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Futurlec - slow boat from China — Parallax Forums

Futurlec - slow boat from China

Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
edited 2011-08-10 23:10 in General Discussion
I ordered some parts from Futurlec - the prices were great and shipping was only $4.

It took 17 days to receive my order but if you are not in a hurry, it is worth it.

The company is in Thailand but the shipping label said Hong Kong.

I got 46 male/female headers (various no. of pins), 8 RPR-220 reflective photosensors and 2 level shifter boards for $27.20 (incl. shipping).
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Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-08-09 05:59
    PCBs I ordered from Shenzhen arrived here in the UK about a week after posting registered airmail ($5). I've seen lots of complaints about orders from Futurlec taking a long time to arrive.
  • Martin HodgeMartin Hodge Posts: 1,246
    edited 2011-08-09 06:45
    I have noticed that anything that originates from or flows through Hong Kong takes much, much longer to arrive in the US. Shipments from Shenzhen arrive quickly for me as well.
  • Tom.in.MarylandTom.in.Maryland Posts: 17
    edited 2011-08-09 07:25
    Tom.1.jpg

    I have had similar and worse experience when buying small parts from eBay sellers in asia. Sometimes up to 35 days. This certainly makes a case for buying from sources on continent it may be a few pennies more but realy now consider what is your time worth? My recommendation is Don't Buy, Don't Buy! By the time you get the part a new technology may have evolved, hihi
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  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-08-09 07:57
    Tom.in.Maryland wrote: »
    ...it may be a few pennies more ...

    I would have paid $30 to $40 more for the parts I purchased - certainly worth it in my opinion!!

    Plus, I don't think technology is evolving much in headers and simple reflective sensors (75 cents each):smile:
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-08-09 08:25
    Man, I gotta say that Ebay China sellers have NEVER stiffed me. Each month, I order dozens of little things to sample. Sometimes 3-4 packages arrive in one day. Shipping to Los Angeles is usually 7-10 days, the sellers are eager to please. I received one bad NiMH charger, and the seller rushed me not one but 2 replacements that both worked perfectly. Twice, items didn't show up. I'm convinced it was our lame US post office that loses packages big and small, but the China sellers always replaced them. I could not be more impressed with China Ebay sellers' service and attitude.

    @Ron: good report. I have not ordered from Futurlec, and I have heard (read) speculation that they were a scam outfit. Good to hear otherwise!
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2011-08-09 08:37
    Shipping from China isn't too bad at all. Paid $10.44 (including shipping) for these on July 6 and they arrived on July 12.

    50 male and 25 female, both 40 pin.
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  • RsadeikaRsadeika Posts: 3,837
    edited 2011-08-09 08:58
    I have ordered stuff from Futurlec a couple of times, and I would not describe them as a scam outfit. The first order I got, I was somewhat concerned about the length of time it was taking, but I received the goods in about three weeks, I live in the Midwest. I would recommend them, in fact, I am putting together another order to place with them, of course I am allowing myself that three week time period for receiving the merchandise.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-08-09 10:27
    Martin Hodge wrote: »
    I have noticed that anything that originates from or flows through Hong Kong takes much, much longer to arrive in the US. Shipments from Shenzhen arrive quickly for me as well.

    That's been my experience, as well.
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-08-09 10:33
    RDL2004 wrote: »
    Shipping from China isn't too bad at all. Paid $10.44 (including shipping) for these on July 6 and they arrived on July 12.
    .

    @RDL2004
    What web site did you order your parts from?
  • RDL2004RDL2004 Posts: 2,554
    edited 2011-08-09 13:11
    Like half the stuff I buy these days, I got them from eBay.

    http://stores.ebay.com/Modders-electronics

    I think they are part of/affiliated with/the same people as/ Sure Electronics
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2011-08-09 16:35
    I've had mixed success with Futurelec, however the guy (can't recall his name right off) always answers his emails, and seems a straight shooter.

    I suspect he doesn't stock everything, so some items he post-orders once he gets your order. That can delay things. On at least one order of mine I saw he charged my card but hadn't shipped within a week. Turns out I needed the stuff sooner, so I cancelled the order. He promptly refunded me.

    It's hard for me to put half-finished projects aside, so I usually end up ordering from the local outfits (Parallax, All Electronics, Pololu, etc. are local to me, most next day UPS ground). I love it when I click the Complete Order button on Monday and the UPS guy swings by no later than Wednesday afternoon. My fav is the boxes with the "PARALLAX" sealing tape around them! Guaranteed fun.

    -- Gordon
  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2011-08-09 17:05
    I now buy most of my components from futurlec as the prices are so attractive. The delay is going to be more of a problem for some people than others, but it kind of suits me given that my hobby time is somewhat limited anyway. I've done about 50 orders and none have ever gone missing. Shipping usually from Thailand but the last one was from Taiwan.

    The world truly is a global marketplace with a friendly "Buy Now" button. Even 1kg gold bars http://www.perthmintbullion.com/au/View-All-Bullion.aspx/

    Recently, I've been designing a board with batchPCB and ordering the parts from futurlec, and they both arrive about 2 weeks later.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2011-08-09 23:54
    I personally like Futurelec as they seem to have a lot of components that are more available in Europe than the USA. I have ordered from them twice. They are indeed slow. And they appear to shipping from multiple locations - Thailand, Hong Kong, maybe Singapore and Australia.

    Some people strongly dislike them and have claimed they have gotten fake components from them. That has NOT been my experience.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-08-10 16:23
    @Ron: I don't see the RPR-220 sensors on the Futurlec site. How much are they, and is it just phototx output?

    edit: Found it... http://www.futurlec.com/LEDOptoSwitch.shtml#RPR220
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2011-08-10 17:01
    erco wrote: »
    @Ron: I don't see the RPR-220 sensors on the Futurlec site. How much are they, and is it just phototx output?

    edit: Found it... http://www.futurlec.com/LEDOptoSwitch.shtml#RPR220

    Not sure what you mean by photox...

    I've got one hooked up to a basic stamp using a 100ohm on the LED side and a 10k on the photosensor side.

    6mm is the optimum distance according to the datasheet - sounds accurate
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2011-08-10 23:10
    Looks like it's just an LED and a phototransistor (phototx) output. No internal circuitry with Schmitt triggers or filters, so it's a very variable analog output, dependent on the resistors used.
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