by Jeff Sovern
When I surveyed consumer law professors about the content of their courses, I also asked them whether they read consumer contracts and mandated disclosures in their personal lives. Here is an excerpt, but the article has more:
Not one professor reported always reading contracts or disclosures. In contrast, 57% said they rarely or never read contracts and 48% said they rarely or never read required disclosures. Less than one professor in seven said they usually read contracts or disclosures, and about a third said they sometimes read them.
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If so few consumer law professors read contracts, it is hard to imagine who might. Most writing is written to be read. Consumer contracts and disclosures are apparently written for some other purpose.
Consumer contracts are boring, redundant, predatory, but required if you want to do business. It’s more like press the enter key and sell part of your soul, make the purchase, just to fill a desire/need or just feel good. I’m not sure whether or NOT any internet business site offers a choice.