Anyone have any experiences with Circuit Specilaists shipping to Canada? I tried placing an order on the web, but Canada is not an option in their forms...
If I'm not mistaken, I bought some chassis from them about 2-3 years ago. They shipped to Canada, but there didn't appear to be choices in mode of shipping, and the shipping costs ended up being more than the chassis themselves. I wasn't particularly happy about it, since I could have bought the same thing locally for less. Since then, they may have improved things, or else decided just to forego shipping to Canada because the shipping constraints they were under made for unhappy customers.
Not a slag at them. I'm sure lots of companies that have a certain way of doing things have found out the hard way that e-commerce and "free trade" across borders does not mesh well with their standard procedures or fee structure.
I'm not sure if they ship to Canada either but I will chime in with Mark and have a word about their shipping - it stinks. I like their selection but I have had trouble with them shipping things late and the cost of shipping from them has been high. It might be ok if they told you first how much shipping was but they just spring it on you after you order.
My last order was approx. $60 (US), according to the shipping list it weighed 2 pounds - shipping cost ... drum roll please - $9.36. That's just slightly ridiculous. My recommendation would be use the Circuit Specialists web-site so you can see what you need to order - then look it up at Mouser. Just my 2 cents - sorry for the rant.
AL
I haven't delt with Circuit Specialists but on the topic of shipping I sometimes get slammed by Mouser when it comes to shipping. Not the actual cost of shipping but the fees, duties and taxes. I should say its not really Mouser's fault but their use of FedEX or UPS. Both charge brokerage fees along with duties and taxes. My last few orders costs were doubled because of the brokerage fees.
I haven't tried ordering from Mouser via USPS. That might get around the fees, I hope. Maybe a fellow Canadian who orders from Mouser could chip in.
Otherwise hit Digikey. Great prices, service, and shipping.
Andrew
Yeah, Digikey is what my friend recommended... the only problem is I couldn't find any solder lug pots that they stock. Maybe I'm on crack... anyway, the only reason I wanted to go with Circuit Specialists is that there's a soldering station people here recommended and I don't have a DMM yet, so I figured it would kill multiple birds with one stone. I'd be willing to go in on an order with another Canadian, for sure. But for now, it's Digikey for me... now I've gotta find another soldering station for a decent price.. also a DMM.
I've been hit with customs. duties, and taxes with Mouser (USPS shipping) as well. Less than UPS or FedEx (Canada Post's clearing charge is $5) but still uselessly high. One time they shipped two transistors in a 1'x1'x1' square box!!
I love circuitspecialists. But they are not exactly a conveyor belt - out the door kinda place.
I'm sure they could raise their prices and lower their shipping charges...
I never spend less than $100 there.
i have an etchant tank on the way :D with a bunch of parts
Well then... I gotta figure out how much the soldering station and DMM are worth to me to factor brokerage fees et al in. Things locally are looking kind of expensive for those items.