This is a suggestion for those like me who are starting out but in a quandary about getting basic parts.
It sounds like a brag, but this is not. I genuinely want to help others in the same boat.
I am ignoring basic carbon resistors, they are cheap enough.
While many advocate buying parts as you need them, I am of the ilk that avoids paying retail for name brand individual parts.
Provided below are lots of name brand NOS parts (in their retail packages) I purchased on eBay. Bourne 20 turn trimmers, Cemert 28 turns, philmore trimmers, NTE ceramic capacitors, and unused inventory of electrolytic and trimmers from a manufacturer or distributor.
I KNOW I have more parts than I will ever use, but in several cases the use of 3 parts will more than pay for the whole lot they came from. Plus they are here.
My goal was not to compete with Digikey, but to have parts on hand that were top quality at very low cost. This beats AliExpress.
I also standardized on ECG for my actives. This is because this is one of the longest-running inventory systems still in use and the documentation is readily available in print form.
I also opened an account at TI using my website. Whether I order ICs from them or Digikey, I always order at least 5. Shipping is the same, and if I use one, I likely will use another.
Also for those who are unaware, many(most?) of the Chinese products sold on Amazon are available on AliExpress at up to 1/2 the price. Connectors, project boxes, Proskit SS-331, whatever.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225986549977https://www.ebay.com/itm/116129614856https://www.ebay.com/itm/225986556764https://www.ebay.com/itm/225506261633https://www.ebay.com/itm/225600075394https://www.ebay.com/itm/226026069310https://www.ebay.com/itm/226026072290https://www.ebay.com/itm/116111947766https://www.ebay.com/itm/116117707225