FTDI FT232RL Group Buy

[peterloron]

I'm putting together a group buy of the FTDI FT232RL chips, as used in the Arduino. I'm trying to get enough commitments together to get up to at least 1 full reel of 2000 chips. The plan is for me to purchase the parts, and then distribute them to the end-users. I'm not going to make any money off of this...I'm just trying to get a good deal on some parts.  :-)

If you are interested, drop me a line.

Thanks.

-Pete

[gnu_linux]

Where are you getting them from?

A reel of 2000 units will cost about $4,700

More importantly who is going to solder them on PCBs?

[peterloron]

The distributor has not been finalized yet. Might be one of the usual players like Mouser, etc. Any suggestions?

Yeah, a full reel is spendy. I personally only want like 50 or so. Soldering a few at a time by hand isn't too bad. Most of the folks who have expressed interest are shops who are producing products in commercial quantities...likely with solder stencils, pick & place machines, and reflow ovens.  

-Pete

[gnu_linux]

Mouser Reel of 2,000: $2.35 each = $4700.00

[gnu_linux]

Digikey Reel of 2,000: $2.65001 each = $5300.02

[peterloron]

Yeah, if the decision was between Mouser and DigiKey, I'd be pretty hard pressed to find a $600 reason to go with DigiKey.  

[gnu_linux]

Now you need to find someone who can beat mouser

[nkcelectronics]

Digikey charges sales tax, if you don't provide the tax exemption form, so mouser is the best option.

[nkcelectronics]

One additional hint... if you purchase over $200 in mouser, select UPS ground and they will upgrade to UPS 2nd day for free.

[peterloron]

Ah, very nice tip!

[peterloron]

Ok, we're up to a full reel or so. I'm going to close the deal and place the order in the next couple of days. If you're interested, now's the time to speak up.

Thanks.

[ClaytonJ]

Hi Peter,

I left a message for you in another forum.

For guys in the UK or Europe or US you can get some
some cheap chips without buying huge reels from

Tronisoft Limited (P/N: 6210)

or

RS P/N: 406-580


Prices are very reasonable for small quantities

Best regards,

Clayton

[seratechi]

We store FT232RL, and small qty is welcomed  

[big93]

how did this go? everybody get what they wanted?