Frequently asked questions.

How accurate is the calculator?

The calculator estimates your cost and recommends a model based on your inputs (monthly spend, workload type, number of models). It's good for a first read. But actual savings depend on your specific usage patterns — token counts, session length, whether you can cache. The disclaimer in our terms is real: we provide good-faith analysis, not a guarantee.

The calculator says I should switch to Claude Haiku. I'm not convinced.

Fair. The calculator is a heuristic. If your workload is unusual (batch processing, long sessions, strict latency floors), a cheaper model might not work for you. That's where the $999 Assessment comes in — we read your actual data and confirm what makes sense before you commit to a change. The Optimization Pack goes deeper into when switching is actually worth your engineering time.

Is my calculator run stored? Is it private?

Calculator runs are anonymous — you don't need an account or email. We aggregate runs into a benchmark dataset (no individual names attached). See our privacy policy for full details.

Why is the calculator free?

The calculator is a proof of concept and a funnel. We built it to show what Scruuge can do. The real value — savings intelligence tailored to your workload — lives in the Optimization Pack ($99) and the Assessment ($999).

What format does the Pack deliver in?

PDF + Notion template. You'll get an email with both within 5 minutes of purchase. The PDF is a curated playbook (real production data, case studies, cost-reduction ladder). The Notion template is a worksheet to apply it to your setup.

Is this a subscription?

No. One-time purchase. $99, that's it. No recurring charges ever. If v2 ships with new learnings, that's a new purchase at your discretion.

What if I'm not satisfied? Can I get a refund?

Yes. 14-day no-questions refund. If the Pack isn't for you, email scruuge@ekow.co within 14 days of purchase and we'll process it the same day.

How long does it take to see ROI?

Depends on the win. Some playbook recommendations (swap GPT-4o for Sonnet on non-reasoning tasks) can save money in a week. Others (set up cache-aware routing) take 2–3 weeks of engineering. The Pack ranks wins by impact, so you can pick the quick ones first.

What do I get for $999?

A personalized PDF report. We review your AI tools, spend, workloads, and constraints. We recommend specific model and architecture changes. We estimate savings. Delivered within 5 business days.

What if the assessment doesn't find at least $1,000/year in savings?

You get a full refund. We include a satisfaction guarantee in the Terms: if the analysis doesn't identify at least $1,000/year in recoverable savings, you're covered. Email scruuge@ekow.co within 30 days of delivery.

How do I take the Assessment results and actually implement them?

The Assessment report is a technical blueprint — it names specific models, caching strategies, and architecture shifts. You can hand it to your engineering team and they can build. Many customers combine the Assessment with the Optimization Pack (which explains the reasoning and trade-offs behind each recommendation). We don't offer implementation services in this MVP, but we're happy to answer clarification questions about the report.

How long does the assessment stay valid?

Model pricing and capabilities change often. An assessment is a snapshot in time — good for 2–3 months. If you wait 6 months to implement, prices may have shifted and new models may have launched. Reach out if you want a refresh.

Is my data private when I submit an assessment intake?

Yes. We collect your name, email, self-reported AI spend, workload types, and free-text responses. We use this to deliver your assessment. In aggregate and anonymized form, assessment data may appear in future benchmarks — but individual customers are never identified. See our privacy policy.

How do I get help?

Email scruuge@ekow.co. Scruuge is a two-person team (Derek + Phil). We aim to respond within 24 hours on business days. For urgent issues (payment problems), we prioritize within 4 hours if possible.

Do you offer live chat or phone support?

Not in this MVP. Email is our primary channel. We move fast and keep things simple.

How do I report a bug or suggest a feature?

Email scruuge@ekow.co with details. Tell us what went wrong (or what you'd like to see). We read every message and use feedback to improve the product. Features take a while; bug fixes are faster.

Can I request a refund or account deletion?

Refunds: See the Pack and Assessment sections above. For data deletion, email scruuge@ekow.co with your name and email address. We'll delete your assessment intake and any personal data within 5 business days. Calculator runs are already anonymized (no name/email attached).

Who is Scruuge?

Scruuge is Derek and Phil. Derek built the original cost calculator. Phil runs operations and customer intake. We're both frugal engineers who believe AI bill sprawl is solvable with good data and blunt advice.

What does Scruuge profit from?

Your clarity, not your confusion. We make money when you buy a Pack or an Assessment. We profit when you save money on AI and feel good about it. We don't upsell, we don't hide terms, and we don't benefit from your bill staying high.

Is Scruuge a consultant firm?

Not yet. Today we sell a playbook (Pack) and analysis (Assessment). In the future, implementation services might be on the table. For now, we stay small and focused.