We finish our list of common phrases you may find in the fine print that should cause you to pause. We all want a good deal, but at what cost? Know your way around the fine print, proceed with caution.
- MANDATORY ARBITRATION: If a product injures you or you feel misled, you cannot sue in a court of law; you must submit to arbitration.
- CLASS ACTION WAIVER: Being ripped off for only a small amount, it’s not practical to sue a company. Instead, you might join a class-action lawsuit, which combines your gripe with others. Many contracts force consumers to waive this right.
- LIQUATED DAMAGES: With this phrase, the corporation attempts to cap potential damages you might be able to receive if you do manage to win a courtroom battle.
- LIMITATIONS FOR SUIT: This may shorten your window for potential lawsuits. Check your terms and conditions to understand any abbreviation of time periods.
- LIMITATIONS FOR SUIT: This may shorten your window for potential lawsuits. Check your terms and conditions to understand any abbreviation of time periods.
- HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY US: These words can give corporations the potential to force a consumer (or worker) to pay the company’s legal fees in the case of a lawsuit.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, there are resources that you can use to empower and help protect your interest. Here, you can find Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.