Question

Two months ago, Air-tite Corporation purchased 4,500 pounds of Hydrol, paying $15,300. The demand for this product has been very strong since the acquisition, with the market price jumping to $4.05 per pound. (Air-tite can buy or sell Hydrol at this price.) The company recently received a special-order inquiry, one that would require the use of 4,200 pounds of Hydrol. Which of the following is (are) relevant in deciding whether to accept the special order?

Answer 1

Answer: The $4.05 market price

Explanation: Air-tite can buy or sell Hydrol at $4.05. If they decide to accept the order, there has to be a higher return on the use of Hydrol in the return than they would get from selling Hydrol as is.

There may also be an opportunity cost to using the product for this special order if there is an order that would yield higher returns for the use of Hydrol.

The quantity that would remain after making the special order does not have any impact on the decision making process, as they are considering just one order that requires Hydrol.

The purchase price is not relevant as they cannot purchase Hydrol at that price in the present. The total quantity is not relevant either as they have enough for the order.