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Electronics Trader — Parallax Forums

Electronics Trader

Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
edited 2008-05-05 14:35 in General Discussion
I've been toying with an idea for the last week of the creation of an "Electronics Trader" website.
While this isn't something that would appeal to industrial set here, it could be very useful to hobby users.

I'm thinking of something that works like the CD or Book trader websites, where small items are
listed free of charge, and an exchange system is created where credits would be given to
the user each time a part was shipped to someone.

I've been scrapping motherboards lately so I have a pile of electrolytic caps, pin headers, 3v batteries,
battery holders, 5v relays, 14.3 and 25mhz crystals. When I ask for samples, I generally ask for
at least three, and think that they should be given away if not used.

Recently I needed some 6mhz crystals, and priced several electronics distributors who wanted
anywhere from $1.00 to $2.00 each, but also included $6-$8 shipping fee, as well as a $10 handling
fee because I didn't need enough items to create an order over $25 or $50. I finally just bulk
ordered 100 of them from Ebay via a HongKong distributor for $14. I only really need a few.

So what I want to know: Is this a winning idea for the hobbiests?
I like the idea of offering parts free and using a credit system. I'd have to give everyone at
least 1 credit to get things started. I'd want to keep this US based (sorry) to get postage at
expected rates without declaration/hassles of international shipping.

I'm willing to create the code and site, ideas?

OBC

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New to the Propeller?

Getting started with the Protoboard? - Propeller Cookbook 1.4
Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
Got an SD card? - PropDOS
A Living Propeller FAQ - The Propeller Wiki
(Got the Knowledge? Got a Moment? Add something today!)

Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 5/3/2008 10:35:27 PM GMT

Comments

  • stamptrolstamptrol Posts: 1,731
    edited 2008-05-03 22:23
    OBC,
    After spending some time cleaning up the shop, I think you're on to a good idea. Most of us have a ton of stuff that might be useful to someone else.

    Will take a bit of time on your part to manage.

    Don't walk away from trans border stuff. Most used stuff sent from individual to individual (not commercial enterprises) by USPS and Canada Post require only a bare minimum declaration, right on the mailing label.

    Cheers,

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    Tom Sisk

    http://www.siskconsult.com
    ·
  • James LongJames Long Posts: 1,181
    edited 2008-05-03 22:33
    OBC,

    Would you let guys like me (SMT assembly for the small guy) advertise on the site?

    We probably wouldn't want to assemble anything with small loose parts, but still the hobbyist's need to know we are around.

    James L

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    James L

    Partner/Designer
    Lil Brother LLC (SMT Assembly Services)
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2008-05-04 02:34
    OBC,
    Sounds like a good idea.
    I've got loads of stuff that I'd put on.
    Is a "credit" equivilant to 1 dollar ?
    How do you keep people from getting stuff and never giving any back ?

    Bean.

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    Did you know that 111,111,111 multiplied by 111,111,111 equals 12345678987654321 ?

    www.iElectronicDesigns.com

    ·
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-05-04 02:49
    Edit

    Ok,

    I've found a good way to do this without giving up my bench time to run an
    auction site, or spend the next 6 months working on a perl project.
    (That's just too much time away from other projects)

    Warrantyvoid has been moved to a much larger webhost, and a
    classified ad section designed just for electronics is being designed.

    Members will have to register to post an ad. That should help keep
    the spam at bay. And all will be encouraged to offer at many
    small item listings in the $1-$3. range as much as possible.

    I won't have to keep track of points, good guy/bad guy stuff
    and I will streamline things to make it as easy as possible to
    post items quickly.

    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with the Protoboard? - Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card? - PropDOS
    A Living Propeller FAQ - The Propeller Wiki
    (Got the Knowledge? Got a Moment? Add something today!)

    Post Edited (Oldbitcollector) : 5/4/2008 4:32:03 AM GMT
  • william chanwilliam chan Posts: 1,326
    edited 2008-05-04 07:33
    A very good idea!
    I got more than 1K pcs of 50Mhz resonator lying around.
    How do i ship it to you?

    I think we should ship by normal air-mail to make this idea possible.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    www.fd.com.my
    www.mercedes.com.my
  • parskoparsko Posts: 501
    edited 2008-05-05 13:21
    OBC,

    I love the idea, as I've come across items I've only wanted a few of, and have plenty of bits that could be mailed to another hobbiest as needed.

    My concern is abuse. To minimize, I think you are going to have to register so you could be tracked (sorry big brother haters).

    Yes, tossing an odd ADC in an envelope for 40cents and waiting a couple days is much nicer than $25 minimum at digikey!!!!

    -Parsko
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2008-05-05 14:35
    Ok, Let's try this format and see if it works...

    www.warrantyvoid.us/exchange
    OBC

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    New to the Propeller?

    Getting started with the Protoboard? - Propeller Cookbook 1.4
    Updates to the Cookbook are now posted to: Propeller.warrantyvoid.us
    Got an SD card? - PropDOS
    Need a part? Got spare electronics? - The Electronics Exchange
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