Step 1 :The question is asking for the current price of the item and the price 8 years from today. The current price can be found by substituting t=0 in the given function, because the current time is 0 years from today. The price 8 years from today can be found by substituting t=8 in the given function.
Step 2 :Let's calculate the current price: \(p(0)=1200(1.025)^{0}\)
Step 3 :So, the current price of the item is \(\boxed{1200}\) dollars
Step 4 :Now, let's calculate the price 8 years from today: \(p(8)=1200(1.025)^{8}\)
Step 5 :So, the price 8 years from today will be \(\boxed{1462}\) dollars
Step 6 :Final Answer: The current price of the item is \(\boxed{1200}\) dollars and the price 8 years from today will be \(\boxed{1462}\) dollars.