Bay Shore Hobbies and Toys — Local services in Town of Islip

My experience here has been somewhat mixed, and dry. My main intention was never to become an RC expert, but to buy some cool radio controlled vehicle, which I would use to bond with my son. I ended up buying a Blade 120 S2 helicopter. I bought this as I wanted something a little more substantial, and wouldn't spend anything over $40.00 for the smaller toy helicopters. Well, I was lucky as this shop has a decent selection. Unfortunately, when you enter the store there are "boxes on boxes" stacked on top of one another. Next, I warn you, if you buy anything "according to the owner," all sales are final. Now, I'm not sure if this means whether or not you get store credit, but if something doesn't work out there should be some sort of return or reconciliation option. But the worst of it is the owner doesn't really seem to care about the customers, and has a dry, " I don't care" type of persona. Anytime I ask questions, the answer is, "look it up online," you'll find it. If that's the case why would I go to a hobby store to buy something? Next, I flew the helicopter and it fell, which resulted in broken parts. I tell the owner, "I need knew ones." I've been waiting for more than one week, and no call or anything on them (literally calling every day) like an idiot. This is the first, and the last time I am ordering parts through a store. I ended up doing research, and buying some of the parts through the manufacturer, and others through Ebay. The problem is there aren't many of us who want to spend $500.00 on a high-end toy, which these RC items are. In most cases you can go to Amazon or Ebay and find a significantly cheaper Chinese equivalent that for most "people" will do without feeling wallet shock. People like me may go to the RC store not only for the experience, but to get something a little nicer. However, if we have dry and useless experiences like this, then quite honestly, Ebay and Amazon are better because at least everything about the product is...

So lets start with I have been building models since I was a kid over 50 years ago is when I started, I have built static plastic, to wooden boat, to plane to R/C Everything, planes, boats & helicopters. I have bought locally, I have bought on-line. Now I have to tell you about my cheat!!! I do my research as to what I may like on line then I come to this store and finalize what my initial thoughts are and the wealth of insight, information and clarity they provide here is priceless. I am not an expert per say but surely have more much experience than some incl scratch building RC Race Cars with a Frankenstein of parts..

It is personal and caring down to "What do you wish to achieve" then it is put together. In the few months I have found and been coming here I have bought several RC set ups, countless plastic scale models and have gotten back into the hobby I enjoyed for decades more now than ever before.

The store is not just Models, there is much more for just about anyone down to puzzles that I saw just yesterday.

If you are a newbie or an expert come here you'll not be disappointed in fact you will most likely walk out scratching your head saying "how did I now know about this place sooner?"

Thank...

This place is amazing. We (myself, my husband, and our nephew) stumbled on it accidentally and it was incredible. If you miss hobby shops the way they used to be, go here. The fact that there's about four times more stock than could possibly fit on the shelves was part of the charm for us. Mountains of boxes of models, RC stuff, and trains. It was like being a kid again. The owner was also extremely helpful.

It's also amazing that it happens to be situated in the same shopping center as a Hobby Lobby. It's a nice slap in the face to the monstrous corporate chain stores that have otherwise killed the small mom and pop operations from our childhood. If you're thinking of getting an RC helicopter, a plane, a car, or good old fashioned HO trains or plastic Revell models, or model rockets etc, please give this place business instead of...