shiro
quite active
Posts: 109
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Post by shiro on Feb 3, 2017 19:16:29 GMT
After looking long for a certain device, RSonline had it. But turns out they don't sell to end users. I've become used to people telling online like on EEVblog that they bought from Mouser, RSonline, Farnell, Digikey etc, that I assumed these would sell to anyone. So I started looking a bit closer at their websites. Even though they have localised websites and support addresses, they all seem to ship from the US (except if they have it in a European warehouse, which for my test order was more often not the case).
Support is not very good I'd say, sofar very few replies to my questions after one week, so I'll ask them here. Please note, I'm asking fellow Europeans, if you're American or outside the EU, your answer is probably not applicable to my situation. Thanks!
From what internet supplier of electronic parts do you buy? Do you need a VAT number with them? If they ship from the USA, do you have to pay import duties, taxes or other costs (except VAT)? And of course, are you happy with the quality of the parts, the order handling/shipping and service?
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Crispy
very active
Madrigal music is playing - Voices can faintly be heard, "Please leave this patient undisturbed."
Posts: 776
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Post by Crispy on Feb 3, 2017 20:20:49 GMT
After looking long for a certain device, RSonline had it. But turns out they don't sell to end users. I've become used to people telling online like on EEVblog that they bought from Mouser, RSonline, Farnell, Digikey etc, that I assumed these would sell to anyone. So I started looking a bit closer at their websites. Even though they have localised websites and support addresses, they all seem to ship from the US (except if they have it in a European warehouse, which for my test order was more often not the case). Support is not very good I'd say, sofar very few replies to my questions after one week, so I'll ask them here. Please note, I'm asking fellow Europeans, if you're American or outside the EU, your answer is probably not applicable to my situation. Thanks! From what internet supplier of electronic parts do you buy? Do you need a VAT number with them? If they ship from the USA, do you have to pay import duties, taxes or other costs (except VAT)? And of course, are you happy with the quality of the parts, the order handling/shipping and service? I use CPC which is part of the Farnell group and I certainly have not had any problems with them and most orders are FREE delivery. I don't know where you live but they may be the solution? LINK: cpc.farnell.com/Regards Chris
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solderdude
Administrator
measureutternutter
Posts: 4,881
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Post by solderdude on Feb 3, 2017 20:28:10 GMT
Conrad has quite a lot of parts, sells to anyone and most parts are cheap.
Mouser does send to private parties but charges quite a lot of money to European customers. Only useful for large orders.
With Farnell you can order to private people but have to contact them and pay in advance.
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Post by drumdrym on Feb 4, 2017 0:55:56 GMT
Not sure what RS Components is like outside the UK I'd expect most EU countries will get a similar service to the UK. RS Components online started out as Radiospares 1937 in London now World Wide . Is my first stop, they have a very wide in-depth range of electronic components. With RS in the UK service is second to none, order by 8.30pm delivery next day. I've even had next day for some items in an order from their warehouse in Belgium. You can buy from RS as a GUEST for say a one off purchase, when you do you will automatically be registered. Next time you return to buy you sign in....(this is standard online purchasing procedure with many firms). I've given the link to their open an account page just to see what is available to you but you will not
use it to open an account if like most of us on this forum you are just a hobbyist. RS will sell to anyone also Farnell...they are desperate for our cash. Just Google RS Components and enter their web site. Fill up your basket with chosen goodies go to checkout and follow instructions pay by credit/debit card (if no card tough no purchase). At the moment they are giving delivery free.............don't seem to have minimum order value which usually runs at £20 before vat. Don't expect to be able to buy the low value items as singles, they will come in packs of 5.....10......20....50.....100 and so on. However it's amazing how quickly you can run out of certain values in the resistor/capacitor drawer if you are reasonably active project wise. uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=services/account-opening
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Post by marveltone on Feb 4, 2017 4:38:05 GMT
I know most of you are on the other side of the pond from me, but thought I'd chime in anyway. I shop from Digikey. One small advantage to living in northern Minnesota is I only live 63 miles from their headquarters and main warehouse. Better yet, my sister works there!
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shiro
quite active
Posts: 109
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Post by shiro on Feb 4, 2017 17:37:46 GMT
Thanks for responding, guys! Frans, Conrad I now and then use, but unfortunately they don't have what I need often. And they can be pretty expensive. Bit of a backup store for me. I'll check Mouser again - but can I be sure the price of my shopping cart is the actual price I'm going to pay? No hidden fees afterwards? If customs gets inbetween, it'll get very expensive. I'll try and contact Element14 (Farnell) again. They do accept private end users, but it's unclear where they ship from - they do mention they have a warehouse in Newark and you'll have to pay extra, but shipping costs 'may vary'. I hope they'll reply this time. Chris, thanks! I'll check out their website. Drumdrym, RSonline does not work for me (Belgium) - they won't sell to end users unless I register my company first. You heard right, the reply from their brilliant Dutch helpdesk assistant was that I, as an enduser without VAT number, must register my company and VAT number first. Ferreting some more on their Dutch language site (I usually use the 'native' English for stores, less risk for translation errors) reveals they do not accept orders from end users. Pity, their prices are fairly OK and they have a lot of what I need. Joe, Digikey even has a Belgian site. They have a lot of stuff (though often rather pricey) but the same problem here - it's unclear if they ship something from within the EU our outside. I only can tell from their t&o that I'll have to pay any local taxes. If that's VAT, that's fine, but if I'm going to have to pay for the import processing, it's not going to be fun. I also emailed them a week ago, and like others, no reply. There's no holidays in the USA that I'm aware of that could explain this. I guess I'll have to get used to the idea that ordering parts is going to be a headache each time. No click and buy and know what you have to pay. I'll drop Bezos a line and tell him to move in on this market too Edit: found something interesting on the Farnell site: 'hide us stock'. Hopefully, they don't stock all I need in the USA
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cj
valued member
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Post by cj on Feb 5, 2017 1:10:56 GMT
shiro. That is really strange about RS Components. I buy from them via an agent in Spain ( Amidata ) and guess where the stock comes from.... BELGIUM!!! I don't use my business details, just my private person stuff. I don't get any free delivery though, the same with Farnell etc.
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Post by drumdrym on Feb 5, 2017 2:31:56 GMT
Hi Shiro, I looked at the RS Belgium site and yes they require you to have a valid VAT number. Belgium looks like they still have restrictive trade practises. Register in the UK VAT number is not required, Regards
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Post by drumdrym on Feb 5, 2017 2:39:14 GMT
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Post by darkarn on Feb 5, 2017 3:46:23 GMT
I got my parts from Element 14 under Farnell. Mouser also seems to ship to end users like us here too.
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shiro
quite active
Posts: 109
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Post by shiro on Feb 5, 2017 13:11:13 GMT
Thanks for the help guys! I'm browsing sinuss now, interesting link! I'll give RS Germany a try, see if I can add my Belgium address as the shipping address.
Edit: nope, RS Germany only ships inside Germany, can't add a country to my address. And they don't ship to packstations where you can pick it up either, pity. I could drive to Aachen to pick it up. Oh well, plenty of stuff to browse through at Farnell and Mouser. I can find what I need but it's spread over so many stores I pay too much in shipping. Let's see if I can't cut that down with these two for starters.
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Post by darkarn on Feb 5, 2017 15:13:13 GMT
Do you have shipping forwarders/proxy services (e.g. www.vpost.com.sg/ for Singapore) too? You may want to consider them as a last resort
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shiro
quite active
Posts: 109
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Post by shiro on Feb 22, 2017 13:16:10 GMT
shipping forwarders exist, they're not too expensive but it won't help. It's the credit card address that counts. I just tried Farnell. No good either, no Belgians without VAT number welcome. I'm beginning to wonder why all these companies have branches and warehouses here, but make such an issue of selling to endusers. Probably some tax reason, Belgium is known as a tax haven. Digikey seems to have a lot of stuff too, and will sell to endusers. But I haven't found where they ship from. They have a Belgian website and office address though. Might have to give them a call. At least I'm safe with Conrad for Kameleon parts
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