Post by thread:[OT]: Digikey

I think many of us have a love/hate relationship with Digikey...they're kinda expensive when you're doing production runs, for example. Some of the part selections are dubious, too. Last night I needed some parts @ ~17.30hr EST and plugged my order into Digikey. At 07.30hr EST this morning my parts were being put on a truck at the courier depot here in Toronto. Now, lots of companies can do overnight shipping, but let's bear a couple of points in mind: (1) I live in Canada. So this was an import. Digikey have arrangements to preclear and prepay taxes and duties, leaving me from having to scramble for a credit card when the courier arrives. (2) They charge CDN$8.00 (~US$6.00) for overnight delivery. If you live in Canada, you'll know that we rarely get to see overnight courier fees that low. (3) Digikey are in MN and I'm in Toronto! I have no idea if they've got an arrangement to do localized holding of parts or something....I presume that it's all centralized though. Anyhoo, I'm just kind of a happy camper this morning as I have the parts to do my project this weekend :-) -marc -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

got to agree drive 15 miles to metro toronto or let digikey deliver to your door for less money unless its a surplus item from sayal or a popular hobby item/ noname knockoff carried by supremetronic(sic?) forget it- go digikey dave At 08:36 AM 7/18/03 -0400, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>I think many of us have a love/hate relationship with Digikey...they're >kinda expensive when you're doing production runs, for example. Some of the >part selections are dubious, too. > >Last night I needed some parts @ ~17.30hr EST and plugged my order into >Digikey. At 07.30hr EST this morning my parts were being put on a truck at >the courier depot here in Toronto. > >Now, lots of companies can do overnight shipping, but let's bear a couple of >points in mind: > >(1) I live in Canada. So this was an import. Digikey have arrangements to >preclear and prepay taxes and duties, leaving me from having to scramble for >a credit card when the courier arrives. > >(2) They charge CDN$8.00 (~US$6.00) for overnight delivery. If you live in >Canada, you'll know that we rarely get to see overnight courier fees that >low. > >(3) Digikey are in MN and I'm in Toronto! I have no idea if they've got an >arrangement to do localized holding of parts or something....I presume that >it's all centralized though. > >Anyhoo, I'm just kind of a happy camper this morning as I have the parts to >do my project this weekend :-) > > >-marc > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > >--- >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.491 / Virus Database: 290 - Release Date: 6/18/03 -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

At 08:36 AM 7/18/2003 -0400, you wrote: >I think many of us have a love/hate relationship with Digikey...they're >kinda expensive when you're doing production runs, for example. Some of the >part selections are dubious, too. If I order by 9:00 PM Eastern (and I've tested it about a dozen times, getting the order in between 8:10 and 8:50), they deliver to T.O. next morning about 90% of the time. While there will always be a place for surplus and hobby retail, I'm afraid that places like Active Components may be in trouble. Their prices are not lower and their selection in-store can't compete with a giant warehouse with 700+ employees. Chemicals might be more of an issue with non-local suppliers, given the high cost of Hazmat shipping. If I need 50 liters of solvent, it's often cheaper/easier to go pick it up than get it shipped. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" spam_OUTspeffTakeThisOuTinterlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

> (1) I live in Canada. So this was an import. Digikey have arrangements to > preclear and prepay taxes and duties, leaving me from having to scramble for > a credit card when the courier arrives. If it wasn't for Digikey I would have thrown the towel, so to speak, long time ago. I agree that Digikey charges premium prices for single qunatities. But even at that, I can usually easy put an order together that cost me a lot less than meeting minumum order amounts and minimum quantities elesewhere. I design my projects in way that all parts can be purchased from Digikey, unless it is absolutely not possible (Zarlink and CML parts come to mind). I live in a remote place in Northern Ontario. It takes 3 days for a Digikey parcel to arrive (same for every other parcel coming from major Canadian cities). The shipping cost is $8.00, something you can take to the bank, no surprises. Recently I received an order from some other large US distributor; US$13.00 shipping (as quoted) and a US$25.00 document preparation fee (now that wasn't quoted). Do I buy there gain? Silly question. Digikey is my supplier of choice, I reluctantly shop elsewhere if they don't have what I need. Adi -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

>Digikey is my supplier of choice, I reluctantly shop elsewhere if they >don't have what I need. > >Adi No one has yet mentioned Digi-Key's excellent website. Generally, it's the website I judge others against, and not just for purchasing components. I even use it for component selection sometimes, because it frequently has better selection handling than that on some manufacturers' websites. Mike H. _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

At 10:25 AM 7/18/2003 -0500, you wrote: >No one has yet mentioned Digi-Key's excellent website. Generally, >it's the website I judge others against, and not just for purchasing >components. I even use it for component selection sometimes, >because it frequently has better selection handling than that on >some manufacturers' websites. True. I overlook it because it just *works* fast and without tons of gee-whiz graphics, unlike some miserable websites. International Rectifier comes to mind. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" .....speffKILLspam@spam@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

I hate to break this bit of news to you, but Digikey seems to have a depot in Winnipeg. THAT is why you get an $8.00C shipping fee. If they have to ship out of the states, it's $48.00 (or so, depending on weight). Check the label on the box to see what I mean (my last half dozen orders all have Winnipeg as the origin point). I try to buy what I can from Active (since it's right on my way to work), and other local suppliers, but more often than not my projects can only get completed quickly because I can order what they didn't have when I get to work, and I'll usually have it the next day from Digikey. Yes, there is a premium to pay for speed, but for prototyping (most of my work) and small volumes, where time is money, it's usually worth it. And back orders ship free. And ironically, it's often faster to find spec sheets on Digikey's server than it is to find them on many manufactures sites. Speaking of Active, has anyone noticed that their stores are getting rather barren of stock (caps, connectors, semis, etc.)? I asked about it and was given the line 'problems with the bagging machine'. For 5 months? Methinks it's more likely that their suppliers have stopped supplying product because of late payments. I've seen this twice before with computer stores that soon went bankrupt. Given the downturn in the economy, it wouldn't surprise me that they're in trouble. Robert Marc Nicholas wrote: {Quote hidden}> > I think many of us have a love/hate relationship with Digikey...they're > kinda expensive when you're doing production runs, for example. Some of the > part selections are dubious, too. > > Last night I needed some parts @ ~17.30hr EST and plugged my order into > Digikey. At 07.30hr EST this morning my parts were being put on a truck at > the courier depot here in Toronto. > > Now, lots of companies can do overnight shipping, but let's bear a couple of > points in mind: > > (1) I live in Canada. So this was an import. Digikey have arrangements to > preclear and prepay taxes and duties, leaving me from having to scramble for > a credit card when the courier arrives. > > (2) They charge CDN$8.00 (~US$6.00) for overnight delivery. If you live in > Canada, you'll know that we rarely get to see overnight courier fees that > low. > > (3) Digikey are in MN and I'm in Toronto! I have no idea if they've got an > arrangement to do localized holding of parts or something....I presume that > it's all centralized though. > > Anyhoo, I'm just kind of a happy camper this morning as I have the parts to > do my project this weekend :-) -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

I use Digikey and Mouser both. I prefer Mouser because I think they have a broader selection of vendors. Or in other words they tend to have the vendors I like to specify. Now that they have finally added Microchip to their line, most of my orders go to Mouser. Digikey tends to be heavy on Panasonic, and if someone else sells the same thing as Panasonic, they drop the other guy. Measure the Digikey and Mouser catalogs with calipers over time, you'll find the Mouser catalog fattening up lately, which means that many others agree! -- Lawrence Lile Mike Hord <gaidinmdKILLspamHOTMAIL.COM> Sent by: pic microcontroller discussion list <.....PICLISTKILLspam.....MITVMA.MIT.EDU> 07/18/2003 10:25 AM Please respond to pic microcontroller discussion list To: EraseMEPICLISTspam_OUTTakeThisOuTMITVMA.MIT.EDU cc: Subject: Re: [OT]: Digikey >Digikey is my supplier of choice, I reluctantly shop elsewhere if they >don't have what I need. > >Adi No one has yet mentioned Digi-Key's excellent website. Generally, it's the website I judge others against, and not just for purchasing components. I even use it for component selection sometimes, because it frequently has better selection handling than that on some manufacturers' websites. Mike H. _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

At 11:17 AM 7/18/2003 -0600, you wrote: >I hate to break this bit of news to you, but Digikey seems to have a depot >in Winnipeg. THAT is why you get an $8.00C shipping fee. If they have >to ship out of the states, it's $48.00 (or so, depending on weight). >Check the label on the box to see what I mean (my last half dozen orders all >have Winnipeg as the origin point). If that was true, it would be very odd that the quantities in stock for 12 hour delivery to Toronto are precisely the same as those in stock for next-day delivery to Duluth, wouldn't it? Actually, Canada Post, through their Purolator subsidiary has been making a bunch of deals speeding up cross-border commerce. Whether the origin appears as MN or MB depends how the shipments are consolidated and broken up, and is, to quote Paul Wolfowitz, a bureaucratic decision. If an American customer asks to have stuff shipped to Canada, OTOH, they charge the rip-off price you mention. So don't do that. ;-) >Apeaking of Active, has anyone noticed that their stores are getting rather >barren of stock (caps, connectors, semis, etc.)? I asked about it and was >given >the line 'problems with the bagging machine'. For 5 months? >Methinks it's more likely that their suppliers have stopped supplying product >because of late payments. I've seen this twice before with computer stores >that soon went bankrupt. Given the downturn in the economy, it wouldn't >surprise me that they're in trouble. I hope that's not true. They are part of FAI, which is a MAJOR North American distributor. I could see FAI shutting the retail stores, though, and concentrating on internet commerce. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speffspam_OUTinterlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

I live and work in White Rock, BC, way out on the west coast of Canada, and can reliably place a DigiKey order before about 6pm and receive it by Purolator the next morning before about 9:30, for $8 shipping. It's revolutionized my design work being able to get most parts I need so quickly. Even to drive to Vancouver and back, only to have a very limited choice of parts at someplace like Active, would take me over two hours round trip and probably cost me more than $8.00 just in gas for my car, not to mention the value of my time. They even have a printed catalog in Canadian currency. (Which unfortunately have become less of a good deal since the currency has been rising.) I happened to be talking with DigiKey on the phone a few weeks ago and complimented them on their service and asked them if they really sent Canadian shipments from Minnesota, and they said yes. They also said that most orders can be packaged and ready for shipping within about 20 minutes of when they are received. They usually have orders from multiple customers in a given day to any given major city so they can have a regular booking on a Purolator overnight flight. Why don't other big parts vendors do this? Impressive planning and efficiency, and a well run business IMHO. - Chris Graham -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

They might be using a CanadaPost/Purolator logistics hub in Winnipeg, or even a bonded warehouse...but, AFAIK, they have no Canadian operations. -marc On 18/7/03 13:17, "Robert Rolf" <@spam@robert.rolfKILLspamUALBERTA.CA> wrote: {Quote hidden}> I hate to break this bit of news to you, but Digikey seems to have a depot > in Winnipeg. THAT is why you get an $8.00C shipping fee. If they have > to ship out of the states, it's $48.00 (or so, depending on weight). > Check the label on the box to see what I mean (my last half dozen orders all > have Winnipeg as the origin point). > > I try to buy what I can from Active (since it's right on my way to work), > and other local suppliers, but more often than not my projects can only get > completed quickly because I can order what they didn't have when I get to > work, > and I'll usually have it the next day from Digikey. Yes, there is a premium > to pay for speed, but for prototyping (most of my work) and small volumes, > where > time is money, it's usually worth it. And back orders ship free. > > And ironically, it's often faster to find spec sheets on Digikey's server > than it is to find them on many manufactures sites. > > Speaking of Active, has anyone noticed that their stores are getting rather > barren of stock (caps, connectors, semis, etc.)? I asked about it and was > given > the line 'problems with the bagging machine'. For 5 months? > Methinks it's more likely that their suppliers have stopped supplying product > because of late payments. I've seen this twice before with computer stores > that soon went bankrupt. Given the downturn in the economy, it wouldn't > surprise me that they're in trouble. > > Robert > > Marc Nicholas wrote: >> >> I think many of us have a love/hate relationship with Digikey...they're >> kinda expensive when you're doing production runs, for example. Some of the >> part selections are dubious, too. >> >> Last night I needed some parts @ ~17.30hr EST and plugged my order into >> Digikey. At 07.30hr EST this morning my parts were being put on a truck at >> the courier depot here in Toronto. >> >> Now, lots of companies can do overnight shipping, but let's bear a couple of >> points in mind: >> >> (1) I live in Canada. So this was an import. Digikey have arrangements to >> preclear and prepay taxes and duties, leaving me from having to scramble for >> a credit card when the courier arrives. >> >> (2) They charge CDN$8.00 (~US$6.00) for overnight delivery. If you live in >> Canada, you'll know that we rarely get to see overnight courier fees that >> low. >> >> (3) Digikey are in MN and I'm in Toronto! I have no idea if they've got an >> arrangement to do localized holding of parts or something....I presume that >> it's all centralized though. >> >> Anyhoo, I'm just kind of a happy camper this morning as I have the parts to >> do my project this weekend :-) > > -- > http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different > ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > -------------------------------------------------- Marc Nicholas Geekythings Inc. C/416.543.4896 UNIX, Database, Security and Networking Consulting -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.

Actually Active's latest flyer had a big disclaimer indicating they no longer had any association with Future... At 01:58 PM 7/18/03 -0400, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>At 11:17 AM 7/18/2003 -0600, you wrote: >>I hate to break this bit of news to you, but Digikey seems to have a depot >>in Winnipeg. THAT is why you get an $8.00C shipping fee. If they have >>to ship out of the states, it's $48.00 (or so, depending on weight). >>Check the label on the box to see what I mean (my last half dozen orders all >>have Winnipeg as the origin point). > >If that was true, it would be very odd that the quantities in stock for 12 >hour delivery to Toronto are precisely the same as those in stock for >next-day delivery to Duluth, wouldn't it? > >Actually, Canada Post, through their Purolator subsidiary has been >making a bunch of deals speeding up cross-border commerce. Whether the >origin appears as MN or MB depends how the shipments are consolidated >and broken up, and is, to quote Paul Wolfowitz, a bureaucratic decision. > >If an American customer asks to have stuff shipped to Canada, OTOH, they >charge the rip-off price you mention. So don't do that. ;-) > >>Apeaking of Active, has anyone noticed that their stores are getting rather >>barren of stock (caps, connectors, semis, etc.)? I asked about it and was >>given >>the line 'problems with the bagging machine'. For 5 months? >>Methinks it's more likely that their suppliers have stopped supplying product >>because of late payments. I've seen this twice before with computer stores >>that soon went bankrupt. Given the downturn in the economy, it wouldn't >>surprise me that they're in trouble. > >I hope that's not true. They are part of FAI, which is a MAJOR North >American distributor. I could see FAI shutting the retail stores, though, >and concentrating on internet commerce. > >Best regards, > >Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" >KILLspamspeffKILLspaminterlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com >Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different >ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details. > > > > >--- >Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.502 / Virus Database: 300 - Release Date: 7/18/03 -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email RemoveMElistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> If I order by 9:00 PM Eastern (and I've tested it about a dozen times, > getting the order in between 8:10 and 8:50), they deliver to T.O. next > morning about 90% of the time. This is their best feature. I've ordered at 8:50pm, 8:58pm, 9:07pm. The 9:07 didn't make it. I think they really close the door (so to speak) on the dot. Not to mention the great website - other distributors should take notice and strip all the promotional crap and graphics off their websites. Even with DSL its a hassle. Mouser, are you listening? :) The only downside is the high prices for things like snappable headers and terminal blocks and test equipment / power supplies. Jameco to the rescue for those. And, after at least 25 orders, I've had each one be here (brrooklyn) exactly when it should be, and only one mistake. (A bag of caps had the same caps as the previous line item, not the ones ordered, tho the sticker was correct.) I'd love to see / take a tour of their main warehouse in operation. J -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads