MATH : Wow, I am baffled that this even a point of discussion really, honest ! Arguing with my math teacher that -160 is a higher number than -150 would not have gotten me very far in my studies for sure.
So if you have to sort numbers in rising order, you would put -150 first and -160 second ?!
Even a scope knows that a +2V trace goes higher on the screen than a -5V trace
So if need to compare two numbers, -150 and +150, what's the result then, 300 ? When sorting them, which one comes first ?!
Anyway, just kidding, I don't care, no flame war here... I just find it funny to see how the human brain works !
@tggzzz : didn't know about this scratch game story, good one, thanks for sharing, does prove my point !
MOUSER / DIGIKEY : thanks all for your replies. So as I though neither of them have operations in France or Europe. Rob this is just a website in French language, not a French merchant site. Looks like they work just like they did 15 year ago when I bought that AVR programmer from them : they only operate from their one and only huge warehouse in the USA, that's all. They export anywhere of course, just like any other company. Having "operations" I though meant that the company has to have a warehouse either in France or at elast in the Euro zone, so that they ship from France/Europe to use local shipping and not have to pay and handle taxes and import shit. Farnell does have operations in Europe. When I buy from them it ships from FDrance, with local shippers, no importing shit to pay or deal with.
I tried to order a 2N2222 tranny 2 minutes ago just to see, and indeed I have to import it from the US warehouse, it does not come from Europe never mind from France.
However... thanks to your comments at least I know that both DK and Mouser have improved the situation by handling all fees and admin stuff so that the customer has as smooth/transparent an experience as possible. 60 Euros for free shipping and including all the taxes and stuff as well, paper work etc... that's quite good compared to the situation of 15 years ago.
For lower orders, my 2 euros tranny, they want 20 Euros for the same service, which is quite good. Farnell charges 10 Euros or so. So having to pay only 10 more Euros for overseas shipping and taxes and what not, and not have to deal with the admin stuff yourself... I applaud.
So to sum it up... when I can't find what I want from Farnell/ RS/ TME, I now know I can now go shopping at Mouser and DK. That's quite something. Thanks people for letting me know !
... and of course hoping that one day they both will have a warehouse over here...
OK now if you will excuse me, I have a 2467B PSU to take apart and crapacitors to look at !