When you see those advertisements on TV that dance across your screen which say we are the better company for your needs and then proceed to tell you why, don’t believe everything you see. If there is ever anyone who falls for the “better deal” deal, it’s me.

The good thing about me being so dumb is that once I find out I have been duped; I write!

Here are a few companies I fell for and want to make the reader beware of:

First is Vonage, they have some man complaining about his high bills and Vonage goes on to tell you how you can save so much money by switching over. What they don’t tell you is this: when you sign up you are signing for a mandatory year contract.

If you disconnect before a year you must pay the $30 withdraw fee and then the $70 early deactivation fee.

When I questioned in this regard, Vonage told me that it’s part of the deal. I told them that I never signed any such deal and the csr said if you withdraw today your card will be charge $114 ..

Sigh..am still riding out my contract with them!! If I deactivate after the year I still have to pay $30 deactivation fee!!!

The next biggest joke is Magic Jack. It seems all well and dandy .. I fell for it and got me one..It’s like you are riding in an airplane. Sounds like you hear people some time and some time you don’t ..

I guess for 39.00 a year.. you can’t expect perfect phone service.

Finally the last hurrah: Beware of the bundled packages offered by your phone company..tv, internet and phone..If you select it..ask how long you must keep the package and what the early cancellation fees are.

I got the verizon bundle ..$99 special with direct tv, net and phone…I love Verizon phone..but I don’t like the direct tv thingy they didn’t tell me about.. If you get the bundle you are agreeing to stay 1 year with direct tv. if you agree to the hd tv ..you are agreeing to 2 years..They don’t tell you that when selling.. They will tell you it’s nothing extra to upgrade to the HD TV.

IF you cancell DIRECT TV before your 2 year contract is up..that is part of your special..you will have to pay $20 for every month you don’t keep their service for 2 years. If you didn’t upgrade to HD .you are only in 1 year and if you withdraw for that year..$20 for every month you didn’t stay that year.

What is to be learned from all this? Ask questions..especially on the specials!!!