> (1) I live in Canada. So this was an import. Digikey have arrangements to
> preclear and prepay taxes and duties, leaving me from having to scramble for
> a credit card when the courier arrives.

If it wasn't for Digikey I would have thrown the towel, so to speak, long
time ago.

I agree that Digikey charges premium prices for single qunatities. But
even at that, I can usually easy put an order together that cost me a lot
less than meeting minumum order amounts and minimum quantities elesewhere.
I design my projects in way that all parts can be purchased from Digikey,
unless it is absolutely not possible (Zarlink and CML parts come to mind).

I live in a remote place in Northern Ontario. It takes 3 days for a
Digikey parcel to arrive (same for every other parcel coming from major
Canadian cities). The shipping cost is $8.00, something you can take to
the bank, no surprises. Recently I received an order from some other large
US distributor; US$13.00 shipping (as quoted) and a US$25.00 document
preparation fee (now that wasn't quoted). Do I buy there gain? Silly
question.

Digikey is my supplier of choice, I reluctantly shop elsewhere if they
don't have what I need.

Adi

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