jon_sree@world.std.com (Jon Sreekanth) (03/29/91)
A while ago, I'd asked a question on All Electronics, 818-904-0524. There were some followups on the net, and I received three messages by email (thanks, guys). Here's the summary : Derrick from Rochester, NY, writes, All Electronics seems to be a second hand parts outfitter. It states in their catalog that they buy surpluses from other companies and sell them for less than the part would cost if it came directly from the manufacturer. I don't think there's anything grey market about All Electronics, I thought it was known that they get their supplies from manufacturers of products who may run up a surplus of parts. Bill from Alliant writes, I don't think that they represent their stuff as new. Given some of the stuff in their catalog I don't see how it could be. Still, I suspect that most of it is unused. I think they buy up poeples stockrooms when they go out of business, etc. Sort of the building #19 of the electronic parts world. Usually the prices are good enough to buy a few in case one is bad. Bob from San Diego writes, Yes, there is a grey market in ICs. Sometimes manufacturers will sell their functional rejects (which may be perfectly good electrically but have incorrect or dim markings, chips or scratches on the package, difficult to solder leads, etc.) and sometimes employees will steal stuff from the reject bins and sell it. Occasionally a customer will have material that they don't want to use (perhaps it failed their environmental requirements but passed the manufacturer's spec) and will put it on the market. Lots of sources for this material exist. You may very well have come across some solderability rejects. ---- end of summary. / Jon Sreekanth Assabet Valley Microsystems Fax and PC products 346 Lincoln St #722, Marlboro, MA 01752 508-562-0722 jon_sree@world.std.com