MOTM

A few days ago I was going to purchase some MOTM-style knobs for a 
number of DIY modules.  Stooge Moe 
(http://www.users.qwest.net/~daveb2/) was kind enough to list Newark 
Electronics' part number for the proper Alco knob.  When I went
to Newark's website to order I was shocked to find drastically
higher prices than I expected.  The current Newark prices on 57F2348 
(which is an Alco PKES90B1/4) are:

1 – 49		$ 2.62
50 – 99		$ 2.25
100 – 499	$ 2.15
500+		$ 1.72

Newark can kiss my spotty behind if they think I'll pay such an 
outrageous price!  After my outrage passed, I went shopping to see if 
I could do any better.  I did.  A lot better… checkout this
website:

http://www.dee-inc.com/netstore/default.asp

They offer the Alco PKES90B1/4 knobs at the following prices:

1 – 9		$ 1.73
10 – 29		$ 1.38
30 – 99		$ 1.15
100 – 249	$ 0.99
250+		$ 0.92

Needless to say I placed an order!  Two days later they showed up on 
my doorstep.  This company is located in Des Moines, Iowa.  Good 
delivery, good service, and highly recommended.  These prices might 
not last if Tyco Electronics (parent company of Alcoswitch, the 
manufacturer) updates them on the "new" pricing.  Their website
is really slow when you do a part # search on "PKES90B1/4",
but don't give up.  They essentially have a $35 minimum order,
which will be a problem for some, but I think that Newark has a 
similar minimum order level.  If I were planning any DIY projects 
that require these knobs, I think that ordering now might be in your 
best interest.  (They report having about 1300 of these knobs in 
stock.)  If anyone finds a better price elsewhere, please let me 
know.  This place also stocks a zillion other parts of interest to 
the DIY crowd.  For example, 1/4 watt 1% metal film resistors are 
only $ 1.58 per hundred.  They also stock 1/2% and 1/4% metal film 
resistors at higher prices, of course.  Happy shopping.

Cheers!
Tom Farrand