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New MSP-EXP430FR6989 128KB FRAM Launchpad Discounted to $13.99


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I feel sad now when I see these offers. In the good old days of free shipping I would get one of these no doubt, but now cost of shipping to Brazil (+ import duties) is prohibitive.

Not only to Brazil, to Italy, one of worst countries in the world, TI shipment costed 5 Euro of taxes plus 10 Euro of additional payment support cost.. this is too much for a launchpad and is too much also for samples. Prepayd tax or old way need to be introduced again otherwise TI start the looser play.  Mouser, Element14, RS-components, Farnell, Digikey and all other distributor are more competitive seller than TI and a free sample cost less bought from distributor than shipped from TI.

 Taking away a huge lot of free sample to everywhere probably was reason to adopt this but also this close new design to who was using and discourage who wish use at new design for competitor get more and more care of industry related problems.

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  • 2 weeks later...

or Ireland - $21. I have one more "but" here. Lately they refused to send me some samples, because they don't think I'm a valid business entity. Seriously? I have registered R&D company in Ireland, my company is a part of bigger network of smaller design entities, We don't do production runs, though.

I always loved the "I have an idea! let's try this"! Quick, crude design, datasheet digging, and we have an alpha stage. We need some ICs. Sample request to TI, 48 hours later smiling driver delivers the parts. 2 days later prototype is ready for code upload. One week and you can see if the idea was a crappy one or if you are onto something. I was always the "idea guy", leaving ironing out the smaller issues to my colleagues. Am I a preferred business partner for TI? Apparently not. I still refuse to jump on ARM bandwagon for simple things (like sensors or actuators) because I still believe the same results can be achieved using less power on simplier MCU platforms. 

 

Really sorry for OT, but actually this Launchpad was the last straw for me. 

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or Ireland - $21. I have one more "but" here. Lately they refused to send me some samples, because they don't think I'm a valid business entity. Seriously? I have registered R&D company in Ireland, my company is a part of bigger network of smaller design entities, We don't do production runs, though.

I always loved the "I have an idea! let's try this"! Quick, crude design, datasheet digging, and we have an alpha stage. We need some ICs. Sample request to TI, 48 hours later smiling driver delivers the parts. 2 days later prototype is ready for code upload. One week and you can see if the idea was a crappy one or if you are onto something. I was always the "idea guy", leaving ironing out the smaller issues to my colleagues. Am I a preferred business partner for TI? Apparently not. I still refuse to jump on ARM bandwagon for simple things (like sensors or actuators) because I still believe the same results can be achieved using less power on simplier MCU platforms. 

 

Really sorry for OT, but actually this Launchpad was the last straw for me. 

 After shipment it cost more than on mouser or element14 Farnell.

 I fully agree your point of view and seems TI see the student market more profitable than following R&D firms, I am still using LP for teaching support but removing from business. MSP430 samples are less expensive if bought by a customer from distributor or direct shipment from mouser/digikey/farnell than as free samples. This way theyt don't grasp lose in term averaging 10K unit/project at every time they lose one developer..

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I feel sad now when I see these offers. In the good old days of free shipping I would get one of these no doubt, but now cost of shipping to Brazil (+ import duties) is prohibitive.

 

 

Not only to Brazil, to Italy, one of worst countries in the world, TI shipment costed 5 Euro of taxes plus 10 Euro of additional payment support cost.. this is too much for a launchpad and is too much also for samples. Prepayd tax or old way need to be introduced again otherwise TI start the looser play.  Mouser, Element14, RS-components, Farnell, Digikey and all other distributor are more competitive seller than TI and a free sample cost less bought from distributor than shipped from TI.

 Taking away a huge lot of free sample to everywhere probably was reason to adopt this but also this close new design to who was using and discourage who wish use at new design for competitor get more and more care of industry related problems.

 

 

or Ireland - $21. I have one more "but" here. Lately they refused to send me some samples, because they don't think I'm a valid business entity. Seriously? I have registered R&D company in Ireland, my company is a part of bigger network of smaller design entities, We don't do production runs, though.

I always loved the "I have an idea! let's try this"! Quick, crude design, datasheet digging, and we have an alpha stage. We need some ICs. Sample request to TI, 48 hours later smiling driver delivers the parts. 2 days later prototype is ready for code upload. One week and you can see if the idea was a crappy one or if you are onto something. I was always the "idea guy", leaving ironing out the smaller issues to my colleagues. Am I a preferred business partner for TI? Apparently not. I still refuse to jump on ARM bandwagon for simple things (like sensors or actuators) because I still believe the same results can be achieved using less power on simplier MCU platforms. 

 

Really sorry for OT, but actually this Launchpad was the last straw for me. 

 

 

 After shipment it cost more than on mouser or element14 Farnell.

 I fully agree your point of view and seems TI see the student market more profitable than following R&D firms, I am still using LP for teaching support but removing from business. MSP430 samples are less expensive if bought by a customer from distributor or direct shipment from mouser/digikey/farnell than as free samples. This way theyt don't grasp lose in term averaging 10K unit/project at every time they lose one developer..

Hold on guys. Yes, shipping kind of hurts... TI definitely knows about this and is looking into it.

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That's good to hear @@bluehash!

 

I don't think it's unfair for them to charge for shipping. Actually my post was more of a "nostalgic" ramble as it was so good to have 1st class service, all duties paid, for free. But I understand it had to be costing them a lot of money, especially when shipping to countries like Brazil with its ridiculous import taxes and stuff.

 

That said, it would be good to at least have a cheaper option so it becomes viable again. I heard some people in a local mailing list saying they got their MSP432 LP's with taxes paid, and were only charged 7 USD for shipping. It's been a while since I last bought anything so it might well have changed already.

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I agree. Free shipping must have been unsustainable but the current international shipping makes it difficult to justify a purchase.

 

Of you're getting nostalgic, remember the G2 launchpad used to be $4.30 including shipping!

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Hold on guys. Yes, shipping kind of hurts... TI definitely knows about this and is looking into it.

 

 Yes I fully documented issue, they called me by phone too but problem still exists, I was not just calling for free shipping but to have prepaid custom fee, this avoid expensive delivery and problem search for correct amount to pay on delivery. I don't like gambling so I forever need cost for sure to compile exact bill.

 When LP was 4.30 to lower shipping prices I bought in volume to distribute to students. Now it is better buy from distributor, I just placed an order to Farnell (element 14), free shipping and no surprise cost much less than TI.

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Didn't notice until now the "E S I Scan Interface" logo and the special header for the ESI pins down at the bottom!

 

Also looks like I need to find my muse again and keep cracking on my new msp430 arduino core which supports this chip...

 

Sent from my Galaxy Note II using Tapatalk

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  • 3 weeks later...

Looks like TI has increased the price for this launchpad to $17.99 :-(

Yeah, I noticed that right after they sent me an email saying it was on sale for $13.99.

Literally read the email just after it arrived, and clicked on the link in the email to buy and it was $17.99. :(

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