Help - Samples from Electronics Websites.

[Kapich]

Heya there guys,
I am working on my own project hobbyist, nothing commercial at all,
and as you my know many companies are offering sample IC's for free via their websites - A fact that would unbelievably help me.

Unfortunately, I am struggling to order any of them.
According to their requirements the E-Mail I am registering with to any of the sites should be designated to a student or a business,
means '.edu' suffix or any other than '.com' .
As you may guess I am not a student nor a business owner.

Anyone has an idea how to get the samples?
With what email provider? Or any other working method?
Someone was experiencing such problem?

Any piece of help would be greatly appreciated.
Your help is not taken for granted, Sincerely,
                                                            Kapich.

[BradC]

I found they just had a bias against free e-mail services. Sign up with an e-mail address from your isp (mine was brad@wasp.net.au) and I had no problems at all, but hotmail, yahoo or gmail was a no-no.

My current address is not much different, I just use my own domain now and I still get parts.

[Kapich]

Thank you BradC.

Tried that already.
My isp is 'Bezeqint.net' - They are still stating its commercial   

[Kapich]

BUMP

[gildasd]

Psst 
http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-get-an-edu-email-address[/url]]
[url=http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-get-an-edu-email-address]http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-get-an-edu-email-address[/url]

[Kapich]

Thanks man but this method not working anymore, for over a year already.

I am clueless,
If I just can get my hands on those free samples -
will save me so much money.. Help! 

[Wilksey]

Long shot, but what about running your own mail server (temporarily) and using dynamic DNS to give you the "host name", might work?  Or what about something like Mailinator?  You can log in and delete the emails afterwards.

[gildasd]

Find a student, buy him a beer, get him to send your email.

People hacking is often faster and more efficient.

[Kapich]

Illuminati..

Thanks for the idea, tbh I've been thinking about that.

Any more ideas or solutions?

[Alex Eisenhut]

Why don't you update your profile so we know where you are? The Earth is a large planet with many people on it.

And what parts are you looking for? I mean if all you want is a PIC I might have one hiding here.

[SteveyG]

Anyone has an idea how to get the samples?
With what email provider? Or any other working method?
Someone was experiencing such problem?

Honestly, just send the local sales rep an e-mail, tell them what you want it for and they'll probably send it out for you. Most places will give even hobbyists samples as it means they're more likely to use their parts in a commercial design in the future if they have an electronics related job.

[Kapich]

Actually I was looking for the 'MAX336' IC.
Thanks a lot though

What local supplier?
I'm not familiar with any local sales authority that hands out free samples..

[MisterBiscuit]

If e-mail isn't working, you're best option is to pick up the phone and talk to someone at the manufacturer. Asking for samples from distributors can be problematic because they're in the business of moving inventory and they'll likely mention "We have Quantity 1 pricing". http://www.digikey.co.il sells MAX366's at 10.99 sheqels for Quantity 1. Is that beyond your budget?

If it is, then your nearest direct option would be a Maxim office in Turkey or Southern Europe.

Go to http://www.maximintegrated.com
Click on "About Us"
Click on "Worldwide Locations"
Click on one of a geographic area close to you.

That should get you to a page that shows the address and phone numbers of that Maxim office. Call the phone number. Ask for an Applications Engineer. Explain that you're a hobbyist/student/whatever looking to design a circuit with one of their products and you'd like to know if it would be possible to get a few samples. Many application support engineers are/were hobbyists themselves and might send you a couple.

Actually I was looking for the 'MAX336' IC.
Thanks a lot though

What local supplier?
I'm not familiar with any local sales authority that hands out free samples..

[poorchava]

When I'm having a problem ordering samples from a website I just email a random distributor or some 'support' email listed on the website, explain why I need those samples and so on.  Usually it is possible to get a piece or two that way.  Another thing is,  that I usually end up using those part in commercial projects, so manufacturer who has provided samples does get benefit from it. 

Telling them that you are a student sometimes also works, as they assume that you might have influence on component selection for a high volume product one day. For example I tend to spec Microchip and TI parts,  because I know them better than for example NXP, and this is because Microchip and TI provided me with samples when I was a student,  while NXP generally doesn't give a shit.