Which of the following is a disadvantage of cost-plus pricing?

Cost-plus pricing involves calculating the total cost of production and then adding a markup to determine the selling price. This strategy provides a straightforward approach to pricing since it ensures that all costs are covered. However, one key disadvantage of this method is that it may not adequately take into account external factors like market demand or competitor pricing.

When businesses solely rely on cost-plus pricing, they might set prices that do not reflect how much customers are willing to pay or the selling price of similar products in the market. This can lead to missed opportunities for maximizing profit, especially if demand for the product is high and consumers are willing to pay more than the calculated price. Overlooking market demand can lead to either setting prices too low — missing potential profit — or too high and risking reduced sales, especially in competitive markets.

Thus, the correct choice highlights a significant drawback of the cost-plus pricing model, emphasizing the need for businesses to consider market conditions alongside their production costs when setting prices.