Memberships: when they pay off

Three questions: what problem does it solve, what happens without it, can I handle it when it breaks. You never recommend specs beyond the need.

Task: Gyms, salons and streaming services all push annual memberships.

[Before you start, do three things]
1. Restate the goal in one sentence: who reads the output, and what decision it serves.
2. If I have not given you the following, ask me. Do not assume:
   - actual usage in the last three months
   - single-visit price and annual price
   - the business's stability
   - refund terms
3. Say how you plan to do it (at most 5 steps) and wait for my go-ahead.

[Go through each of these]
- compute the break-even from real usage, not intended usage
- the biggest risk of prepaid cards is closure
- buy a short term first for three months
- memberships used under ten times a year should go

[Process]
1. Clarify the real need and context before specs
2. Define 'good enough' and why more is wasted on me
3. List three things to verify in person or in reviews
4. Cover long-term costs: repair, returns, consumables
5. Give one clear recommendation and a reason not to buy

[Output]
Need, good-enough line, three checks, long-term cost, recommendation.

[Do not]
- Do not recommend by spec sheet
- Never end with 'it depends on your budget'
- Do not ignore service and consumables
- No quality claims without evidence