PT 20, Section 1, #11 and #19 Forum

[Gemini]

This is a confusing question! (#11)

I would've SWORN it'd be E (it makes soooo much sense) but the answer is D. Help, please?

As for #19, I got the correct answer (D) but I was struggling between that and B for a while and am still unsure of why it's D over B.

Thanks a bunch to anyone who's kind enough to help!

[TTTeacher]

This is a confusing question! (#11)

I would've SWORN it'd be E (it makes soooo much sense) but the answer is D. Help, please?

The credit card customers are getting merchandise for less than the suggested retail price. So even if regular customers are still paying the suggested retail price (as opposed to a price higher than the suggested retail price), the credit card customers are still saving money.

[Gemini]

Hmmm, STILL confused.
STIMULUS: Customers use points to buy stuff for less than the manufacturers suggested retail prices. The argument concludes that doing this is cheaper than buying the same stuff at retail stores.

This to me seems like the argument is assuming that the prices at those stores are of equal or higher value than the manufacturers suggested retail prices, which is like what E says.

D is saying that the assumption is that the shipping doesn't offset the cheaper prices using this point system the credit card uses. To me, this answer choice is bringing outside information (shipping) into the stimulus.

So please explain to me why it's D over E. Cause I'm still not getting it...

[alive]

From my rudimentary understanding of assumption questions, answers with related outside information (shipping costs are a component amount customers pay to order items online) are acceptable.

Think of it this way, if you negate D, and thus say that customers do pay more because of shipping, the conclusion would not be valid.

[alive]

Additionally, E differs from the stimulus in describing a situation in retail stores as being most but the stimulus says at all times.

[TTTeacher]

Hmmm, STILL confused.
STIMULUS: Customers use points to buy stuff for less than the manufacturers suggested retail prices. The argument concludes that doing this is cheaper than buying the same stuff at retail stores.

This to me seems like the argument is assuming that the prices at those stores are of equal or higher value than the manufacturers suggested retail prices, which is like what E says.

E does not say what you think it says. If it did mention prices that are equal to or higher than the suggested retail price, then it would have been correct. However, it only mentions prices that are greater than the suggested retail price.

Remember, many arguments on the LSAT will have multiple assumptions. You've correctly identified one of them in this problem -- that stores are charging a price equal to or greater than the suggested retail price -- but the one you've identified isn't in the answer choices.