To think many people don’t understand what a contract is?

[Fancycatpants]

My company produces a product which is custom-made for each client. The parameters are so specific and individual that should a client decide they don’t want the product any more, we couldnt sell it to anyone else.

For this reason we have a no cancellation policy and it’s reflected in our paperwork. In addition to the order form which they sign, we also have a special section in large bold print stating they cannot cancel the order, and we get them to read and sign this special clause too. It is legally binding.

Despite this, people regularly call us up and attempt to cancel. This is not the issue, because in any business you will always get some people changing their mind and asking to cancel. The issue is that these people are generally shocked and outraged when we explain that they cannot cancel and they have signed a contract to this effect. They are often genuinely surprised at this.

Do people really not understand that once you sign something, you’re bound to the Terms and conditions? Do people really not understand what a contract is? Do you read what you’re signing or do you just sign things without paying attention?

Agree a lot of ppl have no idea.

At the other extreme I was told by an estate that my tenancy had come to an end and I needed to spend £30 to renew the contract or it would be ‘illegal’ for me to stay they

uh no love there a difference between a contact which is an agreement between two parties and breaking the law.

I reckon they understand perfectly well and are just chancers.

I agree, MissMalice. Or they think the contract applies to others, but not them.

I manage Software contracts for my job. Part of my job unfortunately is trying to weasel or negotiate our way out of contracts if we've changed our minds or accidentally gone past our cancellation notice or something. Doesn't always work, but sometimes it does so I have to at least try. ;)

This is a problem I had every so often when I ran my own business creating bespoke items for people and companies

Most clients were fine and understood the contract but you always got one idiot. They appear to be the sort of person who would just doesn't think the boring rules apply to them. I had to take three to court. I always won because I was professional and truthful.

I think you just have to be philosophical. There will always be some who screw you around. But most people are fine. Take comfort from that.

See also the fact that so many people think a contract has to be in writing to be legally binding. Nope, an oral contract is perfectly valid and enforceable.

At the other extreme I was told by an estate that my tenancy had come to an end and I needed to spend £30 to renew the contract or it would be ‘illegal’ for me to stay they

Wow, that’s bold. I hate to think how many people have been duped into paying because they worry about “staying illegally”.

I don't think it helps that big companies can "break" or change contracts without any comeback.
ie
broadband companies selling broadband so slow you can't use the internet.
Bt tv promising a package at a certain price and then putting the price up.
But you can't cancel because you have a contract ....
So I'm not surprised people get confused!

I always always check the terms of an agreement. It’s why I’m not married.

But my ex - business man, 25 years experience, would happily sign stuff without thinking about what the contract really meant. It cost him a fortune and drove me batty. He just couldn’t be bothered.

BTW we canceled bt when they put the price up this summer. We now pay a fraction of the price for just as fast broadband.