126) Companies bringing out a new product can choose between two broad strategies: market-skimming pricing and market-penetration pricing. Distinguish between the two.
Answer: Market skimming is used to skim revenues layer by layer from the market by entering the market with high initial prices. The product's quality and image must support its higher price, and enough buyers must want the product at that price. The costs of producing a smaller volume cannot be so high that they cancel the advantage of charging more. Competitors should not be able to enter the market easily and undercut the high price. Market penetration is used to penetrate the market quickly and deeply to attract a large number of buyers quickly and win a large market share by setting a low price initially when it enters the market. The market must be highly price sensitive so that a low price produces more market growth. Production and distribution costs must fall as sales volume increases. Also, the low price must help keep out competition and be maintained over time.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314-315
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Critical Thinking
Objective: 11-1
127) Sensenig Propeller manufactures replica antique wooden airplane propellers. In the process of production, the company generates a great deal of scrap hardwood. Which pricing mix strategy should Sensenig use, and how does it function?
Answer: Using by-product pricing, Sensenig will seek a market for the hardwood or by-products and should accept any price that covers more than the cost of storing and delivering the by-products. This practice allows Sensenig to reduce the main product's price to make it more competitive. Sensenig might even find that the by-products themselves are profitable.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Critical Thinking
Objective: 11-2
128) Explain product line pricing.
Answer: With this option, management must decide on the price steps to set between the various products in a line. The price steps should take into account cost differences between the products in a line, customer evaluations of different product features, and competitors' prices. The seller's task is to establish perceived quality differences that support the price differences between various price points.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-2
129) Why do businesses use cash discounts when they are in essence losing some money on the sale?
Answer: Such discounts are customary in many industries in order to reward a customer who pays bills promptly. The practice encourages customers to pay early, giving the firm quicker and more reliable access to cash. A cash discount can also help to build customer loyalty to the firm.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 319
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-3
130) Describe the differences between dynamic and fixed pricing.
Answer: Throughout most of history, prices were set by negotiation between buyers and sellers.The fixed price policy-setting one price for all buyers-is a relatively modern idea that arose with the development of large-scale retailing at the end of the nineteenth century. Today most prices are set this way. However, some companies are now reversing the fixed pricing trend. They are using dynamic pricing, adjusting prices continually to meet the characteristics and needs of individual customers and situations. Dynamic pricing makes sense in many contexts. It adjusts prices according to market forces, and it often works to the benefit of the customer.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 323
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Critical Thinking
Objective: 11-3
131) Explain the factors involved in setting international pricing.
Answer: In some cases, a company can set a uniform worldwide price. However, most companies adjust their prices to reflect local market conditions and cost considerations. A firm must consider economic conditions, competitive situations, laws and regulations, and development of the wholesale and retail system. Consumer perceptions and preferences also may vary from country to country, calling for different prices. The company may have different marketing objectives in various world markets. Costs play an important role in setting international prices. Management must prepare for price escalation that may result from the differences in selling strategies or market conditions. The additional costs of product modifications, shipping and insurance, import tariffs and taxes, exchange-rate fluctuations, and physical distribution must all be factored into the "price."
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 324
AACSB: Dynamics of the Global Economy
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-3
132) Discuss under what conditions a company might consider using price cuts or price increases.
Answer: Price cuts may be necessary when there is excess capacity. Another time to cut prices is when market share is falling in the face of strong price competition. A company may also cut prices in a drive to dominate the market through lower costs. A major factor in price increases is cost inflation. Rising costs squeeze profit margins and lead companies to pass cost increases along to customers. Another factor leading to price increases is overdemand. When a company cannot supply all its customers' needs, it can raise its prices, ration products to customers, or both.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 325
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-4
133) When are competitors most likely to react to price changes? How can a firm anticipate the likely reactions of its competitors?
Answer: Competitors are most likely to react when the number of firms involved is small, when the product is uniform, and when the buyers are well informed. If the firm faces one large competitor, and if the competitor tends to react in a set way to price changes, that reaction can be easily anticipated. But if the competitor treats each price change as a fresh challenge and reacts according to its self-interest, the company will have to figure out just what makes up the competitor's self-interest at the time.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 326-327
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Critical Thinking
Objective: 11-4
134) What regulates pricing activities when the federal government does not?
Answer: States often regulate these activities. The most important pieces of federal legislation affecting prices are the Sherman, Clayton, and Robinson-Patman acts, initially adopted to curb the formation of monopolies and to regulate business practices that might unfairly restrain trade. Because these statutes can be applied only to interstate commerce, many states have adopted similar provisions for companies that operate locally. Examples include pricing within channel levels and pricing across channel levels.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 327
AACSB: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Abilities
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-5
135) Compare the practices of price fixing and predatory pricing, explaining why each is prohibited by law.
Answer: Many federal, state, and local laws govern the rules of fair play in pricing. Two major areas of concern are price fixing and predatory pricing. Companies that engage in price fixing collude to set a common price for their comparable products; price fixing undermines the core element of price competition in our free-market economy. On the other hand, predatory pricing takes price competition too far. Predatory pricing occurs when a company sells a product below cost with the intention of punishing a competitor or by putting a competitor out of business.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 328-33`
AACSB: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Abilities
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-5
136) For what types of products might marketers use market-skimming pricing?
Answer: Such pricing works when the product's quality and image support the higher price; for example, companies selling high-tech electronics may use market-skimming pricing.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-1
137) For what types of products might marketers use market-penetration pricing?
Answer: Marketers use such pricing when attempting to attract a large number of buyers quickly and win a large market share; such pricing may be common when competition for products is high.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 314-315
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-1
138) Why is product line pricing used?
Answer: Such pricing is used to establish price ranges-or price steps-within product lines.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 315
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-2
139) Give two examples of products for which marketers may use optional-product pricing.
Answer: Such products may include refrigerators with icemakers and cars with options such as stereos, GPS, and cruise control.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-2
140) Give two examples of products for which captive product pricing may be used.
Answer: Captive product pricing is used when pricing theater tickets and selling refreshments at a higher rate; it is also used when pricing game consoles along with video games.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 316
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-2
141) Give two examples of by-product pricing.
Answer: Examples could include selling scrap metal after producing metal stampings or selling donut holes after producing donuts.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 316
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-2
142) How do consumers benefit from product bundle pricing?
Answer: Several products are sold together at a reduced rate; vacation packages that include air and hotel or value meals in the fast-food industry are examples.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 318
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-2
143) Give an example of a cash discount.
Answer: With a 2/10, net 30 arrangement, for example, the customer can deduct 2 percent if the bill is paid within 10 days.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 319
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-3
144) List four types of segmented pricing.
Answer: Customer-segment pricing, product-form pricing, location-based pricing, and time-based pricing are all examples.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 320
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-3
145) Explain the psychology behind a price of $9.99 instead of $10.00.
Answer: Consumers typically see the $9.99 product in the $9 range instead of the $10 range; the price appears to psychologically be cheaper.
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 321
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Synthesis
Objective: 11-3
146) Casual Kids sells its catalog items FOB-origin pricing. Who pays the freight charges?
Answer: The customer pays for the freight.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 322
AACSB: Analytic Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-3
147) Explain two different ways a consumer might view a price cut.
Answer: A consumer might believe that he or she is getting a good deal on a quality product, or a consumer might believe that the quality of the product has been reduced.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 326
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-4
148) Why is predatory pricing considered illegal?
Answer: Predatory pricing works against the principles of a free-enterprise system; predatory pricing allows the marketers to sell below cost with the intention of punishing competitors.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 330
AACSB: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Abilities
Skill: Application
Objective: 11-5
149) How can a manufacturer avoid using retail price maintenance but still exert some influence over the price retailers charge for its product?
Answer: The manufacturer can propose a suggested retail price.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 331
AACSB: Reflective Thinking Skills
Skill: Critical Thinking
Objective: 11-5
150) How does deceptive pricing harm consumers?
Answer: Deceptive pricing occurs when a seller states prices or price savings that mislead consumers or are actually not available to consumers.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 331
AACSB: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning Abilities
Skill: Critical Thinking
Objective: 11-5
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