Almo company manufactures and sells adjustable canopies that attach to motor homes and trailers. Almo developed its budget for the current year assuming that the canopies would sell at a price of $500 each. The variable expenses for each canopy were forecasted to be $300 and the annual fixed expenses were forecasted to be $210,000. Almo had targeted a profit of $510,000.

While Almo's sales usually rise during the second quarter, the May financial statements reported that sales were not meeting expectations. For the first five months of the year, only 460 units had been sold at the established price, with variable expense as planned, and it was clear that the target profit for the year would not be reached unless some actions were taken. Almo's president assigned a management committee to analyze the situation and develop several alternative courses of action. The following three alternatives were presented to the president, only one of which can be selected.

1.Reduce the selling price by $40. The marketing department forecasts that with the lower price, 3,800 units could be sold during the remainder of the year.

2.Lower variable expenses per unit by $30 through the use of less expensive materials. Because of the difference in materials, the selling price would have to be lowered by $35 and sales of 3,300 units for the remainder of the year are forecast.

3.Cut fixed expenses by $15,000 and lower the selling price by 10 percent. Sales of 3,100 units would be expected for the remainder of the year.