Tutorial: Product Substitution

If a product is not immediately available you can find a replacement for an extended-availability or discontinued item on TESSCO.com right from your worksheet.  First, add the desired items to your worksheet.  Then "confirmed price" and availability to see what is or is not available.

Any products which ARE in stock will show "NOW" in the "Estimated Availability" column.  Should a product not be available you will see an estimated arrival date (to TESSCO) for those items in that same column (if an estimate has been provided by the manufacturer).  The "Estimated Availability" column and it's companion "Alternative" column has been highlighted below.

Notice the "view" link next to any item which shows extended availability (not in stock).  To find substitutes or alternatives, click on the cooresponding "view" link.

TESSCO.com will present any substitues or alternative products.  Only those subs and alternatives which can meet the originally needed quantity will be presented.  For example, if you asked for 10 of sku X, only substitutes or alternatives which have a stock level greather than or equal to 10 will be shown. 

Substitute items are products which have been identified as a direct replacement for something else.  They will be emphasized with a red top-border and "Direct Sub" flag.  To choose the substitute, click on the yellow "accept" button and TESSCO.com will remove your original item and replace it with the substitute on your worksheet.

Alternative products are similar items within the same subgroup of products, but may not necessarily be substitues.  Please read the alternative's specifications carefully before opting to order them.   If you choose to order an alternative, click on the yellow "add" button.  This will add the alternative to your worksheet but does NOT remove the original.  You will need to remove the original item from the worksheet to avoid ordering it.

No substitues or alternatives may be listed for your originally desired item.  If this is the case, you will be directed to an "Alternative Product Request" page.  Simply complete this form and it will be sent to TESSCO's webhelp team for further review to find an alternative or confirmed date for the unavailable item.  They will respond to your request via e-mail within 24 business hours.

Notes Regarding Estimated Delivery Dates

TESSCO understands you rely on us for information about the delivery dates of your products. A big part of our role as the “Vital Link” between you and the manufacturers is to cut through the red tape and give you the knowledge you need to help plan and manage your total job.

The expected availability date for a product represents the most likely time when this product will come into stock.  TESSCO estimates these dates based upon our knowledge of the supply chain as well as:

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