An Appliance Dealer Must Decide How Many (If Any)new Microwave

question 38

Essay

An appliance dealer must decide how many (if any)new microwave ovens to order for next month.The ovens cost $220 and sell for $300.Because the oven company is coming out with a new product line in two months,any ovens not sold next month will have to be sold at the dealer's half price clearance sale.Additionally,the appliance dealer feels he suffers a loss of $25 for every oven demanded when he is out of stock.On the basis of past months' sales data,the dealer estimates the probabilities of monthly demand (D)for 0,1,2,or 3 ovens to be .3,.4,.2,and .1,respectively.
The dealer is considering conducting a telephone survey on the customers' attitudes towards microwave ovens.The results of the survey will either be favorable (F),unfavorable (U)or no opinion (N).The dealer's probability estimates for the survey results based on the number of units demanded are:
P(F | D = 0)= .1
P(F | D = 2).3
P(U | D = 0)= .8
P(U | D = 2)= .1
P(F | D = 1)= .2
P(F | D = 3).9
P(U | D = 1)= .3
P(U | D = 3)= .1
a.What is the dealer's optimal decision without conducting the survey?
b.What is the EVPI?
c.Based on the survey results what is the optimal decision strategy for the dealer?
d.What is the maximum amount he should pay for this survey?

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Definitions:

Bond Discount

The disparity in value when a bond's selling price is beneath its designated face value.

Semiannual Interest

Interest that is computed and disbursed semi-annually, commonly associated with bonds and loans.

Straight-line Method

An approach to calculate depreciation or amortization by equally dividing the asset's expense over its useful life.

Issue Bonds

The act of a corporation or government borrowing money from investors by selling them bond securities.