other thing in place, of course you can't expect them to know what your talking about. I am speaking to the issue of I know my car and have parts manual in hand when I call. To be fair there are a few guys their that jump through hoops to help you. I have seen them work on other guys cars while they wait and not charge them. I am too pridefull to let my car be "befouled" by other hands, I don't think I could look at her again if another man touched her the way I touch her. :p Most of the guys that work there race themselves and stay abreast of the product the sell. Unfortunatly, due to a labor shortage some of the people that have been hired recently don't even own a car and if they do they bought the rtr version and have never been on the inside. My 2bits. Hey if you are in Sandy don't you think "xxx" in your handle will get you thrown out of the state? ;)

[rims']

my hobby store rules! its called franks hobby house in phoenix arizona. they know and have everything that you could possibly want. they tested my truck when it didnt work for free.

[bolink]

chicks work at both of my LHS's,but they dont run iy,but they do repairs and stuff on them.

[JP]

Wow, I'm sorta happy I did stay out of this one (I did stay out, right?). Nice to know you corrected yourself, and DID publicly apologize. Like jeep said, it's one of the hardest things to do as a guy (admit that your wrong). Lesson well learned.

On another note; chicks?! Who uses (emphasize this word) THAT term anymore? Whats this world coming to, a second "hippie" stage?

hehe, sorry

[PCC]

I heard of one guy who bought an engine (RB C12) from one LHS, couldn't tune it, so he brought it to another LHS that was closer to home to have them tune it. They charged him $100 and when he got it back it wouldn't run at all. Seemed that the second LHS wanted him to trash his expensive engine and buy one from them.

Another guy says that the same LHS would try to sell him all kinds of things because his language barrier made him look like a newbie and these guys would cram all kinds of things down his throat that he did not need at all.

Fortunately for me, I live near two other LHS's that are great and really helpful.

[staggsracing]

So Cal raceway is an indoor track and small HS. These guys are some of the nicest people around. I have never seen them charge anyone to help fix their cars (only electric). They loan out tools, teach newbies, you name it. They will even turn your arm for 5.00.

[paxil]

MRS Hobby Shop i haven't been there for a long time (it's just kinda far from my house)

[Serius Black]

MaximumST'er -

I'm impressed with the way you handled yourself, and want to thank you for setting things straight, it's VERY big of you.
I appologize for going off on you, but I'm very defensive when it comes to the shop you spoke of. They've been great to me over the past five years, and I think the owner has done a great job of doing what it takes to keep most of his customers happy.
Thanks again for setting thing straight, both on the forum, and at the shop.