hk-electronics.com - Has anyone used it?

[David Chamberlain]

I was googling for a chip supply and came across this site. The prices seem a little too good to be true so thought I would ask all you fine people if anyone has had an experience with them.

I found a couple of rather negative reviews here..
https://au.trustpilot.com/review/hk-electronics.com
.., but having said they I don't trust online reviews much either.

By way of example the MAX5482+ in single quantities.
Digikey - US$2.760
Mouser - US$2.76
HK-Electronics US$1.076


Thanks

References:
http://www.hk-electronics.com/components/Maxim-Integrated/MAX5482ETE.html
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/maxim-integrated/MAX5482ETE/MAX5482ETE-ND/1780158
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Maxim-Integrated/MAX5482ETE%2b?qs=sGAEpiMZZMuD%2f7PTYBwKqZgdXwylBeRdj6gsTuKtGGs%3d

[bitwelder]

Also, DigiKey and Mouser have quantity 0 in stock, while HK-E has a good number of it, exactly 2^11 pieces?
Hmm...

[IonizedGears]

Well clearly HK-E purchased all of the stock /s

[David Chamberlain]

I'm just going to call that a coincidence for example...

http://www.hk-electronics.com/components/Taiyo-Yuden/JMK105BJ105KVHF.html

BUT they seem to have EVERY component I need and with THOUSANDS in stock.

Here is a slightly more obscure one that is non stocked by Mouser.  Digikey Price US$9.81 hk-elec price US$3.826
http://www.hk-electronics.com/components/Taitien/TSEAALJANF-10.000000.html

Either I've hit the jackpot or am heading for this 

[hans]

If you compare to Digikey.com, their parametric tables and "description" looks almost to be exactly the same. Same parameters, same ordering, and exactly the same values everywhere (except 1 parameter).
This makes me doubt they even know what AEC-Q200 exactly stands for if you mail them about it.

I don't think it's too hard to create a script to rip all component data from Digikey, put them on your own site while all appear in stock and have some over the top pricing. If you compare per price brackets with Digikey, remarkable they seem to hold a fixed ratio between them.

So I wouldn't order there..

[marshallh]

If you don't get fakes, you can get QC rejects, which may be genuine parts but sent to "recycling" for not passing spec.

They could also be pulls, or leftover reels.
I've gotten all of the above.

More reputable suppliers will be able to source working chips, maybe with old date codes. You can get a decent savings in this way.

In general when working with a chinese supplier I would follow the same formula to minimize risk and maximize gain:
1. Order small volume (10-50) - you should get genuine chips no matter the shadiness of the supplier. If you still get fakes at this point go no further.
2. Double order size, that is all. Date codes may be older or they may require bakeout but still be legit.
3. Continue to double order size to your target, instead of buying your target quantity directly.

Around the 5th order, no matter what volume is where you want to be careful. Maintain vigilance and ensure functoinality of your parts. If you get fails/fakes tell them so, and tell them they need to exchange for genuine chips. You'll probably be delayed/ignored for a while which is where you want to find a different supplier and repeat the process.



Also, a supplier's success in sourcing 1 particular chip will not necessarily carry over into finding other items - caveat emptor.