Step right up....
Is it just me or does it seem like more of life is being contracted in longer term contracts that mirror a political cycle. I may be a political cynic or a realist but the political cycle of 3-4 years looks like this.
- take money from donors to make ads making promises to voters
- if elected use the 24/7 news cycle to spin expectation and disappointment
- try to deliver promises to donors quietly to secure funding
- repeat pre term
All of this is disappointing but now this cycle creeping into my life by way of fixed term contracts. My phone contract, gym membership and my TV contract are examples of fixed term contracts that assign me to this cycle. I really don't like the idea and here are my reasons why?
1. BIG print gives and small print takes away. The cycle creates a wonderful starting promise of value with lots of small print that never seems to be as transparent as it should be until there is a issue.
2. We were only ever SUMMER friends. After I sign up! the customer service and care seems to drop to a baseline that equates to a minimum service position with added costs and penalties.
3. Can I put you on HOLD. During my contract I see that there are lots of more attractive deals and value being offered to NEW customers and I feel that I am being treated less importantly as a loyal customer or I am funding this new customer drive - possibly both.
4. Return of ROMANCE. Towards the end of the contract I gain importance again and the romance I have been missing returns with new offers and promises based on a new commitment.
5. STEP right up. At the end of the process I am disappointed in myself, I recall the days at the carnival where I paid to win the prize only to discover the ball is purposely to large to fit in the ring. Its just a game called find the sucker and its me.
So I am working hard to enter into shorter agreements, where we continually commit to do business together - after all that model works with the most important relationships in our lives - our friends and our loved ones. What do you think?