Believe it or not, all suppliers are different regarding getting electronic components. You can think that all the available ones are the same, but they vary significantly in quality. Looking for quality components can be hard, and it is better to find a quality component supplier who will serve as your one-stop shop for all your needs. When you search for businesses offering a specific component on the web, you will be surprised at your wealth of options. How do you go about all these options and find the best place to buy your electronic components?
In this piece, we have compiled some common options to look out for when shopping for electronic components so that you are not confused the next time you have to look for one. Read on and find out;
Manufacturers
Electronic components are designed and made by specific companies; you can buy them directly from these entities. The manufacturers are responsible for implementing new technologies in their designs and phasing out old and obsolete products. Going this way is one of the best choices since you eliminate all the intermediaries who may get into the chain and increase the components’ price.
You must note that you cannot buy components from all manufacturers since they do not operate similarly. The bad news is that some large manufacturers do not have options for selling to retailers and prefer to deal with those who buy in bulk, such as wholesalers. These options are summarized by the two waysrized distributors or directly to the end-users who wish to purchase the bulk components. This way, you can translate the two ways manufacturers deal with buyers.
Buying components this way has a couple of benefits. The first one is that it has the shortest supply route, reducing the chances of the parts being interfered with when transferred through the supply chain. Most manufacturers also offer technical support and after-sales services since they understand the components’ design and technical specifications well. You do not need to worry about authenticity when buying through them, as the parts are genuine. Lastly, reducing the supply chain means tracing the products and raising any complaints if you have issues.
Buying from manufacturers has a few drawbacks, the main one being that you need to have significant spending levels to buy from them. Aside from that, supplies can go down, and, in that case, the authorized distributors get priority over you, meaning that you can miss out on what you want.
Distributors
You have seen that the distributors are like your competition when buying from the manufacturers, and you can choose to buy components from them. This is the most common way of going about it, as they work closely with the manufacturers. You can refer to these distributors as the manufacturers’ agents since they operate under strict supply agreements defining pricing, stock levels, and territory, among other issues. Although there is an extension in the supply chain, buying components through these entities can be your ideal option if you weigh the pros and cons.
The advantage of buying through the distributors is that they offer great flexibility, especially for those not restricted to one manufacturer. This way, you can get components produced by several manufacturers and analyze what is available before choosing the best one. Another benefit is not having to spend above a certain threshold like buying through the manufacturers. The net spend level is significantly reduced; you don’t have to purchase excess components. The supply chain is well-defined, and you can trace your product back to the source. Lastly, they offer technical and sales support since they work closely with the manufacturers.
Regular Suppliers
These are the common component sellers on the streets and the internet daily. They do not have any affiliation with the manufacturer and only offer components you need without any strings attached. They are everywhere and stock various members from several suppliers, making it hard to miss out on an element you want. The internet has greatly benefited these suppliers’ operations as all you need to do is log on to their website, find a part you need, and then place an order. However, this convenience comes at a cost, as the unit price is slightly higher due to the extended supply chain.
The advantage of buying through www.directics.com is that they have many stock lines held in small batch quantities, and if you need a couple of parts within a short time, you can reach out to them. They are also suitable for people who need components in small quantities fast.
Brokers
These are your last options and are not anywhere in the supply chain. They are not tied to any franchise and only try to find the hard and obsolete parts that may not be available anywhere. Buying from them is quite straightforward, and it entails some level of risk since no sales and technical support are received after buying from them. You are not guaranteed to get the parts you need from them at all times, and you should be extra careful when purchasing from them.
One advantage of brokers is that they specialize in finding parts and accessing the global market. They mostly have desperately needed features and can hold this against you and try to get the most financial benefit from the deal. The demerit of buying from them is that you risk getting substandard and counterfeit parts that can affect your system.
