anyone buy used equipment ??

[Appalachian]

I have noticed used CPAP & APAP machine for sale on sevral sites for very reasonable prices, most say they have been used very little or never used & some will post hours used, prices run anywher from $150 to $700.

Even with insurence I can buy used cheaper, just curious if anyone has tried secondhand.

[brucifer]

I have noticed used CPAP & APAP machine for sale on sevral sites for very reasonable prices, most say they have been used very little or never used & some will post hours used, prices run anywher from $150 to $700.

Even with insurence I can buy used cheaper, just curious if anyone has tried secondhand.

A lot of members here with either no insurance or who are looking for a second machine as a back up buy second-hand CPAP machines. One very popular source is Craigslist.

However, caveat emptor! If I were plopping down even a couple of hundred dollars on a second-hand machine, I would want to see how it worked first. In other words, I would not meet someone in the parking lot of Wal*Mart and take their word for it that I am getting a fully-functional and working machine. If the seller were not willing to provide me with his or her name and address and let me first test the machine, I would not take the chance.

I would also not buy the machine if I didn't get that warm-and-fuzzy feeling about the transaction or the seller's character. I wouldn't sleep well if I had it in the back of my mind that the seller may have stolen and sold his mother's or grandmother's CPAP machine for some crack or whatever. That's just me though.

[LSAT]

http://www.secondwindcpap.com/Masks.html
http://www.secondwindcpap.com/Used_CPAP.html

[squid13]

The machine I'm using now is a S9 VPAP Auto which I bought from a lady who advertised on the forum, it had 4 hours on it. When I was on cpap I bought a used S9 AutoSet with 70 hours on it from craigs list for a backup. Nothing wrong with used, just shop wisely.

[chunkyfrog]

There are a few skunks out there; face to face is always best.
I'd pass otherwise.

[archangle]

For craigslist, offer to come to their place to pick it up. If they meet you there, there's probably a little less chance of a ripoff.

If you meet elsewhere without AC power available, take one of those DC power inverters that generates AC power from your cigarette lighter. These are OK with a ResMed S9 or PRS1 machine. Some older machines with humidifiers, such as S8 machines may be damaged by a power inverter.

You might also take an extension cord in case you can find someplace with an outdoor power outlet.

I've bought 4 machines from craigslist and haven't gotten ripped off, but I've been a bit cautious. Once or twice I've gotten bad vibes from the e-mail conversations. I usually ask some questions about the type of machine in order to get some feedback.

There's one local seller who keeps offering CPAP machines claiming her husband had to use it for a short time before surgery, but but this person keeps offering new machines and has more than one machine for sale. I suspect they're some sort of "grey market" machines through a distributor, healthcare provider, or DME. I guess they could be stolen, but who's going to end up with stolen machines on an ongoing basis?

The prices were low enough that if a certain percentage of buys are ripoffs, I'm still ahead.

[nanwilson]

I bought mine second hand from one of the members here on the forum. Have not had a moments problem with it. (crap, now that I've said that it will probably have a problem soon.)

[Beckah54]

I purchased a used Bipap with 480 therapy hours on it from Craigslist and have had no problems with it. It cost a fraction of what I would have paid for a new one.

[sleepycarol]

I have purchased used from forum members I purchased an S8 Resmed Vantage, liked it so upgraded to a used S8 Resmed AutoSet II. I didn't have a problem with either transaction.

From a local internet provider "iSell" site I purchased an M series Autopap with C-flex with 17 hours. No problem with this transaction either. Met them in a Hardee's parking lot.

From craigslist I purchased 2 stand alone humidifiers. These were located in California and I am in Missouri so asked for shipping. Not a problem with this transaction.

From Craigslist I recently purchased an unused PR System 1 Bipap auto with biflex. We met halfway since this was located in northwest Missouri and I am in central Missouri. We met in a college parking lot. Great system and no problem with transaction.

From Craigslist I purchased an M series Apap with A-flex. It had more hours than listed in the ad, but still had less than a hundred dollars in it (it didn't include the humidifier or any accessories). No problem with this transaction and I passed it on to another forum member looking for one.

Just be careful doing business as others said. Most people are honest, but you still have a few rotten apples out there that would screw their own mothers.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I got my first machine from Craigslist cuz my insurance company was dragging its feet due to inconclusive tests etc, plus I was in a hurry for relief. I talked/called six different individuals offering machines on Craigslist in my SF area and they all were legit except for one young man who advertized on Craigslist in a fraudulent manner. He photographed his non-auto machine amid a spread of manuals that all clearly said 'auto' in the titles, as did his advertisement claim. It was a low-resolution pic so difficult to 'blow up' and get real details, plus the label on the machine was suspiciously fuzzy (like Photoshop fuzzy). However, when I called him on the phone, it became obvious right away that he was just a scam artist trying to find a buyer who didn't know their stuff, ie. Apap, Cpap, BiLevel etc. The moral here is: buyer beware, there are some bad apples out there. You may want to talk to the members here before you buy.

[lazer]

Another option is to PM MarkLT on this forum. He is very reliable and often has brand new machines available for a fraction of the cost of (normal retail/msrp).

[Appalachian]

Thanks for the great responses, only way I would buy from someone was to pick it up at the place of residence, so I can try & get a scence of the sellers honesty & to get some insight as to how it may have been kept up, filthy house = no sale.

Call me picky but I dont care.

[2flamingos]

I bought my second machine (M-Series APAP, which is just like my first machine) on cpapauction.com when it was still around (i miss it). It had less than 40 hours on it, and I paid less than $350 (including shipping). Don't really remember how or why, for the last 18 months or so, it has become may daily use machine and my 1st one is now the back-up and one I use for travel.