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The Scorecard
Seven weighted checks turn vague enthusiasm into one comparable score and a BUY, BORDERLINE, or SKIP verdict.
Free weighted deal evaluator
Stop buying lifetime deals you never open.
The free weighted scorecard evaluates any deal across seven practical checks and returns a clear buy, borderline, or skip verdict. It includes a payback calculator and two-date tracker.
Free. One email, one file. Unsubscribe any time.
Deal evaluation
Booking tool · worked example
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem I have todaySolves a problem I have today | x3 | 5 | 15 |
| Cancels a current billCancels a bill I already pay | x3 | 5 | 15 |
| 12-month limits fitLimits fit my next 12 months of usage | x2 | 4 | 8 |
| Data is exportableMy data is exportable | x2 | 4 | 8 |
| Founder answers questionsFounder engages with critical questions | x2 | 3 | 6 |
| Product predates dealProduct existed before this deal | x1 | 3 | 3 |
| Usable without a manualUsable without reading the manual | x1 | 5 | 5 |
| Weighted total | 60 / 70 | ||
Deal price
$69
Payback
4.6 mo
3-year saving
$471
The real problem
The tool may be good. The workflow may never start.
Most lifetime-deal regret is not caused by terrible software. It comes from buying capable tools for future workflows, hypothetical clients, and habits that never existed. The scorecard makes the current job, real usage, exit options, and economics do the deciding.
Read the lifetime-deal due diligence guideWhat’s inside
Four sheets. One practical decision.
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The hard gate
If the tool does not solve a problem you have today, stop. A good product for an imaginary workflow is still a bad purchase.
03
Payback Calculator
Compare the one-off price with the bill it replaces, then see the break-even point and three-year saving before you commit.
04
Deal Tracker
Record the purchase date and review date so every deal gets a real-world test while the refund decision still matters.
The criteria
Weight what matters now.
Score each check from 1 to 5. “Could not find out” is a 1, not a 3.
| Criterion | Weight | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 01Solves a problem I have today | x3 | Decision driver |
| 02Cancels a bill I already pay | x3 | Decision driver |
| 03Limits fit my next 12 months of usage | x2 | Risk control |
| 04My data is exportable | x2 | Risk control |
| 05Founder engages with critical questions | x2 | Risk control |
| 06Product existed before this deal | x1 | Confidence check |
| 07Usable without reading the manual | x1 | Confidence check |
Unknown is information. If you could not verify a claim, score it 1. A neutral 3 rewards a vendor for leaving a practical question unanswered.
Worked example
A $69 booking tool replacing $15 a month.
The idea is easy to like. The sheet makes it answer seven questions first. Scores of 5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, and 5 produce 60 out of 70.
5544335
Weighted score
60/70 = 86%
Payback
4.6 months
3-year saving
$471
Who it’s for
For anyone spending their own budget.
Bootstrapped founders
Freelancers
Agencies
Small teams
Free download
Get the free scorecard
Make the next decision with your actual workflow, limits, and costs in front of you.
What happens next
01
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02
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Keep the useful notes
Optionally receive roughly one practical editorial update each week.
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