| When buying a new gas powered RC truck there are | | | | availability of spare parts can be a godsend to the RC |
| a number of options open to you but which is best? | | | | beginner who is likely to suffer the odd mishap here |
| Most towns and cities have at least one local hobby | | | | and there as they learn the limits of both their truck |
| store (LHS) stocking radio control trucks and cars. | | | | and themselves! As they are often owned/run by |
| There are mail-order companies that advertise in the | | | | experienced RC enthusiasts, perhaps the most |
| mainstream RC vehicle magazines and there are an | | | | important thing the LHS can offer is technical help and |
| ever increasing number of internet based retailers | | | | support with your trucks. When I first started out with |
| catering to the hobby. Each of these buying channels | | | | gas RC trucks it was nice to have somebody local I |
| have their pros and cons but they might not be | | | | could turn to if something was amiss with my engine |
| immediately clear to novice RC enthusiasts so let's go | | | | tuning or to advise on things like what fuel or glow |
| over them here. | | | | plugs to use. |
| If getting the absolute cheapest price for a truck is | | | | At this point you might be thinking, Hey I can have the |
| most important to you then it is hard to look beyond | | | | best of both worlds here, buy a truck that my LHS |
| the web and mail-order companies. Warehouse space | | | | carries spares for from the internet at the lowest price |
| is significantly cheaper than retail space and as a result | | | | possible and then get the parts and help from the |
| it is rare for the local hobby stores to be able compete | | | | store in the future. Well, yes that maybe true but just |
| on price. Equally your LHS is unlikely to be able to | | | | remember, support your local store and they will be |
| stock anywhere near the full range of trucks that are | | | | there to support you when you need it! The store |
| on sale at the moment so your buying options will be | | | | staff are more likely to go out of there way to assist |
| curtailed if you limit yourself to vehicles that they stock | | | | you if you purchased the truck from them in the first |
| stock. Worse still some stores will only carry trucks | | | | place. |
| from one or two manufacturers meaning there is a | | | | Ultimately the decision to buy locally, online or through |
| high chance the truck you really want isn't available to | | | | mail-order often results in a trade-off between getting |
| you. | | | | your first choice truck or the parts and support on |
| What the local hobby stores do offer however is a | | | | offer from the local store. Only you can decide which |
| more personal service and a wide selection of spare | | | | of these is most important to you as you start your |
| parts for the trucks they stock. The immediate | | | | gas RC trucks adventure. Choose wisely! |