The happy outcome: I went to HoBid.com and received a dozen responses from IC suppliers. I selected Electro-Comp Services (www.electro-comp.com) in Florida. I paid $1800 with a credit card. They ordered from a Chinese supplier they trusted. They sent me photos of the top, bottom, and X-ray of...
I e-mailed 7 Chinese companies that offered to sell me the parts I want, if I send a bank wire transfer. I counteroffered to use SeekIC's escrow service, or they could send me one IC free (shipping paid on my UPS account) and I'll then buy 1000 ICs. Two of the seven companies refused, the others...
I used SeekIC.com to find these suppliers. They have a complaints page. I filed a complaint, and the company returned my $560. SeekIC.com also has an escrow service, I'll try that next time.
I also e-mailed the company's bank, but they said they couldn't do anything, and gave me the Hong Kong...
One of the products we manufacture uses an obsolete DSP chip. I Googled to find if anyone had any and -- lo! -- a dozen or more companies in Hong Kong said they have stock! I selected one and the rep said they accept only bank wire transfers for payment. Rather than send $5000 for all the chips...
