Positive practices: Difference between revisions

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~~{{ToneWarning}}~~

Positive practices are pro-consumer business approaches that prioritize the interests, rights, and well-being of customers. They are designed to empower consumers and offer fairness, transparency, and value:

Positive practices are pro consumer business approaches that ~~aim to~~ prioritize the rights~~, interests~~, and well-being of the ~~consumer~~.

*;Transparency

::Clearly disclosing pricing, terms, conditions, and product information upfront.

*;Fair value

::Offering products/services at reasonable prices that match the value provided.

*;Consumer control and choice

::Giving customers options, simple cancellation, ownership rights, and repair ability.

*;Longevity and durability

::Designing products to last and be repairable, reducing waste and repeat costs.

*;Respectful support

::Providing accessible, helpful, and fair customer service to identify and resolve issues.

==Examples==

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|-

|One-Time Purchase

|Offering a product or service for a single payment with no recurring fees for core functionality

|Offering a product or service for a single payment with no recurring fees for core functionality.

|-

|Right to Repair

|[[Right to repair|Right to Repair]]

|Designing products to be repairable, and making parts, tools, manuals and software accessible

|Designing products to be repairable by the consumer, and making parts, tools, manuals, and software accessible to the public.

|-

|Transparent Pricing

|Clearly displaying the full price (including all mandatory fees/taxes) upfront in advertising or early during checkout

|Clearly displaying the full price (including all mandatory fees/taxes) upfront in advertising or early during checkout.

|-

|Fair Return Policy

|Offering ~~easy~~ returns, exchanges, or refunds within a reasonable ~~timeframe~~

|Offering returns, exchanges, or refunds within a reasonable time frame.

|-

|Clear Cancellation Policy

|~~Making it~~ simple and straightforward for ~~consumers to cancel~~ subscriptions without ~~hoops~~

|Maintaining a simple and straightforward process for cancelling subscriptions without unnecessary steps.

|-

|Ownership ~~Model~~

|[[Right to own|Ownership model]]

|Ensuring consumers own what they purchase, including the ability to use, modify, resell, or transfer the product freely

|Ensuring consumers own what they purchase, including the ability to use, modify, resell, or transfer the product freely.

|-

|Honest Marketing

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|Proactive Customer Support

|Offering readily available support to identify and resolve issues efficiently.

|-

|Privacy By Design

|A product or service is designed in a way that collecting metadata and accessing users' information is technically impossible even for the manufacturer or the entity running the service.

|-

|[[End-user license agreement|EULA]]/[[Terms of service|ToS]] Summarization

|Providing a summary of the information outlined in long legal documents related to a product or service, such as end-user license agreements or terms of service documents, that consumers with little or no legal system experience can understand.

|}

----

~~===One-time purchase vs. subscription plan===~~

Subscription plans are usually cost-efficient in the short term, benefiting consumers who are unsure on a product and want to try it out. Many modern services exist exclusively under a subscription model and operate sensibly. One-time purchases are typically designed to operate cleanly and effectively for an extended period of time.

====~~Considerations for subscription plans====~~

==Subscription or single purchase==

Subscriptions prioritize continuous access and updates, while one-time purchases emphasize ownership.

*Does this service update frequently or at least within the subscription ~~timeframe~~?

===One-time===

:A single payment granting permanent ownership or access to a physical product or lifetime software license.

::Positives<ref name=":SubOne">{{Cite web |last=Fernandes |first=Lauren |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Consumer Outlook 2024 |url=https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2024/consumer-outlook-2024-6-consumer-sentiment-driven-strategies-to-drive-growth-and-capture-spending/ |website=Nielsen IQ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251210023658/https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2024/consumer-outlook-2024-6-consumer-sentiment-driven-strategies-to-drive-growth-and-capture-spending/ |archive-date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":SubTwo">{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Justin |date=October 27, 2023 |title=The Truth About Recurring Revenue |url=https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/10/27/the-truth-about-recurring-revenue/ |website=Forbes |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251028220358/https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/10/27/the-truth-about-recurring-revenue/ |archive-date=28 Oct 2025}}</ref>

::*No long-term financial commitment required.

::*No ongoing costs allows customers to avoid recurring fees.

::*The users retains access indefinitely without dependency on the provider.

::Negatives<ref name=":SubOne"></ref><ref name=":SubTwo"></ref>

::*Higher initial cost may deter budget-conscious buyers.

::*Limited updates and future improvements may require additional purchases.

::*Businesses rely on new sales for sustained income.

===Subscription===

:Recurring monthly or annual payments provide ongoing access to a product or service.

::Positives<ref name=":SubOne"></ref><ref name=":SubTwo"></ref>

::*Lower entry cost spreads payments over time, making services more accessible.

::*Subscribers receive continuous updates, ongoing improvements, and support.

::*Businesses get a predictable revenue stream from recurring payments.

::Negatives<ref name=":SubOne"></ref><ref name=":SubTwo"></ref>

::*Long-term cost may become more expensive over time than a one-time purchase.

::*Ongoing commitment requires active cancellation to stop payments.

::*Subscription fatigue may cause consumers to feel overwhelmed by multiple recurring charges.

===Considerations for subscription plans===

*Does this service update frequently or at least within the subscription time frame?

*How long will I be needing this service, and will it be compatible with me for that amount of time?

====Considerations for one-time purchases====

===Considerations for one-time purchases===

*Will I need this for more than a single month (or subscription period)?

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===Offline product vs. online services for digital goods===

Services that run exclusively online innately allow the company to ~~have more~~ control over how their ~~product operates~~ and are received. This form of control can lead to changes in the product that can improve it, but can otherwise also introduce a myriad of issues such as incompatibility and the removal of functionality. Digital goods that are completely operational offline allow the consumer to decide how long those goods will be used. As long as the downloaded product can be stored and correctly rendered, it has no expiration.

Services that run exclusively online innately allow the company to maintain greater control over how their products operate and are received. This form of control can lead to changes in the product that can improve it, but can otherwise also introduce a myriad of issues such as incompatibility and the removal of functionality. Digital goods that are completely operational offline allow the consumer to decide how long those goods will be used. As long as the downloaded product can be stored and correctly rendered, it has no expiration.

===~~=Considersations~~ for online services====

===Considerations for online services===

*Is this product made for online connectivity and interaction?

**Example: Online social games such as ''World of Warcraft''

*Is this product more secure online?

*Is required online connectivity an artificial constraint or is it legitimately necessary for the product's functionality?

*How likely am I to maintain an internet connection to this service?

*Can this service alter itself into an incompatible state? Can this service remove functionality that I need?

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**If so, is there legislation and effective enforcement in said organization's location that protects me from malicious practices with my data?

====Considerations for offline products====

===Considerations for offline products===

*Will I be able to effectively download and store this?

*Does the product contain DRM protections?

*Does it have any dependencies, and can those dependencies become redundant?

**Example: Products designed for a limited set of operating systems that may become outdated

===Source availability===

Oftentimes companies will ~~not provide or~~ [[security through obscurity|actively obscure]] details about ~~how~~ a product ~~works~~. This exacerbates the potential pitfalls mentioned above, but when information is provided it can eliminate many of them.

Oftentimes, companies will [[security through obscurity|actively obscure]], or simply not provide, details about a product's functionality. This exacerbates the potential pitfalls mentioned above, but when information is provided it can eliminate many of them.

====Considerations for physical goods====

===Considerations for physical goods===

*Does the product provide schematics?

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**This helps product longevity by making repair easier, regardless of who performs the repair.

*Are there anti-repair measures in place?

===Considerations for digital goods===

====Considerations for digital goods====

*Is the source code available?

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*Are there [[DRM]] measures in place?

==References==

[[Category:Common terms]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{ToneWarning}}
+Positive practices are pro-consumer business approaches that prioritize the interests, rights, and well-being of customers. They are designed to empower consumers and offer fairness, transparency, and value:
-Positive practices are pro consumer business approaches that aim to prioritize the rights, interests, and well-being of the consumer.
+*;Transparency
+::Clearly disclosing pricing, terms, conditions, and product information upfront.
+*;Fair value
+::Offering products/services at reasonable prices that match the value provided.
+*;Consumer control and choice
+::Giving customers options, simple cancellation, ownership rights, and repair ability.
+*;Longevity and durability
+::Designing products to last and be repairable, reducing waste and repeat costs.
+*;Respectful support
+::Providing accessible, helpful, and fair customer service to identify and resolve issues.
 ==Examples==
@@ Line 9: / Line 22: @@
 |-
 |One-Time Purchase
-|Offering a product or service for a single payment with no recurring fees for core functionality
+|Offering a product or service for a single payment with no recurring fees for core functionality.
 |-
-|Right to Repair
+|[[Right to repair|Right to Repair]]
-|Designing products to be repairable, and making parts, tools, manuals and software accessible
+|Designing products to be repairable by the consumer, and making parts, tools, manuals, and software accessible to the public.
 |-
 |Transparent Pricing
-|Clearly displaying the full price (including all mandatory fees/taxes) upfront in advertising or early during checkout
+|Clearly displaying the full price (including all mandatory fees/taxes) upfront in advertising or early during checkout.
 |-
 |Fair Return Policy
-|Offering easy returns, exchanges, or refunds within a reasonable timeframe
+|Offering returns, exchanges, or refunds within a reasonable time frame.
 |-
 |Clear Cancellation Policy
-|Making it simple and straightforward for consumers to cancel subscriptions without hoops
+|Maintaining a simple and straightforward process for cancelling subscriptions without unnecessary steps.
 |-
-|Ownership Model
+|[[Right to own|Ownership model]]
-|Ensuring consumers own what they purchase, including the ability to use, modify, resell, or transfer the product freely
+|Ensuring consumers own what they purchase, including the ability to use, modify, resell, or transfer the product freely.
 |-
 |Honest Marketing
@@ Line 31: / Line 44: @@
 |Proactive Customer Support
 |Offering readily available support to identify and resolve issues efficiently.
+|-
+|Privacy By Design
+|A product or service is designed in a way that collecting metadata and accessing users' information is technically impossible even for the manufacturer or the entity running the service.
+|-
+|[[End-user license agreement|EULA]]/[[Terms of service|ToS]] Summarization
+|Providing a summary of the information outlined in long legal documents related to a product or service, such as end-user license agreements or terms of service documents, that consumers with little or no legal system experience can understand.
 |}
 ----
-===One-time purchase vs. subscription plan===
-Subscription plans are usually cost-efficient in the short term, benefiting consumers who are unsure on a product and want to try it out. Many modern services exist exclusively under a subscription model and operate sensibly. One-time purchases are typically designed to operate cleanly and effectively for an extended period of time.
-====Considerations for subscription plans====
+==Subscription or single purchase==
+Subscriptions prioritize continuous access and updates, while one-time purchases emphasize ownership.
-*Does this service update frequently or at least within the subscription timeframe?
+===One-time===
+:A single payment granting permanent ownership or access to a physical product or lifetime software license.
+::Positives<ref name=":SubOne">{{Cite web |last=Fernandes  |first=Lauren |date=February 6, 2024 |title=Consumer Outlook 2024 |url=https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2024/consumer-outlook-2024-6-consumer-sentiment-driven-strategies-to-drive-growth-and-capture-spending/ |website=Nielsen IQ  |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251210023658/https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2024/consumer-outlook-2024-6-consumer-sentiment-driven-strategies-to-drive-growth-and-capture-spending/ |archive-date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name=":SubTwo">{{Cite web |last=Goodbread |first=Justin |date=October 27, 2023 |title=The Truth About Recurring Revenue |url=https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/10/27/the-truth-about-recurring-revenue/ |website=Forbes  |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251028220358/https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesfinancecouncil/2023/10/27/the-truth-about-recurring-revenue/ |archive-date=28 Oct 2025}}</ref>
+::*No long-term financial commitment required.
+::*No ongoing costs allows customers to avoid recurring fees.
+::*The users retains access indefinitely without dependency on the provider.
+::Negatives<ref name=":SubOne"></ref><ref name=":SubTwo"></ref>
+::*Higher initial cost may deter budget-conscious buyers.
+::*Limited updates and future improvements may require additional purchases.
+::*Businesses rely on new sales for sustained income.
+===Subscription===
+:Recurring monthly or annual payments provide ongoing access to a product or service.
+::Positives<ref name=":SubOne"></ref><ref name=":SubTwo"></ref>
+::*Lower entry cost spreads payments over time, making services more accessible.
+::*Subscribers receive continuous updates, ongoing improvements, and support.
+::*Businesses get a predictable revenue stream from recurring payments.
+::Negatives<ref name=":SubOne"></ref><ref name=":SubTwo"></ref>
+::*Long-term cost may become more expensive over time than a one-time purchase.
+::*Ongoing commitment requires active cancellation to stop payments.
+::*Subscription fatigue may cause consumers to feel overwhelmed by multiple recurring charges.
+===Considerations for subscription plans===
+*Does this service update frequently or at least within the subscription time frame?
 *How long will I be needing this service, and will it be compatible with me for that amount of time?
-====Considerations for one-time purchases====
+===Considerations for one-time purchases===
 *Will I need this for more than a single month (or subscription period)?
@@ Line 47: / Line 89: @@
 ===Offline product vs. online services for digital goods===
-Services that run exclusively online innately allow the company to have more control over how their product operates and are received. This form of control can lead to changes in the product that can improve it, but can otherwise also introduce a myriad of issues such as incompatibility and the removal of functionality. Digital goods that are completely operational offline allow the consumer to decide how long those goods will be used. As long as the downloaded product can be stored and correctly rendered, it has no expiration.
+Services that run exclusively online innately allow the company to maintain greater control over how their products operate and are received. This form of control can lead to changes in the product that can improve it, but can otherwise also introduce a myriad of issues such as incompatibility and the removal of functionality. Digital goods that are completely operational offline allow the consumer to decide how long those goods will be used. As long as the downloaded product can be stored and correctly rendered, it has no expiration.
-====Considersations for online services====
+===Considerations for online services===
 *Is this product made for online connectivity and interaction?
 **Example: Online social games such as ''World of Warcraft''
 *Is this product more secure online?
+*Is required online connectivity an artificial constraint or is it legitimately necessary for the product's functionality?
 *How likely am I to maintain an internet connection to this service?
 *Can this service alter itself into an incompatible state? Can this service remove functionality that I need?
@@ Line 59: / Line 102: @@
 **If so, is there legislation and effective enforcement in said organization's location that protects me from malicious practices with my data?
-====Considerations for offline products====
+===Considerations for offline products===
 *Will I be able to effectively download and store this?
+*Does the product contain DRM protections?
 *Does it have any dependencies, and can those dependencies become redundant?
 **Example: Products designed for a limited set of operating systems that may become outdated
 ===Source availability===
-Oftentimes companies will not provide or [[security through obscurity|actively obscure]] details about how a product works. This exacerbates the potential pitfalls mentioned above, but when information is provided it can eliminate many of them.
+Oftentimes, companies will [[security through obscurity|actively obscure]], or simply not provide, details about a product's functionality. This exacerbates the potential pitfalls mentioned above, but when information is provided it can eliminate many of them.
-====Considerations for physical goods====
+===Considerations for physical goods===
 *Does the product provide schematics?
@@ Line 74: / Line 118: @@
 **This helps product longevity by making repair easier, regardless of who performs the repair.
 *Are there anti-repair measures in place?
+===Considerations for digital goods===
-====Considerations for digital goods====
 *Is the source code available?
@@ Line 81: / Line 124: @@
 *Are there [[DRM]] measures in place?
+==References==
 [[Category:Common terms]]
+<references />