Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, the contact form reaches a person.
Buying
Does it cost anything to use?
- No. Searching, comparing and requesting quotes are free for buyers, with no account required to see prices.
Do I buy from Sparehawk?
- No. You buy from the supplier. Sparehawk shows you who has the part and carries your request to them; the order, the invoice and the warranty are between you and that supplier.
Why do some offers not show a price?
- Because that supplier chose not to publish one, usually because the price depends on quantity or condition. The offer says "price on request" rather than inventing a number, and a request gets you the figure.
How current are stock levels?
- Each offer carries the date its supplier last published it, and feeds are re-imported on a schedule. Anything older than a few weeks is marked so you can weigh it.
Can I request quotes for a whole parts list?
- Yes. Upload a bill of materials and every line is matched against the catalogue at once; one request then covers the whole machine.
Parts and conditions
What do the condition grades mean?
- New/OEM is manufacturer-channel stock with a manufacturer warranty. New surplus is unused stock that left that channel. Refurbished has been inspected, repaired and tested by the supplier. Used is a tested pull. The guide on condition grades explains what each is worth.
Are discontinued parts still available?
- Usually, for years. Distributors hold residual stock and refurbishers keep boards in circulation long after production ends. The obsolete-parts hub lists discontinued parts that have live offers today.
How do you know a part is discontinued?
- From the manufacturer where they publish it, with a link on the part page; from an operator who checked it by hand and recorded what they checked; or from a supplier or buyer. Every claim carries which of those it is.
Selling
What does it cost to list?
- The first three months are free, and a small catalogue stays free for good. Larger catalogues pay a monthly plan by the number of listings — see the pricing page. There is no commission on what you sell.
What do you need from me to start?
- A stock export in CSV or XLSX with a part number, a brand, a condition and a quantity. Everything else is optional and improves how often your lines are requested.
Who sees my prices?
- Anyone, if you publish them — that is what makes a line get requested. You can hide the price or the quantity on any line, and the offer then says so instead of showing a number.
Do you sell my stock list?
- No. We use it to publish your offers and match them to requests. We do not license it to third parties and we do not use your prices to help a competitor undercut you.