Tired of paying too much: Parts Retailers

Tim__x · 9th August 2008, 12:26 AM

I haven't been in this game as long or as devotedly as some, but I'm tired of either horribly over paying at the (very) few local retailers, or wasting my time scrounging for parts from discarded electronics.

I need a better source for all categories of larger and mechanical parts: panel mounted pots and jacks, cable, plugs, etcetera.

Where do you go? Online retailers with good shipping rates to (western) Canada are preferable.

Semis, resistors and the like I get from digikey and I don't mind the prices too much.

SY · 9th August 2008, 12:32 AM

EBay is your friend. Same with surplus outlets. Check out Apex Jr; I haven't used them yet, but have heard only good things about them.

pjpoes · 9th August 2008, 12:39 AM

I have done business with Apex Jr numerous times and I always have prompt top service. Prices are good too. Among the cheapest place to get wire.

As for connectors, I buy them in bulk from China supplies, often through ebay.

For Chassis, Well, I've tried everything, yet to find the perfect solution. I have been using a supplier from china recently, but to keep shipping costs down, it typically takes 2-3 months to arrive, and has often arrived with minor damage. None the less, its always been the lowest price.

Surplus stores are definitely your friend, I use numerous surplus stores, besides apex jr, to get my parts. That tends to be your best bet for things like heatsinks, fans, etc.

Ebay is good, but risky. There are a lot of people selling fakes of common "audiophile" tweaky parts. I see deals on things like opamps all the time, but am always reluctant to buy these through ebay. Certain elna, Nichicon, and panasonic caps can be a dangerous area too. At the same time, many of these parts are so cheap through ebay that it may be worth the risk. I have purchased some Elna Cerafines through ebay, they weren't fakes, and the price was quite a bit better than through other places.

dave_gerecke · 9th August 2008, 02:40 AM

Hello Tim, I haven't bought from apexjr. but they seem to have a good rep. I would agree with Sy and pjpoes about ebay. I can also suggest salvaging larger things like heatsinks and cases from old equipment you find at yardsales, flea markets, etc. You might also keep an eye open to the for sale sections here on diyaudio. It's possible you might find what you are looking for there. And if you are real nice, there is the possibility that you may find some generous people here that will give you things if you are willing to cover shipping costs.

Peace,

Dave

Geek · 9th August 2008, 02:42 AM

Steve @ ApexJR is a great guy and loves dealing with Canucks

I carry a few parts as well (see sig).

Ebay is awesome for small parts and orders where a normal retailer will kill you with S&H or under $50 order surcharge. dpi4parts and West Florida Components for example I have dealt with for years with no trouble

Digikey.ca has a Winnipeg warehouse and they don't nail you with brokerage (they use Purolator).

Cheers!

amc184 · 9th August 2008, 05:40 AM

I find Futurlec OK, their service isn't great, their range can be limited in some places, but their prices are extremely good for most things, and the charge hardly anything for shipping. They are great for ICs, but not so good for passives. Their site is here.

zcables · 10th August 2008, 06:36 AM

What about partsexpress.com. I would guess that they ship to Canada, but I have had great experience with them in the past. I have ordered from the many times and always had a great experience. Plus, I find that their selection is pretty good.

Nordic · 10th August 2008, 07:55 AM

Nope, they have crazy shipping charges...

bwaslo · 10th August 2008, 11:02 PM

How do you go about ordering from ApexJr?

All his page has is an order form (to print out and do by hand? Can't type into it..). He accepts only checks, cash, money orders, so if I have to mail him something to get things moving, how can I find out how much to send? How do you know what shipping is?

Or does every order require a daytime telephone call to him first?
It looks like he has some good stuff, but not easy to get at!

NanoFrog · 10th August 2008, 11:28 PM

He does have a toll free number, so give him a call. Or send an e-mail.
As other members have indicated, he's a decent guy, and willing to work with people.

9th August 2008, 12:26 AM	#1
Tim__x diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Edmonton area, Alberta	Tired of paying too much: Parts Retailers I haven't been in this game as long or as devotedly as some, but I'm tired of either horribly over paying at the (very) few local retailers, or wasting my time scrounging for parts from discarded electronics. I need a better source for all categories of larger and mechanical parts: panel mounted pots and jacks, cable, plugs, etcetera. Where do you go? Online retailers with good shipping rates to (western) Canada are preferable. Semis, resistors and the like I get from digikey and I don't mind the prices too much.

9th August 2008, 12:32 AM	#2
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	EBay is your friend. Same with surplus outlets. Check out Apex Jr; I haven't used them yet, but have heard only good things about them. __________________ “Listening to records is like ****ing a picture of Brigitte Bardot.” - Sergiu Celibidache

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9th August 2008, 12:39 AM	#3
pjpoes diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York	I have done business with Apex Jr numerous times and I always have prompt top service. Prices are good too. Among the cheapest place to get wire. As for connectors, I buy them in bulk from China supplies, often through ebay. For Chassis, Well, I've tried everything, yet to find the perfect solution. I have been using a supplier from china recently, but to keep shipping costs down, it typically takes 2-3 months to arrive, and has often arrived with minor damage. None the less, its always been the lowest price. Surplus stores are definitely your friend, I use numerous surplus stores, besides apex jr, to get my parts. That tends to be your best bet for things like heatsinks, fans, etc. Ebay is good, but risky. There are a lot of people selling fakes of common "audiophile" tweaky parts. I see deals on things like opamps all the time, but am always reluctant to buy these through ebay. Certain elna, Nichicon, and panasonic caps can be a dangerous area too. At the same time, many of these parts are so cheap through ebay that it may be worth the risk. I have purchased some Elna Cerafines through ebay, they weren't fakes, and the price was quite a bit better than through other places.

9th August 2008, 02:40 AM	#4
dave_gerecke diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vermont	Hello Tim, I haven't bought from apexjr. but they seem to have a good rep. I would agree with Sy and pjpoes about ebay. I can also suggest salvaging larger things like heatsinks and cases from old equipment you find at yardsales, flea markets, etc. You might also keep an eye open to the for sale sections here on diyaudio. It's possible you might find what you are looking for there. And if you are real nice, there is the possibility that you may find some generous people here that will give you things if you are willing to cover shipping costs. Peace, Dave

9th August 2008, 02:42 AM	#5
Geek diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004	Steve @ ApexJR is a great guy and loves dealing with Canucks I carry a few parts as well (see sig). Ebay is awesome for small parts and orders where a normal retailer will kill you with S&H or under $50 order surcharge. dpi4parts and West Florida Components for example I have dealt with for years with no trouble Digikey.ca has a Winnipeg warehouse and they don't nail you with brokerage (they use Purolator). Cheers!

9th August 2008, 05:40 AM	#6
amc184 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Christchurch	I find Futurlec OK, their service isn't great, their range can be limited in some places, but their prices are extremely good for most things, and the charge hardly anything for shipping. They are great for ICs, but not so good for passives. Their site is here.

10th August 2008, 06:36 AM	#7
zcables diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008	What about partsexpress.com. I would guess that they ship to Canada, but I have had great experience with them in the past. I have ordered from the many times and always had a great experience. Plus, I find that their selection is pretty good.

10th August 2008, 07:55 AM	#8
Nordic diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005	Nope, they have crazy shipping charges...

10th August 2008, 11:02 PM	#9
bwaslo diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2006	How do you go about ordering from ApexJr? All his page has is an order form (to print out and do by hand? Can't type into it..). He accepts only checks, cash, money orders, so if I have to mail him something to get things moving, how can I find out how much to send? How do you know what shipping is? Or does every order require a daytime telephone call to him first? It looks like he has some good stuff, but not easy to get at!

10th August 2008, 11:28 PM	#10
NanoFrog diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	He does have a toll free number, so give him a call. Or send an e-mail. As other members have indicated, he's a decent guy, and willing to work with people.

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