Positive practices: Difference between revisions

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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:

*;Transparency

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

~~This page aims to provide an outline of what types of~~ products to invest in, in hopes of avoiding the pains potentially experienced by companies enacting poor consumer behaviors. While the main goal of this wiki is to articulate all instances where this doesn't happen, this page assists as an escape that may benefit you (the reader) and the over-arching goal. The companies making anti-consumer decisions are primarily driven by the goal of capital and financial gain, so by re-allocating investments away from them to better options the ~~incentive to enact those negative policies lessens~~.

*;Fair value

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

~~== Things to watch out for ==~~

*;Consumer control and choice

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

~~=== One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription Plan ===~~

*;Longevity and durability

~~Subscription Plans are usually cost efficient in short-term, benefiting consumers who are unsure on a product and want~~ to ~~try it out. Many services exist exclusively under a subscription model~~ and ~~operate sensibly. One-Time Purchases are typically designed to operate cleanly~~ and ~~effectively for an ample amount of time~~.

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

~~==== Subscription Plan Considerations ====~~

*;Respectful support

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

* Does this service ~~update frequently~~ or ~~at least~~ within the ~~purchased time~~-~~frame?~~

==Examples==

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

{| class="wikitable"

|+Common Positive Practices

!Practice

!Description

|-

|One-Time Purchase

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

|-

|Right to Repair

|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.

|-

|Fair Return Policy

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

|-

|Clear Cancellation Policy

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

|-

|Ownership Model

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

|-

|Honest Marketing

|Providing accurate information about products.

|-

|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.

|}

----

==== ~~One~~-~~Time Purchase Considerations ====~~

==Subscription or single purchase==

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

* ~~Will I need this for more than a single month?~~

===One-time===

* ~~How soon will this product become redundant or out~~-~~dated? Is it an annual subscription in disguise?~~

: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 }}</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 }}</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.

=== ~~Digital Goods - Available Offline vs~~. ~~Online Service~~ ===

===Subscription===

~~Services that run exclusively online innately have~~ more ~~control~~ over ~~how their product operates and is received~~. ~~This control can lead~~ to ~~changes in the product that can be improved but also introduce incompatibilities~~. ~~Digital Goods that are completely operational offline in general allow the consumer~~ to ~~decide how long those goods can be used. As long as the downloaded product can be stored and correctly rendered, it has no expiration~~.

: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.

===~~= Online Service~~ Considerations ====

===Considerations for subscription plans===

* Is this ~~product made for online connectivity and interaction?~~

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

** ''Example: Online Social Games such as World of Warcraft''

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

* Is this product more secure online?

* 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~~?

===~~= Available Offline =~~===

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

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

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

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

*How soon will this product become redundant or outdated? Is it an annual subscription in disguise?

** ''Example: Products designed for a limited set of ~~Operating Systems~~ that may become outdated''

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

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.

===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?

*Is this service distributed from a centralized organization?

**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===

*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 [[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===

*Does the product provide schematics?

*Are parts available?

**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===

*Is the source code available?

**This can allow patches if unwanted updates are pushed or support is dropped.

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

[[Category:Common terms]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+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:
+*;Transparency
+::Clearly disclosing pricing, terms, conditions, and product information upfront.
-This page aims to provide an outline of what types of products to invest in, in hopes of avoiding the pains potentially experienced by companies enacting poor consumer behaviors. While the main goal of this wiki is to articulate all instances where this doesn't happen, this page assists as an escape that may benefit you (the reader) and the over-arching goal. The companies making anti-consumer decisions are primarily driven by the goal of capital and financial gain, so by re-allocating investments away from them to better options the incentive to enact those negative policies lessens.
+*;Fair value
+::Offering products/services at reasonable prices that match the value provided.
-== Things to watch out for ==
+*;Consumer control and choice
+::Giving customers options, simple cancellation, ownership rights, and repair ability.
-=== One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription Plan ===
+*;Longevity and durability
-Subscription Plans are usually cost efficient in short-term, benefiting consumers who are unsure on a product and want to try it out. Many services exist exclusively under a subscription model and operate sensibly. One-Time Purchases are typically designed to operate cleanly and effectively for an ample amount of time.
+::Designing products to last and be repairable, reducing waste and repeat costs.
-==== Subscription Plan Considerations ====
+*;Respectful support
+::Providing accessible, helpful, and fair customer service to identify and resolve issues.
-* Does this service update frequently or at least within the purchased time-frame?
+==Examples==
-* How long will I be needing this service and will it be compatible with me for that amount of time?
+{| class="wikitable"
+|+Common Positive Practices
+!Practice
+!Description
+|-
+|One-Time Purchase
+|Offering a product or service for a single payment with no recurring fees for core functionality.
+|-
+|Right to Repair
+|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.
+|-
+|Fair Return Policy
+|Offering returns, exchanges, or refunds within a reasonable time frame.
+|-
+|Clear Cancellation Policy
+|Maintaining a simple and straightforward process for cancelling subscriptions without unnecessary steps.
+|-
+|Ownership Model
+|Ensuring consumers own what they purchase, including the ability to use, modify, resell, or transfer the product freely.
+|-
+|Honest Marketing
+|Providing accurate information about products.
+|-
+|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.
+|}
+----
-==== One-Time Purchase Considerations ====
+==Subscription or single purchase==
+Subscriptions prioritize continuous access and updates, while one-time purchases emphasize ownership.
-* Will I need this for more than a single month?
+===One-time===
-* How soon will this product become redundant or out-dated? Is it an annual subscription in disguise?
+: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 }}</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 }}</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.
-=== Digital Goods - Available Offline vs. Online Service ===
+===Subscription===
-Services that run exclusively online innately have more control over how their product operates and is received. This control can lead to changes in the product that can be improved but also introduce incompatibilities. Digital Goods that are completely operational offline in general allow the consumer to decide how long those goods can be used. As long as the downloaded product can be stored and correctly rendered, it has no expiration.
+: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.
-==== Online Service Considerations ====
+===Considerations for subscription plans===
-* Is this product made for online connectivity and interaction?
+*Does this service update frequently or at least within the subscription time frame?
-** ''Example: Online Social Games such as World of Warcraft''
+*How long will I be needing this service, and will it be compatible with me for that amount of time?
-* Is this product more secure online?
-* 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?
-==== Available Offline ====
+===Considerations for one-time purchases===
-* Will I be able to effectively download and store this?
+*Will I need this for more than a single month (or subscription period)?
-* Does it have any dependencies, and can those dependencies become redundant?
+*How soon will this product become redundant or outdated? Is it an annual subscription in disguise?
-** ''Example: Products designed for a limited set of Operating Systems that may become outdated''
+===Offline product vs. online services for digital goods===
+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.
+===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?
+*Is this service distributed from a centralized organization?
+**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===
+*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 [[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===
+*Does the product provide schematics?
+*Are parts available?
+**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===
+*Is the source code available?
+**This can allow patches if unwanted updates are pushed or support is dropped.
+*Are there [[DRM]] measures in place?
 [[Category:Common terms]]
+<references />