I requested a few samples from Microchip.

The set them FEDEX to me at work from Thiland. Less then a week from the time I requested them, I had them in my hand, in a cool little Microchip box, lol.

I felt guilty!

I have no guilt. I have been sampling like clockwork from Microchip for years. I am allowed 2 sample orders per 40 day period. An order consist of 4 parts. Some parts are limited to 3 and others to 5 quantities. Trust me, all those free parts add up.

I have been sampling from many other electronics companies, the big ones. Still, Microchip is the most benevolent of them all. The best part is the free boxes. I got a closet full of varying sized Microchip boxes which are just perfect to reuse for shipping. Closet full.

I suspect the freebies are seconds from the mfg process. Cosmetic defects, bent pins etc...

Just dont abuse the service.

I've had a lot of samples from Microchip before but I've also placed some rather large orders so I feel I balance my samples to purchase ratio out.

Its not that samples that cost Microchip but the shipping and handling.

Have you noticed the amount of PIC microcontrollers on Ebay being sold in batches of 3 ? Obviously samples which are being sold on and it makes my blood boil

I must have bought a few thousand PIC microcontrollers so far versus sampling maybe 20-30.

Even I asked for a sample 16F88 since I coould not get them in my city. Microchip was kind enough to send it in a plastic rail (3 PICs). But i didn't get any of those Microchip Boxes

Originally Posted by bryan

I suspect the freebies are seconds from the mfg process. Cosmetic defects, bent pins etc...

No they don't do that. You can rest assured that all samples are from production tested lots that have no quality defects.

It doesn't work like fast food joints where the leftover food goes home with the employees.

Originally Posted by bryan

I suspect the freebies are seconds from the mfg process. Cosmetic defects, bent pins etc...

That makes no sense. Samples should reflect the quality of the product. They should be of the highest quality.

Originally Posted by justDIY

all the folks sampling these chips for hobby use cause higher prices for those of us that buy them in quantity
nothing is free, somebody pays for it.

Prove it. If John Doe in numbucktoo gets one sample, he indirectly made your price go higher since he is included in the list of all folks? A sampler does not mean a non-buyer. There are forces at work directly tied to sampling that people do not have the slightess clue about. Statements like "The rising of production price" is always the first sign of cluelessness.

Any other actually TIPS to be contributed?
If not shut the thread close or shut your typographical mouths.

A sampler does not mean a non-buyer. There are forces at work directly tied to sampling that people do not have the slightess clue about.

Yes, in fact they expect you to be delivering a product to the market, and expect a yearly sales.
Last time I was talking to the local Ramtron rep., he told me that it cost around a hundred dollars a pop to send out samples. It requires a lot of time and expense just to ship them. Think about it. Many of these sample arrive at your door quickly, and at times by courier.
Before he would send the samples, he asked what kind of yearly turnover this would bring to the company. He knew I was a small fry, because I told him. He suggested a low figure, and I said 'yes, and with any luck, more.'
Sampling is just good business practice, and it makes good sense. If someone who is very inventive comes up with 'a good one,' they will be after a large volume order of the same, or similar chip, which they sampled.
It also doesn't make sense to abuse this hospitality; there are companies who no longer sample freely.