Tangent’s Parts Shop
Normally there is an order form here, but since you’re seeing this, you must be using a browser that doesn’t have JavaScript, or has JavaScript disabled for some reason.
If you cannot turn on JavaScript, I can take your order via my email form. Let me know which items you want, the quantities of each, your Paypal email address, what shipping method you want me to use, and the postal code you want it shipped to. I don’t need your shipping address at this point: I get that from Paypal when you pay the bill.
Thanks for shopping!
By the way, if you’ve turned off JavaScript due to security concerns, you might want to try the Firefox browser plus the free NoScript extension. It lets you have JavaScript turned off by default, but turn it on selectively for specific sites that you trust. Like this one. :)
Procedures and Policies
Stock Status
All parts listed above are in stock unless stated otherwise.
Do You Also Have...?
The only items I have for general sale are listed above or advertised somewhere, so if you have to ask this, the answer is almost certainly “no.” Please don’t ask if I have random capacitors, resistors, wire, cases, etc. not listed above.
Can I Buy a Kit For...
The only kits I offer right now are listed above. If I don’t offer a kit, it’s usually because I cannot come up with a single set of parts that I think the majority of people will be happy with. The headphone amplifier circuits, in particular, are designed to be very flexible in regards to parts selection. The project pages for each of these has extensive guidance for selecting parts, so please read through that to help pick your parts.
Shipping Address
If you are paying via Paypal, most of the shipping address fields above are disabled because I only need a few of them to calculate the shipping cost. You will select your complete shipping address when paying the Paypal bill.
It’s no problem if you want me to send your package to an address other than your “confirmed” Paypal address. Before you pay the bill, log into your Paypal account, and go to the Profile section. There, you will be able to enter an alternate shipping address. When paying the bill, you will be able to select that address.
Shipping Methods and Costs
Within the US, I prefer to use USPS Priority Mail because it usually only takes around 3 days, and I can send almost any package for $5.00. The only other service I can recommend is First Class mail, which can cost less than half that for a light package. It’s a good deal if you don’t care about delivery speed or tracking.
To Canada, Priority Mail is usually $9, with First Class mail usually being less than half that for the same package.
For all other international destinations, Priority Mail goes up to $11 minimum and can be higher depending on specifics of the order. For almost all international orders, I think First Class Mail makes more sense. The cost is quite variable, depending on weight, destination, and the contents of the package. First Class International mail service can be anywhere from half to a quarter the cost of Priority Mail, and it’s usually not much slower to arrive.
For those in a really big hurry or who must have decent tracking, I offer Express Mail. It’s usually at least twice the cost of the next cheaper service, and can be a lot more. It’s only a good value in comparison to competing services like UPS or FedEx.
Tracking Numbers
If you are in the US and use First Class or Priority Mail service, you will get a delivery confirmation number via email when I ship the package. This is not a “tracking number” because it’s only good for telling when the package has been delivered. (Thus the name.) You can’t even reliably use it to tell when the package has been shipped; however, in almost every case, a package does get mailed the same day the label for it is printed, and if not that day, then the next for sure. If you need actual tracking, you need to step up to Express Mail. This will at least quadruple your shipping cost, though.
If you are outside the US, the situation is much the same, except that delivery confirmation doesn’t exist. You can get tracking via Express Mail, but it’s awfully expensive. This is why I recommend choosing First Class mail above. Tracking generally isn’t worth it for international shipments.
Typical Delivery Times
Within the US, delivery times are almost always within the ranges you can find on the shipper’s web sites. Beware that only the express and courier services are time-guaranteed, however.
Outside the US, unless you’re using one of the very expensive services, shipping times can vary quite a bit from published ranges. It’s not uncommon to have a package take several times longer than the average. In all the years I have been doing this, however, I have only seen a package be completely lost a few times. Long delays, yes, outright loss, no.
Import Taxes
Some people have asked if I will mark international packages as a "gift", or mark the contents with a lower value, so they are charged lower customs/duties for the package. Sorry, I will not do this. Please do not ask.
Quantity Discounts
There is a 5% discount for orders over $100, not including shipping. The discount rises to 10% at $250, and 15% at $500.
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