Halloween

I wonder if I could pull off Kaylee from 'Firefly'...

...ow. OW.

Do all internet places bill this way?  We have to pay Aug. 8 - Sept. 8 PLUS Sept. 9 through Oct. 9 on the first bill, instead of what I was expecting of just paying for the first month.  I called Cox and they said that's how they do the first bill and from now on you essentially pay for upcoming charges.  What the what?