Technology is progressing at a fast pace, making more and more electronic components obsolete. New and innovative electronic components are making their way to the market, making it difficult for people to find End of Line (EOL) electronic components. And it does not help that the market is full of suppliers, including unethical ones that sell fake products to naïve buyers.
People who want electronic components feel unsure where to start their search and which suppliers to trust to place their order. As a buyer, you must make informed decisions to make the right choice. Here are the tops tips to find a reliable electronic components supplier:
Extend Your Reach
The first step to finding a reliable obsolete electronic components distributor is to search online using the right keywords. This significantly extends your reach as you can check out the local suppliers and those located nationally or internationally. Like in Europe, you would most likely be searching for European electronics distributors as they can get you the parts quicker. There are many B2B and B2C sourcing platforms where suppliers are listed. Many of these platforms have stringent criteria to let a supplier sign up, and there are more chances of only legitimate vendors cutting. You can go to any platform and choose a verified supplier. You can check if these companies are ISO 9001 registered and a member of global organizations such as ERAI, SMTA, and IPC, amongst others.
Adherence to Standards
A firm that adheres to some of the quality standards or is part of select global organizations that promote standardization in commerce will be better at its work than others who do not have such qualifications. For instance, an ISO 9001 registered firm member of organizations such as ERAI, SMTA, and IPC is a good bet. ISO 9001 is one of the most valued and respected Qualities Management Systems (QMS) in the world today. It helps businesses meet customers’ expectations and lays down guidelines that can be implemented across the industry to provide excellent solutions. Similarly, ERAI offers supply chain risk mitigation solutions, while SMTA helps electronics, engineering, and manufacturing firms improve their processes. IPC membership ensures the firm knows the best standards for the production and assembly of electronic components.
Pick ‘n’ Choose
Once you have a few shortlisted candidates, you can visit their websites to check their product line and customer reviews. If you are looking for IC components suppliers, you need to ensure that they have been in business for a long time and have plenty of satisfied customers. A company member of global organizations such as Electronic Reseller’s Association International (ERAI) is safeguarded against fraud, lost revenue, or unscrupulous business practices. Since ERAI provides services and information, these companies do not source products from suppliers and customers that deal with potentially compromised components. You can be sure that they only sell original electronic components.
Utilize the Power of Social Media
Social media can help you gather social proof about a supplier. You can visit the social profiles of the suppliers you want to work with to gather social proof about them. If they have no presence, it just shows that they have not yet kept pace with the changing times and are not ideal partners for you. A dormant profile or low following is not a good sign either. A good sign is if the supplier is affiliated with IPC, an Association Connecting Electronics Industries. This trade association standardizes the assembly and production needs of electronic equipment.
Meet the Supplier
If you are a person who likes to meet a supplier before you make a purchase, you can choose to go to trade shows to meet different obsolete component suppliers in person. You can take a look at what they have to offer and make up your mind. In addition, meeting the suppliers directly ensures that you get authentic products at the best prices. This is because dealing directly with suppliers helps eliminate the middlemen, such as wholesalers and traders. Suppliers that have joined the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) have practical experience developing solutions in electronic assembly technologies.
About the Company
WIN SOURCE – electronic components distributor – ERAI & ISO certificated, specializes in common-used and obsolete electronic parts and also focuses on providing cost-effective alternative solutions for electronic parts. The online electronic store offers online line cards, inventory, and purchasing.