hi All,

It seems that Digi-Key has now entered the European market.
Does anyone in Europe (especially in the Netherlands)
have experience with them.

If I do a quick comparison between Digi-Key and Farnell,
(for prototypes and small series)
I estimate that this is the end of Farnell.

From a quick view, I conclude
- Digi-Key has far more choices, especially in the newer devices
- The price at Digi-Key is less than half of the price at Farnell

The prices of the "expensive" components for my latest project (in Euro)

Farnell DigiKey Product
2.6 1.5 HCNW4506 (100*)
22 NA NMS0505 (typ European DC-DC for medical applications)
NA NA FT232BM
17.1 6.6 PIC 16F877 20/QIP
NA 0.9 TLC2254AIN
40 12.3 ADS1211U (not available at Farnell,
but it's smaller brother costs Euro 35

I'ld like to hear others opinion / experiences.

best regards,
Stef Mientki

Hi All,
I live in Australia and if Farnell's prices are anything there
like they are here, they're doomed. I can also add Radio Spares to that list
also, far too heavily priced for their goods

Paul

I have used them here in the UK, service was pretty good delivery was 5days. I
will use them again.


If price really was an issue RS and Farnell and a load of others would have
died years ago.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 10:22:17 UTC, Stef Mientki
<S.Mientki-nospam@mailbox.kun.nl> wrote:

ISTR that there was discussion on the NGs about DigiKey when they
first sent out catalogues in Europe - perhaps about 10 months ago.

My impression at the time was that their prices were not much better
but their delivery charges were very high.

If the arrival of DigiKey in Europe ends the dollar to Pound
equivalence that has been common for so long it would be a great
benefit.


Jim Backus
--

cbarn24050@aol.com (CBarn24050) wrote:

Price is always an issue. Their prices are strange - you never can tell.

I wanted some Traco dc-dc converters a UK Traco distributor quoted me a
higher price than RS, at higher quantity they only got slightly better than
RS and they only had 4 in stock anyway.

I also wanted some Osram intelligent LED displays, RS was more expensive
than Farnell, and from past buying I know the Farnell price is double what
I can get from distributors (Eurodis). I called 4 UK Osram distributors all
of which quoted a MOQ of 40 (I needed 15) and between 8 and 16 weeks
delivery. So that cost me an extra 110 quid which pisses me off immensely,
still, at least Farnell provide a service unlike the so called
distributors.

If distributors can't hold stock of parts which broad line catalog
suppliers like RS and Farnell think are popular enough to hold what do they
actually stock?

Anyone buying from RS and Farnell should check out Rapid Electronics
(http://www.rapidelectronics.co.uk) they have good prices on some stuff
although sadly their catalogue is relatively thin.

I am in the UK and I bought some components from them recently. The parts I
wanted were not available here. Service was extremely quick - less than 2 days
to deliver. Prices on these parts were very reasonable, but I note that some of
the other prices in their catalogue are a little high. However, I intend to use
them again, because they have such an excellent range of components, delivery
is fast and their website is very good.

"Stef Mientki" <S.Mientki-nospam@mailbox.kun.nl> wrote in message
news:408B9159.9000704@mailbox.kun.nl...
I am in The Netherlands. I test-ordered a couple of pressure sensors from
Digi-Key that Farnell doesn't carry. The price was OK, but shipping was a
bit of a hassle. Digi-Key used a shipping company that bugged me with
customs forms and took a week to deliver. Farnell just ships the stuff, no
questions asked and usually shows up next day.

I'll stick with Farnell, except for those few random items that Digi-Key
carries and Farnell doesn't.

Rob

"Stef Mientki" <S.Mientki-nospam@mailbox.kun.nl> wrote in message
news:408B9159.9000704@mailbox.kun.nl...
I have (Netherlands). I use them in case in cannot get the components from
Farnell.
I am happy with their service and delivery time. They currently ship with
UPS.
One drawback is the shipping and handling fee of 13 and 18 euro.

I don't think so. We do a lot of prototyping with Farnell. Component cost is
a tiny fraction of development cost and quick delivery is mostly more
important.


But then again, adding 31 euro for handling and shipping on a small
order.....

Meindert

"nospam" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:j8rn80tu9ik5jptgu41gns2djkb494dns0@4ax.com...
Indeed. I use a plactic enclosure from Hammon Manufacturing, which I buy
about 100/month through an ordinairy distributor. I negotiated a lower price
twice because Farnell sold them cheaper.

Meindert

"Rob Turk" <_wipe_me_r.turk@chello.nl> wrote in message
news:408c2f63$0$81350$e4fe514c@dreader6.news.xs4al l.nl...
Both Farnell and Digi-key use UPS.

Meindert

"Meindert Sprang" <mhsprang@NOcustomSPAMware.nl> wrote in message
news:108pa9nh116997c@corp.supernews.com...
My order came in with GLS
Rob

"Rob Turk" <_wipe_me_r.turk@chello.nl> schreef in bericht
news:408c2f63$0$81350$e4fe514c@dreader6.news.xs4al l.nl...
Farnell ships from the Netherlands or UK, depending on what
parts you order. This is all within EU, so no hassles with
customs. Your shipment from Digi-Key probably came from
the US, and above $35-$50 total value.

--
Thanks, Frank.
(remove 'x' and 'invalid' when replying by email)

Stef Mientki wrote:

I have (CH). Digikey (US) is quick in delivery but the high shipping
costs from the US make me build up a list with wished parts before
order for an amout that makes it feasible.

the two have a different set of parts.

Rene
--
Ing.Buero R.Tschaggelar - http://www.ibrtses.com
& commercial newsgroups - http://www.talkto.net

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 12:22:17 +0200, Stef Mientki wrote:
I've used them for stuff Farnell and RS don't carry, and they've been
fine with 3-day delivery to the UK. I generally use Farnell, though,
and if not RS, and I have the advantage that the main Farnell site
is a mile down the road here in Leeds, so I can if needed get stuff
within a couple of hours :-) and normal deliveries happen first thing
in the morning generally (although that's probably the case throughout
the UK).

I've not had customs problems with DigiKey. I don't like their catalogue,
not enough pictures, and everyone knows engineers can't read and
like pictures ;-). Photos do make it quicker to find stuff, though,
when flicking through.

--
Trevor Barton

"Meindert Sprang" <mhsprang@NOcustomSPAMware.nl> wrote in message
news:108pa9nh116997c@corp.supernews.com...
They use Purolator in Canada - Costs $8.00 Canadian flat rate. No customs.
Has always arrived within 3 business days.

On 25 Apr 2004 21:05:43 GMT, ppelectron@aol.com (Ppelectron) wrote:

Pity about the delivery and small-order charges though - I'd only consider them for big orders, or
if I was really desperate - it;s a shame that they won't send small stuff by normal airmail at a
sensible price.

Incidentally can you clarify something - their UK site pricing says 'including brokerage charges and
duty', but what about VAT ?
As most of their customers will be businesses, they will need proper VAT accounting - how is this
invoiced ?

they add the vat and send you a vat invoice , so no problem if your registered
for vat.

<snip>
The catalogue and website prices do not include VAT. On the web site, the total
VAT and shipping are all clearly displayed after you have filled your basket
and gone to the checkout. The goods were shipped with a proper invoice showing
handling, shipping and VAT.