POLL: Sparkfun as supplier

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

As much to test the new forum's "poll" option as anything....

I selected the "Show poll results after someone has voted" to squelch the human-nature effect of voting with the crowd. I'll try to report on the poll later.

I wonder, for instance, if there are mechanisms in place to stop someone at Sparkfun flooding the poll with positive votes? We'll see!

At first I didn't provide a "used more than a few times, but don't like them" option because why would you be using them frequently if you are unhappy? Well, maybe something went wrong after some good experiences. If you would want "I used the me more than a few times but then something happened, or a few small somethings added up, and I won't shop there anymore", then you can use the "Used more than a few times- feelings ambivalent"

Me? I'm just a reasonably long term, fairly frequent, happy customer. (First order: Jan 2009)

In...

http://arduino.cc/forum/index.php/topic,59846.0.html

.. a reader remarks

It wouldn't be the first time Sparkfun has sold 'dodgy' Arduino stuff. I recall an incident a while back when they were flogging knock-off Duemilanoves as 'real' ones. All allegedly of course.....

A plea: Could we keep the poll about your general feelings about doing business with Sparkfun, and not (here) get into a fight discussion about the alledged Duemilanove incident, or other specifics?

My 2 cents worth (whatever happened to the "c" with a line through it... see what a dinosaur I am?)...

Everyone makes mistakes. It is how people deal with their mistakes that matters to me. I think Sparkfun works hard to bring us stuff that is fun, and if not every product is perfect, well, at least we've had a big menu to choose from.

Not only do we get lots of fun toys, and the convenience of "one stop shopping", but they (Sparkfun) seem to work a bit to source things for us from places which don't charge as much as some of the places things can be bought.

So... have I NEVER had a "bad experience"? No. But when I've had problems, they've been dealt with, and the "plusses" have outweighed the "pains".

2

I've used them 2 or 3 times and been well happy.

Rob

3

To see the results of the poll, and you haven't order anything from them, you need to cheet and choose one?
:expressionless:

Cheers,
Kari

4

Thank you for that, Gary.

New option added.

5

tkbyd:
Thank you for that, Gary.

New option added.

No problem!
Cheers!!!!

6

I ordered from the a couple of times but they wouldn't be a store of choice. They're very expensive and I have other reasons to dislike them.

7

tkbyd:
...
My 2 cents worth (whatever happened to the "c" with a line through it... see what a dinosaur I am?)...

http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/web/codehtml.html#currency

8

2¢

9

Sparkfun has some neat stuff, but if I can find it elsewhere I'll try to get it elsewhere. Their components are usually pretty expensive compared to component suppliers. I have found their custom-built stuff to be flaky. Their customer service is HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE.

10

I use SparkFun all the time. I love them.

They have interface parts like Breakout boards that no one else has. They support every product they make with access to the Eagle files that made the product.

Sure, if you want a COMPONENT you can get it from a COMPONENT vendor cheaper... Even SparkFun says "We're not trying to out Digikey Digikey."

I find their Customer Support to be damn good. I needed the Eagle files for a breakout I bought that (oddly) weren't on the product page? I sent an email and got the files in only a few hours. Not only that? But I suggested (In my email) that I only really needed the drill data... and they sent me the drill file in addition to the Eagle files.

11

I have used them 4 times, and I am happy with them.
They are quite expensive, especially with my exchange rate...

That said, I purchased a Olimex AVR development board which had a short on it, and they sent me a new one free of charge. I also brought a SHT15 Temp/Humidity sensor which was faulty, and they sent me a new one of those free of charge too.
So +1 for support, they are great.