A majority of players seem to believe that hard point modules can be sold out and restocked at stations. How frequently does this happen in your experience? I know a group on reddit thought it happened hourly
I don't think there is any real-time connection at all between Player/NPC trading ships. You sell items and they do not appear to buy!
You'd expect things would change when a Type-6,7,9 docks but alas.
Back in 1.0 or Gamma, can't remember which...there was available stock and re-stock rates. I think they got rid of that for making modules always available if a station met the technology and population requirements.
Though, I really can't say for sure either way. HIP 18527 has been my outfitter of choice for more than a dozen different builds. So far, it has only ever been lacking in A7 shields.
This isn't the case. Certain top-notch hard point modules are very rare at even high-tech systems with big populations and you have to go through space trying to find them in stock