Thanks to catweazle for this one:
http://sample.microchip.com
You can order 3 free samples each of loads of different IC's including PIC's and memory.
Have you actually received any? does this work?
I assume it works, at least it does according to catweazle.
Theres a 2 week delivery time for samples though so i'll let you know if or when they arrive
check the following semiconductor manufactors....
www.ti.com (http://www.ti.com) very very fast shipping, just a couple of days and you have your samples
www.st.com (http://www.st.com) very fast shipping
www.microchip.com (http://www.microchip.com) ok, it takes more than two weeks but it works
www.analog.com (http://www.analog.com) takes some time, too
Don't use commercial email adress like yahoo, web, gmx - accounts, that will not work!
I can say it works really, but do not go over the top ordering samples everywhere.
oh this was a very expensive information, please transfer a lot of money to my pay pal account ;)