Brokers and marketplaces solve different problems. Brokers excel at blind searches and negotiation for scarce lines. Marketplaces excel at visibility, self-service search, and publishing surplus at scale.
When a free marketplace is the right first step
If you have identifiable MPNs and want buyers to find you, list on USParts.us for free. If you are buying and already know the part numbers on your BOM, run marketplace search before paying broker fees on every line.
When brokers still add value
Extremely scarce obsolete ICs, untested brokered lots with unclear pedigree, and last-rescue timelines may still need a broker’s phone network. Use marketplace data to inform those calls instead of starting cold.
Use both in a hybrid sourcing stack
Best-in-class procurement teams publish excess on marketplaces, search free BOM tools for buy-side coverage, and reserve brokers for lines that fail automated search — not for every routine commodity part.
Ready to search or list parts?
Use free BOM search to source components, or list your surplus inventory so buyers can find your MPNs on USParts.us.