(Cost of quality) Bronson’s Bronze Works has gathered the following data onits quality costs for 1999 and 2000:

Defect Prevention Costs

1999

2000

Quality training

$8,000

$9,500

Quality technology

6,000

8,000

Quality production design

4,000

9,000

External Failure Costs

Warranty handling

$15,000

$10,000

Customer reimbursements

11,000

7,200

Customer returns handling

7,000

4,000

a. Compute the percentage change in the two quality cost categories from 1999 to 2000.

b. Write a brief explanation for the pattern of change in the two categories.