But wait, order now well will throw in....

I'm always saying, "People never listen to me." Apparently, that includes myself. I'm completely old-school when it comes to shopping. I'm a consumer that likes to go to the store and compare one product to another and physically put it in my cart. Push my cart around the store and think about it for a while. Finally, walk to the full-service check out-lane and purchase it. Rarely do I buy things on-line or order by phone. Why? 1)I like instant gratification 2)there is something inherently wrong with paying a "handling fee" 3)I'm the world's biggest skeptic. So I may miss out on something here or there but overall I feel my philosophy has been my 'true north'.

With this in mind, one day or more likely one night, I'm watching an infomercial for Pedi Paws (the makers who brought you Pedi Egg) and I see a revolutionary product that will change not only my life but my pet's life. A product that guarantees ease and comfort when trimming your dog's nails. I'm pretty sure my 5-year-old was watching it and is the first one who brought it to my attention. He is always looking out for mom and ways to make our family's life run smoother...'Debbie Meyer's Green Bags' anyone? My curiosity is peaked. We recently moved to a home that has vast amounts of hardwood floors and I get tired of hearing clickety-clack from my dog's nails as well as concern for the floor's expensive and laborious finish. I learn via the infomercial that I could actually be harming my pet's nails by trimming them with my archaic clippers. I'm sucked in. Now don't give me, "I just change the station" Bull! We've all watched Billy Mays one time or another. You may not even have a dog, need to level a picture on the wall or have a weight problem, but pretty soon you're thinking, "I need this product! How have a I lived without it? My life would be infinitely better. " So you call. You pick up the phone with credit card in hand and do it. Which is exactly what I did.

I called one of those representatives with the thick middle eastern accent that answers to the name of Linda and ordered the revolutionary Pedi Paw system. After the 20 minute transaction and sales pitch for endless other "free" products...you know the ones that you just pay the additional shipping and processing fee...I'm up to $48 and something cents! What the? Are you kidding me? The infomercial said it was just $19.99! This is when my sense hits me and I politely tell Linda that I am no longer interested in proceeding with my transaction. While she is reading her prompts on the monitor, she asks me why my hesitation. I remind her of my fundamental right as a consumer to pay the advertised price of $19.99 and not be coerced into so-called gifts. Linda assures me that my order has been canceled and that unfortunately neither my life nor my pet's life will be revolutionized. Accepting my destiny, I end the phone call.

Guess what appears on my bank statement? Nothing more than 48-something being charged to Pedi Paws Int. Suffice it to say, I was frustrated and let's just say, ticked. I'll spare you the details of my phone call to Lance (the middle eastern supervisor) who assured me once again that I would receive a refund and nothing would be shipped. A couple of weeks go by and today guess what I found in my mailbox?