🚀 go-pugleaf

Has anyone had the experience of being brought to arbitration before the
American Arbitration Association?

    I am the respondent in a matter and would like to commiserate with
others about their experience.  My own experience has been nightmarish.
I have strong feelings based now on only my one experience that this
method of adjudication is unfair and biased.  The claimant, who is
usually a card-carrying member of the American Arbitration Association
(AAA), pays them dues and gives them repeat business.  The respondent
generally is before the AAA for the one and only time.  Proceedings are
private -- that is, you don't have anyway of assessing what has happened
in the past with respondents (companies) dragging individuals through
the process.  Are you aware what the minimum cost of this arbitration
is?  As a consumer you should be extremely alert to standard arbitration
clauses (adhesion clauses) in a contract or written agreement.

   You could be brought to arbitration for a paltry amount, even $1.
Then if you lose, you are likely to be assessed the full arbitration fee
of $300.00 (minimum) plus the initial claim.
Suggestion -- demand a revision in a standard arbitration clause that
would require small disputes (say less than at least the $300 fee)
be handled in small claims court.  Arbitration is represented as an
adjudication process that is supposed to save the parties costs compared
to a court (judicial) case.

   I am interested in making this a consumer protection issue (and some
other things I can tell you about upon contact).  Before I write this
up, I would like to enlarge my limited database with the experiences of
others. 

   Please call me at (415)964-1900 or e-mail with your telephone number,
e-mail address, etc.   Thanks.