Reading the fine print

We are all advised to always peruse documents very carefully before we affix our signatures on any piece of paper. A failure on our part to painstakingly undertake this exercise at the very outset can spell misery for years to come. We are told that sparing a few minutes at this early juncture can save us precious time and effort later when we might find ourselves trying to wriggle out of an impossible no-win situation.

All this advice is, I agree, very sensible but have you ever tried acting on these pearls of wisdom? You will find out the true meaning of the words 'fine print'. The person who coined the term certainly had a sense of humour. The print is so fine that it is practically invisible. One would need to possess the vision of a hawk or a magnifying glass to be able to decipher that script. As one peers at the minuscule writing, one is seized by a sense of desperation, even despair. Soon, one gives up the unequal task and decides to sign on the dotted line, throwing all caution to the wind. This precipitate action will come back to haunt us.

There will come a time when one is backed into a corner and unable to make a regular payment. That's when you find out that what you thought was a lifeline is now a noose. There will be disclaimers in that document disowning all responsibility. These were in that fine print you decided against reading. And who can blame you.

When one takes up a seemingly generous offer, one is convinced that this is the real McCoy. Perhaps the reason why one doesn't look too closely at the wording is because we have been brought up to be polite and never look a gift horse in the mouth. Thus, the sheaf of printed material presented for your inspection only merits a cursory glance. In one's eagerness to commit to this course of action, one suppresses all doubts and nay-sayers and goes full steam ahead. The reading can wait until you have more time at your disposal to wade through that sea of data. Or so you think.

But bubbles burst. The initial euphoria is replaced by nasty surprises as you are charged 'hidden' fees you were not aware of. Or one minor lapse on your part and the punishment is so swift and severe that it leaves you reeling. That's when you find out that the umbrella you'd been given as cover only applies to sunshine, not rain. As an acquaintance remarked after going through the booklet of a medical insurance company, "They cover everything except illness."

Incredible offers

Then there are the incredible offers aimed at the impulsive, the materialistic, the ones who believe in living for the day for tomorrow never comes. The huge discount or the 'buy one get one free' tag is prominently displayed so as to engage one's attention immediately. The advertisers have mastered the psychology of the shopaholic. They know just what will lure you in. Once the bait is bitten, no amount of disclosures written in tiny print at the bottom of the page can deter us from taking the plunge. Thus, the words 'terms and conditions apply' situated in an obscure corner of the advertisement might well be written in invisible ink.

To avoid falling into this trap, try reading between the lines. The fantastic discount is probably a clever way of getting rid of old stock. If not, let the worm of suspicion rear its ugly head. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. As for the 'buy one get one free' deal, examine this with a fine toothcomb. Remember what comes gratis has not been specified and could well be something one has no use for. Who said the best things in life are free? Obviously someone who has never fallen for this trick.

So, the next time you are tempted by what appears to be irresistible, do not succumb. Completely ignore Nike's advice of 'Just do it'. If you're wise, you won't.