Dear frans,
Didn't bother my nerves at all. I think your kidding yourself about suppliers offering to do design.
First you never see a seperate line item charge for design?
Second, if you take the time to check component pricing, it is the same with or without their help.
Component suppliers are like Wal-Marts, one on every corner and the hook they use is "we can design circuits for you if you buy the parts from us, we are designers?
When something does not work, the warranty is limited to component replacement or repair, never design. Generally it is the way you used or put "their" design together that comes out of their mouth when circuits do not work.
Do you have any performance contract, who owns the design when it is given to you, are we free to pass it around to your customers, who pays when the circuit does not work, and have you provided an out line of what and how the circuit should work.
"I am irritated with the hydraulics component suppliers because they do not deliver to me what they promised." With all due respect, it was your nerve that is hurting not mine.
I do not know your location, but out West (Oregon, Washington) suppliers do manifold designs for customers, only one small problem though. None of them will give the customer a copy of the manifold drawing, just a circuit drawing, that way no one can shop the price around and you are locked into them for more manifolds.
Nothing wrong with component suppliers, if you use them for their intended purpose, selling parts. Well anyway, hope things work out better for you and your customers.
Best Regards,
Gkranz
Westerndynamics.com