Service/repairs to Respironics xPAPs and online buying.

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:50 am

I am still waiting for insurance to ok the online buying of a CPAP (hopefuy auto).

My husband's biggest concern is what if the machine breaks or need repairs, what then?

How sturdy are the Respironics CPAPs.

How have you dealt with repairs during the warrent period or after the warrenty period?

nosbig-nosbig · Post by **nosbig-nosbig** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:00 am

In ten plus years I have owned four flow generators from three different manufacturers(two Respironics). None of them gave me any trouble. So, I have no experience in dealing with repairs. My experience is that the machines I owned were 100% reliable, they didn't rust, bust or collect dust.

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 9:35 am

I wondered about that too. Our insurance said they would maintain the units they got for us, it is a medical necessity.

I hope they last forever, I have a backup BiPAP and cringe thinking I might ever have to have it repaired.

What happens to machines that malfunction? My first auto bipap started giving off unusual readings and was making a noise, so we had it replaced. My readings are now normal again, but what happened to that machine?

Is it sold as refurbished? As-is? Will you and I see it on Yahoo Auctions?
I would like to know......anyone have a reading on this?

PS. I might have been able to use the machine for years, but since it was giving me erroneous readings I asked for a more reliable unit. They may have decided to replace it due to my other medical problems. If Sleep Apnea were the worst thing wrong, they may have just told to live with it.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 10:42 am

I have two working Respironics Remstar Autos. Both of them were purchased over the internet from a cpap store.

The newest one is 6 months old, has cflex, and is my primary machine.

The older one is 3 years old, without cflex, and is my RV camper machine.

When the older machine was over 2 years old, and out of warranty, I accidently got water from the humidifier into the unit. Yes, really stupid move on my part.

I was on vacation and up a creek. I called the internet cpap store and told them my problem. No problem. They overnighted me a loaner. Sent me a Return Authorization to send the unit to Respironics Repair. The unit was repaired free of charge and I didn't even have to pay shipping.

All this when it was out of warranty and my fault. Obviously, I have no qualms about buying online.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:14 am

I've bought all my machines on-line, I've had 2 go bad (both PB420's) but they were brand new and just released when I purchased them. Most machines come with a 2yr warranty.

I just sent them back to cpap.com and they replaced them or applied credit towards another machine (if the other machine was higher cost, I paid the difference).

It cost me like $30 bucks for shipping the units back. Even when you add up the hassle of the failure and shipping costs, it is still better than puchasing from local DME that charges more than 3 times the amount as on-line.

I had backup cpaps, so it was no big deal, machines got replaced within a week. If you are active outdoors, you should have a backup machine anyway, worse thing you can do is take your favorite cpap camping and get it full of campfire smoke, you may never get it out.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:49 pm

It's like anything else......the "luck of the draw".
You can't say every one is going to perform flawlessly forever.....most will, for a long time.
I saved my insurance and myself enough money that I've purchased extras for backup purposes. I also saved a lot of money because I didn't have to buy a whole bunch of different masks trying to find the right one.
After all, it's MY health at stake here.....I'm not going to be without one.

Den

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 4:50 pm

I believe that of all the machines I have looked into, the Respironics ones are assuredly well engineered and built (alogrithms are a different discussion topic) .

There was supposedly a period in early 2005 where there were a lot of returns (I seem to recall there being a thread discussing the waiting time reaching 3 months for repairs).

But, the only real damage I tend to see in these machines is when water is left in the humidifier & someone packs the machine up. Water back up the air vent is likely to harm any cpap machine. I have seen physical evidence of what happens - worst case internally in the air circuit is the bearing in the motor rust & soon the machine sounds like an aeroplane taking off.

Water spillage on a machine if mopped up immediately & the machine is placed in a warm dry environment should mean a healthy recovery.

Re online purchase. I do believe Respironics ask that machines needing repairs, get sent back to the selling agent (a good reason to be leery of on-line sales at auctions).

Good luck

DSM

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:16 pm

dsm wrote:Re online purchase. I do believe Respironics ask that machines needing repairs, get sent back to the selling agent (a good reason to be leery of on-line sales at auctions).

When I contacted my online DME (the one I purchased my unit from), he sent me the loaner, he contacted the Repironics repair facility in Pennsylvania (I believe), he got the RGA authorization and included it with the loaner, and had me return the unit to PA. And all this when it was my fault and it was out of warranty.

I did not have to return the unit to the selling agent.

Buying from an Auction? I agree. I wouldn't buy from an auction - new or used, or unless I got a hell of a good deal. In that case, I wouldn't expect warranty to apply.

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:17 pm

Thank you everyone for your responses.

Gives me some confidence.

Wulfman the luck of the draw is what I am afraid of.

How did you not have to buy a whole lot of masks? That will be my challenge.

Wulfman wrote:It's like anything else......the "luck of the draw".
You can't say every one is going to perform flawlessly forever.....most will, for a long time.
I saved my insurance and myself enough money that I've purchased extras for backup purposes. I also saved a lot of money because I didn't have to buy a whole bunch of different masks trying to find the right one.
After all, it's MY health at stake here.....I'm not going to be without one.

Den

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 5:55 pm

dsm wrote:I believe that of all the machines I have looked into, the Respironics ones are assuredly well engineered and built (alogrithms are a different discussion topic) .

dsm,

Re: the above... As a "regular with vested interests" I'm obligated to disagee with you. LOL!

Selfseeker,

As others have said... should you have problems (very unlikely) the machine will go back to the manufacturer no matter where you bought it.

SelfSeeker · Post by **SelfSeeker** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:53 am

DSM, hopefully water in the machine would not be an issue.

Wading, if the machine goes back that means I would be without a machine. Do not want to think of that. (Yes a backup is good, do not have one yet.)

Wading I love your user name and signature. I have seen you on another post as Wader. I like the wallet with the money flying out. I guess you had some hard times. What about the muck of interfaces? That is my biggest issue right now. I am sure the insurance will be come an issue later on.

wading thru the muck! wrote:
CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:20 am

SelfSeeker wrote:How did you not have to buy a whole lot of masks? That will be my challenge.

Hi SelfSeeker,

You hit on exactly the thing that's always the biggest challenge for most of us.

Unless a person is lucky enough to have the first (or second, or third) mask they try suit them really well, it really can be a challenge getting that particular piece of the treatment puzzle in place -- comfortably.

Some people have reported their local DME lets them keep swapping masks until they find what they need. Others get to try on several when initially setup by the DME and are stuck with their first mask until time for insurance to pony up for another.

If a person can buy a mask out of pocket and wants "new", cpap.com has some of the lowest prices. Yahoo auctions is another source to check.

If, like me, you don't mind a used mask, watch the message board for posts from people who want to sell a mask that didn't work for them or want to swap for another mask. I've been able to try many masks that way -- swapping with other cpap users or buying their mask.

Here are links to discussions about several masks:

LINKS to MASKS - nasal mask, nasal pillows, nasal prongs

Good luck, and good sleep to you!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:24 am

SelfSeeker wrote:Thank you everyone for your responses.

Gives me some confidence.

Wulfman the luck of the draw is what I am afraid of.

How did you not have to buy a whole lot of masks? That will be my challenge.

Wulfman wrote:It's like anything else......the "luck of the draw".
You can't say every one is going to perform flawlessly forever.....most will, for a long time.
I saved my insurance and myself enough money that I've purchased extras for backup purposes. I also saved a lot of money because I didn't have to buy a whole bunch of different masks trying to find the right one.
After all, it's MY health at stake here.....I'm not going to be without one.

Den

SelfSeeker,

The "luck of the draw" applies to literally everything we buy....including high-priced items like vehicles. That's why there are warranties.

I guess the "luck of the draw" applied to my mask, too.....and in the good way. I really did do a lot of studying and comparing in this area....and narrowed it down to the UMFF. I knew before I did my sleep study that I wanted a full face mask and wore one that night....I believe it was a Comfortfull as it had the little ball connectors for the straps. It seemed to feel and fit pretty well that night, but I didn't end up selecting it for my "mask of choice" in the end.
So, in that respect, I've saved at least the amount of another XPAP machine and consequently put some of my "savings" toward additional machines.

My advice for most people going into this is to "do your homework"....upfront. (which includes doing lots of reading on this site)

Best wishes,

Den

clif · Post by **clif** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:43 am

My remstar malfunctioned. I bought it from an individual who had surgery instead of using his CPAP. Now resperonics won't fix it and has insisted I take it to a provider. I fortunatley have another machine (this was my "traveler") but am unable to get away from resperonics. I hate their customer service and if I have to buy another I will avoid their products.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:59 am

Anyone here think that their local DME has a repair shop out back????

Service/repairs to Respironics xPAPs and online buying.

Service/repairs to Respironics xPAPs and online buying.

remstar pro malfunction