Rider's Hobby Shop — Local services in Grand Rapids

I've found that there is no better way to scare people away from a sport and/or hobby than to be condescending, arrogant, or rude to newbies. As a guy who has recently re-joined the RC car community I have learned that this hobby has progressed beyond imagination from when I was a young teenager racing a RC10 (Im almost 50 now). I am giving 2 stars as I did not speak to every employee during this visit and I'm going to assume that they're not the same as the man this review is about. I visited this store 12/27/24 after driving from Lansing hoping to buy or order a couple batteries for a RC car that was gifted to me for Christmas. Unfortunately out of all of the multiple employees that were present last night I had gotten a man who treated me like a child and spoke with astounding arrogance as we tried to determine which battery I need to the point of suggesting that if I am unsure of which connector I need that perhaps I should get a simpler RC car until I am more experienced. Hmmm ok? Yeah I sure can't figure out the difference between positive and negative. The experience only got better when despite the condescending treatment I tried to work with the guy to get a couple batteries ordered he proceeded to tell me that he has no idea when he would ever get them even though as he was showing me the computer screen it showed 24 available from your supplier. Needless to say that I bought nothing. I'll add that not only am I not the idiot that I was treated as but I am not only a Master certified state of Michigan and ASE auto mechanic but I also own and operate an auto repair shop near Lansing. Though there has clearly been a gap in my Ryder's visits I'll mention that my father and I used to almost weekly visit Ryders on Trowbridge road as well as Michigan ave in Lansing. I was hoping for a good visit to your present store but I cant tell you if Ill ever be back. I'll just go on to mention that since my visit that Im referring to I have gone on to spend about $3800 with Amain Hobbies which I absolutely would have preferred to spend at your store. Last thing Ill mention is that when this took place there was also a fairly young man behind the counter that may have been this guys son. As the young man spoke up (Ill mention the young man was VERY friendly and enthusiastic) your employee was VERY rude and condescending to him as well. All around a very disappointing...

I'll have to say, my experience here has gotten worse and worse. And I'm basically giving 2 reviews here for the guys on each side of the store. The guys in here work there. And literally that's it. They show no appreciation for their work and basically want nothing to do with their customers. They were rude, and were just there to sell items. I went in there with an old electric plane I had purchased at an auction. It needed some work so I brought it in to get there opinion and some help in buying new parts and what not. I myself before I went there had the plane running and all the servos running. I just wanted to get his opinion on it and if I should get some parts for it. I've only been flying for 4 years or so so I know I little but there's plenty I can still learn. But they treat you like you know nothing and shouldn't even be in the store. The guy I had talked to basically had told me I shouldn't have purchased the plane. I mean isn't that the point of being a hobbyist? To build, buy, fly, work on things, tinker stuff like that? He wanted nothing to do with me. I've stood back and watched them "deal" with other customers in the same fashion. Now on the other hand the guys on the other side of the store were extremely helpful and friendly. The guy was working on something and he had dropped everything he was doing to give me a 5 minute solder lesson. Because again I could solder but could still learn a lot. And I did. I now know how to solder PROPERLY and thanks to the gentlemen that took time out of his day to teach a stranger. And I greatly appreciated it. SO I GIVE THE R/C GUYS ON ONE SOME OF THE STORE 1 STAR and that's just because they knew how to sell items. AND I GIVE 5 STARS TO THE ELECTRONICS AND MODEL GUYS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STORE....

if i could i would put -stars to be honest they are pretty rude act like you should know it all if your in the hobby ive asked questions more for personal opinion an get just short of a smart ass answer ive had multiple times ive been told wrong information an ive also bought a BNF plane tape was cut they told me nothing to worry about and sure enough flies great first 3 mins then electronic failure options for me after this is send my plane in wait for 2018 xmas before ill probably see it again and they want my tx while testing is going on so not only am i without a plane now my other 10 planes are grounded cause they need my tx, called horizon tell them my problems and what shop i bought it from they tell me they have heard multiple neg. comments on this shop and there willing to trouble shoot over the phone send me the parts to get me flying and offer me some good advice. its sad when a local shop wont try to do more then test and do the same things i can do at home never again will i buy from this store the running back and forth wasting hours of my time and $$$$ im better off letting a blind man build my plane with one hand...