Tip for buying often used common parts

A while back I needed some 1N4148 and 1N4007 diodes, along with some very special IC's. for a project.

I finally found the IC's- not real cheap, and asked if they carried other semi- conductors.
 The salesman said "Yes".
 So I got a quote on the diodes in quantities of 10 ea.
 Well they were what I thought expensive in small quantities.

I asked the price in 100 quantities. It was the same TOTAL!
 Yes, I got 100 ea. of the diodes for the same price as 10 ea. of them.

So when ordering commonly used parts, always get a quote on larger quantities than you need. You can build up your stock of parts, often at no extra cost.

Another trick is for several folks to go and make a "Bulk Buy" on the parts.
 Order 500-1000 of the item. Resistor & Capacitor prices drastically drop in large quantities.
 Don't be afraid to ask the seller to "Wheel & Deal".
 This often works best towards the end of the month, when they have to meet a sales quota and may be behind.