Calling for everbody to sign a petition to FIRST

[archiver]

Posted by Joe Taylor at 04/27/2001 8:36 PM EST


College Student on team #461, West Side Boiler Invasion, from West Lafayette High School and Purdue University .


In Reply to: Calling for everbody to sign a petition to FIRST
Posted by Kyle Fenton on 04/25/2001 10:28 PM EST:



Kyle,
I really don't think expanding the number of places from which teams can purchase materials is a good idea. Small Parts is a FIRST corporate parter just like any other company, only they make a contribution by giving us huge discounts on parts and materials. If you compare small parts offerings and prices to other industrial suppliers (such as mcmaster-carr and grainger) you'll find small parts isn't far off the mark in price. thier selection may be more limited, but the freedom of the additional parts list more than makes up for it. Perhaps you should lobby for a more diverse additional parts list, or for increased freedom in special ordering items from small parts, but to try to cut them out of the equation as a primary supplier is a real slap in the face to a company thats done alot for FIRST.

Thanks,
Joe Taylor
Technical Director, team 461