Buying RC Airplanes in RCGroups Classifieds: How It Works and How to Stay Safe
RCGroups, the large RC hobby forum, has a classifieds section where members buy and sell airplanes, parts and radios, often for much less than new. Deals are between members, so safety depends on you: check the seller’s feedback and history, ask for current photos with your username written beside the item, pay with a method that protects buyers (such as PayPal Goods and Services, never Friends and Family), and agree on shipping and packing before paying.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
How it works
Sellers post listings with photos, price, condition, location and shipping terms. Buyers reply or message the seller, agree a deal and arrange payment and delivery. The forum provides the meeting place but generally isn’t a party to the sale, so disputes are between buyer and seller, with payment-provider protection as the main safety net. Read the classifieds rules on the forum before you post or buy, since they set what can be listed and how.
Checking a listing
- Seller’s join date, post history and trading feedback.
- Clear, original photos; ask for a fresh photo with your username and today’s date.
- Detailed description of condition, crashes and repairs.
- What’s included: servos, motor, ESC, receiver, batteries.
- Shipping method, insurance and who pays.
- Price that makes sense; deals far below market are a warning sign.
Paying safely
Use a payment method that offers buyer protection. With PayPal, choose Goods and Services; a seller who insists on Friends and Family, gift cards, crypto or wire transfer to avoid fees is a red flag, because those payments usually can’t be recovered. Make sure the name on the payment matches the seller. Keep all messages and the listing as records. For local deals, meeting in person and paying on inspection is the safest option.
Shipping airplanes
- Agree on packing: wings wrapped, control surfaces protected, nothing loose.
- Use a strong box with padding on all sides; large planes may need custom boxes.
- Remove LiPo batteries or ship them following carrier rules; many carriers restrict lithium batteries.
- Insure the parcel for its value and get tracking.
- Inspect on arrival and photograph any damage before unpacking fully.
Selling tips
Be honest about crashes and repairs, list everything included, and price based on recent sold prices rather than the original cost. Good photos and a clear description sell planes faster. Pack well: a broken plane in transit leads to disputes. Ask buyers to confirm their shipping address in writing.
What’s worth buying used
Wooden ARFs, competition planes and radios hold their value and are often good buys used; competition pilots upgrade regularly, so well-maintained pattern planes appear often, as in F3A pattern planes for sale. Old LiPo batteries are not worth paying for, and glow engines need checking for rust. For new kits and ARFs, see RC model airplane kits.
Common scams
- Stolen photos from old listings.
- Requests to pay outside protected methods.
- New accounts with very cheap, desirable items.
- Pressure to pay quickly “because others are interested”.
- Overpayment tricks asking you to send money back.
Local alternatives
Club swap meets, auctions at club events and local hobby shop noticeboards are other places to buy used planes. They let you see the plane before paying and often come with the seller’s advice on how it flies. For big, fragile models, buying locally also avoids the risk of shipping damage, which is one of the most common problems with online deals.
FAQ
Is RCGroups classifieds safe?
Many deals go smoothly; protect yourself by checking feedback and using protected payments.
What payment should I use?
PayPal Goods and Services or another method with buyer protection.
Can I ship LiPo batteries?
Only following carrier rules; often better to exclude them.
How do I price a used plane?
Check recent sold listings for the same model.
More on this topic: the complete RC Airplanes guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
