Comparing Hidden Costs

Why is it that companies want their customers to be duped into making a decision? Why can't they just tell it like it is?

As you know, I have been researching VoIP providers. I have been trying to compare service quality as well as price. I want to make sure that I get the best service for the price.

It is not easy.

Receiving information from Packet8 that conveniently obscures that: "The service plan includes 200 minutes incoming and outgoing calls within U.S. and Canada. Additional minutes will be billed at 3.5 cents per minute, with outgoing international minutes billed at the current Packet8 international rates."

Finally noticing at Vonage the hidden pricing (that was also conveniently left out of several emails asking for the information) that: "You get 500 minutes of US nationwide long distance and calls to Canada every month. Only 3.9¢ per minute after the first 500 monthly minutes."

As a consumer, how do you feel when you really try to do your due diligence only to find that there was something obscured, hidden or simply obfuscated? How can you be expected to know what you are buying if you aren't given all the information? How can you be expected to be a long-time customer that is willing to tell everyone how great the service and pricing is, if you are duped into buying something that you didn't understand because you didn't ask the exact, right question?

If you don't like this as a consumer, don't make your customers go through this either.