Hungry?  Are you Ready to Eat False Alarm Fines?  / Contract Font size  

 March 25, 2013

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     So Flint Michigan has decided to enforce a law to fine alarm companies for reporting false alarms.  The City figures it costs it $79 to dispatch a cop.  The Michigan Alarm Assoc is trying to change the procedure and reportedly claims that the fines to alarm companies doesn't encourage the end users to fix their alarms.  

    Here's your solution to that Michigan.  Read and use the provision in your Standard Alarm Contract that provides that the subscriber will hold you harmless and pay any false alarm fines.  Just add the fine to your next invoice.  When the sub complains that it didn't see that clause in the contract I hope you can pull out a signed Disclaimer Notice that has another provision to the same effect.  You need to place the onus on the City to explain to your subscriber why a fine is being imposed.  

    How much does the City pay the alarm company when an alarm turns out to be something other than a "false alarm"?  Alarm companies should start sending invoices  for "reporting a crime".  Ah, isn't that every citizen's responsibility.  Sure, and the police have the obligation to provide police protection. 

Michigan Alarm Assoc should charge the City for the City's savings in personnel.  How many more cops would be needed to patrol without electronic alarm?  BTY, send the fire dept an invoice too.

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Question - contract font size

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Ken

    Is my contract (which I purchased from you) still enforceable if I reduce it to a 4 point font to fit on 2 pages?

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Answer

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    I wanted to answer in 4 point font but the computer I am working on won't go below 8.  Many jurisdictions have font size requirements for the entire form [especially if consumer forms] and all have minimum font size and placement requirements for consumer contracts.  I don't like contracts with small font size.  They are hard to read.  They discourage reading and they encourage claims that the contract is illegible, unconscionable and unenforceable.  If your subscriber has trouble reading it, so does the judge who has to rule on it.  

    You rely on your contract to protect your business and to build your business.  Why take chances with the most important asset you have in your business.  I didn't decide on random font sizes when I created and approved the Standard Form Contracts.  A lot of thought went into it, and we checked each jurisdiction to make sure it would comply with local font requirements.  

    However, as I like to remind my clients, I make a lot more money from litigation than selling you the contract.  By all means, make all the changes you want to.  

TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REPLY TO THIS EMAIL OR EMAIL Ken@Kirschenbaumesq.com.  Most comments and questions get circulated.
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