Question

Classify each of the following costs as relevant or irrelevant to the decision at hand and briefly explain your reason. a. The purchase price of the old computer when replacing it with a new computer with improved features b. The cost of renovations when deciding whether to build a new office building or to renovate the existing office building c. The original cost of the current stove when selecting a new, more efficient stove for a restaurant d. Local tax incentives when selecting the location of a new office complex for a ­company’s headquarters e. The fair market value (trade-in value) of the existing forklift when deciding whether to replace it with a new, more efficient model f. Fuel economy when purchasing new trucks for the delivery fleet g. The cost of production when determining whether to continue to manufacture the screen for a smartphone or to purchase it from an outside supplier h. The cost of land when determining where to build a new call center i. The average cost of vehicle operation when purchasing a new delivery van j. Real estate property tax rates when selecting the location for a new order processing center

Answer 1

Answer:

a. The purchase price of the old computer when replacing it with a new computer with improved features - Irrelevant cost

Sunk costs are considered irrelevant and the price of the old computer is a sunk cost as it has already been incurred.

b. The cost of renovations when deciding whether to build a new office building or to renovate the existing office building - Relevant

The cost of renovations will help the company decide which alternative is cheaper between building a new office or renovating.

c. The original cost of the current stove when selecting a new, more efficient stove for a restaurant. - Irrelevant

Like the first, this is a sunk cost so it is irrelevant.

d. Local tax incentives when selecting the location of a new office complex for a ­company’s headquarters. - Relevant

Local tax incentives could reduce cost of operation so is relevant when choosing headquarter location.

e. The fair market value (trade-in value) of the existing forklift when deciding whether to replace it with a new, more efficient model. - Relevant

The existing machine can be traded in for part of the cost of a new one using its market value to reduce the cost of the new one. It is relevant.

f. Fuel economy when purchasing new trucks for the delivery fleet. - Relevant.

Higher fuel economy can reduce cost of transportation so is a relevant cost.

g. The cost of production when determining whether to continue to manufacture the screen for a smartphone or to purchase it from an outside supplier. - Relevant.

This is a relevant cost because the it will help the company decide the cheaper alternative.

h. The cost of land when determining where to build a new call center. - Relevant.

Some land will be in areas that will have higher real estate prices. Your preferred cost of land will help determine which areas to look for locations in.

i. The average cost of vehicle operation when purchasing a new delivery van. - Relevant.

If this cost is too high it will increase expenses. It is a relevant cost to note for cost maximisation.

j. Real estate property tax rates when selecting the location for a new order processing center. - Relevant

Real estate taxes need to be known so that cost estimation can be made on the order processing center.