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26th Dec 2010, 3:30 pm | #41 |
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Re: justradios
Don't think I was moaning as such, just trying to point out that for the amateur it is difficult not only to get components but to justify the cost. But the mere fact there are still several suppliers that sell one off's it is still worth their while. Sometimes the problem is not knowing about the places that sell these things in small quantities. It is up to the customer whether they think it is worthwhile spending tens times the amount on the postage cost than the part they are trying to buy, or instead buying far more than they could ever use to reach a minimum order charge made by some suppliers. As there are plenty of UK suppliers it is worth buying from these rather than from another country, which is what I should have done in the first place.
Last edited by geofy; 26th Dec 2010 at 3:40 pm. |
26th Dec 2010, 3:31 pm | #42 |
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Re: justradios
Michael,
I dont't think that anyone is arguing that there shouldn't be a Minimum Order Charge, certainly not me. I thing there were two requests. First that the chage should be reasonable - a dificult concept because everyone will have a difernt idea. Second that the Companies should be happy to deal with 'the public'. I'm sure that most of us remember the days of the signs saying 'Trade Only'. I always took the view that my money was as good as anyone else's, and went so far as to generate official looking Orders on occasion. Alan |
26th Dec 2010, 4:12 pm | #43 | |
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Re: justradios
Quote:
So it would appear then that the issue between us here turns on the value of the minimum order, rather than who places the order, or the concept of a minumum order. However, just to conclude my contribution and to put my sentiments in focus, I would be happy to place a minimum order of £20 plus carriage plus VAT @ 17.5%, especially if the carriage came to about £5. Al. Last edited by Skywave; 26th Dec 2010 at 4:14 pm. Reason: Add quoted Post reference. |
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26th Dec 2010, 4:27 pm | #44 | |
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Re: justradios
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Therefore, it seems to me, you simply take your choice! Or have I missed something? Al. |
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26th Dec 2010, 4:36 pm | #45 |
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Re: justradios
I buy almost exclusively from RS, only going elsewhere if they don't stock what I want. I have an account with them, so there's no minimum order charge and I don't pay postage.
It's an "account", not a "credit account" so I pay by debit card when the order is placed. It's easy to set up an account with RS, all you need to do is make up a company name (not a limited one) and fill in the online form. There are no hoops to jump through. No references from banks or anyone else are needed.
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26th Dec 2010, 4:51 pm | #46 |
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Re: justradios
Thanks for that Graham - very helpful & informative.
I've used RS & Farnell professionally, but have only used CPC as a hobbyist. Based on what you have said, I'll soon be talking to RS! Al. |
26th Dec 2010, 4:57 pm | #47 |
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Re: justradios
Though I've had a credit account with RS for many years (from the days when it was difficult to get one) I just find it easier to pay by card when placing an order. I try to order at least £10 worth of stuff even though delivery would be free on even the smallest orders. Call it playing fair. Haven't been to an RS trade counter for years.
Back to the original point. Any business can set its terms and conditions as it sees fit, provided they comply with the law of the land. They may have considered minimum orders carefully or not, that is their prerogative. We are free to shop with them or not as we choose. I know that many have spoken well of justradios but I'd prefer to order within the EU if only to avoid hassle with VAT. It's not the VAT itself but the £13.50 fee levied by Parcelfarce or Royal Mail for the fun of collecting it. Unless you're ordering several hundred pounds worth of stuff the collection fee is a deterrent. |
26th Dec 2010, 6:10 pm | #48 |
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Re: justradios
I am not sure if you have missed something or not but I can't be the only person that has tried to buy something only to find there is a minimum order of five or ten. I am sure RS have this so am a little confused about the 'no minimum order' and free postage as the last time I tried RS there was a minimum five of what I wanted and a postal charge!
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26th Dec 2010, 6:19 pm | #49 |
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Re: justradios
I don't think minimum order is the same as minimum quantity. I don't smoke, but if I did, I'd have to buy a packet of ten fags. I couldn't buy four. Buying a minimum quantity helps build up stocks of components and is really no hardship where items like caps and resistors are concerned.
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26th Dec 2010, 6:51 pm | #50 | |
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Re: justradios
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180R 3K3 WW 10K 47K 22K 220K 0.01u * 3 0.033u * 2 Apart from the capacitors which makes sense to buy more than one off, if only sold in fives the others would leave me with six open packs of four left in each which I would not have any immediate if any use for. And would only add to my collection of unused components. |
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26th Dec 2010, 7:18 pm | #51 |
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Re: justradios
I would have assumed that the 10k, 22k, 47k & 220k being very common values would be used fairly frequently.
My I reiterate what I posted earlier, I supplied a number of hobbyists and other TV service companies for about 10 years, I did this prior to and including the time I had my shop. I would often send out a 10p resistor, but remember I had to buy jiffy bags, which I bought locally, stamps, tape etc. I would have to drive to the shops, the post office etc, and when I did raise my P&P charges, often I was told £2.50 was too expensive. I then charged £7.50 minimum including P&P that was for items up to £5, in other words the same, but the complaints still were received. I didn't have many big orders so stopped doing it as I made little or no money by trying to help out people.
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26th Dec 2010, 8:36 pm | #52 |
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Re: justradios
Geof - I see you have given your location as Essex. As quick 'Google' for "Electronic Components in Essex" churned out quite a few names. Is there no-one in that list that can help you with an 'over-the-counter' service?
Just trying to help. Al. |
27th Dec 2010, 10:55 am | #53 | |
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Re: justradios
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Hi Al, There use to be shops in Chelmsford when the factories such as Marconi where there that I could buy parts from, but a lot of these places have long since disappeared. I had a Hacker and Roberts Radio dealer in my local town but that has gone. I will have search to see what is around, there is the Mark Hind Easyweb site that has some useful things. And I appreciate your help very much |
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27th Dec 2010, 1:39 pm | #54 |
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Re: justradios
What about Rapid in Colchester? They have a trade counter and are happy to supply hobbyists.
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27th Dec 2010, 5:26 pm | #55 |
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Re: justradios
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27th Dec 2010, 8:39 pm | #56 | |
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Re: justradios
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I remember cycling across Bath, aged 8, to LF Hanney's, which took around 2 hours. Back then, I had time to spare, and didn't seem to worry about being killed on the roads (obviously I didn't tell my parents!). Those days have largely gone - IIRC, I paid 2p each for the resistors, and they are much less than that today from everywhere before you factor in 30 years of inflation. There's no money in selling components on the high street, and I'd bet that the few remaining gems are owned outright and are run as a labour of love. I also wouldn't mind betting that Maplin effectively subsidise their high-street resistor sales via all the computer and "boy racer" tat they sell... As has been said, the answer is to "put up" and "stock up". And be grateful that these suppliers still exist, because one day, members of the public won't be able to buy components at anything approaching sensible prices - remember that it's declining as a hobby as well as a trade. By "stock up", I personally can't imagine only buying exactly what I need - what if the new part immediately goes up in smoke because you haven't found the cause yet? You will always be able to use them in the future, despite what you might think now. And sometimes it's crazy not to when you factor in price breaks from the bigger suppliers. For example, last time I repaired some old hi-fi amplifiers, I needed 8 large smoothing capacitors (6800u, 63V). It was actually cheaper to buy 10. And that's money saved on the next job. Honestly, whatever pressures of space or finance might prevail, being able to reach out for the right components without the hassle of shopping around for the best price, etc, is absolutely invaluable. And don't forget that prices always rise, so your stocks are an investment Mark |
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28th Dec 2010, 1:44 am | #57 | |
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Re: justradios
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Neverthless, I'm adding to my shopping list right now. When the list is big enough to make the trip worthwhile - I'm off! Incidentally, I have no business association with that named shop or its owner / proprietor. Al. [Skywave] |
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28th Dec 2010, 1:50 am | #58 | |
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Re: justradios
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Al. |
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28th Dec 2010, 10:53 am | #59 |
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Re: justradios
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