argument 17 MYTH第四次 PPMMSS

ppmmssUID: 205288

17The following appeared in a letter to the editor of the Walnut Grove town newspaper.

"Walnut Grove's town council has advocated switching from EZ Disposal (which has had the contract for trash collection services in Walnut Grove for the past ten years) to ABC Waste, because EZ recently raised its monthly fee from $2,000 to $2,500 a month, whereas ABC's fee is still $2,000. But the town council is mistaken; we should continue using EZ. EZ collects trash twice a week, while ABC collects only once. Moreover, EZ—which, like ABC, currently has a fleet of 20 trucks—has ordered additional trucks. Finally, EZ provides exceptional service: 80 percent of respondents to last year's town survey agreed that they were 'satisfied' with EZ's performance."



In the letter to the editor of the Walnut Grove town newspaper, the arguer insist that the Walnut Grove’s town council has been mistaken, it is much more better to continue using EZ Disposal for the contract for trash collection services. To substantiate the conclusion, the author cites three evidences: 1. EZ collects trash more frequently 2. EZ ordered additional trucks 3. EZ provides exceptional service. However, this argument is unconvincing for several critical flaws.

The major problematic fact with this article is that the advocate simply considers twice a week collection as better service. What is still under controversy is whether or not there are enough necessaries for so many times every week. Customers only focuses on outstanding service they could enjoy not the frequency. The argument equates better service as more times, which is unwarranted. Twice a week means that the citizens have to spend more time on the waste disposal. Moreover, it also would be considered as a sign of inability of dealing with large quantity of trash. Consequently, this fact lends no strong support to its conclusion.

What the EZ has ordered more trucks is another flaw that weakens this argument. It is presumptuous to judge better or worse in accordance with the number of trucks. There is no evidence and information available to know the areas that two company covers and the efficiencies of each truck. If the EZ Disposal takes up several towns’ operation, while ABC Waste only focus on Walnut Grove town, the assumption author based on is absolutely unconvincing. The effectiveness of trucks may also overcome the weak point of less numbers. Even more, ABC Waste likely to pursuit of more lorries for the competition with EZ Disposal, which could be easily achieved.

In addition, the survey taken is considered as an extra service is groundless and questionable. Most of us would share the brief that that is a kind of questionnaire for their company further development. It is nowhere more farfetched than on the assertion that EZ Disposal provides such exceptional service. At the even worse, although 80 percents of respondents present “satisfied” with EZ Disposal performance, it is not said that EZ Disposal does better than ABC Waste. Compared with ABC Waste, EZ Disposal likely received even worse results.

Last but not the least, what EZ recently raised its monthly fee from $2,000 to $2,500 a month, whereas ABC's fee is still $2,000 would push themselves into a more passive position. When the business comes to the reality, cost is often thought as a significant aspect. Lacking neither support nor evidence to the conclusion that more fees could bring better service or other advantages to consumers, price could lead to the final decision. Consequently, this fact strikes down the conclusion of argument itself.

In summary, the argument, as it stands, lacks credibility because the evidence cited in the analysis does not lend strong support to what the arguer maintains. Before we accept the conclusion, the author must present more facts to demonstrate that residents would receive more merits directly with EZ Disposal. To solidify the argument, the arguer would have to produce more evidence concerning the disadvantages about ABC Waste, compared with EZ Disposal.