Page 11 - The Notice Board JULY AUGUST 2021 edition 69
P. 11
July-August, 2021 Page 11
How to Write a Customer Contract and When to Use it
prove in court.
One caveat: If the contract
involves an amount of money
that either you or the client would
consider significant, have an
attorney write it for you, or at
least review it for you. Trying to
avoid legal fees for creating or
reviewing a contract now could
cost you thousands of Cedis (or
more!) in legal costs if there's
some future disagreement over
the terms of the contract.
aving a written contract client. Cut the Legal Words
or agreement between 4. They don't want to offend Wherefore, hereto, by with, and
Hyou and your customer all of those other legal-sounding
the customer or client.
can help your customers know Have you used any of these words don't make the contract
what to expect when buying from more legit. You also don't need a
excuses? None of these are good
you and, in the event of problems, reasons for not using a contract. If bunch of subsections and
protect you from unnecessary you're a retailer, your contract could headings. Your contract can be as
losses. Here's what you need to informal as you would like as
be on the back of the customer's
know to write the customer receipt and if you're a freelancer or long as it clearly lays everything
contract and advice on when you out.
other service-based worker, it may
need to use it. be more formalized—a legal-
As a business owner, if you looking document of sorts. Negotiate the Contract with
haven't been burned because of the Decision Maker
your lack of a formal agreement How to Write a Customer You're wasting time if you're
with a customer, your day is Contract negotiating a contract with
coming. Regardless of the type Just the act of putting something in somebody who doesn't have the
of business you have, a contract writing is a good first step. You authority to sign the agreement.
is a must. aren't going to offend any Deal directly with the decision
Are there any business owners reasonable person by asking for the maker. If you don't know who
who don't know that they should agreement in writing. If it's a friend, that is, ask, and request they be
always have a contract? having a formal contract is one of included in discussions.
Probably not but many, the best ways to preserve the
especially small business friendship, since the written, signed Choose Which Laws Will
owners, often neglect to put a document will spell out the terms of Govern the Contract
contract in place. Some of the the deal. Oral agreements, even if If you and your customer or
reasons include: they may be valid in the country, c l i e n t a r e i n d i ff e r e n t
jurisdictions, pick which laws
1. Drafting a contract is a lot can be difficult or impossible to will govern the contract. In
of time-consuming
almost all cases, you'll want that
work.
to be your own country.
2. They don't know what to Additionally, specify that any
include. actions or proceedings arising
3. They're doing business from the contract will be handled
with a friend or long- in that country.
standing customer or
Continue on pg 12
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