Rider's Hobby Shop - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Willis K.

Staff was friendly. I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door. I was asked if I needed help finding anything and I said not yet, he said, very good.
What a huge selection of everything!!
I saw Kites, I saw Models to build, I saw Puzzles, I saw Diecast, I saw R/C on steroids. I saw accessories for models, like huge tires for your off roader, and lights for your R/C, and paint, and decorations for your diorama. You get the idea.
I wandered around (for a while- just looking), and found what I was looking for. Staff was close by and they just let me look until, I asked a question. They were knowledgeable and helpful. Very nice.
Would recommend this place. Again, they have a huge selection to browse and admire!!

Traxxas TRX4M Ford Bronco
-W

M E.

So many model aircraft! It’s hard for me to overstate my satisfaction making it a point to stop here when traveling through on vacation. Easy to get to when passing through Grand Rapids with a short drive from the freeway. The older guy staff member was super friendly and helpful (sorry I didn’t catch your name). Probably the best selection of model aircraft I’ve seen at a hobby store in a long time. I was excited to see the variety of short production kits and some of the more obscure kit manufacturers. They have items for all other hobbies and table top games as well. Large store, great selection, and open reasonably late too!

Alex

Great hobby shop! Went here as a kid. Really cool to be coming here with my kids! 36 years of model cars is pretty cool!

Very friendly and helpful staff! Spent quite a while helping me find the model plane I was looking for 😊

Thanks again!

Bryan S.

I've found that there is no better way to scare people away from a sport and/or hobby than to be condescending, arrogant, or rude to newbies.
As a guy who has recently re-joined the RC car community I have learned that this hobby has progressed beyond imagination from when I was a young teenager racing a RC10 (Im almost 50 now).
I am giving 2 stars as I did not speak to every employee during this visit and I'm going to assume that they're not the same as the man this review is about.
I visited this store 12/27/24 after driving from Lansing hoping to buy or order a couple batteries for a RC car that was gifted to me for Christmas. Unfortunately out of all of the multiple employees that were present last night I had gotten a man who treated me like a child and spoke with astounding arrogance as we tried to determine which battery I need to the point of suggesting that if I am unsure of which connector I need that perhaps I should get a simpler RC car until I am more experienced. Hmmm ok? Yeah I sure can't figure out the difference between positive and negative. The experience only got better when despite the condescending treatment I tried to work with the guy to get a couple batteries ordered he proceeded to tell me that he has no idea when he would ever get them even though as he was showing me the computer screen it showed 24 available from your supplier.
Needless to say that I bought nothing.
I'll add that not only am I not the idiot that I was treated as but I am not only a Master certified state of Michigan and ASE auto mechanic but I also own and operate an auto repair shop near Lansing.
Though there has clearly been a gap in my Ryder's visits I'll mention that my father and I used to almost weekly visit Ryders on Trowbridge road as well as Michigan ave in Lansing. I was hoping for a good visit to your present store but I cant tell you if Ill ever be back. I'll just go on to mention that since my visit that Im referring to I have gone on to spend about $3800 with Amain Hobbies which I absolutely would have preferred to spend at your store.
Last thing Ill mention is that when this took place there was also a fairly young man behind the counter that may have been this guys son. As the young man spoke up (Ill mention the young man was VERY friendly and enthusiastic) your employee was VERY rude and condescending to him as well. All around a very disappointing experience!!!

Red C.

Great place for a quick find, I come here whenever I need something for one of my art projects. Helpful workers, very good people. Lovely place!

Matt K.

I was in town for a concert and stopped by to check it out. I'm glad I did, amazing selection of models, supplies, RC, train, Science, etc. The staff was great, the model section was amazing. Hit them up if you get a chance.

Aiden B.

Wonderful store, large selection of rc cars, but I was there for the trains. I do wish that they had a larger o scale selection. But other than that great store good prices.

Tom M.

The employees here are wonderful. Plain and simple. I was three hours away at my cottage, the drive shaft on my sonic wake disconnected from the motor, and the guys at the RC desk talked me trough "trouble shooting" the issue and practically fixed my boat over the phone. The most helpful Hobbie enthusiasts in the game!