C-parts

Definition

Low-value, high-line-count items whose handling costs more than the parts themselves are worth.

Why It Matters

They are the reason this trade is priced on cost to serve. A washer or a cable tie earns pennies and costs the same to receive, put away, pick and invoice as a cutting tool does, so a distributor whose growth came from adding small lines may have grown its revenue and shrunk its profit. The fix is usually kitting, bins or a minimum order value, and whether the seller has done any of it is a direct read on how much margin work is left for the buyer.