RPi advertised by Maplin...

[vinntec]

My wife was in the local Maplin store trying to find a cable I needed for the RPi, and they mentioned that they were going to be selling them soon, which was a surprise to her. Well I had a look on their website http://www.maplin.co.uk/raspberry-piand ... kit-652805 and sure enough...

Could someone explain to me how Maplin (UK) can be advertising that they will have RPi in stock for new orders from end of September when my order from RS is not even due until 1st October at the earliest?

Can someone also explain to me why Farnell are being sent more than they need while RS remain backlogged, in other words why RS aren't getting any kind of priority to kill the backlog? It is really annoying that a teacher read my write-up (made about RPi bought on Internet while I wait for my "real" one) and has already received their one from Farnell.

I don't expect anyone from RPi to comment about my individual case, that would be unreasonable, but this doesn't sound like first come first served?

Peter

[jackokring]

Because last I check RS sold 1 month of pre-ordered in stock in 3 days (or very close to this).

[JeremyF]

Regarding Maplin, it looks they are resellers, not official distributors. (That product is equivalent to an eBay bundle or a ModMyPi bundle, in terms of how the Pi got there)

[Jim JKla]

Can someone also explain to me why Farnell are being sent more than they need while RS remain backlogged, in other words why RS aren't getting any kind of priority to kill the backlog? It is really annoying that a teacher read my write-up (made about RPi bought on Internet while I wait for my "real" one) and has already received their one from Farnell.

That has to be an issue between RS and Farnell and you should be directing your questioning to RS they are loosing market share to Farnell because folks are canceling RS orders and placing them with Farnell.

Anyone here is just an observer.

[RaTTuS]

I don't think Farnell are being sent more than they need ,
as both RS and Farnell have their own production lines and make them as they seem fit.

[vinntec]

I don't think Farnell are being sent more than they need ,
as both RS and Farnell have their own production lines and make them as they seem fit.

Ah - that's something I was not aware of. I assumed there was one set of production lines feeding everyone. So basically, unless RS arrange for Farnell to send them some of their production capacity temporarily, this is how the two have got out of step. This suddenly makes a lot of sense.Peter

[woopderson]

I don't think Farnell are being sent more than they need ,
as both RS and Farnell have their own production lines and make them as they seem fit.

I was unaware of this, but it definitely sheds some light as to why delivery times are what they are. Thanks RaTTuS!

[arm2]

It was stated I believe that RS & Farnell would both get equal amounts of the production but that I think only applied to the initial 10,000 that the Foundation had ordered. People then assumed that that situation would continue. Since then it has been stated that each are arranging their own production. Any agreement between them would probably breach competition laws!
What I'm interested in is that I've yet to see a posting regarding the different prices RS & Farnell are quoting! Figuers from both companies web site this evening. (I do have a trade account with both so that might effect things)
RS "back order for despatch 14/12/2012" £21.60+VAT
Farnell "within three weeks" 1 - 9 £24.96+VAT
10 - 24 £23.98
25 - 49 £23.32
50 - 99 £23.10
100+ £23.05
All prices are ex VAT (Both Farnell and RS postage seems to be free)
So the choice for most people is
RS, wait nearly four months and pay £21.60+VAT or
Farnell <3 weeks £24.96+VAT

[Jim JKla]

I can't help but wonder if RS & Farnell are keeping tabs on conversations here.

I would think it would be worth their while to have at laeast some staff member with an interest in the RaspberryPi (There must be at least one at each) to keep there nose in the forum.

I would suspect they have no idea of the turnover on this forum

[Paul Webster]

My recollection (which could be faulty) is that RS started taking bulk orders before Farnell ... which, if correct, might have exhausted their stock faster and they might still have a substantial back-order ... perhaps Maplins ordered hundreds or even thousands from them.

[Jim JKla]

Could be if thats true they could be building that order at the expense of the developer community.

[Burngate]

I wonder when people such as http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/ will start selling Pi starter kits. I'm sure they keep an eye on this forum.
I'm waiting for their RTC add-on

[itimpi]

My recollection (which could be faulty) is that RS started taking bulk orders before Farnell ... which, if correct, might have exhausted their stock faster and they might still have a substantial back-order ... perhaps Maplins ordered hundreds or even thousands from them.

Actually I am reasonably certain it was the other way around!

[woopderson]

I can't help but wonder if RS & Farnell are keeping tabs on conversations here.

I would think it would be worth their while to have at laeast some staff member with an interest in the RaspberryPi (There must be at least one at each) to keep there nose in the forum.

I would suspect they have no idea of the turnover on this forum

Agreed, it would be nice to have an active rep from each of the companies in the forums to provide at least a smidge of info.

[itimpi]

It All prices are ex VAT (Both Farnell and RS postage seems to be free)

The RS prices do not include postage, while the Farnell ones do!

For single units this make Farnell about £1 cheaper than RS (at least in the UK), although RS do use far more robust packing.

For bulk orders I am not sure how prices compare.

[Jim JKla]

I bought a single from RS was not unhappy with deivery packaging or time but I was in the first wave.

[plugwash]

For single units this make Farnell about £1 cheaper than RS (at least in the UK), although RS do use far more robust packing.

For bulk orders I am not sure how prices compare.

In the UK RS are cheaper for multiple unit orders because their postage is a flat rate and while farnell are now giving some bulk discounts (they weren't initially) those bulk discounts are not enough to bring down the total to RS levels. Also i'm not sure RS are charging postage at all for buisness customers.

So for 100 pis in the UK

Farnell 100x23.05x1.2 = £2766
RS (100x21.60x1.2) + 4.95 = £2,596.95

For other countries costs may vary.