Scientifics Online (scientificsonline.com) has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 101 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Hobbies & Crafts and its reputation is good. 81% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 7% are 1 star; The business has replied to 31% of negative reviews. Last updated 2026-08-11.
Sent Broken Toy, Return Policy is Cryptic (but TBD)
I ordered a DIY game console for my son when it arrived we found out you need a specific toolkit to put it together, but Scientifics Direct doesn't sell it. So we ordered it on Amazon. Then, after 6 hours of putting the toy together, my son went to turn it on and... nothing. It doesn't work. Now it looks like you can't return opened packages? But what if they're defective? The item itself is sold out now, so it might be a moot point, but I hope we can get our money back! I've got a very sad 12-year-old boy right now, and Mama, too, after spending $140 on a toy that doesn't work. :(
Their return policy is to charge a 20% restocking fee for items like their Icee Machine. The product is horrible and tedious to use. It takes you hours to make an icee and the instructions are in 3 different places and tell you 3 different methods. They also make you pay shipping to send items back so if it's a larger item I wouldn't bother buying it. Customer service is two thumbs down!
i always enjoy shopping on your site . started out with my kids now it's time for the grandkids . great ideas , great products , good prices , we have loved all the purchase's i've gotten .... thanks
I ordered a Newton's Cradle for my grandson's birthday (he had asked for one). Scientifics delivered even faster than advertised. A week earlier I had ordered the same item from AMAZON. It arrived broken and with a missing base. Whenever I want to order science-based toys I will go directly to Scientifics.
I called the customer service (800 818 4955) listed on my email invoice at 4:30pm PDT. The individual that answered the phone had me repeat my name three times and give him the order number twice. I asked to do a return and the first thing he said "Is the order more then 30 days old". I said no and wouldn't the order number give you the details. He didnt answer and said that I asked if he could put me on hold. When I asked him why I had to go on hold to do a return he told me not to shout in his ear.
I hung up. I called the same number at 2:00pm PDT and representative was able to process my return.
Totally different experience during East Coast working hours
I have purchased several things in the …past couple years
I have purchased several things in the past and never had any problems. I do have to say that delivery of the products was swift. However, one product in the box had water damage. Not the whole box, just one product. The item in question is a venus fly trap kit. The food bag was wet and the directions aren’t readable. I plan to reach out to the company. Hopefully their response is as swift as the package deliver
Reply from Scientifics Online2017-10-03
Good morning Kathryn, I am very sorry to hear this. Can you e-mail me directly at [email protected] and if possible add photos of the damage to the email. I want to try and get this resolved ASAP for you. Thank you
-Ryan
Scientifics has useful and fun projects for people of all ages. Some activities are quick while others take a while, depending on your time limit. I'm a therapist so usually need an activity which can be completed within 30 minutes. In addition, it really helps if the activity is low cost so that it can be used with multiple clients.
The product is for my Grand Son and very well done.I can recommend it.The product is excellent
Somehow they managed to use Fedex for shipment. PLEASE Scientifics, never again.
The apartment number was typed into the first line, truncated, and caused a great deal of confusion with the limited mental powers of Fedex Drivers and Fedex Dispatch. It only took staying home 3 days for NO reason to fix. UPS, and even USPS do better.
I was looking for a thermometer with precision to at least 1 decimal place of a degree with a wide range of possible temperatures. Scientifics Online had one that fit my needs.
I love the products Scientifics Online offers. I purchased Christmas gifts from them this year for ages ranging from 7 to 70, quite literally. I do think they could use a better carrier than FedEx for deliveries. Scientifics is located in Tonawanda, NY and I'm in Rochester, NY. That's a maximum of an hour and a half drive. I ordered an item on 09/17 which arrived in West Henrietta, a suburb of Rochester on 09/19. I received it this morning 09/28. It makes no sense. So I guess the company itself should get 5 stars, but I find their delivery vehicle lacking.
Cannot recommend. Based on the dollars I spent, shipping was supposed to be free. I was charged almost $18.00. Will never do business with again.
Reply from Scientifics Online2017-09-28
Good Morning! Did you have a promo code or email code that was supposed to give you free shipping? I am going to look into this for you but I was curious as to what code you used/were given. Please email me directly at [email protected]
-Ryan
I recently purchased two radiometers and plan to give them to friends. I have a radiometer myself and love to watch it spin when there is sufficient light. They make excellent gifts. They are fascinating to watch and always cause people to ask questions and marvel at the conversion of light energy to mechanical energy. The shipment was also prompt and everything arrived intact. I couldn't be more pleased.
I live 4 miles from the Scientific warehouse in North Tonawanda,N.Y. and I've been waiting a week for a poster which has yet to arrive. I could have driven there and picked it up in 15 minutes but, there policies don't allow drive in pick up. You have to get on a waiting list and then they will call you the next day to pick it up.
I work nights so I didn't want to be awakened by a phone call ( you never know if its an emergency ) to let me know when my order is available for pick up. In short, they're system stinks.
I bought an item several years ago and I was allowed a drive in pick-up. I guess that's progress.
Gary Flagg
Amherst,N.Y.
Reply from Scientifics Online2017-09-25
Hello, My records show you choose 5-7 business day shipping. The Fed-Ex tracking shows it should be there by end of day tomorrow (9/26/2017) if that is not the case please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] and I will look into it further, Thank you
-Ryan
GoCamp
Morphyauctions
Circasports
Lootbar