I'm not sure what the big deal is on asking for samples.  I throw away more
samples than you can shake a stick at.  Vendors are always asking.....can we
give you a sample of this new whiz bang part...or anything else you want?
Oh..this does include Microchip. I've had a couple of F876 parts sitting on
my desk for a month or so.

Bottom line is, most IC mfg do sample runs....to send out to reps and
distributors for exactly that...samples.


OK..so these are small parts.  For larger things....like computers and
monitors and such, I ask for eval units, and they do expect them sent back.
And many of the reps have no problem in doing that either.