The important small print setting on our contractual rights, the one you always sign against before reading could land you into some serious trouble. Research conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that only 7% of Britons read the online terms and conditions when signing up for products and services. 27% of people surveyed said to have suffered as a result of ticking the terms and conditions box without having done their research. One in ten found themselves locked into longer contract than expected because they signed up without reading the small print, and one in twenty lost money by not being able to cancel or amend hotel holiday bookings.

Markets have taken advantage of this and they place the terms and conditions at the bottom at the contracting form, knowing you will be too lazy to read through them. Failing to check the small print is always a matter of no importance, until something goes wrong.

During initial stages of Safaricom’s Postpay Advantage plan, Safaricom was able to lock in Postpay subscribers who couldn’t afford the plan since the plan bound one to it for a year. Many, including myself, found ourselves having to pay through our nose for a service we clearly couldn’t afford.

Shopping online is becoming a trend in Kenya, and banks as well are constantly calling us with attractive packages. Before we blindly accept those terms and conditions, it is best to understand everything before signing on the dotted line as you could find yourself paying extra fees or charges. Most consumer contracts are subjected to the unfair terms in consumer contract regulations, this doesn’t mean you can challenge a clause just because you didn’t know it was there, or you think it’s unfair – because it’s clearly written, you’re bound by it. You could find yourself having to pay to return unwanted items purchased online, as it is commonly stated in the terms and conditions.

Take some time off to read the terms and conditions you are binding yourself to, it will not only save you lots of shillings, but also place you in the light concerning your rights in the relation to the product you’re purchasing.