Valley Forge and Metal purchased a truck five years ago for local deliveries. Which one
of the following costs related to this truck is the best example of a sunk cost? Assume
the truck has a usable life of eight years.
A. New tires that will be purchased this winter
B. Costs of repairs needed so the truck can pass inspection next month
C. Money spent last month repairing a damaged front fender
D. Engine tune-up that is scheduled for this afternoon
E. Cost for a truck driver for the remainder of the truck’s useful life
Answer:
Beverly’s is a retail chain selling the latest fashions through its outlets located in various
neighborhood malls. Clothing Galore is a wholesaler that buys from textile mills and
sells to retail outlets. Beverly’s has a cost of capital of 13.6 percent, while Clothing
Galore’s cost of capital is 17.8 percent. Both firms are considering opening a retail
outlet in a gigantic new mall. Both proposals are quite similar in design and have
basically the following financial features: an initial cash outlay of $2.7 million, a
projected five-year life with no salvage value, and cash inflows of $845,000 a year for
the life of the project. Which firm or firms, if either, should open a retail outlet in the
new mall?
A. Beverly’s only
B. Clothing Galore only
C. Both Beverly’s and Clothing Galore
D. Neither Beverly’s nor Clothing Galore
E. The answer cannot be determined based on the information provided.