Critical reasoning - technology products

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Critical reasoning - technology products

by rajs.kumar » Sun Nov 12, 2006 9:42 am
The pace of new technology brings a constant stream of new devices to the market and many of them enjoy commercial success. But analysts warn that announcing new technology too soon after the introduction of a successful device can backfire: consumers may resent feeling pressured to spend money to replace a device they have just purchased, even if the new technology is clearly superior. The result is that consumers either do not buy the old device in anticipation of the new one, or they do not buy the new device out of resentment over having already spent their money on the old one. So if a company wishes to introduce a new device, it should wait until purchases of the old device have begun to decline.

Which of the following, if true, would best support the claims made above?

A. New technology often becomes less expensive after an initial surge in sales.
B. Media outlets such as television and magazines often report on the planned introduction of new devices while sales of old devices are still strong.
C. Consumers are usually able to determine whether new technology is superior to current technology.
D. Surveys have shown that consumers prefer to make only one or two technology purchases per year.
E. Consumers tend to be loyal to technology companies whose products they enjoy using.
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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I think answer should be B

by shahmau » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:16 pm
I'd go for B

B. Media outlets such as television and magazines often report on the planned introduction of new devices while sales of old devices are still strong.


Its mentioned that ....analysts warn that announcing new technology too soon .... B supports this statement

Whats the answer?

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rajs.kumar wrote:The pace..snipped..decline.

Which of the following, if true, would best support the claims made above?

A. New technology often becomes less expensive after an initial surge in sales.
B. Media outlets such as television and magazines often report on the planned introduction of new devices while sales of old devices are still strong.
C. Consumers are usually able to determine whether new technology is superior to current technology.
D. Surveys have shown that consumers prefer to make only one or two technology purchases per year.
E. Consumers tend to be loyal to technology companies whose products they enjoy using.
I'd go for D
if consumers would buy multiple products each year, it won't be any resentment, or anticipation.

Case in point: personal computers and Windows Vista
Counter point: having lunch at MacDonald's
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by Bharadwaj » Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:21 pm
Between B and D, I choose D.
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by chinasboy » Thu Nov 23, 2006 11:15 pm
I'd go for D ...

Since the point of this quesion is mainly refer to customer attitudes on advanced technology product instead of other factors ...

So, we gotta try to find answer from customer point of view..

Am i right Mr Eric ?

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by 800guy » Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:49 pm
i choose D also

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by rajs.kumar » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:32 am
I went for D. However the OA is B.

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by Cybermusings » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:31 am
So everyone is oscillating between B and D like me...I guess we can play tic tac toe for this one...

On a serious note can anyone explain why B over D?

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by Stacey Koprince » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:41 pm
B bridges the gap between "a company announces something" and "most people actually know about it." The info actually has to get out there to the broad market (that a new technology / device is around the corner).

The one or two purchases a year thing is tempting but ultimately isn't tied to the claims in the argument The survey results are a general preference in normal circumstances. The argument claims that people will change their normal / expected behavior (delay buy or don't buy) if they learn a new piece of info (that new tech / device is coming soon). The survey results don't support the claim that people will change their behavior for this reason.

What's the source for this question?
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B

by sumank8216 » Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:14 am
B

A,D,E : out of scope.

C: even if they can make the judgement ans prefer to buy the new one, manufacturers will suffer on old products , which are still stron on sale.

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by micheal_kr » Sun May 15, 2016 11:38 pm
I will go with option B this case.