Problem with internet hobbies?

plasticjunkie

Ok got it. Yes sometimes it's not worth the hassle. EBay owed me $10 on a refund  and I too gave up after 4 frustrating phone calls to India. 

Yup.  When I think about it in terms of my shop rate, if I spent more than 5 minutes trying to recover 10 bucks, I just lost money.

Eaglecash867

 

 

plasticjunkie

Did you use a credit card as funds on the PayPal balance? If the paypal payment was funded from a linked credit card then you can go to the credit card company for a refund.

 

 

Yup.  I used a credit card as the funding source, but that was 9 months ago, which would make that more difficult as well.  Besides, I recently dealt with that bank on fraudulent charges I found on my transaction history and they did a great job with immediately reversing those.  The only problem was that they reversed a bunch of others that were legitimate and got me in hot water with a couple of places I regularly pay with that same card.  I guess its the new normal in a world where important things like finances have their customer service branches outsourced to places where English isn't their first language.  Things literally get lost in translation.  I figure its not worth the possible far-reaching, unintended consequences to get my $10.45 back.  Lesson learned...I'll just stick with SprueBrothers and my reliable mom and pop stores I have ship stuff to me.

 

Ok got it. Yes sometimes it's not worth the hassle. EBay owed me $10 on a refund  and I too gave up after 4 frustrating phone calls to India. 

plasticjunkie

Did you use a credit card as funds on the PayPal balance? If the paypal payment was funded from a linked credit card then you can go to the credit card company for a refund.

Yup.  I used a credit card as the funding source, but that was 9 months ago, which would make that more difficult as well.  Besides, I recently dealt with that bank on fraudulent charges I found on my transaction history and they did a great job with immediately reversing those.  The only problem was that they reversed a bunch of others that were legitimate and got me in hot water with a couple of places I regularly pay with that same card.  I guess its the new normal in a world where important things like finances have their customer service branches outsourced to places where English isn't their first language.  Things literally get lost in translation.  I figure its not worth the possible far-reaching, unintended consequences to get my $10.45 back.  Lesson learned...I'll just stick with SprueBrothers and my reliable mom and pop stores I have ship stuff to me.

Having-fun

 

 

plasticjunkie

 

 

Having-fun

I agreed with you 100%, but in my neck of the woods (Miami, Florida) there is only 1 Hobby shop that still sells kits, every one else are into RC models. Joe

 

 

 

 

Did you ever visit Orange Blossom Hobbies on 36 St? Unfortunately that place went belly up back in 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I went there several times, they had everything under the sun relating to hobbies. Part of the reason of why they had to close was the location of the place, it slowly turned into a dangerous neighborhood.

 

Joe

 

 

The location wasn’t getting better as time went by for sure. I heard bad investments and bad management by the owner collapsed the business. It’s a shame to see well established businesses go under. Another one gone but RC related was Tower Hobbies in Champaign Illinois, a fantastic place for all RC stuff way cheaper than any store.

plasticjunkie

 

 

Having-fun

I agreed with you 100%, but in my neck of the woods (Miami, Florida) there is only 1 Hobby shop that still sells kits, every one else are into RC models. Joe

 

 

 

 

Did you ever visit Orange Blossom Hobbies on 36 St? Unfortunately that place went belly up back in 2001.

 

Yes, I went there several times, they had everything under the sun relating to hobbies. Part of the reason of why they had to close was the location of the place, it slowly turned into a dangerous neighborhood.

Joe

Having-fun

I agreed with you 100%, but in my neck of the woods (Miami, Florida) there is only 1 Hobby shop that still sells kits, every one else are into RC models. Joe

 

Did you ever visit Orange Blossom Hobbies on 36 St? Unfortunately that place went belly up back in 2001.

Having trouble with Hobbyworld USA comes as a surprise. I've emailed him numerous times over the years and always received a reply back the same day. Great company in my opinion

Eaglecash867

I haven't dealt with Internet Hobbies, but I'm currently waiting for a refund from HobbyWorld USA for a backordered item they billed me for 9 months ago and still haven't sent the part.  Paypal only allows for disputes on transactions in the previous 180 days, so I'm out of luck there.  Good thing it was only a little over 10 bucks that I got screwed out of.  Still no response of any kind from them on my request for a refund for the unfulfilled backorder.  I won't be doing business with them ever again.  Too many good on-line hobby retailers to put up with the bad ones.

 

Did you use a credit card as funds on the PayPal balance? If the paypal payment was funded from a linked credit card then you can go to the credit card company for a refund.

I haven't dealt with Internet Hobbies, but I'm currently waiting for a refund from HobbyWorld USA for a backordered item they billed me for 9 months ago and still haven't sent the part.  Paypal only allows for disputes on transactions in the previous 180 days, so I'm out of luck there.  Good thing it was only a little over 10 bucks that I got screwed out of.  Still no response of any kind from them on my request for a refund for the unfulfilled backorder.  I won't be doing business with them ever again.  Too many good on-line hobby retailers to put up with the bad ones.

skyraider0609

Judging by the experiences of others here, I lucked out.

Yes looks like you and me are the only ones    that came out ok here. What the heck is going on with that online seller? Don't they realize the negativity they are creating for their business?

Cancelled an order today after it was a M.O. payment only. I have email responses of "we don't want your business" and "F*** off you jackass."

See here: https://www.bbb.org/us/pa/mayfield/profile/wholesale-hobby-supplies/internet-hobbies-0241-235973355

They apparently also trade as "Hobby Models," also located in Mayfield, PA, and with an almost identical phone number, according to reports in another forum.

Eaglecash867

Google still works though.  I thought about ordering something from them, but my Google search for "Internet Hobbies reviews" made me change my mind.  Looks like they have a really bad reputation all over the net. 

Some people have dealt with them and had a positive experience, including one or two respondents to this thread.  But it certainly does appear that they have far more negative than positive interactions.

Google still works though.  I thought about ordering something from them, but my Google search for "Internet Hobbies reviews" made me change my mind.  Looks like they have a really bad reputation all over the net.

Perhaps if the search engine here worked properly, folks could find this thread on here before they get bent over...

Zombie thread that lurches along.

Yes,waited 5 months for an order before i filed a complaint with paypal and finally got them to wake up.

do not order from internet hobbies they are the worst. Poor service with rude and horrible communication. they do not stock items that they say they have

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

*Sigh*... a 3 year old thread revived........

 

Since this thread was revived I might as well throw this in. I recently ordered the ROG 1/32 P-51D from IH. He was the only one that had it for $24 and $9 shipping. I too got concerned after placing the order and not hearing anything after 4 days. I was able to speak on the phone to the owner who was enroute to the distributor to pick up the last of the ROG orders. I received my model 3 days later, VERY well packed too.

The gentleman on the phone was very polite and informative about the current Revell Company sale. It's probably a second job to him and may fall behind on shipping things out but in all a pleasent experience.

*Sigh*... a 3 year old thread revived........

Your e-mail could be a copy of my current experience right down to two "unfulfilled" orders where money was taken but no product shipped. I have sent another e-mail requesting status, if I do not hear quickly, I will contact credit card company and file a claim to reverse the payment. I used AMEX and they are great about protecting purchases. I wish I had checked them out before I ordered.

Thanks to all for sharing your experience. Squadron and Sprue Brothers were my go to for years, I tried something new and learned the hard way.

Thanks for the heads up here gents. Yet another reason to appreciate the forums is getting valuable info on good and bad internet sites. In all my years of ordering online I had yet to try Internet Hobbies and thanks to the input here I will not bother.

The only "great deals" they offer is 10% off. Big whoop! Finally, I had enough of their "10% off sale announcements" and unsubscribed from their their email list.

Frankly, there is simply no reason to shop there, when there are plenty of other places with better websites, real time inventories, and at least pretending to care about you and wanting your business. If Internet Hobbies can't be bothered to make any effort, there are places that will, and they can end up out of business. Like they deserve.

Google Internet Hobbies reviews and you'll find a plethora of complaints about their poor service. They also have an F rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Unfortunately, they do not have "live" inventory. What you see on the website may not be available. Often you have to wait until they get it from their supplier.

My experience a few years ago was not good. I ordered a kit, and when my shipment arrived, it was the wrong kit! I phoned them, and was transferred to someone who seemed to be annoyed that he had to answer the phone. He said he would send me the correct kit and I would need to return the other. I figured he would send a return label, but when the shipment arrived, no label. I still have the mis-shipped kit!

DD,

    Sadly, it is not just some online businesses it is also some individuals.  I've read plenty of horror stories where people have made purchases on eBay, paid extra for insurance.  Only to be told after the fact, that the seller was "self-insuring."  And all they were doing was taking the buyers money and putting it in their pocket NOT actually buying any insurance.  Saying "Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll replace the itme."

    I'm sorry, but if you ask me that is fraud.  If you advertise insurance, then one shouild purchase insurance at the time of shipping.  Not saying, "Oh, I 'self-insured' your package."