Ask Dale: Should You Sign a Contract You Can’t Read?

Ask Dale: Should You Sign a Contract You Can’t Read?

Today’s Ask Dale question comes from Jack, who asks: "Many companies now do everything electronically. I’m often asked to sign on an iPad, but I can’t read all the information. What should I do?"

This is a great question, and anyone who’s watched my videos knows how I feel about this topic. Simply put—never sign a contract unless you’ve read it, understood it, and agreed with it. When it comes to digital signatures, it’s easy to feel pressured to sign quickly, but it’s your right to take the time to review any contract in full before you agree to it.

If someone asks you to sign something digitally, here’s what you should do:

1. Insist on reading it first – Whether it’s a service agreement, rental contract, or any other legally binding document, request a full copy. Read it from start to finish.  They can email it to you from their iPad and then you can print and read it prior to signing.
2. Take your time – Don’t let anyone rush you. Contracts can have clauses that might not work in your favor if you haven’t taken the time to understand them.
3. Refuse to sign if you can’t read it – If a company tells you they’ll only give you a copy after you’ve signed, that’s a big red flag. What’s the point of signing something you haven’t seen in full? In that case, walk away—it’s not worth the risk of agreeing to terms that could hurt you down the road.

Remember, a contract is a legally binding agreement. If you sign something without understanding it, you may be stuck with terms you didn’t know were there. So, don’t rush it, and never feel pressured to sign.

Check out my video!