DONT BUY FUTURLEC

[Chuckz]

Could the flooding in Thailand be a cause for people's frustration?

[scottinnh]

LOL, to find real cheap parts, check out dipmicro.com
They are in Canada. We all know where the parts originally came from but Canada is at least closer to US buyers.

DIPMicro seems good. I ordered only once... they had great prices on ATtiny85's, way cheaper than if I ordered from DigiKey or Mouser.

I have to offer a defensive voice for Futurlec. I've placed 4 orders in 18 months. Futurelec is AWESOME if you want parts you might buy in bulk (resistors, caps) and they're even better at "bulky" items like battery holders and potentiometers because you'll pay 75% less than the usual shops in the US.

Futurelec works for me because I'm building an inventory to make 3-4 projects/kits at a time, starting from no inventory at all. So I got my assortments of caps, resistors, for very small change. And yes I sample test and everything is within tolerance.

Futurlec's kind of like a market... appreciate it for what it is, know what it's good for, and don't expect 2-6 day shipping like you get in the US (well, maybe their priciest shipping is fast.. I take the cheapest UPS option usually, unless the order's under $30 and then I'll chance first class mail. If something's late, or something is missing, don't shout or threaten just give them the option to replace it or refund it (worked for me).

If you're NOT a hobbyist meaning you have production deadlines, by now you should know Futurlec is not for you, and there's no point complaining the shoe didn't fit if you knew it was not your size to begin with.

[mwilson]

dipmicro is good. When I buy for inventory I buy from there. Downside is that they only stock -- what? -- a few thousand different items. So if I get 8-pin AVR it had better be ATtiny85. When I wanted CD4093's those weren't there. The whole purchase/shipping process, for me, has been fast and completely reliable. They have a website and forum -- maybe they take requests; I should try.

[scottinnh]

Also, I find it very suspect that a dummy account was created (username:victim) to pile on criticism of futurlec. By all means be a reasoned critic, but whoever created that fake account should have named it 'the victim card'.

Goes without saying... Pay for shipping insurance. A vendor may permit you to gamble, but don't expect free reshipment of free goods if you gambled wrong.

[Chuckz]

I went looking on the web for deals and I found some companies selling fire resistant resistors. I suppose if you have your project in a minty tin or a metal box, you have some measure of safety. If you buy a part from Mouser or Digikey, you usually get a datasheet. I have no idea if you are getting a product that is fire resistant from Futurlec and they don't give you a datasheet.

[scottinnh]

I went looking on the web for deals and I found some companies selling fire resistant resistors. I suppose if you have your project in a minty tin or a metal box, you have some measure of safety. If you buy a part from Mouser or Digikey, you usually get a datasheet. I have no idea if you are getting a product that is fire resistant from Futurlec and they don't give you a datasheet.

I doubt that the resistors are very flammable, and they seem comparable to what you get at Radio Shack or Digi-Key. Unless you specifically purchase pieces labeled as fire retardant, you're getting a commodity piece. DK and mouser carry fire retardant pieces, but I've never known anyone to buy them.

But you have a good point, you don't always know +exactly+ what you are getting when you order Futurlec resistors or caps, and lots of small passives do not have any datasheets. That's irritating, and the Futurlec website kind of sucks.


EDIT: Nov 17 (during the FLOOD) I placed a $28 Futurlec order w/ $4 shipping.. shipped on Nov 25, got it today, Dec 12.
Digi-Key orders usually take me 2-3 business days...

All the stuff I bought would cost 250% more at DigiKey (or it's stuff I couldn't get at QTY 1 to QTY 10 reasonably). SOIC->DIP adapters, battery packs, 5% and 1% resistors to finish my starter inventory, assorted AVRs, and an 5mm 8x8 rgb LED matrix for $10. I also got some "gold plated RCA panel mounts" (I expected flimsy parts, but on the surface they -seem- just as good as the ones I bought at DK).

[joemehrle]

I ordered it has been over 2 months no replies to email took $350. This is a total sham, why play rush and roulette with your money. Even if it is cheap, why risk it. This company I am reporting to the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary of State of Ohio and my credit card is returning the funds to me. Go with other recommendations and avoid this place like the plague they are common thieves and nothing more. I am actually going out of my way to see if I can assist in getting these guys shut down. I am not rolling over. People claiming someone is piling on is bull. I just happened on this site and wished I would have before I bought from these crooks. More likely, the positive reviews are from the crooks like this "AMP" person. Do yourself a favor and stay way away from this outfit, I truly wish I had.

[Zener]

What did you buy that costs 350.00?

[mehrubeoglu]

From this company I ordered and paid for some electronic components including a quantity of BC177 Transistors in TO18 Package at $0.48 each. What I received was BC177 Transistors in TO92 Package.
They were informed immediately about the mistake and pointed out that the alternative package were not suitable for our purpose and therefore wanted to return them. It was also pointed out to them that if TO92 packaged transistors were suitable we could easily have bought these or equivalent type in the Country where I was at the time (USA) for $0.027 each for the same quantity purchased.
I not only did not receive any expected apologies for the mistake and an offer to rectify it, I received no reply, even I prompted them several times for a reply.
For me this Company is definitely without any scruples and business integrity and should not be allowed to trade and defraud people in this way.