Samples

[Carl-NC]

Hey folks, don't forget that many chip companies offer free samples of parts. This is especially useful for those really pricey chips, and I'm finding more & more that previously reasonable chip prices have been pushed to my personal limit. As an example, I just ordered 2 chip samples (qty 2 each) from Analog Devices and they were shipped directly from Digikey. These chips were priced $8.30 (LT1611) and $9.15 (LT6234) on Digikey, yet the invoice I got has them "priced" at $2.85 and $3.25. They were free to me, so I assume that might represent a wholesale price that Digikey gets reimbursed from ADI. If so, that is quite an annoying mark-up. On top of that, the parts were shipped FedEx overnight delivery (!) which normally costs around $20, which I did not ask for or need.

The whole situation is ridiculous. I wouldn't mind paying for the parts if they were reasonably priced in the first place. In this case, the parts I got would have cost me $34.90 yet apparently were worth $12.20. I happen to know the economics of what it costs to manufacture chips and even the (assumed) wholesale price would be an easily sustainable retail price with good profit margins. Somebody is making a s#!t load of money, so I won't feel the least bit bad about ordering more samples as I need them.

[Mdtoday]

Yes, it’s definitely getting harder for individuals to source semiconductors at reasonable prices, that’s for sure.
The only slight issue I can see these days is that looks like AD for instance, are less stringent on account requirements for samples than TI for example.
TI I know asks for a company email to open an account….probably ways around it.
I opened accounts with most of the manufactures some 30 years ago while working for the same company and I’m glad I kept them up to date over the years. I retired late last year and made sure to keep my accounts open with TI and others. Updated my account profile with most of them and no issues.
Cost wise, LCSC is a good source for passives, jelly bean semis, connectors etc, not so great anymore for medium to top end US based stuff, so without samples we can often, like you say, pay through the nose.
Buying direct from the manufacture saves quite a bit ….if you can consolidate orders which is not always possible.
Like yourself, I don't mind paying reasonable prices, even a bit more for prototyping or one offs but the thing I find so expensive here in OZ is the cost of freight…at least with samples that part is mittigated.

[ivconic]

Welcome to my world Carl, I am not happy because of that though.
...
Whole world turned to a "black friday" scam today.

[Maurizio2]

Hey folks, don't forget that many chip companies offer free samples of parts. This is especially useful for those really pricey chips, and I'm finding more & more that previously reasonable chip prices have been pushed to my personal limit. As an example, I just ordered 2 chip samples (qty 2 each) from Analog Devices and they were shipped directly from Digikey. These chips were priced $8.30 (LT1611) and $9.15 (LT6234) on Digikey, yet the invoice I got has them "priced" at $2.85 and $3.25. They were free to me, so I assume that might represent a wholesale price that Digikey gets reimbursed from ADI. If so, that is quite an annoying mark-up. On top of that, the parts were shipped FedEx overnight delivery (!) which normally costs around $20, which I did not ask for or need.

The whole situation is ridiculous. I wouldn't mind paying for the parts if they were reasonably priced in the first place. In this case, the parts I got would have cost me $34.90 yet apparently were worth $12.20. I happen to know the economics of what it costs to manufacture chips and even the (assumed) wholesale price would be an easily sustainable retail price with good profit margins. Somebody is making a s#!t load of money, so I won't feel the least bit bad about ordering more samples as I need them.

Electronics has low prices only for large quantities.
It's one thing to buy 5000 pieces of a component, another thing to buy 2.
A reseller cannot buy 2 integrated circuits for example, but must buy an entire reel and then keep the rest unsold in stock.
With this I don't want to defend the various chip resellers but their reasons must also be understood.
Among the various resellers however there are some who do not charge shipping costs above a threshold of at least 50 Euro for example.
I buy every now and then taking advantage of this opportunity.
Having said that, I agree that the prices, for those who do electronics only as a hobby, are still high.