Samples from Microchip come from Thialand, so its actually cheaper for them to send FedEx due to shear volume.  If the samples orginated in the states, USPS would be much cheaper.  But its a large account for FedEx so I am sure they get a very good price for using them, which is typical


--- On Tue, 11/11/08, Chetan Bhargava <cbhargava@gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Chetan Bhargava <cbhargava@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [PIC] Microchip Samples "Temporarily unavailable"?
> To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
> Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2008, 9:11 PM
> Hi Howard,
> 
> I have noticed it too but couldn't find any
> announcement or press release.
> 
> I think that cost-cutting is the reason behind it as I have
> seen most
> of the companies in that mode. I think suspending samples
> program is
> better than handing out pink slips. In recent days I've
> heard about
> several companies (non-semiconductor though) filing chapter
> 7
> (bankruptcy). In my opinion, Microchip should not start to
> charge
> shipping on samples, instead they should use regular mail
> (like Molex
> does) to reduce the costs, charge shipping or use FedEx/UPS
> account if
> one needs the devices to be shipped fast.
> 
> To my experience TI  has the best sample program among all.
> They pay
> overnight shipping too in case you really need the devices
> urgently.
> They have other free choices like ground shipment. Maybe
> they will
> engage in that mode too if economic conditions don't
> improve.
> 
> Regards.
> 
> Chetan Bhargava
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 6:32 AM, Howard Winter
> <HDRW@h2org.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> > Has anyone else noticed that the Samples part of
> Microchip's web site has been "Temporarily
> unavailable" for a number of days now?
> >
> > I haven't seen any sort of announcement or mention
> of this anywhere.  Anyone know if this is genuinely
> temporary, or the end of their excellent samples
> > programme?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> >
> > Howard Winter
> > St.Albans, England
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