Hobby Alley

Disappointing. Rude service, which seems to be a theme. But interestingly the negative reviews seems to get bumped down as «unhelpful». Just go somewhere else.

I’ve mostly visited Hobby Alley in the past in search of specific items like wooden Thomas the Train pieces for my son. Packaging was damaged on some of the items available and no discount was offered despite the damaged packaging which would not have made it particularly presentable as a gift. Lucky for me, my toddler didn’t mind the damaged packaging.
I’d come here again if I was on the hunt for something RC or model related but would probably not return for Thomas items.
They are located on 170^th street in the middle section (kind of like an island in the stream) where the Cheesecake Café is. You might miss the turn off if you’re not carefully looking for them but don’t fret, you can always turn around at the next light.
Their website is quite comprehensive and lists stock (West location — they also have a north end location)
And they offer free shipping for online orders over $ 50 which is pretty darn cool for out of owners looking for speciality items!
Happy Hobbying!
*UPDATE — The store manager wrote and commented that they no longer carry the Thomas line, so definitely don’t pop in here for that but do check out their website to see the WIDE array of RC, helicopters, trains, rockets, and models they carry!*

I’ve never had anyone call me a liar but there’s a first time for everything.
The Anki Drive kit was recommended to me by an acquaintance as a Christmas present for my husband and I was told to go to Hobby Alley. (Un)lucky for me, there was one left at the North side store and I put it on hold and headed out in the early afternoon of December 15 to consider making the purchase.
There were three salesmen in the otherwise empty store who assisted in the transaction. All had experience with the set and recommended a specific additional car for the optimum driving experience. All three were knowledgeable about the system and were all in on helping me with the decision. Despite their excellent suggestions and obvious enthusiasm, I was still pessimistic and confirmed their return policy on these items — yes, full refund as long as the boxes were unopened — and left with my $ 188.98 purchase.
Well, today’s December 31 and we headed to the store on 97 Street for a refund. We were immediately told that there were no returns on Anki products. One of the sales team called Wayne, the manager /​owner for me. Wayne stated that the store had received a mass email from Anki one month ago stating that returns were not allowed, and that any returns would have to go through the Anki website and «you MIGHT get a refund that way». I inquired why I wasn’t told about this policy since I made my purchase on December 15. I pointed out that his store receipt didn’t have Final Sale anywhere on it, and clearly states «Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase, accompanied by original store receipt». Wayne told me that he couldn’t do anything about it. He said that Anki themselves said no returns and if he allowed me to do the return, then HE would be stuck with the product. (Hmmm — so it’s OK that I am stuck with this product?) His response when I told him that his own staff had told me that I’d be able to return the item? «Well, it’s too bad that they told you that, but I can’t do anything about it.» He refused to budge and I figured I’d have to go to the BBB. We left, but not before I confirmed with the sales fellow who was there on the purchase date that yes, I HAD been told that the products were refundable.
I called Anki as I’d been advised to do and was told by their help desk that no, there had not been an email out to vendors advising of a no returns policy and the online returns were only for online purchases. Anki support told me that the vendor was responsible for refunds. Interesting.
Headed to the West End store to speak with Wayne. I told him that I’d called Anki and they told me to deal directly with him. Strangely, Wayne did not pull out the «Anki told us we aren’t allowed to return their product» and changed his tune to «sales items are not refundable». I reiterated that there were three staff present when I was told that the gift I was purchasing was fully refundable. He said, «Well, I’m sure the story is somewhere in the middle of that». Excuse me? I said, «I’m not lying if that’s what you’re implying» and he didn’t try to apologize for his weird comment — he just said, «well, there’s your story and then there’s the story that my staff are going to say.» Who talks about their customers and own staff that way?
He told me they’d do the return but not at his location — we’d have to go to the North side store (20 km away) where we’d been at the start of this fiasco.
What a jerk!
I’m glad that I got my money back but would never drop a dime in that place again.

Hobby Alley is primarily for the RC enthusiast. The west end store has a colossal selection of remote control cars, planes, helicopters, and parts thereof. Every time I’m in the store there is usually a small group congregating around the front counter vividly engaged in conversation with the staff about all things RC. I overhear questions like «why is my engine overheating?» and «what do I have to take apart to replace my transfer case?» This shows me that the staff are knowledgeable on the product and that the customers trust their guidance.
Do I take part in these discussions? No, because I’m not an RC enthusiast. I am a collector/​builder of model cars though and that’s what brings me to Hobby Alley. They’ve got a respectable stock of plastic model kits – cars, trucks, planes, military vehicles, etc. They don’t have as many models as they do RC stuff but that’s not their niche. What’s cool is that Hobby Alley has many models that can’t be found at other hobby stores which usually only stock the newest stuff. Even Kites and Other Delights, which has twice the selection of model kits that Hobby Alley does, has a narrower selection.
Hobby Alley does however stock a large selection of model paints, tools, and supplies which far exceeds what places like Comex Hobby and Kites… have. The tools for building models are usually the hardest items to find for sale in shops but Hobby Alley has a large chunk of what you’ll need.
Now for the best part: prices. This store easily has the most reasonable prices on models and everything you need to put ‘em together. You can buy a model kit here for a little over half of what you would pay at a store like Michael’s. The prices of paints are the best in town too. The prices are usually floating though because as far as I know, the store charges the US SRP and converts to the Canadian dollar at check-​out. For that reason, the prices are not on many items in the store. There is an electronic price checker though, which is convenient. That way you don’t have to interrupt the congregation at the front counter to enquire about a price. A can of spray paint usually costs $ 9−−12 depending on where you go. At Hobby Alley it cost me $ 6 and change.
When you’re paying for your items it can be a little daunting because of the conversationalists hanging around the counter telling war stories about their RC 4x4s. If you stand too close to them, the staff assume you’re joining the conversation. Just hold up the item you’re buying and one of the staff usually scurries to the cash register to ring you through.
One more thing: The store’s website lists all of their stock and lets you do a check to see if the item you want is physically in the store. Long live technology.

I really don’t care for this place. You wait a loooong time for service and the owner seems rude at times. One fellow behind the counter just doesn’t have a clue about RC planes & seems unsure or nervous so I’m not sure why he’s there. Their return policy is terrible… if you open it you can’t return it. I bought a $ 500 quadcopter from them and I noticed it was probably flown before cause of skid marks on bottom. They wouldn’t exchange it or accept a return. Only good thing was their prices seemed ok but they have none showing on any of their merchandise… you have to ask them but there’s that wait time again! I’ll just stay away from here.

The second location of this hobby shop for model train, helicopter, car, and planes, Hobby Alley has a good selection of models and accessories for a variety of projects. The model kits in particular tend to be very reasonably priced. I picked up a couple of easy to build ones that snap together, and each was less than $ 20. If I wanted to break out the glue and paint, I could have gotten some small model kits for under $ 5. I have only seen one staff person there, and he seems very knowledgable. I’ve also seen mostly adults shopping here — this is a place for the hardcore enthusiasts.