HobbyTown — Local services in Southfield

I have always enjoyed Radio Control Vehicles since I was young along with O Gauge (Lionel trains.) I’ve been to & supported just about every hobby shop in the metro Detroit area since the early 1990’s. For whatever reason I’ve never been to this Hobby shop before, and happened to be in the area so I finally got a chance to check it out. I really liked Hobby Town, they carry everything a good hobby shop should have. The store is a bit smaller than a couple of other local shops, but still has a great selection. All types of Radio Control vehicles ,educational toys, models, puzzles, rockets, slot cars, model trains & supplies, hobby tools, and more. Primary cater to RC Cars, & FPV/Drones, with some RC Boats, helicopters & planes too. Their inventory is mostly ready to run vehicles like many shops now sell due to their popularity, (not being critical.) Hobbytown has all the staple brands like Traxxas, Team Associated,Arrma, Losi, etc. along with a big selection of upgrades & replacement parts for them. They also sell a few kits for the off-road, drifting, onroad, & drag racing crowd like myself which I like to see. And they have all the support equipment as well, batteries, motors, ESC’s, Radios, chargers, and specialty tools for repairs. I was only there for 20 minutes & didn’t get to see everything, but you get the idea if you visit hobby shops. I really thought their prices were reasonable and competitive which is great! Several customers came in with vehicles they had damaged/crashed, and I overheard the employees giving them great advice, seemed very knowledgeable & helpful. I think every customer left with their RC repaired, or with the parts and tips needed to fix it themselves which is what this hobby is all about. Definitely a nice store to visit and do business with. there’s something for just about anyone to enjoy here, great prices on the items I checked out, plus the staff was very friendly & helpful to all the customers during my visit. Cool...

My first trip was so-so and the second trip plain sucked. Trip 1: Needed replacement u-joints for my son's RC truck. Found this place and was delighted it was so much closer than Larry's Performance RC in Shelby. While the guy helping me was VERY knowledgeable, he seemed more interested in repairing other customer's equipment, a service they offer. I had to repeat my question 4X to get my needs across. They didn't have the part in stock but he sold me an unopened package from his personal stash at the same price. Trip 2: called ahead to see if they had another replacement part. They said yes, they have 1 in stock. I asked the owner (who I spoke to on the phone) to reserve it or put it aside and that I'd be right in to get it. When I arrived I asked for it but the other employee couldn't locate it. He checked with the owner who told him there was one in the system but couldn't find it. The other employee said "oh yeah, I used that in a customer's car. Ha ha! I should have updated the computer!" Then he merely says "sorry, we don't have it." I told him I called ahead and asked that it be put aside and was told it would be and that was met with "oh. Sorry about that." No offer to cut me a break, no sorry you drive out here for nothing,etc. Summary: will only go back in an emergency. I'll drive the extra 10 minutes one way to Larry's to get everything lacking from Hobby Town. They'll survive and thrive because of the positive stuff I mention below, but it's not a place I'll go with any regularity. Positives: good selection of RC cars, decent selection of planes and drones, nice location for south Oakland County, staff IS knowledgeable. Negatives: poor inventory control, not the best...

I had a very disappointing experience at HobbyTown. I brought in my brand-new Rolife miniature (which they are an authorized dealer for) after being directed there by customer service for support. I was simply hoping for guidance on a lighting issue after assembling the piece with care and excitement.

Instead, the owner was shockingly rude. He told me I’d have to pay for his employee’s time, made it clear that “he pays the bills and the lights,” and said his staff “don’t work for free.” I told him kindness is free and this owner is not someone that anyone would want to support. I would never spend a dime in there after this experience. I suggest going to Hobby Lobby instead.

I was stunned by the attitude, especially from someone representing a hobby store that’s supposed to support creativity and community. This interaction was dismissive, bitter, and unprofessional.

I would not recommend visiting this location if you're expecting helpful service or respectful treatment. The reviews about these owners being different to people of a different race...