Free Electronic Parts for the DIY'er

billbillw

Serendipity wrote: »

I got past that point, but it didn't show a -$100 credit. So I don't know what's going to happen. I needed the stuff anyways.

Other people in my school (people also majoring in EE) recommended Sparkfun to me.

If you placed the order without the credit, you will probably be charged the full amount. I stopped when I got to this point. I'd check and cancel if needed. Sparkfuns prices are significantly higher than some of the competitors. Circuitspecialists are among the lowest that I've found for soldering supplies.

Big Dawg

I wasted 3 hours of my precious time reloading screens. Spent a couple hours familiarizing myself with the site last night, and getting my cart ready. Am new to the hobby, but getting in deep. Would have become a loyal customer. This was about generating publicity. If they gave away $100K, their cost was $50-$75K (there is some margin, after all, in their pricing). They absolutely wanted to attract all of the press they could get. So, for less than $75K, they got an ad campaign and increased site awareness hugely. However, and here’s the part they failed to consider, I will never, ever, visit their site again. It’s like a neighbor offering to pick up your kids - nice gesture, but you better make damn sure you are there on time.

billbillw

Big Dawg wrote: »

I wasted 3 hours of my precious time reloading screens. Spent a couple hours familiarizing myself with the site last night, and getting my cart ready. Am new to the hobby, but getting in deep. Would have become a loyal customer. This was about generating publicity. If they gave away $100K, their cost was $50-$75K (there is some margin, after all, in their pricing). They absolutely wanted to attract all of the press they could get. So, for less than $75K, they got an ad campaign and increased site awareness hugely. However, and here’s the part they failed to consider, I will never, ever, visit their site again. It’s like a neighbor offering to pick up your kids - nice gesture, but you better make damn sure you are there on time.

I'm with ya. I'll order from P.E., Mouser, Digikey, or CSI. Never from these overpriced publicity clowns.

nadams

Big Dawg wrote: »

I wasted 3 hours of my precious time reloading screens. Spent a couple hours familiarizing myself with the site last night, and getting my cart ready. Am new to the hobby, but getting in deep. Would have become a loyal customer. This was about generating publicity. If they gave away $100K, their cost was $50-$75K (there is some margin, after all, in their pricing). They absolutely wanted to attract all of the press they could get. So, for less than $75K, they got an ad campaign and increased site awareness hugely. However, and here’s the part they failed to consider, I will never, ever, visit their site again. It’s like a neighbor offering to pick up your kids - nice gesture, but you better make damn sure you are there on time.

You wasting 3 hours of your time is not their fault... it's yours.

Even if I had remembered to go back and try to get in on this today, I wouldn't have tried for more than an hour. My time's worth more than that.

Serendipity

billbillw wrote: »

If you placed the order without the credit, you will probably be charged the full amount. I stopped when I got to this point. I'd check and cancel if needed. Sparkfuns prices are significantly higher than some of the competitors. Circuitspecialists are among the lowest that I've found for soldering supplies.

Well, I needed the stuff for school anyways.

I guess I will find out what happens.

ShinAce

Serendipity wrote: »

If I can't get 'em from Sparkfun, I'll go to Parts Express. I need this stuff for the next semester.

How ironic, PE was down during the holidays. I wasn't able to access the site a single time between xmas and new year.