Recommended eBay stores for Jellybean electronic components (2n2222, 2n3904, etc - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 05:19:45 pm
content: Dear All,I see recommendations to buy components from eBay stores - the couple of times I've tried this I've been disappointed - so my question is:Can you recommend known, good, safe eBay stores for buying the common "Jellybean" electronic components, please?As examples I'm hoping to buy in roughly 50s or 100s the following Jellybeans: 2N2222A / 2N2907, 2N3904 / 2N3906, BC549 / BC559, 2N3055 etc. diodes including 1N4148, 1N4007, etc. and so on and so forth.Note I have looked at a number of older threads but many have links that no longer resolve, so it's hard to see what/who they pointed to - hence asking for the stores not just links (although links would be fine to, as the stores are then also available).Also I've been looking at older threads and what folks have said about buying 'stocks' and what they recommend, but am always happy to hear more about such topics.My intention at this point isn't to have large stocks just enough of the common components to do smaller tests and projects - as I've not done much practical electronics since swapping to software in the early 90's.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 05:47:43 pm
content: Set up accounts with CPC, Farnell and RS. It will work out cheaper, certainly for genuine components. There are several UK (or Gibraltar) registered ebay sellers who just buy them (from those) and stick on a 100-200% markup!Ebay sellers from further afield will either be fake (if the price is too good to be true...) or long delivery.CPC's minimum order for free delivery is £6, RS are very good, free next day signed for from virtually nill. I can't remember what Farnell currently is. Shop around between the three for best unit pricing and pack size. CPC can sometimes be ridiculously cheap against Farnell (same company).You know it makes sense.P.S. There are useful ebay sellers for niche or exotic NOS parts, but not the sort of stuff you're talking about.

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 07:18:18 pm
content: Totally agree, proper suppliers are the way to go.Some other companies I've had good experiences with are: Rapid Electronics, Mouser, JPR Electronics, Hobbyking.IIRC Dave also uses Digikey, but I've not tried them myself.

author: Jwillis
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 07:59:28 pm
content: Some times it's just not practical to go with the traditional outlets. Specifically ,in my case. is the method of shipping since I,m quite rural and can't get courier drop off at my home. Ebay is just more convenient. There are plenty of dedicated electronics Ebay stores that have good quality parts and not all of them are based in China. There are some UK sellers that might be better suited for your needs.Here's a few I use a lot and have had no problems what so ever with the components I purchased .http://www.ebay.ca/usr/miamielectronics,https://www.ebay.ca/usr/electronics-salon,http://www.ebay.ca/usr/diy-electronicThe free shipping is a pain because it tends to take far to long to get to you. I look for standard or some sort of express shipping then it usually gets to me in a couple weeks. I'm almost sure they stuff your order in bottle and chuck into the ocean if you go with the free shipping , it takes that long.But I have an extended list of several others for more specific components . The biggest problem with Ebay is you probably won't find a one stop shop . Some only sell Caps , some just resistors or just Micro chips , etc . Try to look for the ones that only sell electronic components and you'll probably be OK. I avoid ones that also sell adult toys and lingerie as well ,probably going to get screwed by those.There is one UK web site I've used a few times that has some pretty decent stuff as wellhttps://www.bitsbox.co.uk/They're pretty reasonable and shipping to Canada wasn't to bad.All I can say is you'll just have to spend the time searching . Just know at this time of the year China is probably not best because of their holidays .Your order may not go through until the first or second week of February.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 10:06:00 pm
content: Thanks Chris!Quote from: Gyro on January 29, 2020, 05:47:43 pmSuper advice, which in spite of using both Farnell and RS professionally, I hadn't considered them (nor CPC) for fun projects, will check each and see how to place my orders,, thank you, appreciated.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 10:08:41 pm
content: Thanks Phil,Quote from: ThickPhilM on January 29, 2020, 07:18:18 pmHave added your suggestions to my 'To Do' list - thank you, I had noted Digikey but haven't tried (nor considered) any of them so this is great to have more options, will try each over the next few orders and see how they do.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 10:14:22 pm
content: Many thanks @Jwillis (sorry don't know your name, so used you handle)Quote from: Jwillis on January 29, 2020, 07:59:28 pmYour thoughts and advice look useful and well considered, thank you for taking the time to add them - especially as I was asking about eBay stores. Yes, I've found 'free' postage an inconvienienceespeciallywhen trying to predict delivery dates. Thanks also for the hint (adult products etc.) what to look for to avoid sellers, makes perfect sense.I like the look ofhttps://www.bitsbox.co.uk/too, and I apprecaite all three of you for gently steering me away from ebAy and towards more traditional (and often closer) suppliers, thanks to all.

author: rhodges
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2020, 11:02:20 pm
content: Looking at my list of ebay purchases for "jelly bean" parts, I see seller "supper_star" a lot. I never had a problem with them.Last year, I discovered the AO3400 (N) and AO3401 (P) SOT MOSFETS and I think they will replace 2n4401 as my general purpose switching transistors. Claimed current of several amps at 2.5 volt gate. Got 50 for $1.70 from ebay seller ZQ8.I had profoundly bad luck trying to buy IRLB3034 MOSFETS. 3 different sellers sent me IRF1404 instead. Must be someone at the warehouse who thought a 10 volt gate MOSFET was a good substitute for a logic level one. It's a good thing I didn't need them, just wanted to play with them at high currents.

author: MasterT
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2020, 05:15:31 am
content: Interesting, just discovered very low price for TO-92 parts.https://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc327-25bk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc327-40bk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc337-40bk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/2n4401/rectronhttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/rm110n85t2/rectronhttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/2n2222a/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc548bbk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc547cbk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc547bbk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc546bbk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/bc557cbk/diotec-semiconductor-aghttps://www.arrow.com/en/products/mpsa42bk/diotec-semiconductor-ag

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2020, 07:02:23 am
content: As a sidenote: for some very basic parts greymarket can be acceptable, but only if you know what to expect. I would consider all of eBay to be greymarket, it'sreallyhard to find "legit" suppliers without trial and error (and even then they may be clueless -- could have just obtained a good lot of stock by chance).If you order 100pcs 2N2222 from eBay then you will get ~100pcs ofsomeform of TO-92 NPN transistor. I use them as my first line of experimental fodder and only move to better parts where necessary.Similar for "IRF540" N-FETs (some form of TO-220 N-fet silicon).Don't buyopamps other than LM328sSometimes the footprints are mirrored -- a $20 transistor tested is a worthwhile investment in the world of greymarket.Anyway, buy from whoever you are comfortable with. First party suppliers are often screwy over shipping, don't expect the world from them. Regardless of what you do: try to enjoy your orders.

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2020, 08:00:44 am
content: HiSince op is UK based, you can also trybitsbox.co.ukSmall company supplying hobby market. Good quality parts. Fixed price postage, so worth building up parts list to large order.I have personally used them and can vouch for them, even recommend them.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2020, 10:06:28 am
content: bitsbox has gone down the shitter this year. They started stocking hair legged crap resistors. I had some turn up with corrosion! The capacitors have gone to poo as well. Also lets not mention CPC - I have a whole thread on how crap they areTayda Electronics (https://www.taydaelectronics.com/) is a good source. All semis seem good. You don't need a lot of parts. I have built a lot of things from parts from there and never found an issue with anything out of spec. Also if you pick their snail mail option you NEVER get done for import duty. I've ordered $100 of stuff from them and not been charged.Good jelly bean semiconductor kit from Tayda:50x 2n390430x 2n390610x 2n4401 (good enough switching replacement for 2n2222 etc)50x 1n414820x 1n40075x MJE3055Total $5.94 inc delivery from Thailand. Takes 1-2 weeks to turn up. Is tracked and reliable. That doesn't even touch their minimum order. Also as it's outside EU then import situation will not change over next few months.also1. dont bother with bc547/559 - sub for 3904/39062. dont bother with 2n3055 - obsolete. Use MJE3055 instead. To220 - easier to mount. OR something larger if you need it. All ebay 2n3055's unless vintage in lots are probably fake. Proper ones cost £5 a go and are after market. They are dead and gone. I have a large box of old ones (1970s date codes) floating around.If you want jellybean discrete parts, they sell them as well. If you buy resistors from them, get the Royal Ohm 1% 0.25W ones. They are excellent. I mean really good. I stock up in 50/100 quantities of each value as it runs out every 3 months or so as I get through loads of them:The "multicomp" 0.25W 1% resistors that CPC sell are also the same resistors if you have to use them but a crap load more expensive.Best bet is buy your "jelly bean parts" in bulk from Tayda and keep stock and then top up with extras as you need them from RS (free delivery). RS are pretty good on some part pricing. For example: 10x PN2222A = £0.30 including next day parcel force delivery

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2020, 02:40:05 pm
content: I believe GreenPhotons' listbuying electronics on ebaylist is still being updated.https://www.sciencetronics.com/greenphotons/?page_id=855

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2020, 04:18:54 pm
content: Tayda - yes! I've bought a lot of stuff from them and it's all been good.I'm in the USA and I usually buy from Digi-key or Mouser since they have a great inventory and reasonable prices. Yes, you can find cheaper jellybean parts elsewhere but you know what you're getting.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 02:59:01 pm
content: @rhodgesQuote from: rhodges on January 29, 2020, 11:02:20 pm- thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts too, all noted for future reference.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 03:03:54 pm
content: @MasterTQuote from: MasterT on January 30, 2020, 05:15:31 amHmmm. The first two links go to 404 (not found) errors, and then browsing the Arrow site gave access denied permissions problems - the combination of their site and my browser don't seem to get on, shame as Arrow looked interesting enough to browse. Thanks for the post, will try again another day.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 03:07:27 pm
content: @WhalesQuote from: Whales on January 30, 2020, 07:02:23 amThe comment about all eBay being regarded as grey market orcaveat emptoris a good one, as I've already found, fortunately nothing too bad but disappointting nevertheless.I have taken on board your comments and those in previous posts, and plan to buy from more trustworthy sources at least for now.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 03:13:07 pm
content: @MosherIV & @bd139Well several have made much the same recommendation:Quote from: MosherIV on January 30, 2020, 08:00:44 amandQuote from: bd139 on January 30, 2020, 10:06:28 amA little too late for my first order!Having seen the positive comments aboutbitsbox.co.ukand needing some bits for a project, I decided to place my first (fairly modest) order -and have been pleased (as far as a visual inspection can tell) with the quality and the delivivery speed was pretty darn fast, so for now they seem OK here, fingers crossed.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 03:22:30 pm
content: @bd139Quote from: bd139 on January 30, 2020, 10:06:28 amNice! Tayda Electronics do look good - but can you share a link to the "Good jelly bean semiconductor kit" please?I've browsed pretty much every section - and can't seem to find any such bumdle on offer - what did I mess?Also, the "don't bother with xxx" comments are well made and appreciated, thank you!As my education, training, and initial professional electronics took place 30-40 years ago, have recently returned I'm still updating the normal components to use, such as MJE3055 instead instead of the ancient 2N3055 - I was actually very pleasantly surprised to recognise so many of the items in use (7400 series, 4000 series, 2N2222 and so on) from my day, so a few chnages are easy enough to accomodate.Do please feel free to suggest any other such chnages as you think of them, I'll be very grateful for such ideas.Especially if you can show me the Good jelly bean semiconductor kit URL I missed, I do indeed intend to place a jellybeans items order soon-ish with Tayda - and will indeed keep RS, Farnell et. al in reserve for fill-in orders too, thanks for the advice.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 03:27:49 pm
content: @Cliff MatthewsQuote from: Cliff Matthews on January 30, 2020, 02:40:05 pmAh, will pop over and read up that thread, thank you for sharing it.(This site is so big and busy it's a tad off-putting for a newcomer - and easy to miss the obvious - or is that just me?)@fourfathomQuote from: fourfathom on January 30, 2020, 04:18:54 pmGood to know you like Tayda, and have noted a number of US folk also like Digi-key and Mouser - will see how they look from a "post to UK" perspective. The comment " but you know what you're getting " is well made in light of my previous eBay orders, so agree with you (now) wholeheartedly!

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 03:42:07 pm
content: Quote from: Paul Ed on February 02, 2020, 03:22:30 pmIt's probably better to build your own jellybean kit. Ready made kits are somewhat expensive or junk from what I can see. A fine example of expensive:https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=272_275&products_id=2007. The selection is "ok" but the quantities aren't.My own jellybean semiconductors are:1. general purpose NPN .... 2N3904.2. general purpose PNP .... 2N3906.3. medium power NPN .... BD139 (best transistor ever)4. high power NPN .... MJE30555. Switching MOSFET .... IRF5106. general purpose JFET .... J310.That's about it.

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 04:56:23 pm
content: @bd139 - very fast reply, thank you!Quote from: bd139 on February 02, 2020, 03:42:07 pmAh! That makes perfect sense now. I didn't understand what you meant, and yes the BD139 has served me well (with a BD140) in an audio amplifier before now, I have more experience with RF in general although built a MoSFET audio amp back in the day (when MoSFETs were fairly new) that my uncle still uses, with his home-built transmission line (huge!) speakers, which do sound great even now.Thanks for the suggested jellybeans, am making a list

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 05:15:08 pm
content: That sounds cool. It's on my bucket list to build an amp. Haven't got there yet. One day. I was going to try and build a JLH class A unit (also a space heater!)I mostly do RF stuff but at HF frequencies (usually 7MHz/40M). Same jelly bean parts I mentioned there as well. It's good when your entire 40W PA MOSFETS cost £1 a pair when you run them into a mismatch

author: Paul Ed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 05:32:21 pm
content: @bd139Quote from: bd139 on February 02, 2020, 05:15:08 pmWhen I was younger I did a lot of building, was both cheaper and a great way to gain experience - and at the time I had access to really good oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers and so on too, which helped when it didn't work first time.The "£1 a pair" comments reminds me that in real terms electronics is cheaper now, but sadly offset by most things being even cheaper to buy ready-made (Chinese?) at least at the module level. Something I'm having to come to terms with when selecting projects.7MHz/40M - does this mean you have a callsign?I just noted in the recent RadCom that I need to log on somewhen to re-activate my own callsign or somesuch - which I've not done since they changed to online licences (oops!) in place of good ol' paper. As you may have guessed not been on-air for (cough) a few years - but plan to "sometime" if I can refresh my CW too.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 06:02:59 pm
content: Good thing is you can get that decent equipment for virtually nothing nowI tend to avoid ready made modules where possible. It takes the fun out of it. There are a few good kits floating around though which have some nostalgic value. But yes you have to pay through the nose for that experience sometimes. Built an Elecraft K2 transceiver last year which is the “last proper kit” if you ask me and it burned the wallet pretty bad.I do indeed have an callsign. Not listing it here though as it makes me a little too easy to identify. Ofcom license management is all automated now but not sure how you have to deal with it. When I got my full license a couple of years back (I’m a comparative newbie) the basic thing was to create an account with Ofcom, enter certificate number and then choose a callsign. I think the process is probably similar.CW only here. I’m no good at rag chewing on air and the band conditions are terrible at the moment.

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 06:09:27 pm
content: Quote from: Paul Ed on January 29, 2020, 05:19:45 pmNo, I cant from my experiences with ebay.I just buy from RS Components and Farnell now and have very few problems.

author: not1xor1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 06:10:58 pm
content: Quote from: bd139 on February 02, 2020, 03:42:07 pmTIP 41C - TIP42C are cheaper, a bit faster, have an higher VCE0and have about the same SOA

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2020, 06:25:37 pm
content: Good call. Also same pinout

author: basinstreetdesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2020, 07:47:24 pm
content: I'm in Canada and I always buy from DigiKey. They are very reliable and their stuff is always first rate. In the rare instance they screw up on an order I send them an email detailing it with a picture of what I received and they always correct it without comment or complaint usually the same day. It just takes two days to get here.And if the order CDN$100 or more the shipping is free.

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2020, 12:13:37 am
content: Quote from: Paul Ed on January 29, 2020, 05:19:45 pmIn my experience there arent any. Had loads of bad experiences with ebay.Whats the point in saving a few pennies if the thing blows up ?Stick your hand in your pocket and pay for components from reputable dealers.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2020, 02:19:30 am
content: LCSC has worked well for me when it comes to jellybean stuff. Resistors, capacitors, basic transistors, op amps etc.You can save a lot on the basic parts then source more obscure parts from digikey or element14. Always price check when shopping, I've found some TI parts sold locally from digikey and element14 at half the price that LCSC wanted, but the basic inventory was much cheaper at LCSC.Just give up on ebay for parts. It's pretty much all going to be fake or mislabelled. I have so many parts that were totally out of tolerance when it comes to resistors and capacitors, op amps that are fake, switching converter ICs that are fake.Pre built modules from ebay have been pleasantly surprising. I have many arduino modules that work just fine.