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Anyone with insomnia knows the airwaves are filled with infomercials, especially in the middle of the night. Let's face it, though. No matter what time of the day you flip through the stations, you're more than likely to find a smooth talking salesperson - sometimes a big name celebrity - trying to entice you to purchase a new, innovative product.

Infomercials are a great introduction to new and exciting products, but can you really trust the company who produces the infomercials? Or, should you purchase the products advertised on infomercials from unaffiliated, reputable online merchants instead?

Buying directly from an infomercial is often a discouraging, frustrating experience. That's why more and more consumers are turning to online merchants to purchase the products they've seen on infomercials. Online merchants offer convenience, ease and little hassle.

Not convinced buying directly from an infomercial is a bad idea?

Before you dial that 800 number or go to the website advertised on the infomercial(note: this is different than a separate merchant who may also be carrying the same product), make sure you read the following. It's important to be aware of the realities of purchasing directly from an infomercial company.

Poor Customer Service. You've got a complaint about your purchase. You call the toll-free customer service number, hoping to have your problem resolved promptly and with little hassle. Don't count on it. In some instances, you'll find you've been given a number that doesn't work or there simply is no customer service number. If this is the case, you'll have very little recourse unless you can find an email or snail mail address. Even then, you aren't guaranteed a response.

Of course, if you do get through to customer service, you should be prepared for long wait times and the possibility of getting disconnected.

If you order from a website advertised on the infomercial, make sure it's a secure site before you plug in your credit card information.

Refund Policies. Before you purchase anything, make sure you find out the company's refund policy. Can you receive a full refund, or do they only offer partial refunds? Will return shipping be reimbursed? You don't want to purchase a product and find no refunds are available, so ask plenty of questions.

However, to avoid such hassles, you can purchase directly from online merchants who generally offer cheaper shipping and handling rates and a 30-day money back guarantee for your product.

High Shipping Charges. Unless the shipping is free, you're going to want to brace yourself for the steep shipping charges that often accompany purchases. You might be surprised to learn that shipping charges can even double the cost of your purchase. Ask about the shipping charges before you give your credit card number out.

Again, avoid high shipping charges by purchasing directly from an online merchant.

Upselling. Once customer service has you on the phone, you're free game. The customer service agent is going to attempt to upsell you. Let's say you're purchasing a therapeutic pillow. The customer agent will try to upsell you. Perhaps he'll say, if you buy two pillows you'll get the third free. Be prepared to deal with an aggressive upsell. Persistent customer service agents don't give up easily, and if you don't stand firm, you'll find yourself purchasing much more than you ever wanted.

With online merchants, all of your transactions are done over the Internet, so you never have to worry about aggressive salespeople and purchasing products you really didn't want in the first place.

Double charges. Always make sure you check your credit card statements to ensure you haven't been charged twice for your merchandise. Double charges are not uncommon. While double charges are not always intentional, be aware that sometimes double charging is normal for those who engage in shady business practices. Anytime you see a double charge on your credit card statement, immediately contact your credit card company.

Recurring Charges. You may find yourself faced with recurring charges, or subscription charges. Always check your credit card statements to ensure recurring charges don't start showing up. If they do, contact your credit card company immediately. You'll also want to contact the Better Business Bureau. Charging your credit card without your consent is against the law.

Scams. Keep in mind that there are infomercials that are scams. Take the case of Kevin Trudeau, who was recently banned from infomercials in the United States, for selling products he promised cured cancer and permanently relieved severe pain. He promised a quick fix based on deception. Think about it. If a pill cured cancer or eased severe pain, wouldn't it be splashed all over the news? Doctors would be promoting it, and you would have heard about it.

There are even more scams out there, so tread carefully. In fact, you might just want to go to the mall instead or purchase from a reputable online merchant instead.

Protect yourself. The companies who produce infomercials solicit big name celebrities and smooth talking salesmen for a reason. Their ultimate goal is to rack up the sales, not to ensure your satisfaction. Most people find themselves disappointed and disgusted with their infomercial purchasing experience, finding the disadvantages far outweigh whatever benefits the product offers. That's why more and more people are turning to reputable online merchants to purchase the products they've seen on infomercials.