The Lock-In Enchanter
You're not trapped — you're accelerated
The Lock-In Enchanter wraps dependency in soothing language. You are not trapped. You are accelerated. You are not narrowing your options. You are standardizing. You are not surrendering pricing leverage. You are partnering strategically.
Symptom
Every integration deepens the dependency while the language describes liberation. The Enchanter's favorite word is 'ecosystem' — because ecosystems sound natural and inevitable, while 'vendor lock-in' sounds like something you should have avoided.
Why It Matters
The Lock-In Enchanter's spell works because the short-term benefits are real. Integration is easier. Support is unified. The onboarding is smooth. The trap is not the onboarding — it's the exit.
What the Chapter Gives You
How to recognize lock-in dressed as partnership, why 'ecosystem' is the Enchanter's favorite word, and the question that reveals the cost of leaving.
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