Some times too, the information placed into their computer isn't correct. I
ordered some parts for a radio repair once - from a company. They sent me
what was "supposed" to be the correct part (SUB), in this case a
Transistor.... What I needed was an NPN. I didn't bother to check it, as I
was busy and I figured they knew what they were doing. I placed the part in
the radio and since it was the only part in that unit I had to replace, I
fired it up. Snap, crackle, pop. I ain't talking Rice Krispies. I seen
smoke. I knew all the other parts were ok, so I took the transistor back out
and looked at it. I looked the number up - personally, which turned out to
be a "PNP". WOW. So much for trusting. I called the company, spoke to the
tech of that firm. He at first swore it was the cross for what I ordered -
while looking at the computer records they had. I said NO, the part I
ordered and this was crossed for, is an NPN. This is a PNP. He checked in
their cross reference book and then the computer again. He found the
computer had the wrong cross type listed. He apologized and corrected it
right there and then, then asked me again the part number I needed. I told
him. He took care of that, which he said would be free of charge. He then
asked if any other parts were damaged - they would send free of cost or if I
wanted them to reimburse me labor for my time. I said no to both. It was no
big deal, but the right part would be nice. I got it in short order, placed
it in and whalah, the set was working. So, that company was very apologetic
about the error and willing to make amends. While that may be a somewhat
different scenario from "substitutes" as listed below, I guess the caveat
here is make sure you check the parts BEFORE you place them in service. It
could save some headaches. I learned about the same time to never trust
"new" parts. To always check them if possible before placing in the
circuit - as I've bought "new" components in stores such as Radio Shack,
only to bring them home and find them defective. Those events were in my
early years of getting into Electronics. Lessons I've carried through to
this day. IF you have enough data available, or maybe to ask in here, you're
better off to try to shoot for a couple subs, just in case the company you
deal with doesn't have one and maybe not the other - especially listed AS
subs. I try to leave nothing to chance anymore. You can't always trust the
phone sales help. They go by what is in their computers. Most of them are
clueless when it comes to electronics. Some people tend to forget this. IF
you find a company that stocks many items of interest, such as Mouser or
whoever, you're better off dealing with them to save all the hassle of
sending here and there for parts and end up losing time and paying more in
shipping than what the damned part or project may be worth. I have 3
companies I deal with basically. The rest I use sparingly. Mouser is one of
those I use. For the record, I don't recall the company I got the "wrong"
part from as aforementioned. But as I said, they did remedy it.

Lou


"Mark" wrote in message
...
Yes, has happened to me too !

If the part can't be substituted, I telephone the order
and specify do not substitute and that works about
9 out of ten times with jameco and mouser.

Mark

Paul wrote:

I've had good service from Jameco over the years but -- I recently
ordered
2N5484 FETs from them. The datasheet they have on their site is the same
as
Fairchild's, so I figured I would be getting a prime part. If you've
used
2N5484s, you know why I wanted that particular part. What they sent,
however, was NTE312s. The Idss spec for the NTE312 is 5-15 mA, vs 1-5 mA
for
the 2N5484. I tested a few of the NTE312s and confirmed the bad news. So
beware of Jameco when ordering active parts. You may not get what their
Website and catalog say. In the case of the FETs, in a reasonable
quantity,
Mouser has the Fairchild 2N5484s for the same price.

73,

"PM"