The Problem With ResMed Bashing

[MandoJohnny]

I know full well I will get flamed for expressing this opinion, but, stupid me, I still feel compelled to do it.

There are a lot of people upset with ResMed. I understand that completely and although I am not in that camp, I respect those opinions and I do think this is a very appropriate forum to vent them. So let's be clear, I think all the dedicated ResMed bashing threads are all well and good. No problem so far. Free speech and all that. I got it! Carry on.

However, there is another thing going on. Apnea sufferers are logging in here looking for advice about equipment, sometimes equipment they already own that the DME has assigned them. These are just the kinds of people this forum is supposed to help. Sometimes the equipment they are asking about happens to be ResMed, which is not their fault. They may not have any idea it involves a controversy and they may or may be interested in getting involved with it. They just need advice. Unfortunately, instead of getting the help they need, they get ResMed bashing posts in reply. If I were them, the result would be that I wold get more turned off by the forum itself than by ResMed.

I have been on other kinds of forums where there was a lot of equipment content and some manufacturer did something people didn't like. The same thing happened. The eventual result was that well-meaning users of that brand couldn't even talk about problems they were having on that forum any more. I am sorry to say that I was one of the bashers in one of those situations, so I empathize with being on that side.

I am not pretending to be any more than what I am, one lone member of this forum, just one lone voice making a suggestion that everyone is of course, free to accept or reject, based on their own conscience. The suggestion is this: If you want to bash a manufacturer, start a thread on it and bash away. Have at it! But if a fellow apnea suffer who happens to use that manufacturer's equipment starts a thread wanting help, at least consider the possibility that bashing the manufacturer on that thread may not be helpful.

End of suggestion. Now I will don my flame suit and hunker down!

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, DME

[krousseau]

Ibid.....I do wonder at times if there are people who wander in to check out the forum-open one of the controversial threads or one bashing Resmed product and leave. Or if there are people who just watch the fray and won't ask questions because they fear being criticized.
How about another disclaimer (in addition to the one re medical advice) to the effect that we don't like resmed for it's pricing policies. The forum admin is going to have to increase the words allowed in the signature to allow for all the disclaimers.


I do not own any Resmed products, have never been offered any free, etc etc
but I'd like to try that Vista.

[Bob...]

MandoJohnny, I agree with everything you said, especially:

The suggestion is this: If you want to bash a manufacturer, start a thread on it and bash away. Have at it! But if a fellow apnea suffer who happens to use that manufacturer's equipment starts a thread wanting help, at least consider the possibility that bashing the manufacturer on that thread may not be helpful.

Bob

[rested gal]

The suggestion is this: If you want to bash a manufacturer, start a thread on it and bash away. Have at it! But if a fellow apnea suffer who happens to use that manufacturer's equipment starts a thread wanting help, at least consider the possibility that bashing the manufacturer on that thread may not be helpful.

I think that's an excellent suggestion.

[puffing billy]

I agree entirely, as many of the people are struggling just to cope with OSA.
Remember things get clearer when the fog is gone.

[DreamStalker]

Agreed. Being somewhat guilty myself, I'm discovering it to be wasted effort and abuse of my keyboard to engage in brand bashing and/or defense.

- roberto

[Paul B]

I agree also. Resmed does business the way they want to do business; that is their right. Do I agree with it? No. But that's neither here nor there. I will continue to buy whatever equipment I feel best treats my apnea. The enemy is sleep apnea, not any particular manufacturer.

Those who feel more strongly about it will not buy any Resmed equipment and I applaud them. I'm more interested in staying alive by selecting the best combination of mask interfaces and xPAP equipment that best treats my needs. I also have a feeling that given the ingenuity of American enterprise that someone will find a way to diminish the impact of the planned Resmed price increases.

[preemiern]

I agree also with Mando Johnny--another problem with bashing here on the forum, is that Resmed doesn't know, nor are they really affected by it--I think it is better to write to Resmed, and tell them how we think or feel...which I have done--but as of yet, have not recieved a reply from them.
Cindy

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed

[Wulfman]

I also agree with the premise.

I got curious......and did a search on this forum of the word "bashing"......
It came up with quite a few threads......so I looked at the oldest one (January of '05).
(now I know how "Wader" got so many posts to his credit)
It got to be a heated debate about healthcare.....which sort of ties into this ResMed issue (from a pricing standpoint and the uninsured).
Anyway, I found the following post interesting, and have quoted it below.
I realize it resulted from a somewhat different subject matter, but I thought the parts I have bolded to be interesting and possibly appropriate for the "discussion" about ResMed's BUSINESS decision.

Best wishes,

Den

Howdy cpap-talkers,

When a fundamental tenet of government is to provide security to those they govern, and a forum is dedicated to discussing a major threat to that security in the form of a health problem, then it's only a matter of time until politics enter into the conversation.

When it comes to health care, lofty social theories tend to apply directly to individuals. A lack of health care, or access to it, can understandably provoke strong emotions; as can a perception that those who can pay more into a system must do so. I applaud all of your for keeping the dialog articulate and civil. While this is a hard topic, it's one that will continue to directly affect individuals daily lives for years to come.

What better place than the internet, the marketplace of ideas, to come together and take a hard look at how to solve these problems?

[snoregirl]

For the most part I agree with Mando, however on a recent thread when a person asked about differences between the two machines (Resmed and Respironics) I chose to add that Resmed was hiking online prices.

Not so much a bash but....

This could be quite relevant for someone making a choice right as to which machine or mask to buy before Oct 1. If they plan to buy out of pocket stuff in the future (replacement machine parts, masks, software) they should know they will be paying more very soon. Cost can influence a decision

[Snoredog]

anyone that attempts to steal money out of my wallet needlessly (like resmed), I have NO problem bashing.

I just ordered a new mask and it wasn't a Resmed that is for sure.

[Wulfman]

Like snoregirl said, I don't think making a prospective buyer "aware" of certain situations is necessarily "bashing".

Den

[Wulfman]

Apnea sufferers are logging in here looking for advice about equipment, sometimes equipment they already own that the DME has assigned them.

MJ,

I think, in more cases than not, the "issue" isn't WHICH brand of equipment they were given......it's how badly they were screwed by their DME that prompts the emotions from those who respond to them. We see it week after week and month after month......somebody's insurance got charged about $2000 (or more) for a $400 - $500 setup.

Den

[Guest]

Resmed doesn't care what we buy or what we say. Why do you care what we say about Resmed more than they do?

[Guest]

MandoJohnny,

I applaud your courage for the parent post. It was a courageous stand to take here but I also detect that the tide has turned a bit in regard to the senseless side of the bashing that was happening. Your well articulated post may be evidence of this.

Cheers

DSM