Free samples drying up

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Sundog <sundog-at-timeship-dot-net> 

Mkay All,

If Terry sees this as on-topic and fit, he'll pass it on.  It's all I have 
to say on the matter.

     This smacks *HEAVILY* of the "T&R Electric Pole Pig" and "Plastic 
Capacitor won't sell to me!" threads.

   It's simple.  If companies see lots of samples going out to private 
individuals, with no large orders coming in, of *course* they're going to 
get anal about their samples.   Wouldn't you?  I can hear the complaints, 
"But it only costs them a few cents to make that part?  What do you mean 
they won't spare a few?"

    Add in the time it takes to package up and ship a handfull to a 
"Prospective Client." Plus shipping.  Soon they're spending more mailing 
out samples than it costs to make the chips, and it's no longer worth their 
time to do it, especially with no large purchases taking place later.

   Now, if a legitimate business was to request a dozen samples, try them, 
and say, "Hey, these work perfect!  We'll take 5000!", they might shuffle 
you off to a reseller.  If you wanted a half million of them, then they'd 
talk turkey.  But we don't.  We probably couldn't move 5000 heavy duty IGBT 
bricks on the List, even at reduced costs.

    Myself, Yes.  I have requested free samples.  Usually I've the tact to 
call and talk to a rep, explain who I am, what I'm doing, and what I want 
the samples for.  Sometimes I get the samples, sometimes I don't.  I've 
called half a dozen IXYS reps to try and get samples of their IGBT Gate 
driver boards.  No luck.  But I don't whine if I can't get my samples.  I 
just bite the bullet and order it via Digikey or some other supplier.  Or 
improvise.  Or Do Without.

   It's no one person who's caused this.  It's nobody's fault. We'll simply 
have to deal with it and move on.  If people really want the parts that 
bad, somebody organize a bulk buy.  The parts usually get substantially 
cheaper in bulk.  The parts are *always* available, just like pole 
pigs.  You just have to look for them, usually pay your money, and wander 
off, parts held high in pride.

  What makes this different than T&R and Plastic Caps, is that they will 
still *sell* us the parts.  We just have to pay for them.  The source 
hasn't dried up, only the freebies.  So let's not whinge about it.  Let's 
all just sigh, smile, then move on.

Sundog



At 06:07 PM 4/12/2004, you wrote:
>Original poster: "Eastern Voltage Research Corporation" 
><dhmccauley-at-easternvoltageresearch-dot-com>
>WHAT?  Are you kidding me?  "Thanks to some people?"  Are these other people
>requesting samples any different
>from you yourself requesting samples?  Please.
>
>And Fairchild has every right to get "anal" and to handle their sample
>program however they like.  Samples are meant for commercial
>evaluation purposes only.  It says that right in the user agreement you
>click on before submitting your sample request.
>
>Dan
>
>
>
> > Thanks to somepeople,  fairchild just got anal over their samples.  You
>have
> > to have a registered company email to sample anything.
> >
> > Regards - Jim Mitchell