This ad with its color pictures and the words "free"... really gets your attention.
If you're a senior or if you have a loved one who's a senior, you might jump to take advantage of the offer... supposedly available for just 48 hours.
But we found it's not an unbeatable deal.
Mac Napper was intrigued by the ad, boasting about the Safemate with easy to read numbers, large buttons, and great safety features.
He called to get one and even gave the company, Comptek, out of Canton, Ohio his credit card number ... until what was free... suddenly cost a couple hundred dollars.
Mac says, "He couldn't believe I was cancelling out on him. It was such a good deal. It was going to cost me more than I could've gotten 10 other phones for!"
When I called Comptek, I, too was given a hard charging sales pitch. The phone known as the ClarityLife C900... is made by Emporia, an Austria company. It's fairly new and may be a great device, but this isn't the cheapest way to get it.
I was told I didn't have to worry about a contract nor an activation fee, but I'd have to buy 3 months of service for $90. If I terminated early, the cost would be $189.
Another disadvantage... most cell phone companies allow you 14-to 30 days to return it, but this one reportedly doesn't. If you want to send it back... the saleswoman again told me... I would have to pay $189.
The Comptek phone requires you to use T-Mobile, but a local T-Mobile rep told me he could offer better rate plans in the store.
To us the best deal is simply buying the C900 online on your own for $185, then shopping around to find the plan that suits you.
Just remember... you never get something for nothing.
We also found Comptek pitches cheap computers, air conditioners, and fireplace mantles.