I just want a swift FX pillow. One. OR: Why cpap.com > DMEs

[ChrisC]

Good evening! Haven't posted for quite a while, but something happened today that just plain irked me.

I never used to really pay attention to what my equipment was costing me. With an excellent private drug benefits plan (Canadian), that paid for 100% of my equipment, I simply bought gear when I needed it. I bought a good amount from cpap.com and life was good. I recently started a new job and we upgraded my wife's work insurance to a 'family' plan instead of paying into mine. One caveat we totally missed in doing so: they cover $0.00 in CPAP equipment/supplies.

On Friday, I woke up to a terrible hissing sound. I quickly discovered that my swift FX nasal pillows had split along a seam. Over the weekend, I limped along with my swift LT (Ugh!) and just couldn't wait for the 2-3 weeks it'd take to ship from cpap.com. Instead, I just headed out to a local DME B&M store to pick up just a replacement M nasal pillow after work. Imagine my surprise when the salesperson brought out a $239.99 swift FX kit.

"HOLY CRAP!" I said.

She looked surprised. "It's all right. You should be replacing your mask every 6 months anyhow. You might as well buy the whole kit! Your drug plan will cover it."

I shook my head and insisted that I just wanted to pick up a single pillow. Annoyed, she told me "We don't just sell them by the pillow. You have to buy the whole kit. You get THREE pillows in here!". I stood my ground, and again re-iterated that I was only interested in a replacement pillow. She said she'd "have to talk to someone" but that she seriously doubted they'd just sell a piece.

After a few minutes of waiting, the rep came out of the back room with a single pillow in a packaged Resmed baggie. "You're lucky. This is the last one". Forty bucks.

How the hell is THIS good for the industry? First, the arrogance in pushing an unnecessary product on me, at a wildly exorbitant cost, was especially brazen. Second, the belittling feeling, like I was absolutely fortunate that they were able to dig through a back-room drawer on my behalf, was nothing short of degrading.

Where am I going with this? Especially since I'm "counting my pennies" these days with not-covered expenses, I will be doing 100% of my business with cpap.com. I cannot believe the price difference between a Canadian DME & cpap.com, and I can't believe the hassle when the vendor won't listen to what you want.. and instead pushes their own agenda at you.

So, hopefully I sleep well tonight with my $40 nasal pillows in my nose after an experience that's left a bad taste in my mouth..

[orangegrower]

You are looking for part number 61522 Resmed pillow. They are all over eBay.

[archangle]

That's why they're called the medical mafia.

And why the real mafia is insulted by the comparison.

Also, I think ResMed won't let cpap.com ship ResMed parts outside the US.

[Pugsy]

Wait till you find out that cpap.com can't ship ResMed supplies (even a lone nasal pillow) outside the US.
It's a ResMed rule.

But do check EBay...some sellers won't ship to Canada...some will for a little extra $ and some are already in Canada...just have to look close. Watch closely for bulk listings. Not long ago I bought 4 Swift FX nasal pillows for $25 and that included shipping...brand new...still in Resmed named sealed packaging.

In a pinch and can't find a seller...find someone in the US who it can be shipped to and have them send the package along to you.

ALWAYS......ALWAYS have at least one spare set aside for emergency.

[beautifuldreamer]

You can also find the nasal pillows on sale on amazon.com- they sell them for about $20.99, when I did a search just now . . .

[ChrisC]

Wow.. Didn't realize the Resmed embargo was in full force! Last time I bought gear, I think I had it shipped to a friend in the US to get it quicker.. So I was never exposed to the no-ship zone!

I have relatives visiting FL right now .. Looks like its time to ship an order to them before they come home . Looked at some listings on eBay and the inflated shipping to Canada kills most deals.

I feel like I'm living in Cuba... Without the spectacular weather.

[quietmorning]

And don't forget us Resmed Swift FX pillow users here on cpaptalk. I'm sure if you get into a pinch, one of us will be more than happy to send you one. At, least, speaking for myself - that's such a small deal - would be happy to, if I have the right size hanging around.

But it can't hurt to ask any of us.

[nanwilson]

Have you checked out clinicalsleep.com, the are in B.C. and do send resmed to us canucks. There prices are a tad higher but they do not charge shipping and it only takes a few days to get your order. I switch between cpap.com and clinicalsleep.com depending on how fast I need things.....a few days from B.C. and 3 weeks from Texas.

[Pugsy]

If you spot a killer deal on EBay and they won't ship out of the US...get in touch with me if you don't have anyone in the US to ship to and bring it home....I will work something out with you. I don't mind filling out the customs form...have done it a lot.
Depending on size of package most items can be 3 day priority mailed for $10 to $15 US...to Canada. Obviously not cost effective for 1 single nasal pillow but for multiple small items not too bad.

[johnthomasmacdonald]

Pugsy wrote: "some sellers won't ship to Canada...some will for a little extra $ and some are already in Canada..."

Hmmmm maybe it's time for a second career as a nasal pillow smuggler into Canada. I can be the Pablo Escobar of cpap supplies.

[chunkyfrog]

Shuttle can go both ways: cpap stuff to Canada, good toilets on the flip flop.