Argument-The following appeared in a memo from the regional manager of Luxe Spa, a chain of high-end salons. "Over 75% of households in the town of Parksboro have Jacuzzi bathtubs. In addition, the average family income in Parksboro is 50% higher than the national average, and a local store reports record-high sales of the most costly brands of hair and body care products. With so much being spent on the personal care, Parksboro will be a profitable location for a new Luxe Spa-a salan that offers premium services at prices that are above average."
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The author concludes that since the average family income in Parksboro has higher then average incomes and that most househoulds have Jacuzzis, then Parksboro is an ideal location to open up a new premium salon. These points of evidence are not only insufficient without further context, but there are also problematic assumptions in the argument.
In the opening statement, the author brings up the point that 75% of households in the town of Parksboro have Jacuzzi bathtubs as if that somehow implies that those are luxury items. While it may be true that most people do not have Jacuzzi bathtubs, it is not necessary that Jacuzzi's are rare items. Perhaps Jacuzzi's costs are identical to a regular tub and people choose to go with a Jacuzzi because of the shape versus the other possible benefits. It cannot be concluded that a Jacuzzi is a luxury item just of the authors assumption. Evidence of a price comparison would have helped show that Jacuzzi's are significantly more expensive and most consumers would not pay the extra price difference.
Secondly, assumping that a local hair and body care store had a record-high sales would hint at a premium salon's profitability is inherently flawed. There is no context to base such an assumption. The reconrd-high sales could have been for a single month, and that single month may have been around popular months to get those products (such as prom or holidays). Making a drastic assumption that since a store had record-high sales could be disastrious would lead to a salon's profitability can be disastrous to a prospective salon.
Lastly, the using the term "premium services" is very vague and needs more substance. If for a second it is assumed that the Jacuzzi's are in fact luxury items, and that individuals who pay for Jacuzzi's enjoy salon-like services, no service that the prospective salon would offer is ever mentioned in the argument. If the only thing salon's provided was Jacuzzi-type tubs, then there would little or no reason for any of the 75% of Parksboro to visit this salon. Owners of Jacuzzi's already have everything this salon were to offer, and thus have no incentive to venture outside of the comfort of their homes. Combining reliable market research linking ownership of a Jacuzzi and individuals going to salons for certain products/services that Luxe spa provides would provide more credence to this argument.
In conclusion, the argument the other makes may in fact be absolutely correct. However, without more reliable facts, much needed context, and elaboration on the inherently flawed assumptions, it is difficult to give any credit to the examples provided.
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Thanks for your help and input. I'll take every comment/critique positively!
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The author concludes that since the average family income in Parksboro has higher then average incomes and that most househoulds have Jacuzzis, then Parksboro is an ideal location to open up a new premium salon. These points of evidence are not only insufficient without further context, but there are also problematic assumptions in the argument.
In the opening statement, the author brings up the point that 75% of households in the town of Parksboro have Jacuzzi bathtubs as if that somehow implies that those are luxury items. While it may be true that most people do not have Jacuzzi bathtubs, it is not necessary that Jacuzzi's are rare items. Perhaps Jacuzzi's costs are identical to a regular tub and people choose to go with a Jacuzzi because of the shape versus the other possible benefits. It cannot be concluded that a Jacuzzi is a luxury item just of the authors assumption. Evidence of a price comparison would have helped show that Jacuzzi's are significantly more expensive and most consumers would not pay the extra price difference.
Secondly, assumping that a local hair and body care store had a record-high sales would hint at a premium salon's profitability is inherently flawed. There is no context to base such an assumption. The reconrd-high sales could have been for a single month, and that single month may have been around popular months to get those products (such as prom or holidays). Making a drastic assumption that since a store had record-high sales could be disastrious would lead to a salon's profitability can be disastrous to a prospective salon.
Lastly, the using the term "premium services" is very vague and needs more substance. If for a second it is assumed that the Jacuzzi's are in fact luxury items, and that individuals who pay for Jacuzzi's enjoy salon-like services, no service that the prospective salon would offer is ever mentioned in the argument. If the only thing salon's provided was Jacuzzi-type tubs, then there would little or no reason for any of the 75% of Parksboro to visit this salon. Owners of Jacuzzi's already have everything this salon were to offer, and thus have no incentive to venture outside of the comfort of their homes. Combining reliable market research linking ownership of a Jacuzzi and individuals going to salons for certain products/services that Luxe spa provides would provide more credence to this argument.
In conclusion, the argument the other makes may in fact be absolutely correct. However, without more reliable facts, much needed context, and elaboration on the inherently flawed assumptions, it is difficult to give any credit to the examples provided.
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Thanks for your help and input. I'll take every comment/critique positively!
