Surprise Legal Document

[jyflorida]

What is the name of your state? Florida

Is it legal for a vendor to promise compensation after you pay for work to be done and then after a month when the work is finished surprise you with a legal agreement to sign in order to receive your promised compensation?

I have a situation with a local vendor where I purchased a sliding glass door. We had issues from the very start between the vendor as well as their contractor. I dealt with a store manager before even placing the order, who agreed to compensate me after the job was finished. This was noted throughout their online ordering system, and it was also mentioned in various emails back and forth that after the completion of the job, they would determine an amount to compensate me for the various things that took place from start to finish. Not once was anything mentioned verbally or in an email about me signing a legal agreement until after the job was completed and compensation was offered. That was the first time that I even heard of having to sign this legal document to receive the compensation that was promised. The manager didn’t know what the agreement consisted of but stated that she would have someone email it to her and then she would email it to me to sign it and then I would receive compensation within 15 days of signing it.

I feel as though I’m being coerced into signing this legal agreement that I don’t understand to receive compensation that was promised to me. I have all the emails that I combined into one pdf. Not once was there any mention of signing a formal agreement. I feel as though I have been deceived by this vendor to get my business. I’m not looking to sue to get more money, but I would like to have the amount that was specified in the formal legal agreement that was sent to me, as throughout this process I was told that I would receive compensation once the job was done. What recourse do I have? I don’t feel comfortable signing something that I don’t understand. I tried to contact the corporate office am they are just rerouting my emails to the main store.

 

[adjusterjack]

This is simple. Sign the document, get your money. It probably says something like in exchange for the money you won't come back for more money. Nobody is doing anything wrong to you.

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state? Florida

Is it legal for a vendor to promise compensation after you pay for work to be done and then after a month when the work is finished surprise you with a legal agreement to sign in order to receive your promised compensation?

I have a situation with a local vendor where I purchased a sliding glass door. We had issues from the very start between the vendor as well as their contractor. I dealt with a store manager before even placing the order, who agreed to compensate me after the job was finished. This was noted throughout their online ordering system, and it was also mentioned in various emails back and forth that after the completion of the job, they would determine an amount to compensate me for the various things that took place from start to finish. Not once was anything mentioned verbally or in an email about me signing a legal agreement until after the job was completed and compensation was offered. That was the first time that I even heard of having to sign this legal document to receive the compensation that was promised. The manager didn’t know what the agreement consisted of but stated that she would have someone email it to her and then she would email it to me to sign it and then I would receive compensation within 15 days of signing it.

I feel as though I’m being coerced into signing this legal agreement that I don’t understand to receive compensation that was promised to me. I have all the emails that I combined into one pdf. Not once was there any mention of signing a formal agreement. I feel as though I have been deceived by this vendor to get my business. I’m not looking to sue to get more money, but I would like to have the amount that was specified in the formal legal agreement that was sent to me, as throughout this process I was told that I would receive compensation once the job was done. What recourse do I have? I don’t feel comfortable signing something that I don’t understand. I tried to contact the corporate office am they are just rerouting my emails to the main store.

I don’t see anything illegal in what the vendor has done.

If you don’t understand what is written in the agreement, have it explained to you by an attorney in your area prior to signing. You can seek help at a free/low-cost legal aid clinic if cost is a concern.

Unless the document requires you to turn over your first-born child or something equally egregious, it seems like simply signing the document to get the promised compensation makes good sense.

 

[jyflorida]

This is simple. Sign the document, get your money. It probably says something like in exchange for the money you won't come back for more money. Nobody is doing anything wrong to you.

When it's written in "legalese", it's NOT easy to understand. Sorry I bothered you.

 

[adjusterjack]

No bother. It would help if you posted the wording of the document.

 

[quincy]

When it's written in "legalese", it's NOT easy to understand. Sorry I bothered you.

You are smart to not sign anything you don’t fully understand. Too many people don’t read or understand the terms and conditions of documents prior to signing only to regret it later.

I hope you soon are able to collect the promised compensation. Good luck.

 

[Zigner]

I frequently point out that review of legal documents (such as contracts) can cross into the realm of the practice of law...but I'm kind of curious about this one.

 

[not2cleverRed]

I feel as though I’m being coerced into signing this legal agreement that I don’t understand to receive compensation that was promised to me. I have all the emails that I combined into one pdf. Not once was there any mention of signing a formal agreement. I feel as though I have been deceived by this vendor to get my business. I’m not looking to sue to get more money, but I would like to have the amount that was specified in the formal legal agreement that was sent to me, as throughout this process I was told that I would receive compensation once the job was done. What recourse do I have?

It wouldn't hurt to have an independent third party look it over to decode it for you. Doesn't necessarily have to be lawyer.

None of us have seen the document. We have no idea whether it is reasonably straightforward or whether there is something that they're trying to sneak in. We seem to be generally assuming that they are asking you to sign something agreeing that after you are compensated you won't come back again demanding more.

Good luck!

 

[adjusterjack]

OP posted the same question over at legal junkies where a document can be uploaded without the hassle of a hosting site. I asked for it earlier. No response yet. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

 

[quincy]

If jyflorida is looking for an analysis of the document to decide whether or not to sign it, s/he should have the document personally reviewed and analyzed by an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida. jyflorida should not rely on any interpretation of the document offered by random people posting on the internet.

 

[LdiJ]

If jyflorida is looking for an analysis of the document to decide whether or not to sign it, s/he should have the document personally reviewed and analyzed by an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida. jyflorida should not rely on any interpretation of the document offered by random people posting on the internet.

I agree, but my guess is that it is a standard release that anyone would be expected to sign when receiving compensation for something.