Get a recommendation you can check.

Begin with the choice you need to make

Suppose you are choosing a booking system for a small studio. A long feature list misses the point if your real constraints are deposits, group bookings and migration from your current calendar. Name those requirements and the country in which the service must work.

• List the requirements that would rule an option out.
• Give the expected usage and budget, including recurring costs.
• Explain which current workflow the new option needs to replace.

Make uncertainty visible

Ask for a comparison that records each criterion as confirmed, unclear or unmet. Missing evidence should create a follow-up question, not automatically count as a negative. Require direct links for prices, availability and product claims.

• Prefer the provider's own documentation for features and pricing.
• Check the dates and scope of third-party evidence.
• Keep estimated costs separate from published prices.

Stress-test the recommendation

Change one assumption: double your usage, remove your favourite option or make migration effort the main criterion. If the recommendation changes, the decision depends on that assumption. Check it before committing.

• Open the most important source links yourself.
• Check that the cited page supports the claim beside it.
• Ask which unresolved question is most likely to change the decision.

A useful follow-up

Try: ‘We value easy migration more than the lowest monthly price. Re-rank the options and show which evidence changes the recommendation. List the questions we should ask the provider before purchasing.’