Watch for gotchas in ‘triple play’ deals

It’s nearly impossible to miss all the ads for combined Internet, TV, and telephone service. These bundles can save you money, but like so many deals that sound great, the devil is often in the fine print.

For example, the promotional price—$99 is typical—doesn’t include taxes, franchise fees, or other charges. You may also have to pay monthly rental charges for cable boxes, remote controls, or other equipment. There might be installation, activation, and shipping fees, too.

And some companies don’t make it easy to find out what you’ll pay after the promotion ends. Making matters worse, the price for one service, say, the telephone, might increase after only three months, while Internet service might go up after six months.

And the package can change, too. We found one company that added a $15 charge for unlimited long-distance calls when its promotion ended.

Here’s what you can do:

• Before signing up, scour the provider’s Web site for frequently asked questions, and read the “terms of service” for details.
• Then call the company and review all requirements and charges, including taxes and fees.
• Ask what you’ll pay after the promotion ends.
• Find out if accepting the promotional price means that you’re agreeing to a contract. If so, take note of the penalty you’ll face if you terminate the service before its term is up.

For more on how to choose a triple-play deal and ratings (available to subscribers) of providers, click here. 

—Anthony Giorgiannni