There's a bottle of 500, nine cents each...

i saw some others offered at 30 cents each, in a lot of ten... multiple outlets, some of which also asked for shipping.
saw these on Ebay just now... 53 cents each, roughly.. "50pcs Bike Cable End Caps, Black Bicycle Cable Ends Crimps, Bike black（50pcs）US $26.57
last time i restocked, i bought 1000 decent ones at about 1.5 cents each.

there are some even cheaper, but my fingers kept smushing the ridiculously flimsy things just trying to slip them onto the cables, and they refused to stay put once crimped...
rolled aluminum foil would have worked better.
i recycled them.

not everyone wants a thousand end crimps at once.

soldering control cables is not a time-viable option in a busy shop... and solder doesn't stick to Stainless cables well.
i've also fought to get "just the right amount" on a cable... too much sees you just re-heating and removing the excess...

as to the mention of removing /re-using cables... it happens during various repairs, Painting Frames, and general parts replacements.
a well clipped/crimp-covered end can be re-inserted.
bypass cutters mangle the very end of the strands, IME.
i use premium 8" side cutters, exclusively.