What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[BU508A]

In that case, why not go for a proper microscope with camera attachment?

These are my reasons:

- most likely I'd buy the one with 1x - 70x magnifying because of the working distance:
            (quote from TSP) AM73115MTF – USB 3.0 with Dino-Lite’s longest working distance
            at 1X – 70X magnification. Capable of 20X at 10.5” working distance and 70X at 4.5” working distance.

- you can inspect "hidden" places, which cannot be seen directly
- easy change of viewing angle
- easy to transport (I am in the repair team of a so-called "Repair Bar", which is 40km far away from my home.)

[paulca]

I think farnell, rs, cpc have partially automated order systems.  It looks like some of the parts, jelly bean stuff off reels, have been individually bagged and labelled using pick and pack machines.  They also charge reeling fees for bulk orders that don't amount to a full reel etc.

Actually my last RS order they started using paper bags for some of the components, obviously inline with the current anti-plastic waste initiative.  But then in the same order where I ordered 10 5V regulators, they came (TO-20) individually in 10 anti-static bags.

That said I got an order from CPC where everything looked like it was pick&packed in individual pink antistatic bags, but there were handwritten order numbers on each individual one!

[Specmaster]

Yep, I noticed the same thing with CPC, at least this time I got everything. The last order was automated heat sealed bags and the terminal screws for the banana plugs were missing 

[neo]

Another interesting tale of shipping woe, Arrow seems to just randomly pick shipping containers and sends everything in anti static bags. Even the solder sucker i ordered from them.   

[tooki]

Another interesting tale of shipping woe, Arrow seems to just randomly pick shipping containers and sends everything in anti static bags. Even the solder sucker i ordered from them.   

It's probably cheaper to buy antistatic bags in bulk than to stock two kinds of bag for each size. It also eliminates the possibility of a packer accidentally using a non-ESD bag for an ESD-sensitive product. It’s not as though antistatic bags are particularly expensive.

[neo]

Another interesting tale of shipping woe, Arrow seems to just randomly pick shipping containers and sends everything in anti static bags. Even the solder sucker i ordered from them.   

It's probably cheaper to buy antistatic bags in bulk than to stock two kinds of bag for each size. It also eliminates the possibility of a packer accidentally using a non-ESD bag for an ESD-sensitive product. It’s not as though antistatic bags are particularly expensive.

True, it just seems kind of silly, a box big enough to ship a poster in for one IC tube, a large anti-static bag for one lonely resistor ETC.

[paulca]

Some of them use the pink antistatic tube, the component goes in, an iron seals and terminates the tube ready for the next component.  Neat idea.

[Specmaster]

Some of them use the pink antistatic tube, the component goes in, an iron seals and terminates the tube ready for the next component.  Neat idea.

Yes neat, as long as they put the item in the tube first 

[paulca]

Some of them use the pink antistatic tube, the component goes in, an iron seals and terminates the tube ready for the next component.  Neat idea.

Yes neat, as long as they put the item in the tube first 

LOL Yes, I have yet to receive an empty one, but I can see that happening. 

On packaging fails.... I got 10 8 pin DIL sockets and 10 28 pin DIL sockets from RS.  The 28 pin ones where neatly pushed into foam, 5 a side.  The 8 pin ones where stuffed into a bit of bubble wrap which exploded on opening sending DIL sockets all over the place, took me about 5 minutes to track them all down!

[NottheDan]

Loot crate style box of random electronics for £15 off eBay. The ten-turn pots have been desoldered from somewhere but the rest seems new stock. Not at all unhappy with what I got.

[paulca]

What are the random kitchen plumbing fitting look-a-like things?

[NottheDan]

Which do you mean? The three F crimp plugs? The 50 Ohm BNC right angle crimp plug? Or the 75 Ohm jack? Above that is a terminal block.

[ChrisLX200]

A few spare 4mm banana plugs..

[gamalot]

A gule gun! 

[djos]

A gule gun! 

I've been wanting to get that exact model but I'm reticent to spend the asking price. Hopefully they'll go on sale soon.

[julianhigginson]

good old bunnings.....

At least that one looks less likely to explode than the mains powered ones you get for $10.

[macboy]

A gule gun! 

I have that one, a nice tool. Enough power for big applications without slowing down. However, it certainly exposes my need for a second battery and a fast charger.

[Specmaster]

I got these nice silicon test leads and a 9501 handle ready for my new T12 soldering station when the other parts arrive.

[Inverted18650]

The Keithley 2000 arrived from 'express_auctions' and after a quick once over under the hood, I powered it up, and found out a bought a great parts unit.

Fails all built-in self tests and is, more than likely, beyond economical repair but I might try anyway. If I get to play with it, I will be back with loads of "help me please" questions...

I am not knocking the company, who posted clear pics and listed it as "not working," I just wish they'd give us the entire story. (The BIT:Auto takes 30 secs and gives potential buyers loads of useful info).

[Specmaster]

Thats why they don't tell it fails the Auto test

[paulca]

A right mish mash today.

{
   * 3x 3.3V regulators L87L03's I think.
   * 5x ATTiny85's
   * 5x 20Mhz xtals
} ATTiny85 stock pile

{
  * 10x Shoctky diodes that look like they drank the "Enlarge" bottle
  * 1x100uH inductor
  * 2x LM2576-T
} Buck converter stuff.

* 1x Bidirection 5V/3.3V multi channel logic level converter.

and... finally.

1x I have absolutely no idea.  It's most like a sensor board of some kind, looks like humidity air pressure or temperature, but I'll have to read my ebay history to find out.

EDIT:  BMP280 Air pressure sensor.  Which is a bit tough as the one that showed up a month ago (ordered at the same time) does pressure, humidity, temperature and is already in operation.

[Inverted18650]

Thats why they don't tell it fails the Auto test

Indeed. And look what I found. Seems they are shady and I should "knock" them. This jewel was tucker away under the main PCB. AT least they gave me back the input jacks...

(edit: I jumped the gun and shot my mouth off, before I let them reply. They sent an immediate explanation and offered a full refund. More details in the next few posts.)

[Specmaster]

Thats why they don't tell it fails the Auto test

Indeed. And look what I found. Seems they are shady and I should "knock" them. This jewel was tucker away under the main PCB. AT least they gave me back the input jacks...

Personally, I'd be inclined to raise a claim, granted its not working, but they failed to tell you that it failed the start up diagnostic test, you could of been under the impression that it had a broken power supply or similar. You might get to keep it and get a full refund if you go through Ebay. 

[CatalinaWOW]

Thats why they don't tell it fails the Auto test

Indeed. And look what I found. Seems they are shady and I should "knock" them. This jewel was tucker away under the main PCB. AT least they gave me back the input jacks...

Personally, I'd be inclined to raise a claim, granted its not working, but they failed to tell you that it failed the start up diagnostic test, you could of been under the impression that it had a broken power supply or similar. You might get to keep it and get a full refund if you go through Ebay.

You are right, you probably could get that out of Ebay.  Which seems somewhat shady to me.  Trying to get something for nothing is wrong whichever side of the transaction you are on.   You are assuming that the selling party had the device open and looked under the main board as you did.  May or may not be true.  My personal experience is that ignorance and incompetence are far more common than malfeasance.

Another approach would be to go to the seller directly.  Who might refund the price upon return shipment, or possibly even pay for the return.  Or what might be the fairest resolution - return of the purchase price upon proof of destruction of the merchandise.

Most sellers value their reputation on Ebay and many will go beyond their stated policies to avoid negative ratings.

[Specmaster]

Thats why they don't tell it fails the Auto test

Indeed. And look what I found. Seems they are shady and I should "knock" them. This jewel was tucker away under the main PCB. AT least they gave me back the input jacks...

Is this the one that you got? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Keithley-2000-Multimeter-6-5-Digits-For-Parts-Or-Repair-/302345829802?

If yes, then you may or may not have a case as they went to great lengths to provide plenty of clear photos and to be honest I don't think that I'd have gone for it unless I already had one that I was looking for parts for and even then it would have to a real bargain price.

Having said all of that however, you say that it reports a fail on self test which it does automatically on power up is that correct? If so, can you get it to go past the fail screen because they clearly show it reading mVAC in which case you may have some merit in claiming.

If you press a claim it might be wise to do so with the seller direct first and then go to Ebay if they refuse to assist you, but I think it would all depend on if this is the one in the listing and if you can get out of the power up display?