TME - why so cheap? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 02:01:01 pm
content: We've been buying alot of stuff from TME recently - their prices are substantially cheaper than RS/FEC/MOUSER/DIGIKEY and I'm not sure why?Here's a couple of examples:2 way molex header (22-01-3027)MOUSER £0.043 @1000pcsDIGIKEY £0.04309 @1000pcsRS £0.041 @1000pcsFEC £0.044 @1000pcsTME £0.0171 @1000pcs47uF, 16V, CASED KEMET (T491D476M016AT)MOUSER £0.382 @100pcs, £0.275 @500pcs (reel)DIGIKEY £0.4154 @100pcs, £0.27966 @500pcs(reel)RS £0.45 @100pcs, £0.252@500pcs (a few pence more each for the reel...)FEC £0.40 @100pcs, £0.228@500pcs (reel)TME £0.163 @100pcs, £0.144@500pcs (reel)There are literally hundreds of other bits from dozens of manufacturers we buy that show similar discounts. Their delivery is typically a fiver, so not free, but often even a small prototype order is cheaper with paid delivery. Their website isn't bad either.Are the big boys are ripping us all off something rotten or is there something else going on I'm not factoring in??

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 02:53:43 pm
content: No idea why, I remember them usually as Digikey > Mouser > TME in prices for the same item, but the differences were much smaller.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 04:13:17 pm
content: TME seem to do much of the packaging in Poland with lower labor costs. So they can be relatively cheap with small quantities. From my limited experience the packaging is also a little cheaper from TME than Mouser. One still gets odd packages / labels from both - like an ESD / humidity sensitive label to parts that are definitely not (e.g. connector, mOhms shunt).They may also have a different formula on how to include some general costs (e.g. shipping) to one product or the other. For some parts there can also be kind of overstock quantities they want to get rid or with others there may be prices that ended up to high for some reason.It depends on the parts with other parts Mouser can be quite a bit cheaper, especially with larger quantities.TME also has a more limited number of parts to choose from, especially if one does not want to wait for part not in stock.

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 04:23:41 pm
content: I’ve noticed more and more that tme has been a go to place for items.A single fuse (high speed semiconductor fuse) $30 from the distributor here and they didn’t carry stock. From memory they were $6 each at TME, so it was tagged onto another order we had going through at the time.Some other things I’ve seen have been marginal differences between Digi-Key, mouser, RS or element 14, so it’s wherever the next order is coming from that we buy from.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 04:31:30 pm
content: Pretty much what Kleinstein says. TME not only packages in Poland,they area Polish company (registered in Łódź), so they have a lot lower labor costs and running expenses compared to someone like Mouser, Digikey or RS who are paying "western" wages and business expenses.They are a reputable dealer/reseller in the region, you don't need to worry about doing business with them. Certainly no shady fly-by-night outfit selling dodgy goods.

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 04:54:29 pm
content: Quote from: fcb on May 16, 2020, 02:01:01 pmDigi & Mouse have really really really really healthy markup on connectors, passive and wires.I guess everybody else "adjust" their pricing according Big Players.You can always send them email and ask why TME pricing so different to them, but I'm not going to say that they might reply

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 05:01:42 pm
content: TME: Certainly zero complaints as to the packaging of the parts, CoC's etc.. everything seems as well packed as Mouser/Digikey.We've had alot of shit packaging from Farnell, and their website search engine has gone downhill.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 08:22:02 pm
content: I have bought hundreds of LCDs from TME over the years. Half the cost from the usual suspects.There used to be packaging problems like bent pins etc but not so much these days.Ian.

author: itdontgo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 11:56:38 am
content: I've found with TME they seem to get a lot of one off lines. They have cheap parts once that you'll never see again. Maybe they're end of line or maybe the buyer just got a great deal from some overstock. That's my worry with TME.When there was that capacitor shortage they always had some cheap 100nF 0603 caps in. They saved the day many times!They provide a good service too.

author: itdontgo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 11:57:21 am
content: It was also great we had a Polish accountant working in the office too.

author: Kleinstein
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 12:15:59 pm
content: At least for Germany they send out the packets from a German subsidiary and one thus gets a German invoice and German tax (which is a little lower). Not sure if there is much more than a small office actually in Germany.I would not really complain about the packaging, it usually makes sense. It is more like Mouser tends to put everything (even parts that don't need it) in an ESD bag and lots of extra effort with keeping humidity out, even where it is not that much needed (e.g. 74HC logic chips in DIP).

author: MR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 01:49:36 pm
content: It very much depends on the parts. Mouser and Digikey are really expensive but they also have quite some stock.lcsc.com is still a magnitude cheaper if your part is listed there.Taiwanese distributors also easily outperform Mouser and Digikey (if they have access to the corresponding part).2 way molex header (22-01-3027)MOUSER £0.043 @1000pcsDIGIKEY £0.04309 @1000pcsRS £0.041 @1000pcsFEC £0.044 @1000pcsTME £0.0171 @1000pcsLCSC£ 0,011 @600pcsT491D476M016AThowever is a bit more expensive on lcsc.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 05:26:45 pm
content: Quote from: Kleinstein on May 17, 2020, 12:15:59 pmAccording to the website, they have offices in:TME Czech Republic, s.r.o.TME Hungary Kft.Transfer Multisort Elektronik S.R.L. (Romania)TME Slovakia, s.r.o.TME Germany GmbHTransfer Multisort Elektronik S.L.U. (Spain)Transfer Multisort Elektronik B.V. (Netherlands)TME ITALIA S.r.l.Transfer Multisort Elektronik Ltd. (UK)Shenzhen TME Electronic Trading Company Ltd.AFAIK, they only do sales and invoicing in each of the countries, shipping is from their Polish logistics center in Lodz.

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 06:36:15 am
content: Quote from: MR on May 17, 2020, 01:49:36 pmThat's good to know, thanks.LCSC is certainly cheaper, however for smallish orders the 'Handling Fee' and shipping wipe out any savings.An order of magnitude? Isn't that typically a factor of 10x?

author: MR
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 07:43:12 am
content: It depends on the components, but you can also contact some distributors directly in China and they might have different prices again.https://www.digchip.com/Be aware you might end up with fake components if you get the wrong reseller, but if you have a reliable vendor you might stick with him and they're very flexible (if you're a long term customer).Since I'm in Taiwan shipping from China is just cheap and quick. Custom doesn't bother as much as in Europe.

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:26:05 am
content: Avoiding fakes, getting genuine traceable parts with proper CoC's (certificates of conformity) is theonlyway we operate.Be interested to hear if there are other "cost-efficient" EU catalogue-style stocking distributors I haven't heard of.