Among the three 24-hour pharmacies in the city, Sonnys Pharmacy is co

The Situation:

Premise: Among the three 24-hour pharmacies in the city, Sonny’s Pharmacy is the most profitable.
Sonny’s Claim: Because all three pharmacies carry the same products, Sonny’s superior profitability is due to its superior customer service.


Examine the Options:

(A) The other two pharmacies in town advertise less than Sonny’s.

Analysis: While advertising might attract more customers, it doesn't directly relate to customer service. In fact, better advertising could be an alternative explanation for increased profitability. Thus, this choice does not strongly support Sonny’s claim.
(B) The other two pharmacies’ products are sold for approximately the same prices as similar products at Sonny’s.

Analysis: This option confirms that price differences are not the reason for the difference in profitability. Since the products are sold at similar prices across the pharmacies, it strengthens the case that factors other than product selection or pricing (such as customer service) account for Sonny’s superior performance. This directly supports his claim by eliminating other plausible factors.
(C) Sonny’s is near the center of the city, a location that is convenient for most of the city’s pharmacy customers.

Analysis: A central location could be a significant factor in attracting more customers, suggesting that profitability might be due to location rather than superior customer service. This undermines Sonny’s claim.
(D) Sonny’s customer service was, according to a city-wide survey, comparable to that of the city’s other two pharmacies.

Analysis: This statement contradicts Sonny’s claim because if the customer service is comparable, it cannot be the reason for his store’s superior profitability.
(E) The three pharmacies in town often require different wait times for the same prescription.

Analysis: While different wait times might indicate variations in service, the statement is ambiguous. It does not specify that Sonny’s has the shortest wait times (which would be a direct measure of better service), nor does it clearly connect wait times to overall customer service quality. Therefore, it does not strongly support his claim.

Option (B) is the strongest support because it eliminates price as a differentiating factor, thereby bolstering Sonny’s argument that his superior customer service is the reason for his pharmacy’s profitability.