When buying a radio controlled car, it’s best to have a little inside knowledge on the mechanics of how these things work before forking over a couple hundred bucks. A simple Google search on the topic can give you the gist of what you need to know. With that said, it’s probably best to buy something from a reputable online dealer such as eBay or Amazon. The reason for this is because they have very stringent requirements for sellers to be completely open with all details of their product. Also, you are better protected as a buyer when shopping online. Combined with using a credit card through PayPal for payment, you’re pretty much guaranteed not to be ripped off. The alternative is to visit your local hobby shop, which can be better in a way because it gives you a tangible idea, so you know exactly what you are getting before you buy. The major downfall with the local hobby shop is they usually have less than ideal return policies. That is, something goes wrong with your new radio controlled car, they usually see it as “not their problem”. If you prefer the hobby shop method, do a Google search of your local hobby shops and check out the reputation. Avoid any with a handful of negative reviews, and ask about their policies before committing to anything.