This is an elementary question, but just to clarify: Is the classification of a good as a “capital good” or a “consumer good” in the eyes of the final consumer? For example, I might buy a bunch of bananas to eat for breakfast. But a baker may buy a bunch of bananas to make banana bread to sell. Isn’t the bananas’ classification dependent on what stage it is finally consumed? In other words the classification of a good can be relative?
The same thing can be a capital good for one person, and a consumer good for another person. The bananas, which you buy to eat, are consumer good for you. The bananas, which baker bought to make a banana bread, which is then sold, are capital good for him.
And the same thing for the same person can be a consumer good in one situation (when you use it for consumption), and a capital good in another situation (when you use it to produce something).
In other words the classification of a good can be relative?
On the nose.
Here’s a line from Wiki on capital goods:
“For example, cars are generally considered consumer goods because they are usually bought by an individual for personal use. Dump trucks, however, are usually considered capital goods, because they are used by construction and manufacturing companies to haul various materials in order to make other products such as roads, bridges, dams, and buildings.”
Notice the use of words like “generally” and “usually”? That’s because of the point you are making.