Providing customer service creates value for consumers not only at the point of sale, but also during the consumption process. Therefore, Powerfully Fit needs to determine how it will handle customer service for product support on its end. Because its products contain revolutionary power-generating technology, it expects that a significant number of consumers will have questions about the products after the purchase. Customer service creates value for consumers but is an expense to the firm that must be managed. Your boss asks for your recommendation as to how Powerfully Fit should provide customer service. a) Unlimited Support: Customers can access customer service agents via phone and Internet 24/7/365. Representatives are always available and willing to help customers. The cost to provide this level of service is extremely high. b) Minimal Support: Customers can access customer service agents via Internet only from noon-4 PM, Monday through Friday. Consumers are encouraged to troubleshoot their own issues via the website FAQ. The cost to provide this level of service is low. c) Limited Support: Customers can access customer service agents via phone and Internet during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. The cost to provide this level of service is moderate.

At the end of the fiscal year, apha airlines has an outstanding non-cancellable purchase commitment for the purchase of 1 million gallons of jet fuel at a price of $4.10 per gallon for delivery during the coming summer. the company prices its inventory at the lower of cost or market. if the market price for jet fuel at the end of the year is $4.50, how would this situation be reflected in the annual financial statements?

You are the owner of a local honda dealership. unlike other dealerships in the area, you take pride in your “no haggle” sales policy. last year, your dealership earned record profits of $1.5 million. however, according to the local chamber of commerce, your earnings were 10 percent less than either of your competitors. in your market, the price elasticity of demand for midsized honda automobiles is 4.5. in each of the last five years, your dealership has sold more midsized automobiles than any other honda dealership in the nation. this entitled your dealership to an additional 30 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (msrp) in each year. taking this into account, your marginal cost of a midsized automobile is $11,000. what price should you charge for a midsized automobile if you expect to maintain your record sales?

Milden company has an exclusive franchise to purchase a product from the manufacturer and distribute it on the retail level. as an aid in planning, the company has decided to start using a contribution format income statement. to have data to prepare such a statement, the company has analyzed its expenses and has developed the following cost formulas: cost cost formula cost of good sold $35 per unit sold advertising expense $210,000 per quarter sales commissions 6% of sales shipping expense ? administrative salaries $145,000 per quarter insurance expense $9,000 per quarter depreciation expense $76,000 per quarter management has concluded that shipping expense is a mixed cost, containing both variable and fixed cost elements. units sold and the related shipping expense over the last eight quarters follow: quarter units sold shipping expense year 1: first 10,000 $ 119,000 second 16,000 $ 175,000 third 18,000 $ 190,000 fourth 15,000 $ 164,000 year 2: first 11,000 $ 130,000 second 17,000 $ 185,000 third 20,000 $ 210,000 fourth 13,000 $ 147,000 milden company’s president would like a cost formula derived for shipping expense so that a budgeted contribution format income statement can be prepared for the next quarter. required: 1. using the high-low method, estimate a cost formula for shipping expe