Why everything, EVERYTHING should be in writing

So a few years back when we were getting the Red Tent Women's Project ready to open, we (the board of directors) decided that it would be a good idea to have a security alarm system installed.

It was the first time I'd ever done something like that--I'd never had an alarm system in my life, and never had my home robbed (knock on wood!), and so I called around to a few places to get quotes. Most were five year contracts, and there was one that quoted me a three year contract so I went with that one. (Wasn't sure how long the Red Tent would be in that space, which was apparently prescient.)

They installed it, I signed the contract. I have a dim memory of saying something like, "It's a three year contract, right?" when I signed but...and here's the kicker...I didn't make sure it was on the contract, properly initialed, and all that other stuff.

And my mom's an attorney! I should really know better.

Fast forward a few years. Now I'm moving out of NYC to parts unknown, the Red Tent space has been closed for about a year and a half, and I'm still getting bills for the security service. So I call them up, and they tell me, it's a five year contract. Says so right there, with my signature on it. There's nothing they can do. I make it very clear that I have notes in my hand that say something else, but it doesn't matter, because they have something right there, with my signature, that says that I've agreed to five years.

After much negotiation, I manage to talk them down. Slightly. Every little bit helps, but it smarts to have to pay that much money when I a) have none and b) am not using the service.

Still, though, lesson learned! It's not that I no longer trust people, it's just that I am going to be very very very VERY careful to put any verbal agreement in writing so problems like this are avoided.