Author Topic: DigiKey is getting worse  (Read 6474 times)

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Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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DigiKey is getting worse
« on: June 03, 2022, 07:34:25 pm »
Today, I tried to get the datasheet for a Panasonic relay, ALZ12F05.   First, I had to login, then agree to cookies and spam from Panasonic, still no datasheet.  I tried to report the issue to DigiKey.  Nothing works.  My conclusion, DigiKey doesn't want my business.  Mouser does. Sorry for the rant, but I have been a DigiKey hobbyist customer forever.  It is so sad to see it get too big for its pants.
 

Offline Jeroen3

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2022, 07:40:25 pm »
It depends on the parts. I've seen that digikey actually serves you a pdf from their server, for that you have to login. Because it costs money to do that.
For parts where they hotlink the manufacturer website, you don't have to login.
 

Online wraper

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2022, 07:44:28 pm »
It's actually pretty common that you get a link to manufacturer website. The issue is that link may no longer work. Your complain seems pretty lame to me. Especially considering not all parts have a datasheet to begin with, including on Mouser. If you have an issue of spending 5 seconds to google it elsewhere, sounds like 1st world problems.
Not to say your complaint does not seem to be actually true. I just clicked on datasheet link here https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/panasonic-electric-works/ALZ12F05/645613 which got me on Panasonic website, confirmed T&C and download started right away. No registration.
 
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Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2022, 07:54:24 pm »
It depends on the parts. I've seen that digikey actually serves you a pdf from their server, for that you have to login. Because it costs money to do that.
For parts where they hotlink the manufacturer website, you don't have to login.

I logged in.  No pdf.
 

Online bdunham7

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2022, 08:03:27 pm »
I logged in.  No pdf.

It must be you or your browser.  I got the part page on Digikey and the link to the .pdf without even logging in, then the datasheet downloaded from Panasonic.  The only static seemed to be from Panasonic, they apparently insisted on selling my personal information or somesuch.

We should all be happy to even have distributors like DigiKey, Mouser, Jameco, Arrow, etc that are willing to sell small odd orders to hobbyists and microbusinesses.  Not everyone has access to that type of service.
A 3.5 digit 4.5 digit 5 digit 5.5 digit 6.5 digit 7.5 digit DMM is good enough for most people.
 

Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2022, 08:04:57 pm »
Of course, I then went to Mouser.  No problem getting the datasheet.

DigiKey seems to be stone deaf.  This is the second time in a row this Spring I have had a similar problem.   First time, I initiated a "return" request.  Of course, there was no return.  That was just my way of contacting it.  Instead of fixing the problem, DigiKey seems to have cut off that avenue.  Mouser's parametric search is vastly improved over a few years ago.  That's why my last order went to Mouser, as did this order.  I was quite a loyal Digikey customer, because I thought it had gotten screwed by its consent decree to collect sales taxes way back when, and having spent many years in Minnesota, I loved its businesses.  Not anymore.
 

Online JohanH

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2022, 08:05:28 pm »
You are barking up the wrong tree. No need to log in. I can confirm what wraper said. The Datasheet link is a link to panasonic.biz web site. Clicked the link, was directed to their web site, agreed to their terms and clicked Download.
 

Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2022, 08:08:15 pm »
Of course, it is probably browser related.  I use Win7 Pro and Google (which is current for that version of Windows).  If Digikey wants to dictate my browser and OS, I won't comply.
 
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Online wraper

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2022, 08:29:30 pm »
Of course, it is probably browser related.  I use Win7 Pro and Google (which is current for that version of Windows).  If Digikey wants to dictate my browser and OS, I won't comply.
:palm:
 
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Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2022, 08:49:56 pm »
:palm:
This is an English language forum.
איז דאָס דער בעסטער איר קענען טאָן?
 

Online floobydust

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2022, 08:55:11 pm »
I've had no problems getting Panasonic datasheets through Digi-Key, I just tried again it works.
Mouser has it's own cache of datasheets but they can be OLD versions if you are not careful. When Kemet's website is refusing to download datasheets on the weekend, Mouser does save the day. There are pros and cons either way.

Digi-Key website did crater for me right at checkout at the point of credit card payment, my browser complained it was a security problem with how their web developers use embedded iFrames shared with some other website.
I had to laugh, ended up phoning the order in.
A few days later Digi-Key support told me "we don't support your browser". Oh, where is the list? It's just a Firefox version.
The problem was the browser's HTTP Referrer Header was set to "send referrer only when clicking on links and similar elements" instead of the usual "send referrer header on all requests", to allow the usual tracking and enable scalpers errr advertising analytics instead of putting the effort into giving shipments dates lol.
edit: I mean, stop the website's hyperanalytics and focus on the customer- we need expected delivery dates.
« Last Edit: June 03, 2022, 08:57:30 pm by floobydust »
 

Offline Bud

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #11 on: June 03, 2022, 09:03:27 pm »
It depends on the parts. I've seen that digikey actually serves you a pdf from their server, for that you have to login. Because it costs money to do that.
For parts where they hotlink the manufacturer website, you don't have to login.

I logged in.  No pdf.
I attest this happens, though it is rare. I do not see Digikey's fault in it though. The manufacturer not mantaining the links.
Facebook-free life and Rigol-free shack.
 

Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #12 on: June 03, 2022, 09:03:58 pm »
Glad you are a happy customer of DigiKey.  It has been pandering to its Canadian clients for quite awhile.  I wish it the best going forward,
 

Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #13 on: June 03, 2022, 09:05:21 pm »
It depends on the parts. I've seen that digikey actually serves you a pdf from their server, for that you have to login. Because it costs money to do that.
For parts where they hotlink the manufacturer website, you don't have to login.

I logged in.  No pdf.
I attest this happens, though it is rare. I do not see Digikey's fault in it though. The manufacturer not mantaining the links.

No way.  It's a link on DigiKey.  The "buck" stops at DigiKey. 
 

Online floobydust

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #14 on: June 03, 2022, 09:10:36 pm »
Are you angry with Digi-Key, Panasonic, your browser, or us?

Digi-Key only panders to their web developers, lol.
Mouser is significantly cheaper, gives some expected delivery dates, I can search better there- I'm happier with them lately.
 

Online coromonadalix

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #15 on: June 03, 2022, 09:12:48 pm »
I dont loggin  and i can see all the pdf's i want,  and for the damn cookie thing   use  an extension like   i dont care about cookie ...    no  problems what so ever, and i consult Digikey a lot   loll

Just tried the part number without problems by the way   ...
 

Offline free_electron

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #16 on: June 03, 2022, 09:23:08 pm »
somebody is throwing all the toys out of the pram ...
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Any comments, or points of view expressed, are my own and not endorsed , induced or compensated by my employer(s).
 
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Offline jmelson

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #17 on: June 04, 2022, 12:08:14 am »
Well, I don't see how it can get much worse!  (But, I guess that is possible!) They are cutting WAY back on stock.  Lots of things I have bought in the past are now no longer stocked, and you need to buy thousands of them for the minimum order.  There's an IEEE-1284 parallel port cable that I used to buy 3 at a time, now the minimum order is 1000 pieces.  I found them at a PC accessories place for half the cost.  I just needed some screw terminal plugs that I used to get from Digi-Key all the time for $0.77, now I had a mad scramble to find anybody in the US that even had a compatible part, I ended up paying $2.30 from Arrow.  I could list pleanty more examples.
I have also had the problem where external datasheets no longer existed from Digi-Key's web site.
Jon
 

Offline thm_w

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #18 on: June 04, 2022, 12:25:17 am »
Well, I don't see how it can get much worse!  (But, I guess that is possible!) They are cutting WAY back on stock.  Lots of things I have bought in the past are now no longer stocked, and you need to buy thousands of them for the minimum order.  There's an IEEE-1284 parallel port cable that I used to buy 3 at a time, now the minimum order is 1000 pieces.  I found them at a PC accessories place for half the cost.  I just needed some screw terminal plugs that I used to get from Digi-Key all the time for $0.77, now I had a mad scramble to find anybody in the US that even had a compatible part, I ended up paying $2.30 from Arrow.  I could list pleanty more examples.
I have also had the problem where external datasheets no longer existed from Digi-Key's web site.
Jon

So now the global parts shortage is also Digikeys fault.
You realize printer port has been obsolete for many years right?
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Offline ve7xen

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #19 on: June 04, 2022, 12:31:10 am »
I have noticed this practice of linking to an external resource has become much more common in the past few years, and it is quite annoying. Especially when every vendor under the sun demands you set up an account, login, agree to their spam and so on, when all you're trying to do is see if the part will do what you need. And sometimes the link just brings you to a product listing or similar, and you still have to drill down and click a few links to find the actual datasheet. It's definitely much more convenient having the PDF directly on the store page, even if it's a bit out of date or whatever.

I'm not sure who's really to blame, but my intuition says it is the vendors and not DigiKey, they want to track interest in their products and so on. However, it seems to be almost every product is now set up like this, and it's happened over a relatively short time, so it could easily be coming from DK. If they're linking a working PDF then meh who cares, it's when the link goes to a product page with a login and whatnot that it gets annoying.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2022, 12:34:41 am by ve7xen »
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Offline thm_w

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #20 on: June 04, 2022, 12:46:00 am »
I have noticed this practice of linking to an external resource has become much more common in the past few years, and it is quite annoying. Especially when every vendor under the sun demands you set up an account, login, agree to their spam and so on, when all you're trying to do is see if the part will do what you need. And sometimes the link just brings you to a product listing or similar, and you still have to drill down and click a few links to find the actual datasheet. It's definitely much more convenient having the PDF directly on the store page, even if it's a bit out of date or whatever.

I'm not sure who's really to blame, but my intuition says it is the vendors and not DigiKey, they want to track interest in their products and so on. However, it seems to be almost every product is now set up like this, and it's happened over a relatively short time, so it could easily be coming from DK. If they're linking a working PDF then meh who cares, it's when the link goes to a product page with a login and whatnot that it gets annoying.

Well I asked, lets see if they respond.
If you look at new products, its not like all of them have external links, so there is more to it than that.
« Last Edit: June 04, 2022, 12:48:30 am by thm_w »
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Online Monkeh

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #21 on: June 04, 2022, 01:45:32 am »
So.. DigiKey is bad because they link to up to date Panasonic datasheets, and you can't figure out how to click 'yes' and get them?
 
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Online floobydust

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #22 on: June 04, 2022, 02:16:08 am »
Panasonic website has that extra click that shows up most of the time for Catalogs/Datasheets Download, it seems to be a legal agreement requiring your consent.
"I have read and understood the above cautions for use." "Agree and download PDF files"
"The warranty defined here shall apply only to the defect or flaw of the product you purchased or that was delivered. It shall not cover indirect damage to the product resulting from its defect or flaw. " It burned my house down OK?

I'm not using them in a Borg life support application, as if reading the datasheet constitutes use. On another Panasonic website, the legal agreement doesn't appear.
 

Offline boB

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #23 on: June 04, 2022, 02:41:19 am »

Are you using Chrome ?

I find that Chrome does not always work with some web sites anymore.   I use an ad and tracker blocker (Privacy Badger) and once in a while it will block a necessary URL and when I let it run, it sometimes fixes the issue.   Then again, sometimes I have to use another browser like FF or something else.

That's just the way of the web these days.  You have to have more than one browser handy.

boB
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Online jpanhaltTopic starter

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Re: DigiKey is getting worse
« Reply #24 on: June 04, 2022, 11:01:26 am »
@post#24
Quote
Are you using Chrome ?
Yes.  I have also noticed problems with various sites.

@post #20
Quote
I have noticed this practice of linking to an external resource has become much more common in the past few years, and it is quite annoying. Especially when every vendor under the sun demands you set up an account, login, agree to their spam and so on, when all you're trying to do is see if the part will do what you need. And sometimes the link just brings you to a product listing or similar, and you still have to drill down and click a few links to find the actual datasheet. It's definitely much more convenient having the PDF directly on the store page, even if it's a bit out of date or whatever.

Exactly.  The link to Panasonic insisted that I agree to its cookies.  I always check to see what that entails.  It is annoying and is not a question of where to click, "yes."

That is particularly annoying when I am working on a design and may want to check a half dozen or so products.  An extreme example was an RF receiver module where the manufacturer required an NDA to access its datasheet, which it would not provide to an individual.  In other words, I could buy the product from DigiKey, but not get its datasheet. Albeit, that's an extreme example from a few years ago, but its memory is still alive.  Simply put, I expect DigiKey to offer more product information than Amazon does.

Why my rant here?  In April 2022, I tried to contact DigiKey to give feedback about its website and search engine.  There was no obvious way to do that.  So, I filed a "return request" for a recent order knowing that would open a dialog.  That did happen, and the dialog seemed to be constructive.  The final response from DigiKey was,
Quote
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience and frustration our web site has caused you recently.  I have forwarded your concerns to our IT Department to take a look at.  They will contact you in a separate email to try and determine why you are having these issues, and/or what may be wrong with our search feature.  We appreciate your feedback on this.
  There has been no follow up from DigiKey.  Of course, maybe it is all Chrome related, but that is still a popular browser. 

My most recent orders have been to Mouser, which is also where I got the datasheet I wanted.  I have always been fond of DigiKey since living in Minnesota and worry that DigiKey is losing sight of what made it so successful.  It used to provide the absolute best service and any small price penalty was worth it to me.



 


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