Verizon FIOS offer: You're locked in, but the price isn't

No one likes having to agree to a multi-year contract when signing up for Internet, television, and telephone service. But when you do, you're at least locking in the promotional price for the entire term of the agreement…. or so you thought.

Consider a recent flyer for Verizon FiOS. In large, bold, and colorful type, the ad trumpets a triple play bundle for $89.99 a month for 12 months. "IT'S A NEW YEAR. SAVE $20 EVERY MONTH OF IT," the ad proclaims.

Sounds like a good deal.

But leave it to the small, gray print to reveal the ugly details.

To take advantage of the offer, you have to agree to a two-year contract. And what happens to the price after the first year?

The fine print reveals that too: You get an automatic increase to $109.99 a month, which the agreement locks you into for the next 12 months. That could be a nasty surprise if you're not paying attention.

Why doesn't Verizon simply say $99 for 24 months, which is what the deal actually works out to? Maybe it's because it couldn't display that big $89.99, which makes the offer look especially appetizing.

But is it really a great deal?

Many providers typically offer $99-a-month triple-play promotions. Verizon rival Cablevision currently is offering its triple play bundle for $89.95 a month for a year and with no contract locking customers into an automatic, $20-a-month rate increase.

This is just one more example of why you must peruse telecommunications offers carefully and compare what you find before you sign up.

For more information on selecting Internet, television, and telephone service, check Consumer Reports' February report. (Some parts of the report require a subscription).

Among the advice, of course, is to read the fine print carefully, every bit of it. Magnifying glass anyone?—Anthony Giorgianni