How safe are China parts on eBay or Amazon?

[Pack34]

I'm in a real bind, going to need to do a small run (<50) and the bucks I'm looking for seem to be sold out everywhere. I'm guessing most of these are either salvaged parts or scrap parts from a PnP. Is this typically safe or does it tend to vary widely?

[Pack34]

These.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50PCS-CS51411E-Encapsulation-SOP-1-5A-260-kHz-AND-520-kHz-LOW-VOLTAGE-BUCK-/371174191256?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

Seller watermark matches the seller on Amazon, probably same person.

[TSL]

These.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50PCS-CS51411E-Encapsulation-SOP-1-5A-260-kHz-AND-520-kHz-LOW-VOLTAGE-BUCK-/371174191256?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

Seller watermark matches the seller on Amazon, probably same person.

Ah thats UTsource - one of the more reliable sellers. They have their own website....

http://www.utsource.net/

I've bought a few devices direct from them over the years and, as far as I can tell, they've been the genuine item.

When I've searched for specific devices they often have stocks from different manufacturers so you can often pick a direct replacement if you choose so.

regards

Tim

[all_repair]

These.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50PCS-CS51411E-Encapsulation-SOP-1-5A-260-kHz-AND-520-kHz-LOW-VOLTAGE-BUCK-/371174191256?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

Seller watermark matches the seller on Amazon, probably same person.

Ah thats UTsource - one of the more reliable sellers. They have their own website....

http://www.utsource.net/

I've bought a few devices direct from them over the years and, as far as I can tell, they've been the genuine item.

UTSource, they play well so far from my encounters with them .  Even if you end up getting fake or defective, they shall refund you. 

[Ian.M]

With the run size you are intending, it would be practical to make up whatever test jig is in the datasheet and test every single one,

[KSP]

From my experience with chinese parts there are 2 main risks. Cheap brands you've never heard of will often create a terrible product, but buying known brands often comes with the risk of them being fake.

I personally avoid getting bits from ebay.

A customer one time sent a DMM in with a cheap chinese 9v battery in. I replaced it but kept it on my desk for a day or two before it spontaneously exploded with enough force to bed half of it in the ceiling. I've avoided unknown brands ever since

[Pack34]

So far this looks all legit from UT source. I even requested in the comments if I can have the parts in cut tape for the PnP and they came through. I'll put together a test board just to verify the part and then put the batch together over the weekend.

[retrolefty]

From my experience with chinese parts there are 2 main risks. Cheap brands you've never heard of will often create a terrible product, but buying known brands often comes with the risk of them being fake.

I personally avoid getting bits from ebay.

A customer one time sent a DMM in with a cheap chinese 9v battery in. I replaced it but kept it on my desk for a day or two before it spontaneously exploded with enough force to bed half of it in the ceiling. I've avoided unknown brands ever since

 I'm sorry but I would have to hear more about this event to be believable. Where did the energy come from that could accomplish this, surely not from a 9 volt battery?

[KSP]

Granted they were soft ceiling tiles but still!