We have a couple hobby shops with one in particular Mike’s train shop in Kenner just do your research about whatever part you’re going to buy because the guy can be an ass. I’ve bought some stuff from him before and had a defective out the box and before you can return it he wants his guy to look at it and charge you a $20 service fee and then if it’s a defective battery it’s well that’s that’s life song sometimes stuff just doesn’t work so with that attitude I don’t buy from him anymore.

When I first got in the hobby I was interested in helicopters. I bought a small one to practice on but wanted a little larger capacity battery for longer flight times. So he obliged, gave me bigger batteries. I charged those batteries and plug into the heli and as soon as I gave it throttle the power just cut off. Nothing I did could get the lights to stop flashing the heli would not get power. I brought back to him the next day and he swore up and down I busted it from lack of experience. I swore I never even got it off the ground. He swapped it out for another one. I got home do the same thing and instantly this heli cuts off and starts flashing. I go back to him and show him.. this time it’s 20.00 for his “guy” to look at it. A week later his guy calls and says I fried the logic board from using a battery with a higher discharge rate than the board can handle. He could replace the board but it’s essentially the price of a new helicopter so just buy a new one.

I go back to good old Mike and tell him. Now he knew I was completely wet behind the ears while we talked and these were his recommendations that battery with this helicopter. He refused to budge... said I need to do my research.

I told him the value in a brick and mortar is the knowledge and help you get vs online... I don’t mind paying higher prices for that reason, but I’ll be dammed if I’m going to pay 160.00 for a heli that is 99.00 from Horizon Hobby for no added value.

Since then... I’ll wait weeks for a part vs going to his shop.