Rant: Terms and Conditions.
Everyone knows what Terms and Conditions are. It’s that large packet of information that comes with any contractual arrangement titled “TERMS AND CONDITIONS PLEASE READ THROUGH CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING” that you throw away only moments before getting straight to the matter at hand: placing your John Hancock on the dotted line. Terms and Conditions is a phrase I hear alot in my job, mostly because I work in finance, partially because it’s apart of the jargon, but largely due to the fact that almost any complaint can then be countered with “Sorry, but you should’ve read your terms and conditions!”
I’ve never quite understood how so many people can simply sign their name to a legally binding agreement without knowing what it is, exactly, they are agreeing to. Believe it or not, you’re not putting down your signature in exchange for that phone/credit card/service, you’re signing in agreeance with their contract that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by whatever may be contained in that large packet of information you chose to disregard. For all you know, Section 5 paragraph 19 could say that you agree to give head to the service issuer on the first Tuesday of every month… you just don’t know!
I don’t mind telling people “it’s in your Terms and Conditions” because if you don’t read them you’re an idiot, and therefore deserve whatever insignificant problem has befallen your colorless existence which you insist on making into a bigger deal than it actually is. A certain amount of cluelessness is forgivable: Things that I know because I work in finance and you do not… fair enough. But to sign something and then so conspicuously disregard the information advising what you’re agreeing to… no, sorry. No sympathy. As example, I know absolutely nothing about building a house. Which is fine. But there again, I didn’t sign my name to a legal document stating I have read and understood all I need to know about building houses, either. And I am also not expected to then go out and build houses. That’s the way the world works. And yet so many people day in and day out think that I have even the slightest ounce of sympathy for them when the shit hits the proverbial fan through every fault of their own, and they think throwing their toys out of the crib is going to get them anywhere.
Dry your tears, then call someone who cares.
Share on Facebook
September 16th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I agree – I actually get odd looks when I start reading through fine print, like it’s bad form to think that the contract creator has potentially created something that I could ever disagree with.
It’s hard enough for me to trust some people I *do* know, let alone those I don’t. Especially corporations.
So, I will continue to read the fine print, regardless if everyone else does or not.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
“Dry your tears, then call someone who cares.” lol no sympathy indeed i guess your sick of seeing it then but i bet they still try to call their lawyers anyway or something.