Russell McMahon wrote:

> If they charge what they said they were going to charge for postage and sent
> what one ordered then there can be little complaint. When they don't send
> what was ordered (assuming one checked first that it was in stock) then
> complaint about the cost is entirely justified - always IMHO of course.
>
> Bent pins are inexcusable and suggest a general lack of concern which could
> suggest other bad practice such as lack of proper antistatic handling. Maybe
> they are trying to discourage his future business :-)


One thing to remember with all devices mailed is
there are two basic mail handling systems;

* Parcel mail is for ANYTHING over 6mm (1/4") thick.
* Letter mail is for letters only, must be under 6mm

The letter mail gets fed into sorting/routing machines,
you may have seen them on TV etc, where they are fed
at high speeds through rubber rollers, machine reads
the postal (zip) codes and routes the letters directly.

Parcel mail is (generally) sorted by hand.

NEVER send chips etc in something that can fit through
a 6mm slot and may be mistaken for letter mail. It will
get squished at high speed by 50 big rubber rollers. :o)
Using a padded bag should be fine.

Now when a professional mail order supply firm makes
basic mistakes like that, THEY KNOW they are sending parts
out through the squisher, and that resistors etc will
probably make it... Executive decisions being what they
are, probably any order under $3 that looks skinny gets
to play "dodge the squisher".
-Roman

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