Friday, April 18th
2025 Remote Control Toy Store Reviews
AMain Hobbies
- Prices from $11.24 to $2,849
- Offers drones, vehicles, and parts
- Parts Finder tool to repair your RC toys
- Free shipping on $99+
- Returns within 30 days for like-new items
- "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB
In 2004, Kendall and Kelly Bennett started AMain Hobbies in Chico, California, using their 2-car garage as a base. The company quickly grew and had to move to three different locations in its first ten years.
Worldwide customers
Nowadays, AMain caters to customers worldwide, operating from two large facilities covering 50,000 square feet each in California and North Carolina. The company offers a wide variety of RC products like planes, helicopters, drones, and cars/trucks, and is committed to providing excellent customer service. Their mission is to share the fun and camaraderie of sports and hobbies with people of all levels, from beginners to experienced racers.
Slightly outdated UI
The UI for AMain Hobbies isn't horrible, but it does feel a little outdated and is missing some modern styling. The text is a little small in some of their listed menus, which might make it hard to read for some. However, the organization of the items is easy to follow and makes it simple to narrow down what you want right off the bat. The filter system allows you to choose from brands and product status (so you can easily select items on special sale). One thing we didn't love is that the parts are included in the overall sections for drones instead of having a standalone section, which might make it harder to browse for just drones.
Not much variety in drones
To compare prices from various retailers, we used two methods. Firstly, we examined the price ranges for remote control drones and vehicles individually at each store. Next, we analyzed the least expensive and most expensive RC items to understand how different companies measure up in terms of value. For the RC drones, there are over 6,000 products. However, keep in mind that some of these products are just parts or tools because there is no way to separate just the drones from the search. As far as we found there were only about 5 individual drones on AMain Hobbies. The prices ranged from $599-$2,849.
More selection for other TC options
For vehicles, there is a slightly wider selection. There are planes, boats, and cars/trucks and the total range of price across these vehicles is $33.99-$729.99. The least expensive RC item from AMain Hobbies is $11.25 for a mini battery-operated car and the most expensive sits at the drone for $2,849.
Easy to find the parts you need
If you're looking for a place to buy parts, AMain Hobbies is one of the best. They've got thousands of options for parts for almost every RC toy imaginable. Since they work by allowing customers to build their own gadgets, the parts are a huge selling point at this retailer. The company even offers a "parts finder” tool where you can select your vehicle type, brand (where applicable), and model to get a list of parts sold by AMain Hobbies related to your particular toy. So, if you're looking to make repairs, this is a great retailer to check out.
Free shipping
AMain Hobbies offers several shipping options to cater to their customers' needs. First, there's the "Super Saver Shipping" method, where AMain Hobbies covers a portion, if not all, of the shipping cost, so customers don't have to pay the full price for shipping. This method may take up to 10 business days for delivery as it uses the most cost-effective shipping method. For orders over $99 within the 48 contiguous United States, they offer free shipping no matter what, but it may also take up to 10 business days for delivery.
Other shipping options available
Another option is the "Flat Rate Shipping" of $2.99, available for merchandise with smaller and lighter shipping requirements, with no minimum order values to meet. Lastly, there's the "Rush Processing" shipping, which allows customers to pay a nominal handling fee to prioritize their orders for faster printing, pulling, and shipping.
Returns within 30 days
For returns, AMain Hobbies offers a standard return policy where they accept new and unused products for a refund or store credit within 30 days from the date of purchase. However, in exceptional cases where processing requires a significant amount of labor, they reserve the right to charge a restocking fee of 15% on returned merchandise. While the original shipping cost (where there was shipping) will not be refunded, most items are eligible for free return shipping under the company's $99 free shipping policy. Additionally, they recognize that unforeseen circumstances may occur, and if customers are unable to meet the 30-day time frame, the company encourages them to reach out for a tailored solution.
Great reputation
In terms of reputation, AMain Hobbies has some great credentials. The company holds an impressive "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau as well as accreditation since 2007. In terms of third-party reviews, however, the company has some mixed feedback. There are tons of reviews with extremely positive points noting that the company has great customer service and multiple customers who feel like there isn't a better place for RC gear out there.
Just a few complaints
On the other hand, customers who didn't enjoy their experiences at AMain complained about shipping times, slow shipping despite paying for expedited delivery, and damage to their merchandise during shipping. Some customers noted they waited months for shipping on an item that never ended up arriving. So, if you're in a hurry to get a new RC toy delivered to your door, you have to be prepared to pay for shipping or check a different retailer.
Best option for RC vehicle variety
Overall, AMain is an impressive powerhouse if you're looking for parts and a wide variety of RC vehicles of different types. If drones are your go-to, there might not be as much in stock here as you're hoping for. On the other hand, there are plenty of RC boats, cars, and planes.This is a reputable remote control toy store, and while some customers had concerns about shipping times, this constituted a small number of customers overall. Most shoppers were extremely happy with their experience with AMain Hobbies, and we were equally impressed. AMain Hobbies earns our highest rating for remote control toys.
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Where is the Best Place to Buy Remote Control Toys?
Remote control toy stores are a paradise for all toy enthusiasts, young and old alike. With buzzing drones, lightning-fast race cars, graceful RC helicopters, and futuristic robotic creatures, there are tons of new and exciting ways to enjoy remote control toys.
Whether you're a seasoned RC hobbyist or a curious newcomer, remote control toy stores cater to all skill levels and interests. With options out there for kids who want to pilot their favorite sci-fi ships or for aviation fans who want to fly their favorite plane small-scale, there are lots of toys out there for everyone.
Remote Control Toy Store FAQ
Continued from above...
If you're tired of browsing the same old collection of remote control toys cluttering up your playroom - those outdated models you've outgrown or the broken ones that have seen better days - we've got some exciting news for you. It's time to revamp your remote control toy collection.
One of the biggest draws in the RC world these days are drones. These fancy flying machines are used by YouTubers and film crews who want to get crazy cool footage from the sky. There are even some modified options for drone footage underwater, meaning viewers can go on a video adventure anywhere in the world with the wonders of RC technology.
Remote control toy stores are a treasure trove of joy, packed with the latest models and timeless classics that will leave you mesmerized. As an added bonus, some stores take things a step further by offering recycling and repair services or even parts to build your own RC gadget to your specifications.
If your beloved RC companion ever needs a fix or a bit of tender loving care, these stores have your back. Rather than tossing aside a faulty toy, their expert technicians work their magic to revive it, saving both money and the environment.
If you're ready to dive into the world of remote control excitement, it's time to visit your nearest RC toy store. Whether you're looking for an exhilarating outdoor adventure, a tech-savvy indoor toy, or a gift that will light up someone's day, these stores have something for everyone.
Not sure where to start to get your next RC gadget? We've checked out all the best companies for you. Here are some key factors to consider when browsing remote control toy stores:
- Price. When you're looking for something new and fun, sometimes price isn't the biggest influence. However, with remote control gadgets that can cost $2,000+, it can help to know what your budget is. With some retailers offering RC toys for under $100 and others offering high-end models for drone filming, it's important to know how much you want to spend to narrow down the options.
- Style. Are you looking for an RC racer? Or maybe you're a film enthusiast looking to score some drone footage? Or perhaps you're an amateur aviator looking to fly some mini RC planes? Whatever you're looking for, make sure that the company you're shopping at has it. Some retailers specialize in parts more than actual remote control vehicles whereas others don't offer drones at all. Knowing what style of remote control toy you want can help you tailor your shopping trip.
- Age. While remote control toys are for all ages, there are some that are better suited to kids than adults. If you're looking for cartoon-based toys or smaller, less expensive RC cars, you may want to check a retailer that focuses on kids' toys. If you're a grown-up looking for something more high-tech, keep that in mind as you browse.
- Customer satisfaction. If you're uncertain about where to shop, one way to narrow it down is by checking out the customer feedback and BBB scores. This can give you extra confidence that what you're buying is worth the money, and you can keep an eye out for sites that might not be so honest.
To help you get one step closer to a fun new remote control toy, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and rated the best options out there for remote control toy stores. We hope this helps you get back into the carefree fun of a shiny new toy with the marvels of modern RC technology.
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