Editorial Guidelines & Methodology

At Darby Payment Plan, we're committed to providing accurate, unbiased, and helpful information about buy now pay later services and healthcare financing options. This page explains our standards and processes.

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Our Mission

Our mission is to help consumers make informed decisions about payment financing options. We believe everyone deserves access to clear, accurate information about:

  • How different BNPL services work
  • The true costs and risks involved
  • Which options are best for different situations
  • How to use these services responsibly

Editorial Principles

1. Independence

Our editorial team operates independently from our business operations. Companies cannot pay for positive reviews or influence our ratings. Our opinions are our own.

2. Accuracy

We verify all facts through primary sources. If we can't verify something, we don't publish it. When we make mistakes, we correct them promptly and transparently.

3. Transparency

We clearly disclose our methodology, how we make money, and any potential conflicts of interest. We believe readers should understand how and why we create our content.

4. Consumer Advocacy

We always put the consumer first. If a product has significant drawbacks, we highlight them—even if it might affect our revenue. Our job is to help readers, not promote products.

Research Methodology

Our research process for each BNPL or financing review includes:

Primary Sources

  • Official company documentation - Terms of service, fee schedules, FAQs
  • Regulatory filings - SEC filings, CFPB complaints, state licensing
  • Direct testing - Our writers personally use the services when possible
  • Company communications - Press releases, official statements

Secondary Sources

  • User reviews - App Store, Google Play, Trustpilot, BBB
  • Industry reports - Research from financial institutions and analysts
  • News coverage - Verified reporting from reputable outlets
  • Expert interviews - When available

What We DON'T Use

  • Unverified claims or rumors
  • Paid promotional content as fact
  • Anonymous sources for factual claims
  • Outdated information (older than 6 months without verification)

Review Process

Every article goes through multiple stages:

  1. Research - Writer gathers information from primary and secondary sources
  2. Writing - Article drafted following our style guide
  3. Fact-Check - Second team member verifies all claims
  4. Expert Review - CFP® or subject matter expert reviews for accuracy
  5. Editorial Review - Final check for clarity, tone, and compliance
  6. Publication - Article goes live with clear authorship and date
  7. Monitoring - Ongoing monitoring for needed updates

How We Rate Services

Our ratings (out of 5 stars) are based on weighted criteria:

Factor Weight What We Evaluate
Fees & Costs 25% Interest rates, late fees, hidden charges
Transparency 20% Clear terms, no surprise charges
Ease of Use 15% App quality, application process
Merchant Network 15% Where you can use the service
Customer Service 15% Support quality, complaint resolution
Features 10% Unique benefits, flexibility

Fact-Checking Process

Every factual claim in our content is verified:

Numerical Claims

All numbers (APRs, fees, limits, etc.) are verified against official company sources. We cite our sources and update when terms change.

Company Policies

Claims about how services work are verified through official documentation or direct testing.

Comparisons

When comparing services, we ensure we're comparing equivalent features and using current information for all parties.

Content Updates

The BNPL industry changes rapidly. Our update schedule:

  • Monthly: Review all pricing, fees, and terms
  • Quarterly: Full content review and refresh
  • As Needed: Immediate updates when companies announce changes

Every article displays its last update date. If information is more than 3 months old, we prioritize it for review.

Monetization & Disclosure

Transparency about how we make money:

How We Earn Revenue

  • Affiliate Links: We may earn a commission when you apply for services through our links
  • Advertising: We display relevant ads on our site

What This Does NOT Affect

  • Our ratings are never influenced by affiliate relationships
  • We review services that don't have affiliate programs
  • Negative reviews are published even for affiliate partners
  • Our editorial team doesn't know which links are affiliates

See our full advertising disclosure for more details.

Corrections Policy

We take errors seriously:

  • Minor errors (typos, unclear wording): Corrected immediately
  • Factual errors: Corrected with a note explaining the change
  • Significant errors: Full correction notice at the top of the article

To report an error, email corrections@darbypaymentplan.com

Contact Our Editorial Team

We welcome feedback, corrections, and questions:

  • General inquiries: editorial@darbypaymentplan.com
  • Corrections: corrections@darbypaymentplan.com
  • Press inquiries: press@darbypaymentplan.com