They said this… · Services & contracts

“You signed it, so every term is enforceable”

Generally incorrect

Signature can be important evidence of agreement, but it does not make every consumer term immune from statutory controls.

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Why this answer

What actually matters

  • Consumer terms can be assessed for fairness and transparency.
  • A signature also does not cure misrepresentation or necessarily prove a disputed document was the version presented.
  • The meaning and incorporation of the specific term still matter.

What you could say

Keep the response tied to the actual rule.

Evidence

What to have beside you

  • Quote, order, specification or scope of work
  • Messages and call notes showing what was promised
  • Photos, reports or other evidence of defective performance
  • Terms relied on by the trader and when they were supplied

If they still refuse

Move the dispute forward.

  1. Define the contractual promise or statutory service standard that you say was not met.
  2. Ask for the remedy that follows from that problem rather than simply demanding compensation.
  3. Use formal complaint, ADR or court routes according to the sector and amount involved.

Read the full rules

Go deeper before escalating.

Primary guideRead the detailed ConsumerWise guidance.ServicesRead the full guide.Proving an agreementRead the full guide.Breach of contractRead the full guide.