I must say that during the short time I've been on this forum, It is just filled with wonderful resources.
I posted before but someone suggested posting again.
To sum up, are there many people out there (?australians) who live outside US and purchased a CPAP machine in US
Could you please share your experience regarding any problems not having a warranty, shipping costs and customs
I am looking to get the Fisher & Paykel 608 model and have been told it is good for oversease use.
But I am concerned about some things - whether there are any adverse affects of using different voltage? maybe trivial
About whether it is better to have the warranty - but don't know the likelihood of machines breaking down.
From the people who kindly responded, they had said that their machine has not broken down, so that is an assurance.
Thank you to the people who took the time to respond.
Would like to know about shipping costs, customs, warranty and any experiences you could share and whether you would purchase a machine again from US.
sorry I am rambling on. Very confused and need to get the machine asap
Thanks for reading.
Calling all international people who bought CPAP!
11 posts
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Hi there
I'm in South africa, and while I can't comment on whether or not your warranty will be a problem, I'm wondering why you don't just get a ResMed - they're made in Aus and might even cost less there than buying it from the states. There are some laws in the States about exporting medical equipment - you might battle to get the supplier to ship it to you directly.
Even if you don't want a ResMed, are the prices in Aus that much more than they are in the States? I bought my CPAP locally through the sleep lab, didn't get any special pricing and paid about 10% more than it would have cost me to buy the same setup from cpap.com and ship it here. This way I got the machine quickly without having to fight with customs, no concerns about the warranty, and no worry about it being 'lost' along the way.
Hope you manage to get sorted out, and I'm sure someone wlse will be able to give you some more specific advice.
Colin
I'm in South africa, and while I can't comment on whether or not your warranty will be a problem, I'm wondering why you don't just get a ResMed - they're made in Aus and might even cost less there than buying it from the states. There are some laws in the States about exporting medical equipment - you might battle to get the supplier to ship it to you directly.
Even if you don't want a ResMed, are the prices in Aus that much more than they are in the States? I bought my CPAP locally through the sleep lab, didn't get any special pricing and paid about 10% more than it would have cost me to buy the same setup from cpap.com and ship it here. This way I got the machine quickly without having to fight with customs, no concerns about the warranty, and no worry about it being 'lost' along the way.
Hope you manage to get sorted out, and I'm sure someone wlse will be able to give you some more specific advice.
Colin
Re: Calling all international people who bought CPAP!
You must be ZZZz, I think I have answer most of your questions. Just to add some more,
There is no problem with US export, only local custom declaration. I declared it as "medical device" and the custom allow it to be tax/duty free.
I live in Malaysia where voltage is 240V 50hz, I believe it is similar to Australia, if I remember correctly. Yes, my APAP works with 240V. The electrical plug is the two pin type, at first I use an adapter, later I fixed it to use three pin plug.
Before I bought my APAP, I have loan 2 different APAP from hospital. Resmed s7 vantage and Breas (Sweden based company) iSleep 20i+. It works with 240V without any problem. Sleep tech told me this APAPs can be used in the US or any other countries.
It might be some risk involve buying from the US but I think it is a minimum risk.
There is no problem with US export, only local custom declaration. I declared it as "medical device" and the custom allow it to be tax/duty free.
I live in Malaysia where voltage is 240V 50hz, I believe it is similar to Australia, if I remember correctly. Yes, my APAP works with 240V. The electrical plug is the two pin type, at first I use an adapter, later I fixed it to use three pin plug.
Before I bought my APAP, I have loan 2 different APAP from hospital. Resmed s7 vantage and Breas (Sweden based company) iSleep 20i+. It works with 240V without any problem. Sleep tech told me this APAPs can be used in the US or any other countries.
It might be some risk involve buying from the US but I think it is a minimum risk.
Colin, I think Australia price is expensive. I have done research and found the most reasonable price is in US. Let's take an example,
cpapaust.com (Australia)
CFlex APAP with humidifier + mask, cost A$1749 = (about) USD1533.61
cpap.com (USA)
CFlex APAP with humidifier cost USD665.00
If I add USD 100 for mask at cpap.com, it only costs USD765.00, that's half of the price of what you get in Australia. You will need a doctor prescription for xPAP. I did not face any problem of US export laws, after all it is for medical purpose, not a military purpose (missile launcher or supercomputer). Also cpap.com and other retailers is able to sell to overseas customer, which means it is not restricted by US law.
Warranty is the biggest issue. However that kind of price, depending on models I can buy 2 APAP. For me, it is worth the risk.
Resmed is the most expensive xPAP if you are paying it yourself.
cpapaust.com (Australia)
CFlex APAP with humidifier + mask, cost A$1749 = (about) USD1533.61
cpap.com (USA)
CFlex APAP with humidifier cost USD665.00
If I add USD 100 for mask at cpap.com, it only costs USD765.00, that's half of the price of what you get in Australia. You will need a doctor prescription for xPAP. I did not face any problem of US export laws, after all it is for medical purpose, not a military purpose (missile launcher or supercomputer). Also cpap.com and other retailers is able to sell to overseas customer, which means it is not restricted by US law.
Warranty is the biggest issue. However that kind of price, depending on models I can buy 2 APAP. For me, it is worth the risk.
Resmed is the most expensive xPAP if you are paying it yourself.
Re: Calling all international people who bought CPAP!
I suppose I qualify, but I bought mine while I was living in the states. So I don't know about shipping and customs etc. You'll probably find this thread helpful:MissyC wrote:To sum up, are there many people out there (?australians) who live outside US and purchased a CPAP machine in US
viewtopic.php?t=23030
Also, the person you want to contact is forum member DSM. He has purchased numerous machines from the states and knows the process inside out.
I will say though that you don't need to worry about buying a model that's "good for international use". They all are. My Respironics has worked just fine on Aussie mains since the day I arrived. Get the machine with the features you want. It'll work on 240 if it says it will.
I'm a programmer Jim, not a doctor!
I agree with blarg - there is no need to worry about the voltage. Most electronics these days runs on just about any voltage, and it works all over the world with no issues.
I would expect t the Respironics to be cheaper in the States - they're made there, but I would have thought that ResMed would be cheaper in Australia, because that's where they're made. But they're not, in fact I can get them for the same in South Africa from a sleep lab as they're on sale on the Internet in Aus.
Funny thing is, that over here, ther ResMed and Respironics were about the same price, and in the states there's quite a big difference.
I would expect t the Respironics to be cheaper in the States - they're made there, but I would have thought that ResMed would be cheaper in Australia, because that's where they're made. But they're not, in fact I can get them for the same in South Africa from a sleep lab as they're on sale on the Internet in Aus.
Funny thing is, that over here, ther ResMed and Respironics were about the same price, and in the states there's quite a big difference.
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Guest
Thanks to all for taking the time to respond.
ColinP: The Resmeds are expensive. The cost of CPAP machines in Australia are high - Bill Bolton is so resourceful and he sent me a few links on online purchase in Oz, but if I took the risk of not having warranty, the US pricing seems better to me personally.
The Sleep Clinic in Australia basically do the analysis and gives a report, but unfortunately there isn't much more service provided with regards to machines. However, they do allow a mask trial which is really good.
I agree with you regarding not having concerns about warranty and getting lost - but for a straight CPAP machine it seems reasonable to me.
I'm still trying to figure out what is a more reliable CPAP machine with data capability and concerned if purchasing that without having done any research.
GreenIce: I am reassured about the voltage difference. How did you fix it into a 3 pin plug??
Your input has been really helpful, especially you being overseas too.
The shipping cost to Australia from cpap.com seems about 200 dollars so I could just do so usps. That's what I'm considering - but I have to figure out insurance on usps or send it myself via ups and hopefull it wouldn't amount to 200 dollars US
blarg: great to see Aussies online here. I really appreciate people's feedback - it has been so helpful.
I checked out that thread - yeah, thankfully no customs! Just tossing up between usps or ups.
Also, if you read my postings I am also tossing up between Fisher & P and Respironics.
What model do you have? Are you interpreting the data yourself?
The Sleep Clinic reviews the patient once a year, sometimes twice - so I'm not sure who would be responsible for skilfully and accurately interpreting, analysing and implementing the data?
Do you just learn as you go? Did you own a straight CPAP like FP?
The price for FP 608 on cpap.com is comparatively up to par with the Respironics although it doesn't have the data compatibility etc
Guest: Thanks for sharing your opinion. I found out that your warranty isn't void, you just have to bring it back to US for repairs.
cflame1: thanks!!
ColinP: The Resmeds are expensive. The cost of CPAP machines in Australia are high - Bill Bolton is so resourceful and he sent me a few links on online purchase in Oz, but if I took the risk of not having warranty, the US pricing seems better to me personally.
The Sleep Clinic in Australia basically do the analysis and gives a report, but unfortunately there isn't much more service provided with regards to machines. However, they do allow a mask trial which is really good.
I agree with you regarding not having concerns about warranty and getting lost - but for a straight CPAP machine it seems reasonable to me.
I'm still trying to figure out what is a more reliable CPAP machine with data capability and concerned if purchasing that without having done any research.
GreenIce: I am reassured about the voltage difference. How did you fix it into a 3 pin plug??
Your input has been really helpful, especially you being overseas too.
The shipping cost to Australia from cpap.com seems about 200 dollars so I could just do so usps. That's what I'm considering - but I have to figure out insurance on usps or send it myself via ups and hopefull it wouldn't amount to 200 dollars US
blarg: great to see Aussies online here. I really appreciate people's feedback - it has been so helpful.
I checked out that thread - yeah, thankfully no customs! Just tossing up between usps or ups.
Also, if you read my postings I am also tossing up between Fisher & P and Respironics.
What model do you have? Are you interpreting the data yourself?
The Sleep Clinic reviews the patient once a year, sometimes twice - so I'm not sure who would be responsible for skilfully and accurately interpreting, analysing and implementing the data?
Do you just learn as you go? Did you own a straight CPAP like FP?
The price for FP 608 on cpap.com is comparatively up to par with the Respironics although it doesn't have the data compatibility etc
Guest: Thanks for sharing your opinion. I found out that your warranty isn't void, you just have to bring it back to US for repairs.
cflame1: thanks!!
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billbolton
- Posts: 2264
- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:46 pm
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Postal delivery, if you can find a supplier that will use it, should not attract any customs related charges if the paperwork is correctly completed, however, UPS/Fedex (etc) delivery will probably still attract a commercial customs brokerage charge, even if you pay no customs duty to the Government, so you need to figure that into your cost calculations.MissyC wrote:I checked out that thread - yeah, thankfully no customs! Just tossing up between usps or ups.
You should phone UPS in Australia and ask them explicitly what there local landing charges are for a package shipped from the US with a customs declaration indicating a classification that will not attract customs duty.
Cheers,
Bill
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| Machine | Mask | |||
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| Additional Comments: Airmini, Medistrom Pilot 24, CMS 60C Pulse Oximeter, ResScan 6 | ||||
To convert into 3 pin plug just needs a cutter and screw driver, basic electronic 101. Sometimes two pin plugs does not fit in the three pin socket and loose connections can cause eletrical appliance fail to work properly. However if you are not familiar with this, there is no need to do so. Just buy an adaptor, should be OK. You may want to keep everything original for warranty/repair purpose.
Months ago, I was quoted a price about USD2300.00 for APAP, humidifier and mask ! It was shocking expensive, considering the income here is low compare to some countries like the US or Australia. After some research, I bought from cpap.com and the total bill was USD962.85. I save more than half compare if I would buy local.
I suggest you take sometime to research more and ask around before making final decision.
Months ago, I was quoted a price about USD2300.00 for APAP, humidifier and mask ! It was shocking expensive, considering the income here is low compare to some countries like the US or Australia. After some research, I bought from cpap.com and the total bill was USD962.85. I save more than half compare if I would buy local.
I suggest you take sometime to research more and ask around before making final decision.
11 posts
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