Keysight

Sounds like europe has too many rules.

I've heard that civilians can't buy parts in some places.

There is no rule that says you can't turn customers away if you want to. RadioSpares UK used to be notorious for it in the good old days.

Unless you had your name up in lights less than 100yds from an A class road they just would not sell to you. My friend who was an electronic technician at a FE College could buy stuff from them at work due tot he right signage and location (where they spent tens of pounds a month) but not for his business at home where he was buying stuff in bulk.

These days they will sell to anyone, Farnell and Rapid always would.

It might be something about the distinction between consumer electronics product safety liability insurance or something like that has made them wary of selling things to consumers (or some MBA's bright idea).

You can't buy chemicals these days. Especially oxidisers.

Last time I bought some peroxide on Amazon it helpfully suggested that people who buy this also buy acetone! An unfortunate recommendation.

For a while I invented a fake company, Simple Systems Inc, to get free magazines and samples and data books. Nobody asked for proof.

Of course! There are costs associated with customers -- ANY kind of customer. A smart businessman wants those costs to be offset by the "business" gained. (keeping in mind that time spent on customer A can't be spent on a more lucrative POTENTIAL customer B)

A client that manufactures pharmaceutical production equipment recounted a story of an *individual* (it's relatively easy to determine if you are a "real business" -- esp one of size!) looking to purchase a small, hand-cycled tablet press. These would typically be used when experimenting with formulations in the lab BEFORE releasing to production (e.g., checking dissolution times, friability, etc.).

They tipped off the authorities and weren't surprised to discover the guy was running an illegal drug operation.