First and foremost, making your electronic component purchases from an authorized distributor ensures you are getting parts made by the major manufacturers of the components. True, there are a number of suppliers who make similar components and that is an acceptable way to buy your parts. What should be avoided is buying parts from non-authorized parties as they could easily be counterfeit or made by an inferior manufacturer.

The reason most people go to an authorized distributor of any electronic part to make a purchase is for security and insurance that you are buying it from the developer or creator of the component and they would make them best.

The other alternative is buying from a distributor over the company site of who developed the part. Yes they are exactly the same, and in some cases the supplier has it for slightly less. But, most times when a buyer is looking for a particular part, there are usually other components they will require along with that specific part. Many times the original manufacturer does not have the parts from other companies to fill the buyer’s order.

While you generally cannot go wrong buying from the original source, you also may be scrambling when they stop making that part. Distributors often have a stock of inventory of the component after the manufacturer’s stock is depleted.

The experienced and quality Authorized Distributors often keep informed of “End of Life” products - buying inventory to help users when the component is needed, saving the user from having to immediately build something new to replace the end product that contains the discontinued component. These authorized distributors also generally know the components and have determined what parts can be used in place of them.

So remember, buying from an Authorized Distributor is preferred because:

1. They stand behind their components and offer support

2. Knowing it is a legitimate part actually made by the supplier

3. They keep informed about the components and are ready when a component is discontinued

Online Components is the Authorized Dealer for over 300 Suppliers. We know our industry thoroughly and are ready to help you.