Need to buy a USB Microcontroller IC

[ariel]

Guys, any ideas where I can find this here in Lima? The stores I've called don't have it. It's a USB microcontroller IC for a certain gadget that I have at home.

2013-04-05 17.36.49.jpg (25.12 KiB) Viewed 2661 times

Many thanks!

[Hitoruna]

Interesting.

You cant get this things delivered in Peru? ( I mean from the manufacturers)

There are no sale agents for this in Peru?

[ariel]

Interesting.

You cant get this things delivered in Peru? ( I mean from the manufacturers)

There are no sale agents for this in Peru?

I can get it delivered here but it doesn't make sense to pay for shipping that is at least 3x more expensive than the item (item costs around US$6-8). Found it on eBay but the item is either in the US or Hong Kong.

Sales agents? For an IC?

Interesting indeed.

[Hitoruna]

Interesting.

You cant get this things delivered in Peru? ( I mean from the manufacturers)

There are no sale agents for this in Peru?

I can get it delivered here but it doesn't make sense to pay for shipping that is at least 3x more expensive than the item (item costs around US$6-8). Found it on eBay but the item is either in the US or Hong Kong.

Sales agents? For an IC?

Interesting indeed.

indeed, not only for a IC but for all kinds of circutry. I find it here so normal that I couldnt imagine that those kind of things are not available there. Pardon my ignorance

[ariel]

indeed, not only for a IC but for all kinds of circutry. I find it here so normal that I couldnt imagine that those kind of things are not available there. Pardon my ignorance

I wouldn't have sought help in this forum if I hadn't exhausted my efforts to find it. Even the guy who was trying to repair the gadget in question couldn't find it.

If you happen to know where to find it, such info would be greatly appreciated. There's no need for sarcasm.

[Hitoruna]

indeed, not only for a IC but for all kinds of circutry. I find it here so normal that I couldnt imagine that those kind of things are not available there. Pardon my ignorance

I wouldn't have sought help in this forum if I hadn't exhausted my efforts to find it. Even the guy who was trying to repair the gadget in question couldn't find it.

If you happen to know where to find it, such info would be greatly appreciated. There's no need for sarcasm.

I ll ask around but I dont live in Peru.
Btw, I didnt use any sarcasm.

[ariel]

I ll ask around but I dont live in Peru.
Btw, I didnt use any sarcasm.

Fair enough. And pardon my reaction. Just getting a little frustrated trying to find a simple spare part. I would have thought it would be easy to find here. All I'm getting from stores is a unanimous "it's out of stock" response.

[Philipc4u59]

YES, the shipping costs (& then possible tariff costs) are PROHIBITIVE in Peru!
I was looking for a good quality hair trimmer that costs 24.95 on Amazon; the shipping to Peru was over $25!!!
Is this some sort of PROTECTIONALISM that Peru subscribes to; please explain - as I have no idea?

I did find a cheap Chinese trimmer at a street vender for 25 soles; at that price, can replace many times...

Best wishes in finding your item,

Philip

PS - I am told that even if the price was $25; the government can "value" the item at what the "book" says & charge additional customs/tariff fees - accordingly. You may get a good bargain in the US & get a financial headache when you try to pick up your item at Serpost (plus wait a few hours - from experience).

[ariel]

You hit the nail on the head, Philip.

Exactly what I'm saying; you just said it better.

Aside: Electronics here are so expensive you'd think they have a retirement plan for every item sold. Repeat business is not their strong suit.

[Hitoruna]

There goes my hopes of setting an advanced technology company in Peru sigh

[stuart]

The prices are high here because of taxes and other costs.

30%+18% right off the bat. Plus the guy who imported the thing had to pay shipping anyway. Obviously the guy who imported it can't handle everything himself so he has to pay someone to help. Regardless of how cheap he can get someone to work for him, for every 100 soles in salary he has to pay about 64 soles in additional labor costs from obligatory socialized health care to 14 salaries a year. On top of all this he has to make a profit in order to live.

Peru isn't a particularly competitive place to set up any business, and the government is always looking for ways to make it less so.

[Omikron]

Quote "Found it on eBay but the item is either in the US or Hong Kong."

What's wrong if the item is located in Hong Kong? by experience, most Items from H.K./China either offer "free international Shipping" (""Free"" = Base price has been increased to include shipping :S) or they DO ship to Peru without charging a lot as opposed from the U.S.

For example, the following item that seems to match your requirement costs $9.80 and the shipping to Peru $5. Having it shipped to U.S. costs the same in this particular case. Based on your explanation on why you do not feel like buying it from H.K, $14.80 seems like a good deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-MICROCONTRO ... 3a4e6e293a

[ariel]

Quote "Found it on eBay but the item is either in the US or Hong Kong."

What's wrong if the item is located in Hong Kong? by experience, most Items from H.K./China either offer "free international Shipping" (""Free"" = Base price has been increased to include shipping :S) or they DO ship to Peru without charging a lot as opposed from the U.S.

For example, the following item that seems to match your requirement costs $9.80 and the shipping to Peru $5. Having it shipped to U.S. costs the same in this particular case. Based on your explanation on why you do not feel like buying it from H.K, $14.80 seems like a good deal.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-MICROCONTRO ... 3a4e6e293a

Thanks for your response, but it's not as much about the cost as it is about the idea. It's such a small item.

Anyway, the repair guy found it a few days ago from a local store.