AAA Hobbies & Crafts

Category:	Hobby Store
Address:	706 N White Horse Pike, Magnolia, NJ 08049, USA
Phone:	+1 856-435-1188
Site:	aaahobbiesandcrafts.com
Rating:	3.6
Working:	10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 10AM–6PM 11AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 8

David Kappes

Went in to check out a Traxxas Stampede XL-5. Luckily I checked online pricing first, AAA is charging $316 while a "few" online retailers had several of them in every standard color at $209 (eBay). EXACT same model, same accessories included, no shipping charge, brand new and still in the box. I spoke with the owner (I assume) because I figured it was a simple mistake, nope. He was clear that this was the same exact model as the one I was showing him online for $209 and that he did indeed charge over $100 more. He also made it clear that he had no interest being more realistic with his price. He justified this by saying his online competitors were fly by night operations with no brick and mortar store. I happily showed him pictures of the competitors real store, selection and the fact that their ebay store had sold nearly 150,000 units with nearly a 100% satisfaction rating. Now I understand you have to make a profit but more than a 1/3 markup over competitors pricing!?! The word ripoff comes to mind. I would have paid a little bit more than the online price to keep the money local but over $100 is ridiculous, thats just taking advantage of people. My son wanted to check out some of the little green plastic army men figures, more than 5x what KMart charges. Im a big supporter of the small local businesses and will go out of my way to buy local but not this place, no thank you...

Jeffrey Kneisl

I find AAA Hobbies to be an awesome place for hobby supplies and one of my favorite stores to visit - they have a huge selection, covering a wide variety of hobbies (trains, RC cars/planes, modeling supplies, miniature needs/painting, random neat stuff, etc). You dont even need to have a specific hobby - its like Home Depot in the sense that you just walk around and think "Hey, I have no idea what this is or what it does exactly, but I could use this for...". Dont be discouraged by people who gave the store low marks - the staff is plenty friendly - if you have never met the kind of person who enjoys/works at hobby stores, you could very easily misunderstand them as rude or weird if you dont give them a chance. I personally find the prices reasonable - especially because a lot of the stuff they sell is hard to find anywhere else (for me this means Vallejo model paints especially). Although, I would say their paint brushes are a bit overpriced. Some of the items that they sell have been sitting on the shelves for a long time (sometimes a pro, sometimes a con). In the absence of Pearl and an easily accessible Dick Blick, this is unique store that is definitely worth checking out.

joe dec

This place is great. I recently started to build scale models in order to reduce my stress. Things have changed since I was a kid so I really needed a little guidance on where to start. The staff at AAA were more than helpful. Ive had several conversations with either Steve or Bill over the course of a few months while I developed. Every conversation I had was supplemented with a line of products in the store. They know what they are talking about and they give you the ability to think freely. It opens up the artist in every way. I only go for the scale models but the store is packed with supplies and equipment for other things. The possibilities with my craft are endless and AAA hobbies can accommodate my every level. The prices are awesome considering they give you free credit to the store by turning in your receipts. They found a way to reward repeat customers. Its an awesome home town hobby shop and staff is Jersey friendly, I like the everyday attitude. You should check it out and try not to judge it based on the awkward nerd-factor.

Patrick Mikotowicz

I was hesitant to go in here based on the reviews, but Im glad I did. Well get the one justified negative out of the way first, since a lot of people have mentioned it, and I can now confirm it: a lot of things are horrifically overpriced here. HOWEVER, almost everything thats overpriced are new releases and popular current production. The selection is amazing here, and there are some very, very good deals to be found on older stuff (and even some current!). I was able to pick up a discontinued Hasegawa model for $10 (wouldve paid $25-30 on eBay), a clearance 1/72 Type 61 kit for $5, and a 1/35 Italeri current production Hetzer for only about ~$3 more than I wouldve paid online. The customer service was friendly too. Whether this has just changed over time or what, I cannot say, but both people I dealt with were friendly and talkative. They also do a lot for local charities, which is nice. Ill definitely be back at some point soon.

A Private User

I HAVE VISITED THIS STORE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND EVERY TIME HAVE LEFT WITH A FEELING OF REGRET. I AGREE WITH MOST OF THE REVIEWERS THAT THE SALES STAFF IS ATROCIOUS! THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE I RETURNED SOME TRAIN TRACK THAT WAS BUBBLE PACKED AND WAS BROKEN WHEN OPENED. THE WOMAN BEHIND THE COUNTER WAS RUDE , ACCUSING ME OF BREAKING THE ITEM MYSELF! SHE IS HORRIBLE! THE WORST OF A PRETTY BAD BUNCH. ALL I WANTED WAS AN EXCHANGE FOR THE BROKEN PIECES, WORTH ONLY $5.00, AND SHE WAS ACCUSING ME OF THEFT BY DECEPTION! SHE IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST! I HAVE VOWED TO NEVER RETURN TO THIS STORE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS CONVENIENT BEING NEAR THE LOWES. I WOULD RATHER BUY ON-LINE AND PAY SHIPPING THAN HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE A-HOLES AGAIN! ANYONE WHO GIVES THIS PLACE A FAVORABLE REVIEW MUST BE A RELATIVE!

A Private User

Hi there, I have been building RC cars for over 20 years. I just moved into the area and stopped in AAA hobby for some parts. It was the worst experience I ever had in my life and hobby shop. They start tell me what I was going to do will never work. But needless to say I have done it many times before. You start tell me how all these guys come in here and think they know more than the engineers no. And Going on and on about rebuilding cars. I just responded to him and told him thats why they call it a hobby. I will never go back there again. If you are really into the hobby of RC you do not want to go to this store. I was just going to chicks hobby the old guy is really nice look up parts for your final parts he has laying around that was a real pleasure working with him.

A Private User

Apparently these tigers changed their stripes. I was wary after reading some of the other reviews but decided to give AAA a chance. I was not disappointed! Someone greeted me the moment I entered and immediately directed me to what I was looking for -- the model airplanes. No one hovered over my shoulder waiting for me to buy something ... which was a good thing -- I was in there for quite a while browsing over the huge selection. It was a very pleasant experience and I definitely intend to go back. Perhaps the feedback below eventually prompted an improvement in service? P.S. -- I also thought the prices were fair, at least for my model planes. Could definitely do better online, but in these times especially I want to support local businesses.

dante wallace

I stop in once in awhile just to see if prices have come down or if they happen to have something that I need or dont have. Decent selection of just about everything except in the RC department. The pricing as usual is sky high and I dont like that they literally watch and follow customers around the store. Do they have a high theft problem or something? Its extremely uncomfortable. And these brick and mortars wonder why customers turn to online for shopping instead,just a better experience all around. Great hobby shops are,and have been a dying breed for awhile, but unfortunately theres nothing really great about this one. I dont think it will be missed if the doors close.