We need to buy parts and tools so we can have fun with circuits. This page explains how to be good purchasers.
When we can buy locally, that is good.
Mouser does not have a minimum order. However, it costs them a dollar or more to just go to a location in the warehouse, and we don’t want to make them lose money, which is what we do if we order ten parts at $.03 each.
When we can, we order at least $5.00 of any part number.
When you are on-line with a vendor, order only parts that are in stock.
Fry’s near Atlanta probably has a lot of parts like the Austin Fry’s, but driving a car there is around 40 cents per mile, including wear and tear.