Verbal contracts site unseen

[guestfornow]

What is the name of your state? Connecticut

Last week the yellow pages rep called to renew my small 2" ad. In the past 20 years they always came to my office and we did things in person. This time he said "I'm going to turn on the tape recorder now and we will complete this over the phone. You are comitting to another year of advertising at $XXXX.00 for the year is that correct?" I said yes.

Days later when I got the contract (marked "voice approved" where my name was) there were 5 pages of small type. Things like a $25 collection fee for missed payments, etc. Obviously he did not go over any of this on the phone. Is this legal and would this hold up in a dispute in court?

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? Connecticut

Last week the yellow pages rep called to renew my small 2" ad. In the past 20 years they always came to my office and we did things in person. This time he said "I'm going to turn on the tape recorder now and we will complete this over the phone. You are comitting to another year of advertising at $XXXX.00 for the year is that correct?" I said yes.

Days later when I got the contract (marked "voice approved" where my name was) there were 5 pages of small type. Things like a $25 collection fee for missed payments, etc. Obviously he did not go over any of this on the phone. Is this legal and would this hold up in a dispute in court?

Only a lawsuit will tell you that.

Obviously, this is pretty shoddy treatment. Was this the phone company? If so, file a complaint with the public utilities commission in your state. If it was one of those rip-off artists that publish their own directory, you're on your own.

 

[guestfornow]

It's SBC Communications.

Interesting thing is, SBC Yellow Pages had a class action suit filed against them recently for charging a $25 late payment fee when it never stated they would do so in the contract. They lost and lost bigtime. Had to pay back everyone or give a credit on future advertising.

Now it seems they're giving it another shot. When at first you don't succeed...

I'm certain someone with more time and money than I will test them on this. Any takers out there?