Electronic components are required for a variety of products. They’re found virtually everywhere: in medical equipment, computer parts, lighting and sound systems, military supplies, and the list goes on and on. In many of these cases, the functionality of the final product is absolutely critical. And when the stakes are high, it’s especially important to understand your parts and where they’re coming from. 

There are three primary options for purchasing electronic parts; you can buy directly from the manufacturer, from an authorized distributor, or from a broker. There are pros and cons to each of these options, but today we’re going to take a look at five of the reasons to choose an authorized distributor. 

Why to Buy From an Authorized Distributor

1. Reliable Quality

Because authorized distributors purchase directly from manufacturers, you can feel confident that parts you receive are authentic. If you order parts that include accessories, user manuals, or other supplementary information, those elements will be manufacturer-quality, too.

Unauthorized sources (like brokers) have been known to share user manuals for incorrect products or in languages other than English. It’s also possible for an unauthorized seller to remove accessories or supplemental parts from the original box and then sell them to customers separately to maximize profit. In the worst cases, the part itself can be defective or altered when purchased through unauthorized sources. Your part could arrive with an incorrect voltage, altered serial numbers, or other abnormalities that affect how your part will serve its intended purpose.

Defective, stolen, altered, or counterfeit products can wreak havoc on many of the use cases we described above, like medical equipment or computer parts. If it’s important that your parts arrive exactly as the manufacturer intended, an authorized distributor is a great purchase option. 

2. Access to Manufacturer’s Warranty

As we covered in reason #1, when purchasing from an unauthorized distributor or an agent/broker, you can’t be sure that the parts you’re receiving are legitimate and unaltered. If they’ve been modified in any way, any available warranty from the manufacturer is usually voided, leaving you on the hook for a faulty product. 

This presents a host of challenges. Not only do you have to work with a part that no longer functions exactly the way you anticipated, you also have no recourse to have the part fixed or replaced. 

To avoid this issue, purchase from an authorized distributor. Authorized distributors have direct relationships with the manufacturers whose parts they carry—this is where the “authorized” term originates. Manufacturers give authorized distributors permission to sell their products as a verified source, so they’ll honor warranties in the event that you receive a faulty product. 

3. Flexibility

Our first two points above focus primarily on the difference between an authorized distributor and a broker, since buying directly from a manufacturer will also provide benefits in terms of quality and warranty. But, buying from a manufacturer has its downsides as well. 

As compared to a manufacturer, buying from an authorized distributor allows for more purchase flexibility. Here’s why: Authorized distributors don’t have to worry about actually manufacturing the product, so they typically have more space and capital available to invest in inventory. 

What does that mean for you? It means authorized distributors will often carry all the parts you need, straight from the factory, with lower up-front costs and shorter lead times than the supplier will be able to offer. This is especially beneficial if you need to purchase parts from multiple suppliers. Buying from an authorized distributor can streamline the process, easing shipping costs and delivery timelines. 

4. Customer Service

Purchasing from an authorized distributor gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to customer service. Because the distributor has a relationship with the manufacturer, the manufacturer typically extends its own support services to any customers that buy through the distributor. 

On top of that, many distributors also have their own support teams that act as another layer of assistance. These support teams are often familiar with products from multiple manufacturers, meaning that they can provide guidance that aligns more directly with a product’s use case within a larger system. 

In any case, you can rest assured that when you buy through an authorized distributor, you’ll be able to reach the right people to assist with any questions or concerns that may arise.

5. Wider Part Variety

Lastly, because many authorized distributors work with a global network of manufacturers, they may be able to track down parts that are harder to find or obtain. Many distributors maintain extensive inventories, increasing the likelihood that your obscure part is already available for purchase. 

If an authorized distributor doesn’t currently have a specific part in stock, they’ll likely be able to track it down more easily than you’d be able to yourself. Then, if they still can’t find it, authorized distributors can often connect you to their technical support teams to suggest a reasonable alternative for the project you have in mind. If you regularly work with lesser-known parts, the partnership that an authorized distributor provides may work best for your needs.

Ultimately, the method you choose for purchasing your electronic components is up to you and your specific needs and goals. However, these five reasons give powerful evidence for choosing an authorized distributor whenever possible. If you’re curious about how that might work for your next project, contact us here.