Roger is trying to figuring out pricing for his new product, a rock that looks like a friendly turtle.  He decides to price it 30 percent more than the cost of making it, which is $1.  Roger is using what type of pricing strategy?
                            
                         
                        
                            
                        
                             
                            
                            
                            
                                Explanation
                            
                                
                                    Answer: c - Roger is using cost-plus pricing.  In general, we suggest you avoid cost-plus pricing whenever possible in your analysis.  Cost-plus pricing typically applies a certain margin on top of production costs to come up with a price.  
When possible, use value-based pricing.  Value-based pricing requires a more sophisticated analysis than cost-plus pricing to determine what consumers of a good are willing to pay.  When it is possible, value-based pricing is a more nuanced analysis and yields improved profits.  
Key Takeaway: In the ‘80s, a pet rock craze swept the nation.  The cost of making a pet rock was almost zero, yet people’s willingness to pay was high.  Cost-plus pricing would have prevented the inventor from maximizing the value of his idea.