Finding affordable machine

I agree that GreyGhost, a member here, is a good source for machines.

I bought my backup machine locally via Craigslist. I recommend finding something with low hours. The biggest problem you will have is that for many ads, they are asking completely unreasonable prices for used (and sometimes very old) equipment. They think the fantasy pricing at DMEs is actually the cost. Sometimes you can whittle down by pointing out brand new machines at online retailers WITH WARRANTIES sell for only slightly more than their unreasonable price. They probably won't change their prices, but you never know. After months of trying to sell, they may come down. Up to you whether you want to get used masks or not. I use the disinfectant from our sponsor (same stuff they use at the hospital) on masks that someone used only a few times. Some people do not want anybody's used mask and that's ok. You can get new from our sponsor with a prescription (and without).

When perusing such ads, questions to ask the seller include:

Why are you selling? (my seller switched to a bipap)
What model do you have? (a photo of the ID plate helps).
Are you (or the user) a smoker? (I would not take one from a smoker)
What are the machine run hours? (you need to know how to find this info - most sellers don't know) (I wanted under 2000 hours, but got one under 500).
What is included? (seller included new humidifier bin and filter, and case, but no hose or mask-you WANT a humidifier!).
How to pay? (cash or Paypal -depends on if shipped or you are picking up).

Decide ahead of time what machines you want. I only wanted a Resmed S9 Autoset or Airsense Auto, but the Respironics 560 auto is also good. If you want a heated hose then you have to make sure that the seller used a heated hose - if not, it will cost you a new cover for your humidifier machine (Respironics) and a new power brick (both Resmed and Respironics). Most sellers don't know what they have, so you have to do the work of finding out model number and stuff (there are several threads on this).

Finally, maybe you just don't have the funds for a used $250-350 auto machine that works with Sleepyhead (my strong preference). Rather than waiting months, you can make do with a straight cpap with your doc's recommended straight pressure. You can always upgrade later when you've saved some money. For instance, this ad http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/h ... 59502.html is of an older cpap. My brother had the bipap version of this for 8 years and worked great for him. He still has it as a backup. I'm just using this as an example. Maybe others would be able to help you privately with ads since you are a newbie. Good luck!

edited to add: if you choose to buy new, do some research. The new Resmed Autostart line give no data, which is not very helpful to you.