Catalogs

[x88x]

So, I was just cleaning up my kitchen and ran across my latest Mouser catalog, and that got me thinking. How much money do you think they waste on sending out paper catalogs? It looks like they send out two a year, and I didn't even sign up for it (I may have missed an opt-out thing, but I didn't specifically opt-in). I mean, it's nice and all, but surely there must be a better way of doing this. Each catalog weighs at least a good 3 pounds, and if they send two a year to everyone who has ever bought something from them...they must burn a lot of money printing and mailing these things.

[artoodeeto]

as a bit of a segue, think of all those bookstores, newstands, etc across the country that sell magazines. I used to work in a bookstore, and let me tell you, the number of magazines they just throw away is APPALLING. Same with small paperback books that don't sell. It's a sickening amount of waste, all in the name of having zillions of copies available for sale even though they know they'll never sell that many. grrr......
And incidentally, yeah they do spend some cash printing and mailing them, but they build that spent money into the product prices. So really, if you're buying from them, you're helping pay for all that waste. Ain't it great?

[Snowman]

Not much anymore mouser and mcm electronics both converted over to e-catalogs and will only send me paper if i order something

[Mark_Hardware]

Ya know, I was just thinking about that, as I adjusted my Mouser catalog footstool. I placed my order online, and the next time I place an order, it will be online. Soo... why the phonebook-sized catalog? (Which, incidentally, tells you to go online to see whats new).

[Oneslowz28]

I get a new Digi-Key every 4-6 months. Its about 5-6" thick. They were talking about sending a thumbdrive to customers instead of the paper catalog.

[msmrx57]

Its about 5-6" thick. They were talking about sending a thumbdrive to customers instead of the paper catalog.

Now there's a great idea. Probably cheaper initially, and you could send it back for the next catalog to be loaded saving most of the costs.

[x88x]

:eek: Wow, that's even bigger than the Mouser one...kinda makes me want to order something from them just to see one. :P

[Oneslowz28]

You dont have to order anything, just request one on the site.

[Mark_Hardware]

Somewhere out there, a tree just shivered...