dme shopping question from newbie

Lots of good advice has already been provided.

However.

Before chasing around to find a DME, I suggest you first go back to your doctor and ask him/her some questions about the DME that he told you he works with. Ask the doctor whether he/she has a financial link to that DME or any other conflict of interest. If the answer is "no conflict of interest", then ask him/ her why he suggests this DME over any of the others. Use the answer to that as the basis for your decision on whether to give that DME a try.

The reason I'm suggesting that you consider using the DME recommended by your doctor is that there may be a very good reason that your doctor uses that DME. That reason could be to your benefit. Remember that your doctor may know many or all of the DMEs in the area and he/she is well-placed to know the good and bad of each. You should not deny yourself access to this experience.

On the other hand, if your doctor has a conflict of interest, or if he/she can express no good reason for use of that DME over any of the others, then you will need to do your own research, as other posters have suggested.

Remember too that no matter which DME you try, you are not locked into giving it your continued business. If the DME is not working for you, then move on to another.