Many, many semiconductor companies use Digikey. Maxim, ON, and Microchip do it themselves. I think Linear does also. Maxim is cheap, they use USPS but USPS is actually very efficient and usually gets it to you in 2 days. I sort of like them doing that and saving themselves a bundle instead of doing it like ON and Maxim which send the stuff overnight from Asia. What do you think that costs? Here is a track of something that I sampled that ended up on backorder at ON that they just send to me:
Oct 19, 2012 8:08 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery AURORA, IL
Oct 19, 2012 7:20 AM At local FedEx facility AURORA, IL
Oct 19, 2012 5:22 AM At destination sort facility CHICAGO, IL
Oct 19, 2012 4:07 AM Departed FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
Oct 19, 2012 1:39 AM International shipment release - Import MEMPHIS, TN
Oct 19, 2012 12:29 AM Arrived at FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
Oct 19, 2012 2:29 AM In transit SENNAN-SHI JP
Oct 18, 2012 5:55 PM In transit SINGAPORE SG
Oct 18, 2012 4:59 PM In transit SINGAPORE SG
Oct 18, 2012 4:56 PM In transit SINGAPORE SG
Oct 17, 2012 11:45 PM Shipment information sent to FedEx
Oct 18, 2012 11:26 AM Left FedEx origin facility SINGAPORE SG
Oct 18, 2012 10:24 AM Picked up SINGAPORE SG
I don't mind that they charged me $11 for shipping and handing 2 separate shipments like this.
14 hours Singapore to Memphis. Wow.