Offer up your un-wanted masks to newbies

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:13 pm

Thanks guys!!!! Very kind of you to stick up for me.

And to Snoredog and Den...

I still love you, but youse guys is grumpy today.

And to the sleepy PM-er - I understand you're too tired to deal with your drawer of mask odds and ends. If you want, you can even throw it all in a box and ship it to me and I'll sort it out and find takers for them here on the forum. Might as well abuse my good nature while it lasts. I'll grumpy up as soon as school starts again...

"Grumpy Up" = It's kinda like "Cowboy Up" but unisexual

I'm just noticing a rash of newbies. And since it's been a year since I was a newbie in their shoes, I'm feeling sort of compassionate.

Cheers,
Babs

silver123 · Post by **silver123** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:40 pm

I think it's great that you are willing to do this and I think it's a great idea. The world of masks is pretty darn confusing and costly. This can really help us newbier type folks find a mask that works.

Thanks!

silver

feeling_better · Post by **feeling_better** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:15 pm

I believe this an excellent community service you are providing! Please keep it up.

While I am trying different masks (only two so far) from my expensive DME, once I asked for a new size nasal pillow, they got it for me but charged $45 out of my pocket since they thought they could, and it took them a whole 4 weeks ! I could have got that online for much cheaper if only they had told me ahead of time that it was not part of their trial.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:23 pm

I have to agree with Babette and there are 2 different reasons...the kinder gentler side of me loves to share and help ! I work full time for an opthamology clinic and still spend many weekends a year doing screening visions for children and glaucoma checks at nursing homes.whether it be eye balls or books or any of the other things I love..if I can share or help I am always willing to do it.

. If I had extra masks I would share ! Now sharing masks brings me to the second reason..the needy side ! I am a 6 months newbie..done lots of reading and gotten good advice from my silly questions I posted...but after 5 months of good therapy suddenly every thing is going down hill ! I finally went to a real sleep doc instead of my family doc and a basically worthless DME. I must first add that I love this man ! He has an excellant "bedside" manner..listens..taught me things of value about my OSA..gosh..he knew as much as you folks !

His first comment was why did I have a FFM? He had evidently recommended a nasal pillow and THEN if I did not respond well to try a full mask. He stated that he had not received any reports from my DME...(that is a post in itself ) This whole thing boils down to he wants me to try a nasal pillow but I can't for 6 months because my DME told me my pressure problems and leaks were due to the fact that I needed a new mask and my insurance will only pay for a mask every 6 months. for many reasons I cannot buy out of pocket right now...so here I sit...waiting for December !!

The sleep doctors office joins a cpap store and he did say I should call them and let them know I wanted to try a nasal pillow and they would notify me if one was returned..they have an exchange policy for those with no insurance or when you are not eligible for benefits at the time of purchase.

Its a great policy if you have the money...which brings us back to the post...an exchange program would allow some of us newbies in "limbo" another chance. I think if we are committed enough to seek out this forum we are aware of the fact that not all masks are for all of us, so there would be no hard feelings if a mask did not work. A little disappointed maybe, but hey..I live by..pick yourself up, brush yourself off and start al over again

! So I say...thank you for another great idea Babette !

illinigal · Post by **illinigal** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:27 pm

Darn. I didn't realize that my automatic logon had not worked ! the last post by guest was me , Illinigal !

clancy2 · Post by **clancy2** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:24 pm

as a newbie I also think this a great Idea Babette came up with.

goose · Post by **goose** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:14 am

As a recipient I'd say -- Right On Babs!!!!!
Even if it's a bummer interface, the newbie can evaluate and scratch off the list at a cost that won't break the bank.
I still use the NA II on occasion. I like rotating through my masks. The only one's that I have a hard time with are FF, so they only get used when congestion is so bad I have no other choice....

It's a great "service" and a great idea!!!!!

Now for illinigal -- check with your insurance company -- NEVER trust the word of a DME cuz they don't know!!!!!! It may be that as a regular "issue" the insurance company will only pay every 6 months, but if the doc determines that what you have is not appropriate and is not working, he/she can script for a specific mask and the insurance company may foot the bill.
But the only way to get the true facts is to talk to the insurance company....
(by the way -- I have a box full of the T-shirts )
Good luck.....

cheers
goose

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:24 am

Hey Goose, here's an idea.... Can you loan Illingal your NAII for a trial?

I have a spare set of hoses, but I'm short on cannulas. Both my full sets of NAII are out on trial right now. Though I'm working on getting one set back - He's determined MP is his size, and I just need to find him an MP cannula, and I can get this set back.

Illingal, your story is VERY FAMILIAR and it was MY STORY TOO, until I decided I could afford to pony up some out of pocket cash for used masks. Let me do some emailing around this AM and see what I can come up with for you.

And gang - CLEAN OUT YOUR DRAWERS/CLOSETS AND OFFER UP YOUR UNWANTED MASKS!!!!

Cheers,
Barbara

roncron · Post by **roncron** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:56 am

I just starting reading this item and cannot believe the criticism some folks have given Babette.

She's not forcing shitty masks on unsuspecting newbies, deceiving them into buying her rejects so she can profit from their ignorance.

She's giving people a chance to try masks that didn't work for her. If you want to try a mask from cpap.com, you can buy it from cpap.com, pay the full price up front PLUS about 20-25% extra for "return insurance." If you like it, you lost the money you spent for the return insurance. If you don't like it, you can get a refund, but you pay for the return shipping AND you do not get back the money you spend on "return insurance."

Babette is giving others the chance to try these masks for nothing up front other than the postage, with no obligation.

And newbies aren't stupid, or ill-informed. They read this forum, and they read user reviews on cpap.com. If the mask they want to try is one Babette has and no longer uses, then Babette is clearly making them better off by giving them the opportunity to try hers. When she sends someone one of her old masks, she takes the risk that they won't want to buy it from her, in which case she has "wasted" her time. But she doesn't see it as wasting time, she sees it as "paying it forward."

People like Babette are what makes this forum such a great community.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:12 pm

roncron wrote:I just starting reading this item and cannot believe the criticism some folks have given Babette.

She's not forcing shitty masks on unsuspecting newbies, deceiving them into buying her rejects so she can profit from their ignorance.

She's giving people a chance to try masks that didn't work for her. If you want to try a mask from cpap.com, you can buy it from cpap.com, pay the full price up front PLUS about 20-25% extra for "return insurance." If you like it, you lost the money you spent for the return insurance. If you don't like it, you can get a refund, but you pay for the return shipping AND you do not get back the money you spend on "return insurance."

Babette is giving others the chance to try these masks for nothing up front other than the postage, with no obligation.

And newbies aren't stupid, or ill-informed. They read this forum, and they read user reviews on cpap.com. If the mask they want to try is one Babette has and no longer uses, then Babette is clearly making them better off by giving them the opportunity to try hers. When she sends someone one of her old masks, she takes the risk that they won't want to buy it from her, in which case she has "wasted" her time. But she doesn't see it as wasting time, she sees it as "paying it forward."

People like Babette are what makes this forum such a great community.

WHAT????????

What "criticism"????? I think it's a GREAT IDEA! But, I wouldn't want to give anyone the two other masks I have (besides my tried and true UMFF and Quattro). The two other masks I have which didn't work for me are the Comfortfull 2 and the Zzz full face mask. Both of them are sub-standard in my opinion and I wouldn't want to have anyone blame me for giving or trading them for a better mask. The only two other masks I'd consider swapping for would be the UMFF or Quattro. And, if worse came to worse (which it won't because I have plenty of spares), I could suffer through a few nights with the CF2 or Zzz.

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:20 pm

Anonymous wrote:Thanks guys!!!! Very kind of you to stick up for me.

And to Snoredog and Den...

I still love you, but youse guys is grumpy today.

And to the sleepy PM-er - I understand you're too tired to deal with your drawer of mask odds and ends. If you want, you can even throw it all in a box and ship it to me and I'll sort it out and find takers for them here on the forum. Might as well abuse my good nature while it lasts. I'll grumpy up as soon as school starts again...

"Grumpy Up" = It's kinda like "Cowboy Up" but unisexual

I'm just noticing a rash of newbies. And since it's been a year since I was a newbie in their shoes, I'm feeling sort of compassionate.

Cheers,
Babs

Awwwww, Babs........
Just "jerkin' your chain".

I have no problem with your idea, but don't think I have enough "rejects" in my collection that would do anybody any good. I just happened to pick the "right" mask when I started.

Den

goose · Post by **goose** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:38 pm

Hey Babs,
No worries -- PM me with details and I'll be happy to ship out the loaner.....I don't use it often enough to make a big difference. I will sanitize with Control III prior to sending out!!!
I don't remember which size canula's I have -- I think it's Large and Medium....I've got the "factory" headgear as well - -I haven't modified it so it's "stock"......

If you want, I can send it to you first so you can take a look and send other parts with it.....

If I ever get the bucks I'm going to get a Quattro or the UMFF to replace the HC431 I've got as it doesn't seal worth beans with my face hair.....I don't use it much anyway, but when I have total blockage of the nose, I have to try to make it seal well enough to use it......

Anyway -- let me know how you want to handle the loaner and I'm in......

Oh yeah -- I knew Den was pulling your chain -- I had a few laughs over it as well....Chill Mama, life's too short

cheers
goose

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): HC431, seal

IBTeri · Post by **IBTeri** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:34 pm

Go Bab's my hero.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:40 pm

O M G................

Teri!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where the heck are you? HOW the heck are you????

FOLKS - THIS LADY SAVED MY LIFE!!!!! She forced me to take her Nasal Aire II, against my better judgement, and THE REST IS HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you're still hanging in there, babe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will always be grateful to you for making me take that mask in trade, even though I was sure it was not gonna work for me.

BLESS YOU TERI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Babs

pjwalman · Post by **pjwalman** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:55 pm

Chain yanking though you might have been, Den ...here's the interesting part about faces and what works for one not working for another and vice versa. The two masks you think are substandard actually leak least for me and are WAY more comfortable than the Quattro and Mirage. Not saying they're perfect by any means -- I'm still on my search for that dream mask.

So the the beauty of sharing and trading, to me, is the fact that something that wasted YOUR money could actually make all the difference in the world to the next person...or save them from making the same mistake you did. Not saying you shouldn't keep your Comfortfull 2 and ZZZ for in a pinch when you need a change, but just had to point out that they might not be as miserable for others as they were for you 'cause we're all made differently and have our cracks and crevices in different locations and have a variety of nose shapes and sensitivities, some that may work well with a hard shell underneath and some that will suffer from collisions with that hard shell.

To me, the downside is more the risk that there will be that one bad egg out there that will decide to keep the mask and rip you off, and that is more of a dissuader (is that a word?) to some, I think, more than anything else, but hopefully most here are decent enough to know a good thing when they see it and won't screw it up for the rest of us. I know I can be a bit of a Pollyanna a lot of the time, but I do know that is a risk we're taking with the trials and trades. Still I'm hoping most of us who participate won't get screwed over...and, if we do, I guess we can shout it to the forum rooftops and at least vent very publicly when it happens.

Peggy

Mask