Doesn't mean that you have to be stupid.

Go ahead and shop for the best prices.

When I asked Maxim for samples, I got some. They know I'm working with their products.

When I went to their distributor, I was sent a dozen of the parts, at nominally $8 per unit including the cost of UPS.

DigiKey relies on the buyer's unwillingness to try a distributor. They charge a 600% premium for that. Sometimes it's worth paying it, and sometimes it's not. It IS good to know that, if you ask, they'll use USPS to ship your order and that costs a buck or two for a very small order rather than the $7 minimum for UPS. It's also 2-3-day delivery rather than the week or more for UPS.

You have to take all that stuff into consideration.

RE