Resmed To Raise Internet CPAP Prices 40%

Earlier I posted my "vent" letter to ResMed. Actually, that letter could probably just have the company name changed and most of it would apply to any number of others. Companies are in business to make money, from the manufacturer to the local DME to the online DME. While there are some legal parameters for extremes, for the most part that process is unimpeded. The consumer's goal is to get a quality item or service for the least amount of cost. Those conflicting end goals are as a general rule incompatible. However, as a consumer, I'm usually passive and resign myself to getting my best deal then just "get over it" because everyone's gotta make a living, and I don't begrudge the smart business person/company who has figured out how to make the system work well for them. ResMed's flagrant article was what inflamed me. Since Resmed (or any other manufacturer) does not have their ear tuned to the individual consumer's voice, then consumers must decide if the matter merits a "movement" to speak with one voice that outshouts the other voice in their ear, or if it's just how life is. I don't have an answer to that for myself, much less for anyone else. So I wrote a letter - probably to no effect, but I can't control that. I think what would have greater effect is to have an ally in the media who would do an "investigative report" on the whole industry. Maybe a letter to that effect would be a better use of my limited energy.

However, I am glad on a personal level this whole issue has come up. I am currently in the early stages (after 6 years) of developing a product, and in discussion around the cost of the item, there has been talk of how we could charge so much more to medical or military suppliers, and how that would relate to the individual consumer's cost. I am grateful for this forum's discussion. It has been a timely reminder to me to stay grounded and not lose sight of my original intent to make available a product needed by people at a difficult time in their life. What a challenge! But I'll be tethered to my reminder every night. If things continue as planned with my venture, I guess I will see what I am made of - if I can walk the talk. Thanks for all the viewpoints.
Kathy

Good point about this could be any number of companies.

Rastaman wrote: And you'll notice none of my posts are personal in any way. I don't use names. I don't try to attack. I might insinuate that anyone who does is a little baby man but that's just to put a smile on many here. Perhaps your personal attacks are meant to do the same.

When you're right, you're right. I was temporarily driven insane by your incessant repetitive posts everywhere I turned. I jumped to the conclusion you must be unemployed in order to sit at this message board all day and all night. I got so annoyed I irrationally became a little baby man. Now that I've calmed down I must apologize. I realize you have every right to post as much and as often as you want to and it's none of my business whether you're doing so while wearing a suit on company time or in your pajamas at home in bed.

I agree. I'm sure that will put a smile on the face of many here. .

kteague wrote:However, I am glad on a personal level this whole issue has come up. I am currently in the early stages (after 6 years) of developing a product, and in discussion around the cost of the item, there has been talk of how we could charge so much more to medical or military suppliers, and how that would relate to the individual consumer's cost. I am grateful for this forum's discussion. It has been a timely reminder to me to stay grounded and not lose sight of my original intent to make available a product needed by people at a difficult time in their life. What a challenge! But I'll be tethered to my reminder every night. If things continue as planned with my venture, I guess I will see what I am made of - if I can walk the talk. Thanks for all the viewpoints.
Kathy

Kathy that is very admirable. It is unfortunate there seem to be so few people like you in the business world. Congratulations on being exactly who you are and for maintaining high moral standards. You could teach Resmed a thing or two.

I see Resmed being vilified here, and at an emotional level I can understand how people feel, but they have every right to charge whatever they want. We also have the right to buy from other providers based on our set of buying parameters, of which price is one of them. But if you think Respironics, PB, and others won't also raise their prices, I think you're badly mistaken.

There are always high priced alternatives in the marketplace in all categories of products. Some people are persuaded to buy them and others are not. We all apply value judgments to our purchases and xPAPs are no exception.

Sorry, that last post was from me.

Thank you Paul.

And many words are lost in a post. There's no emphasis of feeling usually. We try our best to put smileys in the right places so that other people realize how funny some of this is.

Btw, I'm at work right now

Rastaman wrote: Btw, I'm at work right now

You get paid for spending all day on this message board?

Are they hiring?

Anonymous wrote:

Rastaman wrote: Btw, I'm at work right now

You get paid for spending all day on this message board?

Are they hiring?

Yes. Did I mention I type over 100 wpm? And when I'm thinking and typing it's even faster? That helps a bit. Last night I got so into this debate that I didn't even watch any TV or play any video games. LOL! Sometimes I read too.

Dont you just love it when a GUEST comes in and hides behind his/her anonymity?

I am trying to look at the price increase from another standpoint.
As a stockholder in both resp and rmd, I am benefitting from their profit.

Maybe I will have some more increases in both.

Buy some of their stock and be a winner either way.

Yes, Tomjax. I love all the guests. I think I had one actually say something nice. There's only one reason to post as a guest. It's someone who's either afraid to post under their real name, fearing repercussions, or a newbie who didn't take the time to make an account and now wants us to take THEM seriously.

Stock. Good point. I think I'll be buying a few shares Good post man! Lets look at this from the stockholder point of view.

*WARNING* Getting up on soap box...

If this is the way things are gonna go, then we should ALL be writing to our representatives in congress like Sleepy-in-AL did. When a life-threatening disorder becomes un-treatable because of financial burden it's inexcusable in my opinion. We would need a special "medicare for CPAP" branch or something just to help pay for this stuff. At the very least there should be a push for legislation to force insurance companies to pony up like they should otherwise why are we sending them 10% of our paycheck every week?

*Off soap box*

Rastaman wrote: Btw, I'm at work right now

Anonymous wrote:You get paid for spending all day on this message board?

Are they hiring?

Rastaman wrote:Yes. Did I mention I type over 100 wpm? And when I'm thinking and typing it's even faster? That helps a bit. Last night I got so into this debate that I didn't even watch any TV or play any video games. LOL!

A typist? No wonder. Doesn't your company mind that you're doing all this personal typing on an internet message board when you're supposed to be working for them? Better be careful not to get caught.

No TV or video games? You've got it bad. Been there, done that. If you're single its no problem, but since you're married I have one word of advice. Make sure to log out once and awhile and pay attention to your wife. It's a sacrifice but cheaper than divorce. .

Yes, I became a "typist" in the 8th grade. Back then it was 65 wpm. Manual typewriter. And I've been using computers ever since.

I appreciate your concern but I'm the boss. I let my employees surf the web during their breaks and what not. Didn't you know that most people in management don't really have to work. Oh we say we do but we have plenty of time on our hands Just look around you when you're at work and you'll see. The front line does all the real work. Once you move up you have a much cushier job.

Oh, and my wife reads/posts here all the time. She's the one who told me about it. She also plays the video games and watches movies and listens to music with me. We keep ourselves from ever getting bored. I'm not sure what that word means exactly anymore.
But good advice just the same. Some women are shallow and not the woman that my wife is. She accepts that I'm a "guy". On the plus side, I'm not into sports AT ALL. I don't even keep track of who plays in the superbowl. She loves that.

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