At 12:26 PM 5/19/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>I enjoyed reading the Samples Rant messages alot.
>
>But, I have my own samples problem, so I'm writing a different message 
>rather than adding to the previous thread.
>
>I am trying to locate a vendor for piezotransformers... No, I'm NOT going 
>to use them for lighting CCFL's, so I do not need an inverter 
>assembly....I just need the piezoceramic transformer itself.
>
>I've spent days searching with google, and find that they are only 
>available in Asia, which is probably due to the inverter boards that are 
>assembled there.
>
>I found a couple of US sources, but nothing reliable that I can count on 
>to provide the same parts later on and no one in the US actually has them 
>in bulk quantity.
>
>After a lot of work, I located a vendor in Taiwan, that claim to actually 
>manufacture the needed units. But, they don't post detailed specs on their 
>www site and I've had to ask for specs via email. I need 6 devices that 
>should sell for around $2. each. Instead, they are asking for $6. each and 
>the tone of the communication indicates that they charge a large fee to 
>ship them to the US as well.
>
>I have a legitimate sample request for a product that I have designed in 
>Spice and prototyped using a Panasonic part (which isn't available now). 
>So, this isn't a request for a lot of expensive parts.....I am not sure 
>why they have such high prices samples.
>
>Anyway, it appears I'm stuck and looks like I'll have to pay these rates. 
>Hopefully they have the good sense to mark the Custom Declaration value as 
>zero as JRC and TI (Taiwan) do when they ship samples to the US.
>
>Comments appreciated. I am presently waiting to hear how much the shipping 
>is gonna cost:>:
>
>Art

Most Taiwan companies don't want to deal directly with piddly export 
orders-- less
than 10,000 pieces or several thousand dollars. They seem to attempt to control
"sample" requests by shipping via expensive courier, under the assumption
that anyone who is willing to pay $50 or $100 for shipping is probably serious.
Sometimes they impose $200 or $300 handling charges or refuse small 
"production"
orders.

Things are different with Asian companies when you are physically there, you
can often cut a deal with far fewer hassles.

I suggest you carefully consider your business strategy if your product is 
going
to be dependent on such a component.

Best regards,

Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..."            "The Journey is the reward"
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
 >>>Inexpensive test equipment & parts http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZspeff



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