Logical Reasoning

PT114 · S2 · Q24 Appliance dealer: Appliance

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Appliance dealer: Appliance manufacturers commonly modify existing models without giving the modified versions new model names.

Conclusion (Therefore)

Consumers have little reason to object to the common practice of modifying existing models without giving the modified versions new names.

Evidence

Manufacturers' modifications to existing models are invariably improvements that benefit the buyer.

Evaluate

Given that ... any modification the manufacturer makes to Product X will be an improvement,

How can we argue that ... there is a reason for consumers to not like this practice of updating Product X without giving the modified version a new model name?

Maybe someone doesn't want the new and improved model? They liked the older one better for some reason? Maybe they're buying Product X for a friend and they also own an older version of Product X, so it peeves them when they find out that the version of X they just bought for their friend has some dope improvement that theirs doesn't have?

Maybe they think they're getting the newer model, but some store has really old, unsold inventory, so while everyone else is selling the newer model of X, some store is selling the older version.

Goal

It's hard to predict the specific answer, so we'll just cling tight to our Anti-Conclusion and think,

24.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the dealer's argument?

Appliances are generally purchased with
No Impact
It's not clear how we could take "I expect this blender to last for several years" and turn it into "how dare you create an updated, improved version of this blender and not label the packaging differently!"
4% picked this
Appliances usually carry a model
Strengthens, if anything
This makes it sound even more like consumers have no reason to object. Not only are all modifications improvements, but you can also get more details by looking up the model number online. So, yes, the model name is the same, but you can learn about the updated version by referencing the model number.
6% picked this
Appliance manufacturers frequently sell identical
No Impact
The "this practice" we're discussing in the conclusion is where a manufacturer is selling different products (i.e. modified versions of the original) under identical model names. This answer is about selling identical products under different names, so it really has nothing to do with the practice we're supposed to be scrutinizing.
13% picked this
Correct
Improved versions of appliances typically
Why this is right
This allows us to tell a story where a consumer could be annoyed by the fact that all versions of an appliance have the same model name. Let's say you're at your friend Beverly's house, admiring her blender. "It also has Bluetooth capabilities? You can start the blender using your smartphone?" you ask, incredulously. Wow, that seals the deal for you. You need this Whirlybird Blender. You head on down to your local T.J. Maxx and pick one up. When you get home, you find out your Whirlybird Blender doesn't have bluetooth capabilities. Why not? It's because Beverly had an updated version of the Whirlybird that she bought at Bed Bath & Beyond. Meanwhile, the T.J. Maxx where you bought your Whirlybird is still selling the older model that didn't have the bluetooth modification. There was no way for you to know that you were buying the older version, since all the versions have the same model name. You call up Whirlybird's corporate office to object to this practice: "When you guys modify the existing model and improve it, can you give it a new name, so that we consumers can tell whether we're buying the improved version rather than the old version?"
Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.
70% picked this
The high cost of product
No Impact
This explains why the manufacturer is motivated to keep the model name the same, but it doesn't give us any way to support that consumers could have reason to complain about this practice.
6% picked this

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