What’s Really Hurting Your Local Hobby Shop — and How You Can Save It

• Posted on 1 October 2025
• 0

Step into your local hobby shop and it looks the same: shelves of shiny trucks, the faint smell of tire rubber, chargers humming in the background. But beneath the surface, the gears are grinding. Prices are climbing, trucks are shrinking, manufacturers are undercutting their own dealers, and even the ads meant to bring customers in now cost more than a Traxxas X-Maxx.

What does this mean for you, the customer? The RC world is changing fast — not always in ways you can spot scrolling your phone. But here’s the good news: even with prices climbing and business models shifting, your local hobby shop often has the best-hidden deals and the real-world support to keep you running and bringing you the fun.

Smaller Trucks, Shrinking Experience

Manufacturers are chasing affordability by shrinking models — the rise of 1/24 and 1/18 crawlers is proof. They’re fun, easy to store, and less intimidating for beginners. But shrinking rigs also shrink the experience: limited terrain, limited durability, and limited upgrade paths.

Local shop advantage: A good shop will let you test-drive, compare sizes side by side, and explain what “small and fun” versus “big and capable” really feels like. They’ll steer you toward the right scale for your goals so you don’t buy twice.

Prices are Rising

Tariffs, supply chain headaches, and inflation have forced costs upward, and manufacturers are passing those increases on. Suddenly, a rig that felt accessible a year ago can feel out of reach.

Local shop advantage: Because of minimum advertised price (MAP) rules, shops can’t blast their lowest offers online — but they can work with you in person. Walk in and you might find demo models, clearance shelves, bundled deals (truck + charger + battery), or unadvertised in-store discounts or loyalty programs. Sometimes the real price (considering all in-store benefits) is better than the online price. But what really matters is the support and knowledge – in that area online will never beat the in-store experience.

The Vanishing Middle Ground

The hobby is polarizing: tiny rigs for casuals, high-end monsters or racers for pros. The affordable, midrange sweet spot is getting squeezed out. That leaves newcomers feeling like they must choose between “toy” or “unaffordable.”

Local shop advantage: A hobby shop lives in the middle ground. Staff can recommend platforms that are durable, upgradable, and fun without being financial sinkholes. They often know the “hidden gems” that don’t get splashy marketing but deliver real value. They ask questions, get to know you and have a genuine interest in finding the right RC for you.

Manufacturers Competing with Their Own Dealers

When brands sell direct and run flash sales, it stings their dealers (the local hobby shop!) — and it confuses buyers. One day your shop lists a truck for $479, the next day the maker emails a 20% off coupon. Shops are bound by MAP rules and can’t always advertise a cheaper price, even if they can match or beat the deal in-store.

Local shop advantage: This is where walking in pays off. Shops can’t always post those deals online, but they can offer creative solutions face-to-face: open-box specials, trade-ins, shop bundles, or just plain unadvertised discounts. Plus, when you buy local, you’re not on your own — the same counter you buy from is the one that will help troubleshoot your ESC or bind your radio.

Advertising is Expensive for Small Shops

Even reaching hobbyists has become harder. Facebook, Google, and Instagram ad prices have skyrocketed. For small shops, the cost of a single campaign can rival a month’s rent. Sometimes your shops are doing everything right but because of all the competing medias they may feel like they are shouting into a void. That means you’re less likely to see their promotions online — and more likely to think “nothing’s happening.”

Local shop advantage: Step through the door and you’ll see the real story — race nights, crawler courses, raffle giveaways, and in-store deals that simply don’t show up on your feed. Hobby shops are communities, not just stores, and no algorithm can replace that. To more effectively see what your shop is doing, follow their socials and turn on notifications, join their email groups or just stop in the shop regularly.

The Bottom Line

Yes, the RC hobby is under pressure and your local hobby shop is likely feeling the heat. Prices are up, products are shifting, and the business model is harder than ever. But here’s the truth: your local hobby shop is still the best place to get the right gear at the right price, with the right support. And let’s face it – the RC hobby is just total FUN - and while the sticker price of a hobby-grade vehicle might seem steep at first, the value stretches for years, with durable platforms you can repair, upgrade, and enjoy long after a toy-store RC would have hit the trash. But without you - the customer – your local hobby shop simply will not survive.

Online, you’ll get a box. At your local hobby shop, you’ll get advice, hidden deals, and a community that keeps the hobby alive. Visit your local shop today and treat yourself to some FUN!