Price Transparency
My web host* just started plugging third-party tools and products to their customers. So is this more spam to sort through or helpful advice about cool new things that I might not have known about? As always, a question of opinion.
Here’s the so-simple-it’s-revolutionary kicker — they completely disclose their agreements with the third-party providers. “If you sign up for this thing, they pay us the first month’s revenue.” I can judge for myself whether I’m being spammed by unscrupulous profit-hungry jerks or whether I think the offer is “fair.” In many cases, I could even circumvent the referral and get the exact same service/product without giving my hosting company the kickback.
This is the information age, right? How come when I place a Google ad I’m not told what the clickthrough will cost? How come when I go to the doctor I can’t see a list of prices? Or when I get my car serviced?
It should only be a matter of time before everything is price-transparent. That will be good for everyone except scammers.
*If you sign up for a DreamHost account from that link, I get a $97 credit. If you type promo code “THANKSTOM” you get $50 off your purchase and I get $47.