Buying Online

I have an interesting situation. My local dealer (small town in northern Canada) wants 3 times as much money for a new machine as online. A Respironics AutoCpap w/A-Flex and heated humidifier is $700 American at the cpapstore.com. The exact same machine is $2100 Canadian at home here. Is online safe and how does a person get warranty service? I am not even sure an online purchase is allowed in Canada. But shopping around is now a priority. The problem is that a major city to shop in is 3 hours away. I have e-mailed Respironics to see what they suggest. Opinions would be more than welcome. Thank you for your help.

The $2100 even in US currency sounds right if you are going through a DME. My Insurance company will only pay the DME a more reasonable amount that is close to a vendor asking price such as on CPAP.com. I don't know how your health care system works in Canada. If you are required to pay out the $2100, I would be looking for one on line. You will need a prescription to get one if you go through vendors such as CPAP.com. I've purchased several items online and find it to be safe if you know who you are dealing with. I believe the machine you mention is covered for two years (check respironics web site).

rairs,
Use the search button, look for the words shopping and Canada so you can convince yourself and browse the forum so you get a feel of who is who and what it's about.

When I first ran into this forum (and that was almost 3 years ago) I had a slight jolt of disappointment to discover it was hosted by on online cpap supplier cpap.com. Browsing the forum let me discover that it is a free support service, hosted but one of the best and most decent online companies around. www.cpap.com the hosts of this forum. I got tremendous help from members, and as you still, I'm still around. People come, ask, answer, give info about everything, including how to use the equipment - the support given by other users recieved from them is tremendous.

But don't take my word for it. Read the posts as you would read a novel - and I think you'll feel the same as I do.

You question about online shopping was asked just like that, and answered about a month on this thread:

viewtopic.php?p=221599#221599

And this it what happened to Vadim when he needed service:

viewtopic.php?p=221368&highlight=#221368

I live is Israel, and did not order my 1st (and at this time only) cpap here - but I've ordered supplies with no problems, and if I decide to buy a backup machine, I will do it through here.

By the way, with the price differences being what they are, you can buy two machines for the price of one.

People have had machines shipped to Cananda, Honk-Kong, Australia - without problems.

And cpap.com even sells the machine you want for $6 less than cpapstore.....
https://www.cpap.com/advanced-find-cpap ... ting-CPAPS

O.

They also price match!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I live in Canada. I recently ordered a couple of masks and other stuff from CPAP.com. The postman left it at my door like any other parcel, as it was marked prescription medical goods. I am sure a machine would cross the border just as easily, with no duties or taxes. And we do have a few online suppliers in Canada, but their prices are not as good as the states. By the way, it took twelve days for the parcel to arrive because Canadians are buying up US goods at a record rate.

The warranty issue is something you have to investigate, and you say you already have an inquiry into Respironics. Your supplier in the states could also answer your questions.

If any kind of insurance is involved, check that out first. As I mentioned in another post, here in Ontario the province pays for the first $780 if you buy in Ontario. And I doubt that insurers would reimburse this if anyone left it on the table by buying outside Ontario. Your doctor should know if something like this is available.

I too live in cAnada and have had excellent tresults buying from the states.
My particular supplier I have been using in Spokane, WA and I get him to mail it using the US postal system. DO NOT GET IT COURIERED. The courier companies charge a handling fee plus they will often ding you PST and GST as well as duties which necessites a claim as there is no tax on medical goods. Nor are there any duties. I have had no problem and as a previous poster says it will take a week to 10 days. Have your shipper mark the true vale on the customs declaration as well as 'medical goods for personal home care'. If by chance taxes get charged you are entitled to a refund and the information is on the back of the invoice you paid.
The pricing is insane in the USA compared to us. I can buy a complete, complete Comgort GEl Mask for about $55 USA. The same mask upo here is $200 and if you buy the needed parts up here you will pay over $100.
I just buy a full mask. I just bought a GoodKnight to travel with and it is $1220 here and I paid $249 less 5% because I am a previous customer and $12. shipping.
My insurance company will re-imburse me fully except for shipping.
I have Great West Life medical insurance (supplementary). If you send me a private message I will give you further information.
carlitguy

I also live in Canada. I have bought my replacement masks from Cpap.com and have received them without a problem. Also you would be pleased to know that there is no duty on Cpap masks and supplies at the border. I have received excellent service from them for the last three years or so. My mask costs $280.00 from the local vendor in Ontario and $59.00 from CPAP.com. Great savings. I order replacement filters etc at the same time and it is included in the same box.

Hope this helps.

if you are a new patient, get it from your LOCAL homecare provider. Regarding other things, certain things are being looked at.

Hello Guest,

Should we take you post as a threat against us and the internet? Please clarify.

You know what, GUEST, I did try to go with my local provider first, but I got screwed in both price and service, so yeah.

I won't stear you clear of an obviously good DME, but mine was not one and others seem to have the same issues as me. If you want people to not hate DMEs before they even try them, stop coming in here and obviously stirring the pot. This is a sharing community and those of us that have been screwed are trying to prevent others from suffering the same mistakes. We actually CARE about one another here instead of about huge profits.