BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

A company that makes electric razors

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 784
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 3:51 am
Thanked: 114 times
Followed by:12 members

A company that makes electric razors

by patanjali.purpose » Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:56 pm
A company that makes electric razors recently introduced a new model that offered various features that ensured a degree of precision not possible with older models. After a year on the market, the new model proved to sell poorly compared to its older counterparts, leading the company to conclude that precision was not an important concern for consumers. However, this view was seriously challenged by a later finding that ___________________.

Which of the following best completes the passage?

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.

b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.

c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.

d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.

e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.

Struggling btn [spoiler]A/B; Grockit[/spoiler]
Top
Source: — Critical Reasoning |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 341
Joined: Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:59 pm
Thanked: 17 times
Followed by:4 members
GMAT Score:720

by ice_rush » Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:02 pm
i'd go with (E). What's the OA?
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 15
Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 5:04 am
Thanked: 1 times

by viv09 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:38 pm
(e) look to be the answer. what is the official answer?
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:16 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:3 members

by lakskant » Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:01 pm
My answer is B. What is the answer ?
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 784
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 3:51 am
Thanked: 114 times
Followed by:12 members

by patanjali.purpose » Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:00 pm
ice_rush wrote:i'd go with (E). What's the OA?
viv09 wrote:(e) look to be the answer. what is the official answer?
lakskant wrote:My answer is B. What is the answer ?
I will appreciate your explanation - that will help as well.

OA - is either B or E
Top
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed May 23, 2012 7:23 pm
Thanked: 10 times

by umeshpatil » Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:50 pm
You should justify the reasoning so as to help others understand the answer. My answer would be (D).

Conclusion: Precision was not imp concern for customer.
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. New razor model New features: electric,degree of precision
2. sold poorly compared to older counterparts

'However, this view was seriously challenged by a later finding that" says that... assumption used to conclude is wrong.. and there is any other reason behind less sale..

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.
-> It is mentioned that degree of precision was the major advancement. So, this option is incorrect.
b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.
-> Degree of precision is improved. It may not require much more familiarity.
c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.
->Razor could be used at home also rather than shops.
d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.
->This can be another reason behind weak sale. New features were not accompanied with increase in price.
e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.
->Doesn't provide other reasoning behind the weak sale.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:39 pm
This is a weakening question. here the assumption made by the company is that since our precision razor did not sell well, people do not care about precision. OR there is no other reason(internal to company/influence) that our razor did not sell well. Any option that weakens this will be ans

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.
we want to show that precision is of some concern to users. this does not help to establish that. This is tempting because one might think that razor did not sell well because of consumer guide report. That is correct BUT our conclusion is not related to selling. we want to show consumers want PRECISION razor

b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.
This is irrelevant because we do not know if older razors have precision feature or not.

c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.
out of scope

d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.
out of scope

e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.
yeah this weakens by proving consumers want precision.
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 172
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:35 am
Thanked: 3 times
Followed by:1 members
GMAT Score:610

by karthikgmat » Mon Jun 11, 2012 7:51 pm
it should be E. because before conclusion the passage is saying precision is not an important concern. However, this was challenged "_________________" . So, E says precision is a good factor. E fits good .
Top
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:59 am

by skm » Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:52 pm
patanjali.purpose wrote:A company that makes electric razors recently introduced a new model that offered various features that ensured a degree of precision not possible with older models. After a year on the market, the new model proved to sell poorly compared to its older counterparts, leading the company to conclude that precision was not an important concern for consumers. However, this view was seriously challenged by a later finding that ___________________.

Which of the following best completes the passage?

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.

b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.

c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.

d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.

e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.

Struggling btn [spoiler]A/B; Grockit[/spoiler]
hi,

my take is bxn A & E :

introduced Precision features - didnt have a conclusive sale - led them to interpret Precision was not the need of customers ============ there was a finding contrary to this

E : Competitors introduced same type & their pdts sold = Yes it might be due to n no of reasons , what if the prices were too low, discounts offered were too high - price positioning ............We dont know from the stem that the sale was higher just because precision was a nedd & competitors addressed that.

A : Poor haircuts were a result of faulty precision = So indicates precison is a need for customers bcoz no one would involuntarily want a poor haircut.

Leading to my take A.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:05 am
SKM:
you took some assumptions while answering
E:
Competitors introduced same type & their pdts sold = Yes it might be due to n no of reasons , what if the prices were too low, discounts offered were too high - price positioning
issue is whether precision is required or not. if other companies are able to sell then PRECISION is IMPORTANT. Lower price CANNOT motivate a person to buy a product even if product is NOT IMPORTANT.

A:
no one would involuntarily want a poor haircut
a consumer reported something BUT nowhere it is mentioned that it is believed by people. Here you assumed that people believed the report
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 979
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:38 am
Location: Hyderabad, India
Thanked: 49 times
Followed by:12 members
GMAT Score:700

by bubbliiiiiiii » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:09 am
patanjali.purpose wrote:A company that makes electric razors recently introduced a new model that offered various features that ensured a degree of precision not possible with older models. After a year on the market, the new model proved to sell poorly compared to its older counterparts, leading the company to conclude that precision was not an important concern for consumers. However, this view was seriously challenged by a later finding that ___________________.

Which of the following best completes the passage?

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.
The argument does not comment on faulty razors or the rate of success of precision features in razors.

b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.
Since the report was obtained a year later, the users might have got acquainted with the new razor as well.

c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.
How does it matter? Because both of them are customers to company.

d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.
There is no indication of consumer preference based on price of razor.

e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.
Since the company assumed that precision features are not preferred by razor customers in market, this option weakens it.
Hope it helps.
Regards,

Pranay
Top
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 12
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:16 pm
Thanked: 5 times
Followed by:3 members

by lakskant » Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:55 am
I chose B because it clearly explains why the sales of the new razor dropped in comparison to those of older razors. If razor users find that they are getting best results by using older razors then they have an incentive to buy older models of the razor than the new one even if the new razor has been in the market for one year. So even if users have known the features of the new razor they are probably still not comfortable using the new razor and that explains a dip in sales compared to older models of the razor.

The problem with E is that it introduces what other companies did. We should be concerned only with the company that is being talked about in the stem. Company makes new razor and sells it. Sales dip even after introducing new features. Company thinks people are not interested in precision but alternately there could be another reason wherein the older models provide somethign that customers want which the new model does not provide. And that is what is listed in B

What is the OA ?

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.
The argument does not comment on faulty razors or the rate of success of precision features in razors.

b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.
Since the report was obtained a year later, the users might have got acquainted with the new razor as well.

c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.
How does it matter? Because both of them are customers to company.

d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.
There is no indication of consumer preference based on price of razor.

e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 784
Joined: Sun Apr 03, 2011 3:51 am
Thanked: 114 times
Followed by:12 members

by patanjali.purpose » Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:16 pm
lakskant wrote:I chose B because it clearly explains why the sales of the new razor dropped in comparison to those of older razors. If razor users find that they are getting best results by using older razors then they have an incentive to buy older models of the razor than the new one even if the new razor has been in the market for one year. So even if users have known the features of the new razor they are probably still not comfortable using the new razor and that explains a dip in sales compared to older models of the razor.

The problem with E is that it introduces what other companies did. We should be concerned only with the company that is being talked about in the stem. Company makes new razor and sells it. Sales dip even after introducing new features. Company thinks people are not interested in precision but alternately there could be another reason wherein the older models provide somethign that customers want which the new model does not provide. And that is what is listed in B

What is the OA ?

a) Around the time the new razor was unveiled, a consumer guide reported that many shoddy haircuts and shaves were the result of faulty precision features in razors.
The argument does not comment on faulty razors or the rate of success of precision features in razors.

b)Razor users typically find that they get the best results from older razors because they are most familiar with their features.
Since the report was obtained a year later, the users might have got acquainted with the new razor as well.

c)The company does a significant part of its business with hair salons and barber shops, which are frequented by people who do not own electric razors themselves.
How does it matter? Because both of them are customers to company.

d)Despite the addition of new precision features on the new razor model, the razor did not significantly increase in price.
There is no indication of consumer preference based on price of razor.

e)Other razor-making companies introduced new models with similar precision features, and these went on to sell relatively well.
OA - B

But, IMO I do not agree with B as we do not get any hint (directly/indirectly) that PRECISION is NOT an important consideration for consumers. In fact, B gives me a feeling that consumers are prefering OLDER RAZORS even though PRECISION razors are available in market. This I can infer as CONSUMERS ARE more concerned HIS/HER EASE than PRECISION.

To me , E is incorrect as precision RAZORS of other companies might sell (not bcoz they are PRECISION) but bcoz they are VERY CHEAP. This is out of scope for me.

IMO even though its from Grockit, it is NOT good question. None of the options appear RIGHT.
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 am
Thanked: 105 times
Followed by:14 members

by vikram4689 » Tue Jun 12, 2012 5:53 pm
can you post official explanation
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 641
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 1:15 am
Thanked: 149 times
Followed by:32 members
GMAT Score:760

by avik.ch » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:36 pm
How B can be the OA ?

Conclusion : "precision was not an important concern for consumers".

There were some other factor that the consumer take into consideration. B states some other factor for consideration. hence B strengthens it.

We are asked to weaken it.E should be correct.

Can you please post the official explanation !!
Top
Post new topic Post Reply