MeridexionTwo suppliers quote the same part and the numbers are forty percent apart. Neither is lying. One price is the part; the other is the part plus a certificate, export packing, a freight leg and somebody who checked the number against your engine first.
A supplier who asks questions at the start tends to be cheaper in the end.
The five variables behind a price
As a quick reference:
| Variable | What it changes | Price effect |
|---|---|---|
| Material and process | Cast versus forged, coating, heat treatment | Large — often the main difference |
| Origin and manufacturer | Genuine OEM, approved equivalent, unbranded | Large |
| Certification | Mill certificate only, or full class endorsement | Moderate, plus lead time |
| Quantity and batch | Single unit versus set versus annual requirement | Moderate to large |
| Delivery basis | EXW, FOB, CIF, DAP; air versus sea | Moderate, sometimes decisive |
Why you cannot compare quotes on unit price alone
A quote of “USD 120 each, EXW Shanghai, mill certificate” and one of “USD 165 each, DAP Singapore, class certificate” are not comparable. The second includes freight, insurance, customs clearance and a certification chain. Comparing only the numbers is how buyers end up choosing the cheaper quote and paying more at the end.
Ask every supplier to quote on the same basis — same part specification, same Incoterm, same certificate — before comparing.
Where the money actually goes
- Material — for castings and forgings, material is a large share of cost, which is why specification substitution is the most common cost-cutting measure and the most common cause of early failure.
- Machining time — dominant for precision parts such as injector components and bearing shells.
- Tooling amortisation — significant for low-volume castings; it is why a discontinued liner can cost several times a current one.
- Certification and inspection — a real cost, not a formality.
- Freight — for heavy parts, often the largest single line.
Why a very low quote should worry you
Below a certain point, something has been left out: the material grade, the heat treatment, the inspection, or the certificate. For wear parts this shows up months later as premature failure, which costs far more than the saving — see OEM versus equivalent.
How to compare properly
Ask all suppliers for
- Specification as quoted — material, standard, drawing reference
- Origin and manufacturer
- Certificates included
- Lead time to dispatch, and to destination
- Incoterm and freight basis
- Validity period of the offer
With these six items side by side, quotes become comparable and the decision becomes a specification decision rather than a price guessing game. See how to send an enquiry for the input side.
Need this part
Send the engine make, model and part number – or just a photo and a description. We will confirm availability and come back with options and lead time.
Worth noting
The engine doesn’t care what the invoice says. It cares whether the part fits.
A few things people ask
Why do quotes for the same marine spare part differ so much?
Usually because they cover different things: material grade, manufacturer, certification level, quantity basis or delivery terms. The part may look identical and still be a different product.
Is the cheapest quote always the worst?
No, but a quote significantly below the others usually has something left out — material grade, heat treatment, inspection or certification. For wear parts this surfaces later as premature failure.
What should I ask for to compare quotes fairly?
Specification and drawing reference, manufacturer, certificates included, lead time to dispatch and to destination, Incoterm, and offer validity. Compare only on an identical basis.