P M Hobbycraft

Absolutely horrible experience. Purchased a quadcopter where the blades would fly off mid-​flight (VERY DANGEROUS) and when we went to return we were told we had to come back later when a manager was there. Returned later and was told that we couldn’t return it. This company sold us a broken product and refused to assist in any way. Stay away from this Hobby Store!

I first visited PM Hobbycraft when they were located in Franklin industrial park, across from Marlborough Mall in the 1980s. They’ve always been one of the largest hobby shops in Calgary; my interest was as a military scale modeller. My active participation in that hobby is probably well behind me, though I do continue to browse at hobby stores and maintain an active interest in military-​related hobbies as they relate to my research and writing on the Canadian Army in the Second World War. I obviously have little interest, therefore, in PM’s other business interests such as catering to craft hobbyists — dolls, candy makers, radio control, trains, etc. and can’t make any informed comments on them other than to say their shelves always seemed well-​stocked.
What I can report on is the inventory of such things as military scale models, which is adequate enough. At that, the focus in the store seems to have shifted towards the collectible side of things, and pre-​built die-​cast models, of which there is a considerable inventory, perhaps the best I’ve seen anywhere. A better store may be Hobby-​West if one is looking for arcane bits of accessories for a 1:35 scale diorama, etc., but as a general interest store, the shelves are always full. There had been a brief emphasis for a little while on 1:6 scale figures, but it appears this has died off and only a handful remain.
In something like 30 years of coming to the store, I had almost never been asked if I needed assistance, or for that matter, greeted on arrival. It’s a small thing, but for the longest time the staff almost always seem oblivious to customers — not in a hostile way, but certainly noticeable, and persistent over my experiences for three decades now. They are nonetheless friendly at the till, and have only in the last year or two started to become a little more proactive in customer relations. Perhaps changing the name from the inadvertently amusing «PMS Hobbycraft» monicker they unironically bore for so many years has lightened their mood? I guess maybe I should spend some money there for my karma to improve.
Well worth the look for those interested in the subject, and still one or two vintage kits on the shelves for those looking for hard-​to-​find collectibles.

One day good — the next day meh.
With this store we have mixed experiences as you never know what you get.
The stuff they have is good and the prices are perfectly fine — it is just the availability which sometimes make you come three times until you get what you want.

First time there. With luck, we will be back because the selection was terrific and found the TECH staff to be very helpful in providing product knowledge.
I agree with another posters evaluation of the cashier — not exactly happy to serve you. Felt like an inconvenience.
Watch your transaction. We purchased an RC helicopter on sale and was charged full price. It occured to us only after the sale and luckily, while still in the parking lot. When we waked back into the store and explained what happened, I was told this happens on this sale item frequently… so, why was it rung through at the full retain price in the FIRST place?
Fun place — until you transact…

I had not gone to this store for at least 10 years and was pleasantly surprised. It was well organized, nicely laid out, and easy to find what I was looking for. Unfortunately I was looking for a puzzle of 5000 pieces or more, I am a puzzle geek, and the biggest they had was 1000. Not being much of model airplane guy, or anything else they sell, I left empty handed but I am sure anyone looking to start a new hobby or pick up a lost one can find what they are looking for here.

Had a really bad experience dealing with them. Staff were argumentative and prone to blame shifting. They misled me about the availability of parts. Then when I asked for my money back they said I’d need to return it in working condition. I said «how can I do that if you won’t supply the parts? Instead of answering my question the salesman responded shouting «I won’t argue with you».
Of course that was after arguing with everything I’d said. Don’t shop here. They don’t seem to value customers.

Why I don’t think to shop here is beyond me. My step-​dad is visiting and was interested in checking out a hobby shop, hence the reason I was in the store today. I’d only been in once before and it was years ago, so clearly I forgot about the huge variety. I found at least a dozen or more great craft activity gifts for my young niece and nephew and I also found what I’d consider to be cool and fun stocking stuffers or small but respectable general gifts for adults. I only browsed and didn’t purchase, so I paid minimal attention to prices and didn’t have to interact with the staff. However, so far, so good.

They don’t carry dollhouse supplies any more.

Respectable selection of RC, planes, trains, kits etc. Better than mail order because you get to hold and see what youre buying, however the prices tend to be high.
The staff are hit or miss, all though generally «nice». The one or two guys who really know their stuff really do. But then there are several part timer kids who are not very knowledgeable, and the women at the cashiers are rarely nice.
Best selection in town though, so if you have the cash hit this place up.

I’d have to write from PM to AM to PM again to detail the extensive selection of hobby and craft merchandise available at PM Hobbycraft. And that just ain’t gonna happen.
So in lieu of that laundry list, it’ll have to suffice to say that they have a whole heck of a lotta stuff there. Everything from radio controlled aircraft, cars and boats to rockets and kites, to dollhouses to art supplies. And that’s to say nothing of their vast selection of scrapbooking and card making supplies, and their toys and games.
And so on and so on.
It’s a veritable Thunderdome of hobby and craft supplies. I’d even venture so far as to say that if it ain’t there, it’s probably not a hobby or a craft!

I am in the cake business, and although Micheal’s is MUCH closer to me, I go to PM Hobbycraft a lot for my stuff, and have even recommended it on my cake page. Although some things are cheaper at Micheal’s, PM Hobbycraft has better prices on a lot of the stuff I get, and often better quality stuff. They have a lot of stuff that I thought I would have to buy online for a fortune, because Micheal’s didn’t have it, but when I came here, I found it, and for a good price. I only have 2 real complaints. One is the cake boards — although some are in good condition, when I need a thick cake board for a large cake, I go to Micheal’s, even though they are more expensive, because they are wrapped there. Last time I needed a thick cake board, every single one here that was the size I needed was ripped up. I wouldn’t be ok with that for any cake I put my name to, but this was a wedding cake yet, you can’t have a ripped up cake board. I mentioned it to the clerk when I checked out with my purchases, and at my next visit to the store several days later, all the same ripped up boards were still there on the shelf. The other thing is that pretty much every time I go there, it takes excessively long to get checked out. Last time I went in, I had my 3 year old and my 28 lb infant on my hip (because I could see no cart and forgot my stroller), and there were 3 people ahead of me in line, but each purchase took at least 5 min. I think they may have been training someone, which is fine, I get it. But when you have a constant line up, get the experienced person (or people in this case, there were 3 people helping one person at a time) to put a few people through to shorten the line, before you get back to the training. The biggest problem, however, I think is the register itself. At least half the purchases I’ve made (and something that each person ahead of me purchased last time with a fussy, squirming 28 lb baby on my hip) would not scan and had to be «looked up». I admit I got a bit rude last time when my kids were fussing and they were taking their sweet time like my time is worth nothing. I have actually put my purchases down and just walked out in the past, because I got so fed up waiting. Because of the ridiculous time it takes to check out, I often settle for going to Micheal’s, just because at least there I can get checked out in less than 5 min, even if there is a line, instead of the15−20 min it takes at PM Hobbycraft. The store is invaluable for it’s cake product selection, but needs some SERIOUS improvement at the register. I think they should invest in a whole new system, it’s so absurd.