So you need to buy electronic components - for whatever reason - and you want to know the best way to do that. Obviously, there are a number of questions that need to be answered before recommendations for how to buy the components can be made. Here are some of the major factors that would influence where you can or should go to buy electronic components.

 

The Questions

1. How urgent is the need for the components?

2. What country are you in?

3. How much can you afford?

4. Are you flexible on manufacturer of the component?

5. Do you have a relationship with any manufacturers or suppliers?

6. How many of the part do you need?

7. What industry are you buying for?

 

How Urgent is the Need for the Components

 

When determining how and where you are going to buy any electronic components, the urgency of the need is a major consideration. Availability of the parts and time to get them to you needs to be near the top of the list of how you buy. If there is high urgency, then the possibility of a brick and mortar store that carries the items and in sufficient quantity would be at the top of your options to pursue.

 

If you have a little more time, then using an online distributor with various shipping options can save you money (in many cases), as in most cases the prices for components are lower online.

 

Caveat 

Always look at the “in stock” inventory on any electronic component distributor site. There will be parts that the company does not have in stock and lists availability as coming from the manufacturer. This greatly impacts the delivery times and the possibility that the manufacturer cannot get the components made and shipped in the timeframe the distributor mentions. ALWAYS check - call the online distributor and confirm - or find another distributor that actually has the parts in inventory.

 

What Country Are You In

 

The country you are in and the country you are buying from are important factors impacting how you buy components. Obviously, there are countries that sanctioned by the country you live and manufacture products in - in the United States these countries include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. The USPS keeps an updated list here. You need special licensing to send some items there, and others are completely banned from being sold to those countries.

 

There are other countries that have created various laws and regulations blocked or need special permits to send products there. There is a good updated list of those countries and their restrictions here.

 

How Much Can You Afford

 

Budgeting is also a constant factor when determining how to buy electronic components. As mentioned above, the time you can wait can influence pricing, as can flexibility of the manufacturer you buy from.

 

Buying from the manufacturer who is the leading brand name in the space will usually cost you more - unless they make such as large number of the components that they can discount the individual item pricing. There are compatible parts made by other manufacturers that can be less expensive.

 

There are also distributors who have bulk buying discounts and can resell at marginally less, as they act like a cooperative buying group. These companies buy many components in bulk at much lower rates and sell enough of their inventory each week to be able to still pass along slightly lower pricing. Doing your research on this can pay big results for your company.

 

The ability to buy compatible components is a major influencer on how you buy. If you have the ability to go beyond the specified brand component, then as long as the alternative is compatible and within the accepted parameters of usage and specs, you can save time and money going that route.

 

Are You Flexible on Manufacturer of the Component

 

As mentioned above this factor can lower cost and speed delivery. Many electronic components are manufactured by numerous companies, so you do have options as long as you are flexible on manufacturer. I use Silicon Experts to find my options (and they have a free trial), though there are other sites out there that do the same thing. Beyond price, you can also use this for availability and delivery times as needed.

 

Do You Have a Relationship with any Manufacturers or Suppliers

 

Just as distributors develop relationships with manufacturers and suppliers to get better pricing, you can build these types of relationships as well. Conferences are a good place to start building your network, as are mentioning the brand on your blog or company social platforms. Brands appreciate users positive feedback and recommendations, and the smart ones gather those evangelists into their own network. 

 

How many of the part do you need

Bulk buying is always a way to save. If you plan to make a large quantity of your products, then buying bulk numbers, both to cover initial production and to have backups as needed, is always a smart decision. You should also consider the lifespan of your products and the need for eventual replacement parts. End of Life is a major factor in electronics manufacturing and not having enough components to keep building the design product could cost large amounts to redesign and adapt to the availability of components in it.

 

So bulk buying has two main advantages. Bulk usually lowers prices, and it safeguards against redundancy.

 

What Industry are You Buying For

 

While this may be the last factor on our list, it is by no means the least important. In many cases, this is the top issue for many manufacturers and their buyers. If you are making products for the military, aerospace and medical industries you will have a large number of regulations and can be limited to where and who you buy your components from. 

 

Given the life or death nature of products made for those three industries, it is understandable that they have very stringent regulations about their manufacture. 

 

“FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) is responsible for regulating firms who manufacture, repackage, relabel, and/or import medical devices sold in the United States. In addition, CDRH regulates radiation-emitting electronic products (medical and non-medical) such as lasers, x-ray systems, ultrasound equipment, microwave ovens and color televisions.” the FDA notes.

 

Medical devices are regulated by classifications. Similarly, aerospace and military have their own regulations and specifications. Military products must comply with ITAR requirements and aerospace manufacturers must follow the standards outlined by the NTS (National Technical Systems), the leading independent provider of environmental simulation testing, inspection and certification services in the USA.

 

These regulations exist for other industries, and should be one of the first things you should search out before you start your buying procedure.