Time to shop for my CPAP!

[reolhlains]

So this is a question for the experienced users!
You may have read from my other post that I am a newbie, and recent supporter of CPAP!
I am nearing the end of my trial and have decided I want to continue and buy my own machine.
So - where to start, what to do etc.!
Obviously the easiest thing to do would be to purchase a new machine the same as what I am trialing from the provider - but I am told it will cost around $3,000 (I am not yet sure what I'll get back from my health insurance). I figure there may be cheaper ways of going about it.
I really like my machine - I'd like to get more information from it (I see there are ways of doing that, but haven't been able to try yet) - the summary data it sends to the Dream Mapper App isn't very useful. Otherwise, I like it.
I live in Australia - what's the best thing to do?

[JDS74]

Your machine from our host will cost $827 (US) or $1088 (AUD) here in the United States.
I found a link to a local provider in OZ (https://cpap.com.au/) that sells the same machine for $2.2175 (AUD).

Buying from the US would be certainly less expensive but there are issues with being able to do that.
Some manufacturers prohibit their DME retailers from shipping to other countries and I think Respironics is one of those.

Check with your insurance to see if they reimburse for purchases from online suppliers and drop a line to our host, CPAP.COM to see if they can ship to OZ.

[Julie]

It is Resmed that won't ship outside the US (even tho' their machines are made in Australia!).

[Pugsy]

drop a line to our host, CPAP.COM to see if they can ship to OZ.

Cpap.com isn't a viable option for any patient wanting anything made by ResMed or Respironics.
Cpap.com is prohibited from selling ANY ResMed or Respironic product from a machine to a lowly nasal pillow.
It's part of the manufacturer mandate. Similar mandate apply for online sellers in the other countries. They can't ship outside their home country.

Now there are ways to get around that little hurdle but the product has to be shipped to a physical address within the US and then it can be reshipped to outside the US by someone else.

An alternative is to check with secondwindcpap.com. They don't have the same contract (I think because they get their machines from secondary sources and not directly from the manufacturer) with ResMed or Respironics and thus they don't have that shipping restriction.
They have new open box specials along with some gently used low hour machines.
They even offer some warranties...the down side is the shipping back to the US if warranty work is needed but with the difference in prices...you can do a lot of shipping. Warranty service isn't all that common but it does happen.

These machines all will work world wide...all you need is a little adapter to plug into the wall socket.

[grayghost4]

I have this one new in original box $100 shipping to Australia.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5859484759.html

[JimW159]

I have this one new in original box $100 shipping to Australia.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5859484759.html

I would jump on this in a heartbeat if I were you. Not only is it a good offer but it comes from a reputable member of this forum.

[cands]

It is disturbing that the prices for local supply in Australia are so high, but unsurprising. So much for free trade.

If, like me, you were not brave enough to buy your first machine from the USA, there are some deals from the local on-line suppliers that at least discount a little.

Like you I purchased a trial. Mine was 6 weeks for $220. I decided on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. My trial provider quoted the full price of about $2500 for just the unit. By shopping on-line I was able to source the unit for about $1900. When presented with this figure, the trial provider was willing to match the price, but I decided to go with the on-line provider.

It has turned out well. The online provider (CPAP Direct) has a physical office in Adelaide where I live, with a really nice sleep technician who gives me great support.

My new machine had a problem within the first few days and needed to be repaired. I was able to get a loaner machine and CPAP Direct handled the repair with Resmed.

I would definitely consider getting a second machine from the USA, but for me the security of a local supplier was worth the premium paid for my first machine.

Good Luck.

[palerider]

It is disturbing that the prices for local supply in Australia are so high, but unsurprising. So much for free trade.

not sure what 'free trade' has to do with it, given that the resmeds are manufactured in Australia (and singapore)... then sold much cheaper here, after being shipped, literally to the other side of the world.

perhaps some torch bearing mobs would be in order, and tell your own people to quit screwing you.

[chunkyfrog]

Maybe the Corilis effect calms down the unruly mobs so common in the Northern hemisphere.

[D.H.]

Maybe you can order from Canada. It's a "Commonwealth" country, so they might not be able to refuse to ship to another "Commonwealth" country.

[cands]

perhaps some torch bearing mobs would be in order, and tell your own people to quit screwing you.

Nah, not really in our nature. We'll leave the torch bearing mobs to you guys For the most part we're happy with our lot.

Multinational companies set price-points based on what the local market will bear. (They all do it, even the very few ostensibly Australian ones )

I think 'free trade' and so called 'free trade agreements' are totally different things.

[nanwilson]

Maybe you can order from Canada. It's a "Commonwealth" country, so they might not be able to refuse to ship to another "Commonwealth" country.

Wrong answer. It makes no difference in commonwealth countries... we are all on our own. The word "commonwealth" does not mean free trade between each other. It only means that we are tied to the Queen, the head of our "commonwealth"

[shorty2]

I bought both my machines from the US, a brand new Devilbiss Intellipap2 which lives in our small motorhome was bought from Respshop and an as new Respironics DS 560 bought from Secondwind. Both arrived within a week of purchase. The Devilbiss Intellipap 2 isn't available in Oz from anywhere that I could find.
Like you I was horrified at the prices charged here in Oz but have no problem buying from overseas as have extensive experience dealing with overseas purchases.
Strangely enough I had my annual checkup with the sleep specialist yesterday and since my last visit prices have dropped considerably, might be because they now sell a cpap machine called a Reswell, made in China like most things these days, comes in a fixed pressure as well as an auto version and cost respectively $650 and $1000, their prices for other well known brands are not a whole lot dearer now either. Both prices include a mask and that brings me to another beef re prices, how does a mask that is available in the US for under $100 suddenly become just under $300 in OZ!
I've bought all my masks online via ebay or direct from the US.

[Holden4th]

I managed to get a new machine from the US thanks to the generosity of a member here and I probably saved about 60%.

I'd jump on GrayGhosts offer asap. Or, as Pugsy has said, Secondwind is also another great option.

There are plenty of people here who would be willing to give you advice on setting it up.

[reolhlains]

Thank you everyone - all very helpful!
I don't have an issue buying from the US - I actually have a US mailbox address (I haven't used it in years, but still pay for it!).
It seems that's the way to go.
I'll have a think about the one you have for same GrayGhost - I'm thinking I want a brand-new, never used one - but maybe I shouldn't worry about that.
I'm in the UK at the moment and back to Aus in a few weeks - I might have a look at ebay UK while here actually.
Thanks again!!!

EDIT: - I should have asked - do I need a prescription to buy from the US? I don't have a prescription, and I'm not sure that the Doctor will give me one without doing another sleep study and consultation (essentially another $1,000!!!). Expensive issue this sleep apnea thing!!!