Why do some salespeople try to start a new interaction by asking for something small from a potential customer (e. g., "just answer one quick question")?

Bernard made a gift of $500,000 to his brother in 2014. due to bernard’s prior taxable gifts he paid $200,000 of gift tax. when bernard died in 2019, the applicable gift tax credit had increased. at bernard’s death, what amount related to the $500,000 gift to his brother is included in his gross estate?

Gus needs to purée his soup while it's still in the pot. what is the best tool for him to use? a. potato masher b. immersion blender c. rotary mixer d. whisk

The gilbert instrument corporation is considering replacing the wood steamer it currently uses to shape guitar sides. the steamer has 6 years of remaining life. if kept,the steamer will have depreciaiton expenses of $650 for five years and $325 for the sixthyear. its current book value is $3,575, and it can be sold on an internet auction site for$4,150 at this time. if the old steamer is not replaced, it can be sold for $800 at the endof its useful life. gilbert is considering purchasing the side steamer 3000, a higher-end steamer, whichcosts $12,000 and has an estimated useful life of 6 years with an estimated salvage value of$1,500. this steamer falls into the macrs 5-year class, so the applicable depreciationrates are 20.00%, 32.00%, 19.20%, 11.52%, 11.52%, and 5.76%. the new steamer is fasterand allows for an output expansion, so sales would rise by $2,000 per year; the newmachine's much greater efficiency would reduce operating expenses by $1,900 per year.to support the greater sales, the new machine would require that inventories increase by$2,900, but accounts payable would simultaneously increase by $700. gilbert's marginalfederal-plus-state tax rate is 40%, and its wacc is 15%.a. should it replace the old steamer? b. npv of replace = $2,083.51