Hobby Bench

This store is an absolute joke. Can't believe it's still in business. Ed in the RC dept is the rudest person I've ever met and has zero customer service skills. I waited over 30 minutes while he sat there trying to tell a customer how much he thinks he knows about RC helis. Completely ignored me! Then he tried writing up everything I had in my hands on a ticket--even though all had price tags--he wrote some things at double the price. Everything in this store is full retail price and lots of it is VERY OLD merchandise. Lee is so far behind the times in the hobby industry and it shows with this one store alone. Do our hobby good by patronizing hobby shops that are up with the times and actually learn what people need, why a local hobby shop is still important. Hobby Bench is a waste of time and money. Every time I go into any of these stores, I am disappointed. I will not patronize Hobby Bench any longer. The rude and arrogant employee, Ed, at the 43rd Ave and Bell Rd was the last straw for me! more

I've just returned from this store today... I was just over at Hobby Bench looking for a transformer for an HO monorail set I purchased elsewhere. (The set I purchased did not come with a power transformer). I have an older HO power transformer that belonged to my late father, however it didn't have the same voltage range that the monorail's manual specifices (17-20v instead of 12-15 specified in the monorail's manual). Not knowing much about model trains, I went looking to purchase a new transformer. A nice gentleman working at HobbyBench in the train section (named ""Sid"") asked if I needed any help or hand any questions. He was very helpful and explained that I don't need to buy a new transformer ($40 and up) and that I could easily get by with my old transformer. if I tested the voltage and marked the rheostat so not to exceed 15 volts. Long story short, he could have tried to sell me on a new piece of equipment but didn't. With a pat on the back and a big smile he said ""You've got everything you need, sir. But feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. And have a Merry Christmas!"" more

I shopped here like 20 years ago. I'm in a wheelchair now and could move around with only a little problems.. Rare now a days. I do have a suggestion. train your ppl better at loss pervention. It was laughable the way that guy was watching me and my wife. I guess it is just my years of security work making me notice. My wife saw him too and she never see's that kind of stuff. Maybe he was in training.. we where the only shoppers in the store at the time. This wont put me off going back to shop there. But I got to ask.. Are ppl in wheele chairs a now a high profile for being thiefs?? lol never mind I got to get back to my GTO modle :) more

As a long time customer, i have had no problems with any of the employees at that store and they always seem to have what i need for my r/c car and are friendly.After reading the reviews i have to laugh because if most of these people took the time and pateince to read manuals they wouldnt have so many problems with their cars and stop putting the blame on the employees. The r/c car guys are pretty knowlegable but are not hard core racers which is ok. i would recomend this store to my friends and anyone who likes r/c cars more

I just had the worst customer service experience ever, tryed to upsale me a engine said mine was shot when it is not and did the wiring all backwards in my r/c car, I will never recommend this store to anyone or my friends, if you need something and someone honest go to Dunkins (i think spells like that lol) more

Don't expect the level of supplies or expertise of a specialty store, but you will probably find what you need! You won't find the variety of art supplies here that you will at a dedicated art supply store, for example. But most of your needs, especially what you might need in a pinch, will be here. I've found what I need to keep working on needlecraft and model railroading at this store. Doesn't seem as well stocked as the original on 19th Ave., but pretty darn good. more