Almost all consumer contracts conatain arbitration agreements.  If you look carefully they are there, in force:  Cars, boats, TV's, software and credit cards are but few places to find these agreeements.  The arbitration agreement usually provides the choice of AAA (American Arbitration Association), NAF (National Arbitration Forum) or Jams.

The rules are very different than going to Court and can be very expensive depending on the situation.  Certain agreements might be unforceable, depending in the wording.  There are very specific rules pertaining the enforceability of these agreements.

List of issues:

Can I fight the agreement?
How do I file for an arbitration?
Do I pick the consumer arbitration or the commercial arbitration rules?
How do I present my case at the arbitration?
Can I challenge the arbitrator's decision?
What if I win, and how do I get paid?

P.S.  There are consumer arbitration agreements in almost every contract to purchase a car which are placed by the automobile dealerships.  There is pending legislation at the Federal level to prohibit the agreements in consumer contracts.  It is so ironic that the automobile dealers lobbied Congress to prohibit arbitration agreements in their relationships with the manufacturers such as Ford General Motors and Chrysler