Ordering and Shipping Information

Your credit card is not charged until your order leaves our facility. If an item goes out of stock during the time your order is placed and we process your order, we will contact you. We may suggest an alternative item as a replacement. However, we will let you know if there is an issue with your order.

We ship with UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Most customers select ground shipping through UPS or FedEx, additional options are available. To select other delivery options, click on the button below the delivery service of your choice to view the delivery options. Please be aware there is a $3.00 handling charge added to all web orders.

When you have placed your order with us, please add our email address to your list of contacts. This ensures that if it is necessary for us to email you regarding your order that the email will be delivered to you. Our email address is: shipping@alshobbyshop.com

Rocketry, and Hazardous Materials (Hazmat)

There are specific guidelines that we must follow when shipping rocket motors and other Hazmat items such as paint, glue, and putty.

Certain rocket motors must be shipped Hazmat. FedEx is the only carrier that ships Hazmat items. There is an additional $25 fee that is applied to all Hazmat orders. Depending on the size of the motor, usually up to G, we will attempt to ship using Parcel Post through the US Postal Service.Here is an idea of what is allowed to be shipped USPS.

Order Tracking Information

If you would like to receive tracking information for your order, please add your tracking request to the Order Notes area. If you have questions about your order you may also email us with your question at shipping@alshobbyshop.com

Shipping Large and Oversized Items

Many of the RC cars, RC airplanes, rocket tubes, spray booths, slot car sets, and train sets are shipped in large size boxes. Do to their larger size, additional shipping cost is applied. If there is a discrepancy between the calculated cost to ship and the actual cost to ship, our shipping department will contact you with this information. Our shipping department has a greater capability to calculate the actual shipping cost than the shipping calculators of FedEx, UPS, or the USPS.

AL's Hobby Shop Gift Cards

If you have an Al’s Hobby Shop Gift Card, you can use it to pay for all or part of your order. If you are unsure about the amount of your gift card or if there is a remaining balance, you can call us or submit your gift card for payment. Please enter all of the gift card’s numbers on the back under the bar code and the expected amount/balance in the comments section of the order form. It is also advisable to enter your credit card information (number and expiration date) in the event a balance is due after applying your gift card for redemption. Your credit card information allows us to process the remaining balance of the order for payment, resulting in a completed sale for faster delivery to you.

Store Pickup or Event Delivery

If you would prefer picking up your order in person at our store, please feel free to do so. We ask that you enter “Store pickup” in the comments area, or you can call our shipping department and let them know that you want to pick up your order at our store.

Many of our employees attend and participate in various hobby events local to the Chicagoland area. If you know that an Al’s employee with be attending a local event that you will also be attending, please enter that you would like the item delivered to the event in the comments area. There is no charge for this delivery.

Returns, Repairs, Warranies

When an order or item of the order needs to be returned for refund or repair, please contact our shipping department at shipping@alshobbyshop.com or by telephone at 630-832-4908. Click here to review our refund policy. If an item needs to be returned for warranty repair, many of these items must be returned directly to the manufacturer. Click here to review manufacturer’s warranty claims