Al’s Hobbies Reviews 112

TrustScore 4 out of 5

4.2

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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 1 out of 5 stars

List an item as in stock, take your money then tell you the next day it actually isn't in stock

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 Store

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

4.2

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

112 reviews

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Replied to 100% of negative reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Selling items that aren't in stock

List an item as in stock, take your money then tell you the next day it actually isn't in stock

May 11, 2026
Unprompted review
Al’s Hobbies logo

Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Hi Chris, we're sorry that you were dissapointed with this as a resolution. However, as with all retailers these days theft is an increasing issue, so we often see incorrect stock levels, and there are also cases where we may have miss-counted stock. We do hold well over 200 thousand items. Hopefully those reading this review will except that telling you the next day that we don't have it once checking is a reasonably sensible course of action.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Quick no hassle refund

Bought a used receiver that I could not get to work but Al's refunded payment in full quickly with no hassle.

April 7, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the 5 star review, we really appreciate your communication with the product issue.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Order arrived brilliantly packaged and…

Order arrived brilliantly packaged and so quickly. The communication was very clear from the point of order and it was a great experience of buying exactly what I wanted.

March 6, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review, we really appreciate it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Knowledgeable and friendly staff

Recommended Store! Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Huge selection of RC Products. Will be visiting again with my little boy for sure.

February 28, 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I asked Al's Hobbies about availability…

I asked Al's Hobbies about availability of a Futatba FX40 Tx screen.
They took my details made enquiries and reported back as promised.
Stoke is unavailable, but I was given information regarding equivalent spares.
Many thanks!

November 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great personal service

Great personal service, good advice and support.

October 20, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review, we also like to take this opputunity to thankyou for your patience in resolving the issue with your item.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really good service happy to help and…

Really good service happy to help and advice I needed a a new clutch and even sorted a couple other small things on my nitro car and reasonable prices

September 18, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Jamie!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I made a journey to Al's store in Milton Keynes.

I made a journey to Al's store in Milton Keynes to have my transmitter repaired .The staff were very helpful and the repair they did was excellent. I was
very impressed with their service and choice of stock. I would highly recommend them to everyone.

August 27, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Colin, we really appreciate you taking time to write this review.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great service no matter how big of small your need..

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 RC hobby related.

September 6, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the wonderful review, all the team really appreciate it. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Al is always helpful

Al is always helpful, whether you have been flying for years, or are new to RC planes. Really good advice and limitless knowledge with many years of personal experience in the hobby.

June 11, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Charles, Ali will really appreciate you taking the time to write it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Spektrum DX20 repair

I sent my Spektrum DX20 for repair, the taem at Al's Hobbies kept me updated its progress, it required spares from America so the repair took a little longer.
My transmitter came today packed better than I had sent it and looking like new.
Thank you to the team at Al's Hobbies

June 17, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou for the 5 star review Ben, it was a pleasure dealing with you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic RC shop - and NOT just for flyers

It’s ALWAYS a treat to visit Ali, Garry and the rest of the team at Al’s Hobbies. His prices are very reasonable and if they don’t have what you need in stock he is usually able to quickly source it.

The team are knowledgeable about what they sell and their advice has helped me on numerous occasions when I knew what I wanted but didn’t know how to achieve it.

June 9, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou Simon, it's always a pleasure dealing with you! We appreciate you taking the time to write a review.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Respond to emails.ignore people

I ordered a Phase 1 Rc Body Panels W/Skid For Ftx Dr8 (P1Rc-Re005) but il be waiting for 15 days now and il email them 3 times but not got back so not happy

June 2, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

We have now refunded your order, as requested.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I have some of these models and would…

I have some of these models and would like to sell them but don’t really know where to start, could you help me please.

June 8, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Hi Steve, we do purchase models from time to time if your able to send details to rcinfo@alshobbies.co.uk. Perhaps we can get that fifth star?

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I have delt with you for a long time…

I have delt with you for a long time but just lately I I am not impressed with the time it takes to receive orders. ☹️

June 7, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Hi Peter, we have sent you a message regarding the availability of the magnets (perhaps you have not seen it). They are out of stock with perkins, we can offer the slightly smaller size and a partial refund?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding customer service!

Ordered a Volantex Phoenix 2400 (best price) which came the next day, super fast. On inspecting contents found the control horn on rudder was broken ( nothing to do with Al's). Contacted Al's and within a couple of hours matter had been resolved with supplier sending me new rudder. Fantastic customer service, very impressed, A*****

June 5, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for this great review Mark, we really appreciate you taking the time to write it, hopefully the rudder will be with you in a few days.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

After market drone battery

After market drone battery.
After a rather large worldwide search for an aftermarket controller battery for my splashdrone 3+, it was only AL'S that had the nearest spec size and plug configuration. And it was here door to door in under 24 hours !!!!!!!! works a treat

Thankyou.

June 4, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thankyou for your five star review Gavin, all the team really appreciate it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Confident to order from them again.

Despite being honestly described as ''only available to order'', my G gauge track still arrived pretty quickly.
A quality product supplied at a very competitive price.
So, I'll be back...!

May 24, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Al’s Hobbies

Thanks for the great review Maggie, we're located just 15 minutes from the LGB UK distributor, so it helps us provide a faster service.

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