Hobby People

Horrible service. mediocre selection. and overpriced. better off getting everything from amazon. I’ve been there 3 times and all three times they were rude. I spoke to three different people and they all seemed like they didn’t care and look at u like ur stupid if u had a question to ask. Today I saw the store manager (I knew it was him because there was a big sign wen u go in with his picture that said «store manager»). I was looking for a 3.7v /​500 mAh replacement battery for my UDI model U818 drone. I explained to him that’s wut I needed. He looked at me with a condescending look like I was jus rambling and said .“an 818 what? I don’t know what that means. maybe u should jus bring the battery” he didn’t even bother to try n look. For a store manager of a hobby store, you’d think he’d know more about what the store sells or atleast be a little more helpful. I actually was able to wave down another guy to help me find it, but didn’t end up getting it because the price was 3 times more than online. Every time u ask them a question, they seem annoyed or they just don’t know.

My son and i went in to fix his Traxxis R/​C. We were immediatly attended to and were up and running in no time. Employees could not have been better. What a great experience. We walked out saying, wow, what a great place!

I made a call to Hobby People as I was looking for a translucent red paint made by Tamiya and Sean helped me. He asked me if I had the color code and luckily I did so he was able to find it in stock. I really needed this paint for a project I was working on and I wouldnt be able to get there until after work. I asked Sean if they put things on hold and he said they do. He said the 2 spray cans of Tamiya paint would be on hold up front by the register and sure enough they were. I appreciated that. Good customer service.

What a great experience. I went in to hobby people Pasadena for some help with my RC buggy. Everyone was very helpful from the manager to the salesperson who ultimately helped me find what I was looking for. I was also impressed with the value. I was not planning to buy a new RC vehicle but after seeing some of the new stuff out it was hard to wait. Great group of people. Great service. Really exciting new products. Great experience

Not sure why people like this place much. Yeah they have some things and they are nice at times but every time I go I find nothing other than paint to spend my money on.
Other main concern is the attitude of the manager, who can’t seem to be a practical person. I tried returning something that was clearly used by someone else only to get a lot of LA type flak, (talking behind my back as I walk out), and I wasn’t mad at them either, just decent. Whoever hired the manager etc, is not good at reading personalities.
Go to Amazon and save money. It’s expensive to live.

«TOTAL BULLSHIT» that’s what the STORE MANAGER said to me as I walked out after I came back to return a USED can of paint he sold me as new. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, NO PROFESSIONALISM. If management acts that way, there’s no much hope for improvement. Will not give them my money again.

My friend accidentally crashed my new drone (quad)The guys here were more than helpful. They helped me get the right parts and even offered to help with the repairs.

the manager named Sean is great. he’s helpful, kind, and very thorough in his job at this store. i came in with a very strange and specific problem with my model rocket. i had just bought it the day before and when i would press the button to launch, nothing happened. i was frustrated and completely hopeless but when i walked back into hobby people to ask for help, the manager Sean saved my life. He worked with me for 20 minutes, taking all my equipment and checking it one by one. he ended up getting out this complicated battery checker thingy and opened up one of his own store batteries to compare my launcher battery too. and thanks to his help i discovered that i just had a bad battery (don’t buy batteries at the 99 cent store for hobbies) and i went on my day. he was very kind and humble and answered any questions i had about ANYTHING. i would recommend this shop to anybody and i already have recommended it to all my friends. if some of the workers appear to have a sort of «elitist hobby» attitude it’s just because most of them are all nerds and take huge pride in what they do. i got that vibe too but i understood that they don’t mean to be dix. each and everyone of the workers is usually knowledgeable as heck and good at this job. once again, i would recommend this place to everybody in the pasadena, arcadia, and altadena area for any sort of hobby

Sean is great. The employees at this store are very knowledgeable with regard to the products they sell. They’re eager to demonstrate anything that they can. I ended up grabbing a little inexpensive quadcopter just for fun and man they’re cool. I’ve crashed the crap out of mine and somehow it still gets airborne. I had some trouble with mine and it turned out to be a defect so they exchanged it no questions asked.
I hope this place doesn’t become another money dumping pit for me…
Thanks, Sean, for the awesome service. I’ll certainly be back!

Customer service is fantastic! Very informative and knowledgeable. Great selection of products. I’m very satisfied. Keep up the good work!!!

The workers seem to know their stuff, but have this slight you-aren’t-a-real-hobbyist attitude towards me when I walk in and ask about specific model cars. That was my experience the two times I went in, at least. They seem to have a large, random mix of them across the back wall, but nothing that I actually wanted. Maybe they’re rare? I have no clue, I just want to build very specific cars. In the end, I ended up buying something off Amazon, as I usually do. Better price, more variety.
Kind of fun that they play with their toys in the store and in the parking lot sometimes. But kind of annoying that they’re trying to lure you in, and throwing prices at you as soon as you ask about the activities.

I am planning on building a RC plane for the first time. I found a video online that had a pretty good step-​by-​step approach. I went to Hobby People because I needed another landing gear. Because of all the the recent press, I was actually quite excited about going. I assumed that the place would be family oriented and friendly.
I came in and the guy at the register was helping a customer. He seemed friendly, and they were engaged in an interesting conversation. I stood quietly and listened. When that customer left, the guy started walking away with me standing there. I asked him if he had landing gear similar to the one I brought in. He went to a section behind the counter, looked and said no. He told me to check in one of the aisles and then he walked away.
I went to the aisle that he directed me to and they didn’t have any. I went back up to the front and a different guy was there. I asked him did he know where I could find a similar landing gear. He said he was new to the store, but he’d look. So, he walked with me to the aisle and looked with me. When he couldn’t find one he said, he could order it. I told him no thanks because I needed it for next week. He said he could look to see if one of the other stores had it and they could possible get it sooner. We went back up to the register. He said he didn’t know how to check the other stores, so he called the first guy over. The first guy told me to go to their website to see if there was anything on their site and then call him with a part number.
I didn’t drive from LA to Pasadena on a Friday at 6p because I don’t know how to use the Internet. I went to the store because I needed help with building an RC plane. The second guy did the best he could, but the first guy asked no questions and didn’t inquire as if how to help me. I have gotten better service at Radio Shack
I will never be back.

I Came in with money to spend, left with nothing spent. I will take my business else where like amazon or online specialty stores.
I had walked in with the idea of what I was already going to purchase (nitro fuel), there was even a sale going on. The gentleman that helped me was polite yes, although lacked of general knowledge. I don’t blame him he seemed like a new hire and was friendly but the «experts» or supervisors that were also working had no guidance or help for him.
I needed further assistance with my rc drift car, like things to get it running. I guess I have to stick with online forums and other resources since they had no care to help me here. The supervisor was even working/​playing with his own car. Like others that reviewed, buy what you need and know, don’t bother asking for help they don’t know crap here or they are just lazy and too caught up in their own hobby. They just stare and don’t want to help. Only the new hers have energy to ask and try but they don’t know much. Sad how this location is now, I used to come here for paint years ago and lot was actually the spot to be for things but I rather order online now. Sales sucks, customer service lacks knowledge, the older employees are careless, I’m sure returns/​exchanges are just as bad. Inventory lacks, there is no use for this store. The guy at Walmart was more helpful (purchased rechargeable batteries).
This store basically survives off hardcore rc heads that need fuel and batteries and small accessories. They are lucky for that, but if you are in need of help with getting into one, stay away. Read online, go to a better specialty shop, drive further to another Hobby People location they might be better if even that. Left with a shitty experience.

Friendly, Expert Service.
On my first trip, I was tickled to find their excellent store-​brand camera quad on sale at an excellent price.
After jamming it in a tree, I brought the wreckage back to Hobby People and Manager, Sean took the time to disassemble and help me repair it. He also gave me some excellent tips on how to use the built-​in features to help me avoid hitting trees. He then showed me how to use all the included tools and spare parts.
I’m glad I chose this store. (you won’t get help like that from the internet)
Five Stars Indeed

At first I thought this place was a great place to find my hobby needs, but now after coming back due to defective products several times they’re not even standing behind the warranty and I’ve been getting the run around when clearly they should have just exchanged it after realizing that the problem was a faulty product not human era. Once the problem is resolved I’ll be taking my business else where.

So many options! This is way better than Toys’ R’Us!!! I was around the area and my boys wanted to go to a toy shop. I entered toy shops on my maps and was glad Hobby People came up! I live in West Los Angeles. Many of these are extinct and I have gone to some other ones but they are not the same! When we first arrived, we were acknowledged and greeted! Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. We ended up leaving with a few supplies and three model kits. My boys were happy and eager to start their projects. It’s a bit far from home, but I’m glad I know where is one at, this side of town.

I have been coming here for over 20 years for my hobbies needs. It is a great place to come for information from knowledgable and passionate people.
On this trip, I inquired about getting a practice quad copter. I wanted to get the waters, before jumping into another expensive hobby. I asked the salesman, what was a good rc quad for me. He introduced a entry level quad, and explain the functions of the copter. He was patient and didnt take to upscale me to a quad above my skill level. Actually, he prevented me into getting a cooler looking toy that was above my current skill set.
All in all, it was a great experience. Price are competitive, maybe a few bucks more. But with a great salesman, it actually helped me make a better purchase choice. In the long run, it saved me some money.

I’ve been getting into remote control helicopters and went to this store for parts.
They not only ordered me what I needed and made sure I knew how to properly repair it, when I went back with a different problem awesome manager Sean took the time to resolve the issue and give me a friendly, much needed flying lesson.
Best customer service I’ve had in ages. Bravo guys!

I’m always building a robot or RC car or something, so I’m always in need of wheels, servos, RC transmitters/​receivers, and other stuff that I would find in a hobby shop. I’ve come here a few time since they’re the closest hobby shop.
The first time I came in, I brought a servo with me and asked what kind of wheel would fit with it. The big guy behind the counter said, «Well, you should’ve figured that out before you came here.» Really? I left very unsatisfied.
I came back here a few times since when I already knew exactly what I needed, and every time, I wasn’t able to find what I was looking for. The customer service was better though.
Now I drive a little further to Glendale and go to Robin’s Hobby instead. It’s a much better hobby shop in every way.

My husband was looking into getting back into the RC cars since he had a real cool one that was stolen years ago. He had been looking into this for months and then saw that this place was having a weekend sale. Perfect.
We really thought the customer service here was really good. We looked around for probably 5 minutes before being approached by a sales associate who asked if we needed help. The place was really busy. The guy helped us get exactly what we wanted and explained all of our questions, especially regarding buying a second battery and a battery charger. They even took money off certain merchandise, which was really nice.
The place looks like it doesn’t have enough stuff in the store, but that can also be nice too as you don’t have to dig to try to find stuff. Clean aisles. Only complaint is that it was hot and really stuffy inside, but we’re in the middle of summer here. Plenty of parking in its own lot along with the other stores that share the same parking lot.
We will defintely be back here to deal with any other of our RC car needs.