Before the internet boom, people had to visit the electronic components shop to buy the products they needed, such as Altera. And many times the product would be out of stock or not sold by the store they went to and the only option the buyer had was to visit another store or supplier. However, buying electronic components is fairly easy now as e-commerce has become a primary medium of shopping and doing business.
Here are 4 things to consider to find an affordable electronic components distributor online.
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1. Ask For References
Most people trust the recommendations given by the people they trust which make such recommendations provided by their network most important in the decision-making process. You can ask your friends, colleagues and industry relations for best recommendations.
There are chances that at least a few of them know some of the IC wholesale distributors. It is advisable to buy from an ISO 9001 registered company since this is an international standard that signifies that the company can meet the customer and regulatory requirements promptly.
2. Search Components Online
Since the internet is the best source of information, it is advisable to start your search for a reliable distributor online. You need to visit popular B2B and B2C sourcing online platforms and use tools such as result filters to find verified distributors. It is not essential that the distributor you choose only deals with selling atmega328 datasheet or other products you want to source from them.
In fact, if they have more products, it only shows their competence in the industry. Affiliation with organizations such as ERAI goes on to show that the electronic distributor procures and sells authentic electronic components. An SMTA certification is also important since it is a sign of approval in the electronics assembly industry.
3. Check Their Credibility
Once you have a few shortlisted candidates, you can gather some social proof before you place the order. You can visit their social media profiles and pages to see if they have a good following and have a good reputation in the market. You can track a few hashtags to see what customers are saying about them. Do not get bogged down if you see a handful of negative feedback if it is outweighed by positive reviews and feedback.
4. Check Certifications
A company that displays its industry certificates such as IPC certificate, ERAI certificate, etc. also makes it more trustworthy. A firm that conforms with ISO 9001 will have Quality Management System (QMS) in place to help it meet expectations of customers a firm with ERAI membership will have supply chain risk mitigation solutions, while one with SMTA membership will be able to improve electronics, engineering and manufacturing processes much better than one which does not.
IPC membership ensures the firm is knowledgeable of the latest guidelines in production and assembly of electronic components.
5. Consider The Cost
Since cost is a major factor when you deal with electronic components distributors, you must contact your shortlisted candidates to get a quote from them. Do not place the order with the first distributor you come across since that way you might not be able to get the best deal for your order. Also, take note of their response time as this will play an important role when you decide to do business with a distributor.
If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
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