Ben:

This is one thing DalSemi does better than anyone else:

http://www.dalsemi.com/sales/credit_card.html

Their limit for credit card orders are now "up to $250.00 or 10 peices." They ship directly from stock.

We get DalSemi parts back through this channel faster than I can get their distributors to acknowledge receipt of email requests for bids.

Its a great way for Dallas Semicnductor to do business. They've had really bad experiences with distributors and representatives... we expect them to be the first major component manufacturer to go to 100% direct sales through online buying.

Someday the component manufacturers will realize that the distributors have given up their network of human contact representations and now only buy online software and a call-center to handle all their distribution activities.
Component maufacturers can now start cutting out the middleman and sell direct. That will be great!

-Jay C. Box