Al’s Hobbies Reviews 

115
TrustScore 4 out of 5

3.9

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered 2 receivers as they were shown as in stock. The owner called me to say they hadn’t bothered to update their website and they didn’t have any, but they would send identical products they had se... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Al's Hobbies always provides brilliant service regardless of how big of small your request is. Every time I've been in everyone who's served me has been super helpful. 100% recommend them for anything... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A fantastic experience buying for Al’s. People who are incredibly friendly, hugely knowledgable and really helpful. In addition to buying some bits I needed, I probably spent a good hour just chatti... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

That rare beast, a real, physical model shop with a vast stock, covering most of the modelling bases and all presided over by the ever helpful, ever knowledgeable, ever charming Ali. I've been buyin... See more

Company replied

Company details

  1. Hobby shop

Written by the company

Started in 1997 by Ali Machinchy Snr, Ali Machinchy Junior and Jane Machinchy. Al's Hobbies began in one small store in Hainault essex. From there it grew into one of the UK's largest independent retailers of radio controlled equipment.


Contact info

3.9

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

115 reviews

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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 month

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3.9

All reviews

(115)

14 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Always my number one choice for all…

Always my number one choice for all aeromodelling needs, great prices with fast delivery. Highly recommended.

13 September 2024
Unprompted review
Al’s Hobbies logo

Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Roy, all the team here really appreciate it!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Thanks Gary!

Had what I thought was an impossible problem through my own lack of knowledge..Gary was very patient and helpful and fixed the problem on the phone with me ..not for the first time !

1 September 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review, we really appreciate it. It was an absolute pleasure doing business with you and we hope you have many hours enjoyment from your new plane.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No reply, no goods

Paid for order on 13 August. It is now over a week later. Nothing has been received and an email sent has been ignored.

21 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Hi Pete. We're incredibly sorry, but we either haven't receive your email or it has been overlooked in error. The item was ordered from supplier within a day or two of you placing it with us. However their systems have been down for several days. The rep has just told us that things are once again up and running and our order is on it's way to us. We will notify you if we do not receive the item from them and can of course offer a full refund if we are unable to supply.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A safe pair of hands for the new commer and experienced RC hobbiest.

I have purchase 3 RC planes and transmitter etc. from Al's and they have been so helpful with advice on my purchases. With my first model they even set everything up as initially I had no real idea what to do.
When things have gone wrong, they are there to advise and check equipment.

12 August 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou, we all really appreciate you taking the time to write this wonderful review!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

MONEY GRABBING COWBOYS!!!

I ordered an item from these guys. As it was supposedly in stock. I heard nothing from them and called them. I was greeted by a very rude and unprofessional person that would not let me speak and told me I was being abusive when I asked to say my piece and put the phone down on me as soon as i said this. When he did eventually decide to speak with a little less attitude he told me that the item was out of stock and was due in a week later. I had no correspondence, and no tracking number.
I understand if a mistake was made updating the website but shouldn't have to be chasing my products. I should've been informed and given the option to cancel.
I really wish I'd read the reviews for this company before purchasing.
THIS IS A COWBOY OUTFIT AND YOU SHOULD STAY AWAY! DEFINITELY DON'T BUY ONLINE FROM THEM!

15 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

We're are incredibly sorry that the service levels did not meet your expectations, we believe there was a mis understanding between you and the person who received the call. We've looked further into what caused the stock error initially and it appears the item was used by our repairs team and not booked out. We had sort to order the part for the next available date which is in a few days time. Again our sincerest apologies, there was no attempt to miss lead you, we have over one hundred thousand items in the shop and occasionally errors with stock figures such as this our made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic store!

Fantastic store, staff were very knowledgeable and friendly.

13 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the five star review!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Customer Service

I sent an email pointing out a small error on their website and had a reply within 10 minutes thanking me and advising that the error had been corrected .
To me that is Customer Service as it should be and a lot of other companies would do well to take note on this.

21 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Peter and for helping us with the error.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Service

As always, excellent service from Al's Hobbies. I had a pre-purchase query and then a request, which Garry responded to straight away in each case. I ordered an RC model aircraft kit on Wednesday morning and it was delivered to my doorstep, Thursday morning. Very well packaged and carefully handled by their regular courier.

I have no hesitation in highly recommending Al's Hobbies. Great service all round.

13 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou for the excellent 5-star review, we all really appreciate it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Unbeatable shop best in the country

Just the knowledge of these guys and craftsmanship nothing is to much for then , this is what proper hobbie shops used to be .the only place I will be using .

8 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou for your kind words and review Matt.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Spektrum transmitter repairs.

I needed repairs to my DX9 transmitter and received very helpful advice and excellent service, at great value for money.
Highly recommended.

20 May 2024
Unprompted review
Al’s Hobbies logo

Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou for the excellent review Ian, it was a pleasure to have you in the store.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing service an Aladdin’s cave.

My grandson wanted a remote control plane for his birthday saw Al,s online and went along, what an amazing place.
As we had no clue what to buy we asked for help and we could not have been given better advice the knowledge the gentleman had was unbelievable. My son also brought some parts for his remote control car. It is like an Aladdin’s cave you just keep seeing more. We will definitely return my grandson is having a great time flying his plane thank you for such good advice and your knowledge. It is so nice to be able to see so much and talk to someone in person in this age of the impersonal internet.

11 May 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou for this wonderful review. I believe it was Ali himself who served you in-store. He will be delighted to read this. We hope to see you again soon...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent service for repair and return…

Excellent service for repair and return of Spektrum transmitter. Responded to emails and telephoned to confirm fine detail of configuration before posting back. Would highly recommend and would not hesitate to use again.

30 April 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thank you for the excellent review Colin!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Als hobbies in Hainault looked after me…

Als hobbies in Hainault looked after me while I was a youngster! The skylines outside was a treat to the eyes as a boy huge exhausts wow! Great help when my sandmaster constantly broke down and I was to young to work it out! I’m sure they are just as great now as then, the iconic glass table for repair glow fuel from my exhaust spitting all over! Never ever a lack of time to help! 10/10 memories.

28 April 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thank you for your review and kind words Sean!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Highly recomended

Always helpful and prompt response to any query. Highly recommended.

Thankyou

22 April 2024
Unprompted review
Al’s Hobbies logo

Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the 5-star review Martin, we really appreciate it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Al's are great

Al's are great, they have lots of time for advice, really pleasent, and it feels like going into a traditional model shop

19 April 2024
Unprompted review
Al’s Hobbies logo

Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Neil!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Driving past today and I saw this…

Driving past today and I saw this place!
A real "look at it and see what you're buying" shop rather than an online shop.
What a treasure trove. I build 1/35 AFVs, and I wasn't looking for anything specific nor RC, but the stock and accessories make this shop a definite 'must visit'.
I'll be visiting soon with a friend and could get into the RC aircraft world!
Very friendly staff, and no hard sell.

4 March 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review, we really appreciate you tasking the time and it was a pleasure to have you in the store.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Pay pal scam…

My order was delivered in a padded envelope but when I open it, It only contained my invoice. I contacted them on a number of occasions only be told the same. You paid by pay pal claim of them. I don't have a PayPal account. Now six later and still not resolved. Don't buy any thing from these people.

6 October 2023
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

As we have an upcoming court date with you, we cannot discuss this matter. However, to maintain our very good trust pilot score, we must post a reply.

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