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Released: August 01, 2010

Arbitration quietly closes doors of protest

Source: Eileen Ambrose, Baltimore Sun (Free Registration)

Lease a car, enroll in a cell phone plan or finance the purchase of a major appliance, and you’re likely signing away your rights.

Most consumer contracts include clauses that require you to take any disputes with the auto dealership, phone company or retailer to an arbitrator — one chosen by the business. You can’t take the business to court. You might not even be able to take part in a class action lawsuit with others who have similar complaints.

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