Substitute item
Also called substitution, alternate item
Reviewed by Dasha ShakovVP Marketing, Proton
Updated
What is substitute item?
A substitute item is a different product shipped in place of the one ordered because it does the same job, such as another brand with the same specs. Distributors offer substitutes when the ordered item is out of stock, discontinued or slow to arrive, with the customer’s approval.
Substitute item example
The contactor on an order won’t be back for three weeks. An equivalent from another manufacturer has the same rating and coil voltage, and the buyer approves it by email.
Related terms
- Cross-referenceA cross-reference is a lookup table that links a distributor’s SKUs to other numbers for the same or an equivalent item.
- SupersessionSupersession is a manufacturer’s replacement of an old part number with a new one for the same or an improved part.
- BackorderA backorder is the quantity on a customer’s order that a distributor has agreed to supply but can’t ship yet, kept open until stock arrives.
- StockoutA stockout is a situation in which a distributor has none of an item available to sell when a customer wants it.
