Heat Hobby

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
S

SHREDSURF

Member
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Location
Northern New Jersey
For my 2nd post on LSF's, I'd like to rant a bit about Heat Hobby.

In today's economy, how is it that a "business" selling large scale RC cars dosen't have a contact phone number?

How does a business in today economy (a business without a contact phone #) survive not responding to emails within 24 hours?

I would think that a business/ owner (small or large) would have someone available with a smart phone cabable of receiving and more importantly responding to customer's interested in purchasing their products...call me crazy!? :hammer:

My rant stems from the fact that myself along with a friend are desperately trying to purchase the KM 2.0 for our upcoming trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Between the 2 of us, we own 4 - 1/5 scale cars, 2 - Revo 3.3 and countless battery RC's. Rather than spending the $$ ($160+ roundtrip) to ship our Baja 5b's from NJ to FL, we figured we'd spend the $700.00, go to the Heat Hobby warehouse, pick-up our new KM 2.0's and try a differant brand Baja.

Heat hobby is 30 minutes from our condo in Fort Lauderdale and after 2 unsuccessful Ebay bids and 3 follow-up emails, my friend and I sit and wait (going on 27 hrs) to hear from anyone at Heat Hobby.

We're leaving Friday evening for Florida and with any luck, we'll hear something from Heat Hobby....before we leave!!

If anyone has some insight or knows the deal with Heat Hobby, I'd appreciate the feedback.

Thanks for letting me rant!
 
While I have no experience with Heat Hobby, here's a couple things to consider, and I'm going to play devils advocate here.

1. This is the off season for most hobby shops, it's after Christmas and before warm weather in most places. So it's a good chance to take a vacation, my LHS owner is gone for ten days starting on Thursday. I'm not getting a new heli that is launching when it comes out, because he is on vacation. I'll get it when he returns, not big deal, been buying there for 12 years for a reason.

2. Unless it's a huge chain store (hobby lobby, ect) most shops are owned, and operated by one person, and most are struggling to make it in this economy as you mentioned. So a $100 a month smart phone plan (that's pretty average) isn't exactly a wise business decision to be honest, since I've seen months my LHS barely brings in enough to pay the rent and light bill.

From the sound of it, you guys kinda waited till the last minute to make the decision to just buy new rigs when you got there, thus the expedited need for a response from them. Perhaps you should have done a little more planning, a little earlier on. As the old saying goes, a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

Not trying to instigate or upset you here. I'm by far one of the most impatient people I know when it comes to new toys. These are just things I've learned and observed in 36 years on this mud ball we call earth.
 
WNCmotard said:
While I have no experience with Heat Hobby, here's a couple things to consider, and I'm going to play devils advocate here.

1. This is the off season for most hobby shops, it's after Christmas and before warm weather in most places. So it's a good chance to take a vacation, my LHS owner is gone for ten days starting on Thursday. I'm not getting a new heli that is launching when it comes out, because he is on vacation. I'll get it when he returns, not big deal, been buying there for 12 years for a reason.

2. Unless it's a huge chain store (hobby lobby, ect) most shops are owned, and operated by one person, and most are struggling to make it in this economy as you mentioned. So a $100 a month smart phone plan (that's pretty average) isn't exactly a wise business decision to be honest, since I've seen months my LHS barely brings in enough to pay the rent and light bill.

From the sound of it, you guys kinda waited till the last minute to make the decision to just buy new rigs when you got there, thus the expedited need for a response from them. Perhaps you should have done a little more planning, a little earlier on. As the old saying goes, a lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.

Not trying to instigate or upset you here. I'm by far one of the most impatient people I know when it comes to new toys. These are just things I've learned and observed in 36 years on this mud ball we call earth.
Click to expand...

Thanks WNC,


I'm not going to dispute anything you stated, in fact I agree with most of it. However, I will disagree with the smartphone and "off season" issues.

IMO, a smartphone is an essential tool for any business and would especcially benefit a small busines owner who dosen't have huge overheads, storefront or staff. With a smart phone, the owner could do business from the comfort of his house.

As far as vacation's/ shut down's for a small businesses...in this economy, it's a mute point...there are no vacation/ shut downs in the small business world. I recently hired a small business caterer for my superbowl party and he responded to each of my emails, while he was on vacation, in the Bahamas.
Had Heat Hobby simply responded back to 1 of my emails stating they would be closed, out of town, family emergency, vacation, I wouldn't be ranting about their poor service.


Yes, impatiance is the issue here and I want what I want when I want it.

We're talking about spending $1400.00+ on "toys"...in this economy, I expect excellent and prompt service whether it's a long term, pre-planned purchase or spur of the moment purchase.


Drive it like you stole it! :D
 
Shred, I get where you're coming from, but it's all about perspective IMHO. I have a demanding job, I'm on call 24/ 7 / 365; UNLESS I'm on vacation. So, I can relate to being expected to be at someone's beck and call all the time.

If it weren't for the LHS owner's wife having a really good job, they wouldn't be taking any vacation, but I still think he, and everyone else for that matter deserves a vacation because I know full well how a job can wear you down, both mentally and physically. Wait, didn't you say you were going to FL, on vacation? :lol:

I've known a few small business owners in my time, and I feel that expecting them to not only commit to a $100 a month smart phone, but also a long term contract that puts them on the hook to the tune of $2400 is unreasonable. Not to mention, one of the advantages of owning your own business is that when the door closes behind you, you're done till tomorrow, or when you return.

On the other hand, I feel your pain man. I really wanted my heli, so I could come home from a long day at work and get in some flight time in the house for the remainder of our busy season at work to blow off some steam. I'm bummed that most guys will be getting theirs one day after my LHS owner leaves town, and I'll have to wait ten more days. But, I would never tell him that. I did hassle him a little bit between friends though. I told him just leave me the keys, I'll lock up when I'm done playing with all the cool stuff. :D

I honestly don't know what the right answer is. Have you looked for another shop in that area? Or thought about ordering online, and simply having them shipped to FL instead? Also, what were you guys going to do with them afterward, just leave them in FL?
 
dear shred,id like to know the name of your dr. ....and a list of the medications he has prescribed , and most importantly your pharmacies phone # so i can call in for all your refills !
 
its not a hobby shop. its just a guy who figured out he can make a few bucks by buying china made r/cs and airsoft guns and re-selling them in the USA economy for mucho more dollars.

When i was shopping for my new KM i thought about him, but from what I DID recieve from a response from him left me really not wanting to deal with him.

Dan, a guy on the forums is a very good dealer for KM. His prices are pretty much the same, But he also carries the newest models, and stands behind them and supports what he sells, and will help you every step of the way.

Not all KM's are the same. even though labeled the same. even if called the "2.0, 3.0" etc etc.. there is still (cheap v2.0) and actual 2.0 which contains all the updates from KM.

One clue to this is the plastic color, and also for the new 2-speed ones is if it comes INSTALLED or not. HEATHOBBY includes a pipe and 2-speed not installed (but included). That is because its cheaper for him to buy the cheapest KM model, then throw in the extra parts to make it sound equal to the other models out there.


take a guess at what heathobby is stocking.
 
on a side note, Dan may be closer to your home. I am in albany, and If i remember correctly he was about 2 hours south of me around the NJ area..
 
Dan is the man when it comes to the KM's. I bought one from him and a lot of parts and he does it right everytime.. Nothing but great buisness from him. Always answers my e-mails quickly and always gives me advice on these cars. Just over all great to deal with. For me being overseas (Japan) he ships lighting fast.. Deal with Dan if you want KM and your in the USA...
 
fstick said:
dear shred,id like to know the name of your dr. ....and a list of the medications he has prescribed , and most importantly your pharmacies phone # so i can call in for all your refills !
Click to expand...

Hey fstick,

You prescribe all my meds and when I see you later, I'm not only going to dust yer arse on the track, I may even punch you in the temple!

When Heat Hobby calls me, I'll make sure he puts aside 1 KM and forgets yours!
 
jaredtowne said:
on a side note, Dan may be closer to your home. I am in albany, and If i remember correctly he was about 2 hours south of me around the NJ area..
Click to expand...

I believe Dan is in Pearl River, NY about 5 minutes from me.

Looks like I'll be reaching out to Dan because I haven't heard a peep from Heat Hobby and it's going on 3 days now.
 
WNCmotard said:
Shred, I get where you're coming from, but it's all about perspective IMHO. I have a demanding job, I'm on call 24/ 7 / 365; UNLESS I'm on vacation. So, I can relate to being expected to be at someone's beck and call all the time.

If it weren't for the LHS owner's wife having a really good job, they wouldn't be taking any vacation, but I still think he, and everyone else for that matter deserves a vacation because I know full well how a job can wear you down, both mentally and physically. Wait, didn't you say you were going to FL, on vacation? :lol:

I've known a few small business owners in my time, and I feel that expecting them to not only commit to a $100 a month smart phone, but also a long term contract that puts them on the hook to the tune of $2400 is unreasonable. Not to mention, one of the advantages of owning your own business is that when the door closes behind you, you're done till tomorrow, or when you return.

On the other hand, I feel your pain man. I really wanted my heli, so I could come home from a long day at work and get in some flight time in the house for the remainder of our busy season at work to blow off some steam. I'm bummed that most guys will be getting theirs one day after my LHS owner leaves town, and I'll have to wait ten more days. But, I would never tell him that. I did hassle him a little bit between friends though. I told him just leave me the keys, I'll lock up when I'm done playing with all the cool stuff. :D

I honestly don't know what the right answer is. Have you looked for another shop in that area? Or thought about ordering online, and simply having them shipped to FL instead? Also, what were you guys going to do with them afterward, just leave them in FL?
Click to expand...

Ok, I get it...a vacation is a neccesity.

All I'm saying is...had someone from Heat Hobby simply responded back to 1 of my 3 emails stating they would be closed, out of town, family emergency, vacation, out of stock, dead...I wouldn't be ranting about their poor service.


If we buy them in Florida, we'd run em and bring em back to Heat Hobby at the end of the week and have them ship them to our homes...free shipping was included in the price! :cool:


We can always ship 1 of our 4 HPI's to Florida, but the whole point of buying in Florida is to try a different brand Baja and not have to ship our HPI's back and forth.
 
heathobby

you can contact them at 954-577-1043
SHREDSURF said:
For my 2nd post on LSF's, I'd like to rant a bit about Heat Hobby.

In today's economy, how is it that a "business" selling large scale RC cars dosen't have a contact phone number?

How does a business in today economy (a business without a contact phone #) survive not responding to emails within 24 hours?

I would think that a business/ owner (small or large) would have someone available with a smart phone cabable of receiving and more importantly responding to customer's interested in purchasing their products...call me crazy!? :hammer:

My rant stems from the fact that myself along with a friend are desperately trying to purchase the KM 2.0 for our upcoming trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Between the 2 of us, we own 4 - 1/5 scale cars, 2 - Revo 3.3 and countless battery RC's. Rather than spending the $$ ($160+ roundtrip) to ship our Baja 5b's from NJ to FL, we figured we'd spend the $700.00, go to the Heat Hobby warehouse, pick-up our new KM 2.0's and try a differant brand Baja.

Heat hobby is 30 minutes from our condo in Fort Lauderdale and after 2 unsuccessful Ebay bids and 3 follow-up emails, my friend and I sit and wait (going on 27 hrs) to hear from anyone at Heat Hobby.

We're leaving Friday evening for Florida and with any luck, we'll hear something from Heat Hobby....before we leave!!

If anyone has some insight or knows the deal with Heat Hobby, I'd appreciate the feedback.

Thanks for letting me rant!
Click to expand...
 
SHREDSURF said:
For my 2nd post on LSF's, I'd like to rant a bit about Heat Hobby.

In today's economy, how is it that a "business" selling large scale RC cars dosen't have a contact phone number?

How does a business in today economy (a business without a contact phone #) survive not responding to emails within 24 hours?

I would think that a business/ owner (small or large) would have someone available with a smart phone cabable of receiving and more importantly responding to customer's interested in purchasing their products...call me crazy!? :hammer:

My rant stems from the fact that myself along with a friend are desperately trying to purchase the KM 2.0 for our upcoming trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Between the 2 of us, we own 4 - 1/5 scale cars, 2 - Revo 3.3 and countless battery RC's. Rather than spending the $$ ($160+ roundtrip) to ship our Baja 5b's from NJ to FL, we figured we'd spend the $700.00, go to the Heat Hobby warehouse, pick-up our new KM 2.0's and try a differant brand Baja.

Heat hobby is 30 minutes from our condo in Fort Lauderdale and after 2 unsuccessful Ebay bids and 3 follow-up emails, my friend and I sit and wait (going on 27 hrs) to hear from anyone at Heat Hobby.

We're leaving Friday evening for Florida and with any luck, we'll hear something from Heat Hobby....before we leave!!

If anyone has some insight or knows the deal with Heat Hobby, I'd appreciate the feedback.

Thanks for letting me rant!
Click to expand...
I heard that there the worst on orders, SORRY TO SAY but I ordered my baja off ebay from them & got mines in 2 days & I'm in Philly ? Every body else told me that sometimes they take a week or two because there bad on shipping orders. I wish that we could order from kingmotorrc.com ? Why have a site if you can't order from them
 
peebeme said:
I heard that there the worst on orders, SORRY TO SAY but I ordered my baja off ebay from them & got mines in 2 days & I'm in Philly ? Every body else told me that sometimes they take a week or two because there bad on shipping orders. I wish that we could order from kingmotorrc.com ? Why have a site if you can't order from them
Click to expand...

you can order from kingmotorrc.com if they have the product in stock. if it shows avalible there is an add to cart button to purchase,BTW dan runs kingmotorrc.com.
 
Back
Top