HobbyMate

I needed a new soldering iron for electronics projects and I've been doing this stuff for years, so I wanted something with a reliable tip and proper temperature control. The one I got holds heat well and the tip tinned easily from the start. Packaging was sensible and nothing rattled. Delivered the next working day.

Got a beginner drone for my birthday, the one with the little camera and the spare battery. Ordered on the Friday and it came the next afternoon. Packed in foam so the propellers were fine. Flying it in the park this weekend and it's great for a first go.

Found their site after I got annoyed with the big chains, and honestly it's way easier to order from here. Got a little embroidery kit and it arrived fast with everything inside. Loved it, going to order the next colour pack.

I needed a replacement set of lathe chisels after my old ones went blunt, and I know my way around woodturning tools reasonably well. What I ordered was the mid range set with the Sorby style handles, and they're well made and hold an edge nicely. One handle was a touch rough at the end but a quick sand fixed it. Delivery was next day.

Good for crochet supplies, and I've been buying from them for years now. The hooks last and the wool is consistent from one skein to the next. Nothing has ever gone wrong with an order.

Looked at the big craft chain and a couple of smaller sites before I went with HobbyMate for a set of acrylic paints for my granddaughter's birthday. Their price was a bit higher than the one I found on the other site, which I wasn't thrilled about, but the paints arrived in good nick and the colours look just like the pictures. Checkout asked me to make an account first which was a bit of a faff, mind.

The first thing I noticed was the delivery time, it took well over a week for a small sewing box. Ordering was easy enough and the box itself is nice. The wait was annoying though and I had to message them to check where it was.

I went with them because a friend said they were cheaper than the craft shop in town, but honestly the local shop was the better experience. The yarn I ordered was a slightly different shade to the photos, a bit duller than I wanted. The delivery took nearly a week and the returns form was fiddly to fill in. I'd probably pay the extra next time.

Compared it with two other sites for a basic sketchbook and it's pretty much the same product. Their price was a little higher than the cheapest option, but the page was clear and checkout was painless. Delivered in a few days.

Got a set of guitar strings and a capo from them, the bits themselves are fine and the site is easy enough to use. The only annoyance was that postage was a bit steep for such a small order, nearly a fiver on top. Arrived in two days though.

I bought the beginner watercolour set with the little travel palette and a couple of brushes. Checkout was simple and it came in a sturdy box with the paints wrapped separately so nothing cracked. The colours are lovely and bright, and the pan sizes are better than I expected for the money. I've already started a second painting this weekend.

The tracking updated twice before I'd even finished my tea, which was the bit I liked most. Ordered a pack of acrylic paints on Monday and they were on my doorstep Wednesday morning. Packed well, no damage. Would order again, quick and easy on the phone.

Spent ages looking at the big craft chain and a couple of smaller sites before I settled on them for a set of acrylic paints for my granddaughter. Their price was a bit lower than the rest but the postage was the same, so the saving was smaller than I hoped. Paints arrived fine though.

Ordered a basic sewing machine as my first proper purchase from here, and I was nervous about getting the wrong thing. The machine arrived in a sturdy box with the foot pedal and accessories tucked in neatly. Setup took about twenty minutes with the leaflet and I've already run up a pair of curtains.

Best option I found for model railway track, and I looked at four or five other shops first. Their price was a fair bit lower than the big name places and the pieces fit together without any fuss. Sorted in a couple of days.

My go to for model paint and I've been ordering from them since the early days of the site. Always good value and the colours match the bottles every time. They've never let me down.

I needed something to keep my hands busy after I retired, and the wood carving starter kit I'd been eyeing for ages was finally back in stock here. I've been ordering from them for about six years now, mostly tools and the odd book. Everything arrived as described, the instructions are clear, and the customer team answered my question within the hour. Dependable, that's the word for it.

Good value for money, the kids' bead kit was a fraction of what the big toy shops charge. Everything was there and the beads are a decent size for little hands. Arrived quickly and the box was intact.

Bought a replacement grinder wheel for my bench grinder, the right size and grit for sharpening chisels. Checked the spec against my machine before ordering and it matched exactly. Arrived well packed and balanced properly out of the box. Would order from them again.

Needed a small cross stitch kit for my flat because I got bored of scrolling every night. Found one they had in stock, paid, and it turned up in a few days. The pattern is nice and the thread is good quality. My mum is now asking me to make her one too lol.