It's been years since there was a suitable walk-in store here in the Denver area. Once upon a time, there were numerous distributors, of course, that was back when every component had several "second-source" suppliers.

With fuel prices going up as they are, it makes little sense to try to find local sources. DigiKey, when I last inquired, would send parts using USPS, so that's cheaper than driving across town and back. Distributors like Newark like to meet delivery schedules by using the most costly available means, so they can divert parts to a more valued customer right up to the last minute, so you pay $175 for a 2 oz package, of which $150 is transporation cost for that Saturday a.m. delivery via overnight. That's why it's been 15 years since I last bought from Newark.

One distributor sent me a package overnight from Boston despite the fact I wanted it on will-call on the day it was delivered because I had a client in their building, with whom I had meeting scheduled that day. I paid $18 for the extra shipping premium. I wasn't bankrupted, but I didn't like paying that much extra on a $7 order, one that wasn't even urgent.

I've found I get better (more precise) delivery from China than from the U.S. What's up with that?

RE