Western Company recently lost its entire inventory in an earthquake. The following information is available from its accounting records: Beginning Inventory: $5,000; Purchases: $18,000; Net Sales: $40,000;The company's average gross profit percentage is 40%. Using the gross profit method, a reasonable estimate of COGS for the past period would be:.1) $ 23,0002) $ 24,0003) $ 16,0004) $ 18,000