On line local hobby shops

[Russell Shaffer]

I used to order nickle and dime stuff from Virginia Hobbysports.  It was clear on the other coast from me, but he would drop a couple items in an envelope and mail them without a big handling charge. So would S&S.  Is there a good place where you can order a couple of bellcranks or one pair of wheels or maybe a tank without the shipping equaling the merchandise? I'm perfectly willing to pay the full postage and the retail price. People do have to make a living, after all. A little place where you can call and talk to a real person would be great.  I don't want much, just a full service local hobby shop with someone standing by the phone waiting for my call. I know that is totally unreasonable, but there must still be some mom and pop stores who do mail order on a prompt basis.  I don't even need an 800 number, I'm not quite that cheap. I bet someone has a shop that can do all this.  Suggestions welcome.

[Balsa Butcher]

I have always had great service from Jim and Emily at Control Line Central. 

[Andrew Tinsley]

Hi Russell,
I have used MBS Model Supplies several times. They don't carry the range of an old fashioned Hobby Store. But if they have what you want, then they ship at actual postage cost. Very helpful set up, I can't recommend Melvin highly enough. I live in Uk and the actual postal cost is very helpful.

[Dennis Moritz]

Not exactly what you request. But, relevant, I think. Brodaks is a local hobby shop. If you ever make to Carmichaels PA, you'd find that the case. Shelves full of stuff. Helpful knowledgeable assistants. When there, I've asked for what I thought were fairly obscure items, like a Higley Hub, took me to where they were. I understand the desire to keep the small shops open. You might want to call Penn Valley Hobbies, located in Lansdale PA. They have a website. Are open Friday and Saturday. Helpful folks who can get most things. Philly Flyers have used them for 30 (?) years.

[bob branch]

Matt at The Prop Shop in Warren, MI, a Detroit suburb, is a full service hobby shop. They have a good web site and it is updated daily to what they have in stock. Prices are usually under Towers. Its a long standing old fashion hobby shop that really has great service. If you need it and do not have it Matt will have in usually in a day and ship it to you. Pretty much all of us in the Detroit area know the shop well.

propshophobbies.com

bob branch

[Steve Helmick]

I'm a huge fan of CLC (Jim Snelson) and RSM (Eric Rule), and have used both via email. Eugene Toy & Hobby is a pretty good hobby shop, and they do online/phone orders, FYI.  Steve

[FLOYD CARTER]

Eugene Toy & Hobby is at 541 344-2117.  Owners Allen and Mark are very helpful.  They carry a pretty good line of C/L supplies.

F.C.

[Bill Heher]

I confirm what others have posted about CLC- Jim and Emily are top notch. Emily can't always answer every question, but she pretty much knows what is on hand- Jim can answer just about any CL related question, and usually have the necessary hardware to make your project happen.

I also used to live in the Detroit area, only a few miles from the Prop Shop, and I still find stuff I bought there in the 80's-90's.  I can recommend them also.

Grave's R/C here in Orlando has a web site, carries some C/L stuff, and has a helpful staff. Don't know what their shipping policies are- I walk in.