PREVIEWPrices as they will be at launch: the Shelf plan is $1.95 a month or $19.50 a year. Free during preview: nothing is charged and every feature is on.What the plan adds

ServiceAgreement.org

Agreement Reader

Read the agreement, one clause at a time.

Pick what the agreement says for each clause. If it does not say, choose that: it becomes a question to ask before you sign. Nothing is stored unless you save the result. This is not legal advice.

I. The service II. Money III. Time and renewal IV. Getting out V. Coverage and disputes

Part IThe service

What do you call it?For your own reference, e.g. "Lawn plan" or "Alarm monitoring". Company name Optional. Stays on your shelf only if you save.

Why it mattersA short name keeps several agreements apart on your shelf and in the comparison.

What kind of agreement?

Why it mattersUsed only to label the term sheet. Every kind gets the same questions.

Who stands behind the coverage?

The company I deal with Another company it names (an administrator or insurer) It does not say

Why it mattersThe FTC: a service contract is only as good as the company responsible for the coverage. ¹

Part IIMoney

Price

Why it mattersTurned into a price per month, so plans billed weekly, quarterly or yearly can be compared.

Sign-up, start-up or activation fee Leave empty if none.

Why it mattersAdded to the first-year and committed totals.

A fee each visit, service call or claim? Also called a deductible, trip charge or service fee.

None Yes, an amount per visit or claim It does not say

Why it mattersThe FTC lists deductibles and per-service fees among the hidden costs of a service contract.

Can the price change during the term?

Price is fixed for the term Can change, with advance notice Can change at any time It does not say

Why it mattersEvery figure on the term sheet assumes today's price.

Part IIITime and renewal

Start date Leave empty for today.

Why it mattersRenewal and cancel-by dates are counted from here.

First term, in months 0 if it is month to month.

Why it mattersThe term is what you are committed to. A 24-month term at $30 is a $720 commitment.

At the end of the term it…

Renews automatically Ends unless I sign again It does not say

Each renewal lasts (months)

Why it mattersThe FTC tells people to know how and when to cancel before they are charged again.

Notice you must give to stop the renewal

A number of days before renewal It does not say

days before the renewal date

Why it mattersThe real deadline is the renewal date minus this notice. With 60 days' notice, the last day is two months early.

Part IVGetting out

How may you cancel? The easiest way the agreement allows.

Why it mattersThe FTC's advice: "If it's not clear to you how to cancel, walk away."

Fee to leave before the term ends

% of the months left

Why it mattersThe term sheet works out what leaving costs after 1, 3, 6, 12… months.

A window to cancel without charge after signing?

No Yes, a number of days It does not say

days

Why it mattersSeparate from the agreement, a sale made at your home may fall under the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule.

Nothing is stored until you choose to save.