my spin on why resmed won't sell autoscan in USA

Slinky wrote:TGregg said:

They'll be able to deliver inferior products at much higher prices, and only patients who do their homework will get the better machines.

I will disagree w/this. Producing inferior machines will hurt Resmed not just in the US but in all of their world sales markets. Resmed makes an xPAP as good as any on the market today and better than some.

You'll also note I said:

TGregg wrote:I agree that ResMed's machines are not inferior. Not yet, anyway, merely pointing out that their new model will allow them to become so. I really do like my S8 Elite.

My point was that a business model that courts DMEs based on being able to drag in plenty of coin has the ability to overcome many obstacles, one of them being an inferior product. Let's say ResMed rolls out the S9 line tomorrow, and whoops their motor was supplied by Bozo the Clown, and their first versions die after 90 days. Unfortunately, they signed a 2 year agreement with Bozo and messed up motors aren't enough to bail on the contract. So they keep churning these puppies out, knowing some will keep going while many will need replacement. It's still cheaper for them (let's say) to send a replacement or two rather than nix the contract.

We'll all know about this here. We won't know all the gory details, but we'll know that ResMed S9s burn out at alarming rates. Every other forum reader at the many forums will also know it. Some folks in CPAP groups will also figure it out. But the vast majority of CPAP users, and especially newbies who never read the forums will never know.

The point I'm trying very hard to make is not that ResMed machines suck. I like mine. The point is their current marketing model allows for crap to enter the network.

Within all this, anyone have any idea why/how one US internet vendor has begun listing/selling ResMed software again? (And their little insignia states that they're a 'preferred' internet provider.)

JimW wrote:Within all this, anyone have any idea why/how one US internet vendor has begun listing/selling ResMed software again? (And their little insignia states that they're a 'preferred' internet provider.)

This is great news! Which U.S. internet provider is now selling Resmed's software to patients? Has anyone ordered and received it from them?

It's currently listed by a shop that sells cpap. (If that's too cryptic for ya, I can spell it out.) However, given that they're charging ~$75 U.S. more than what I paid to get my AutoScan from Australia, I think it's well worth the very small additional effort to order through foreign sources.

Re Aust market. I did need a doctor's prescription to buy my 1st Remstar Auto from cpap.com but didn't need one to buy any gear here in Aust.

We don't have the FDA as you do in the US. As I understand it, only the US makes it a requirement to have a prescription for an xpap machine.

It is clear though that Resmed are doing things differently in the US

In 2005/6 they color coded their machines & gave them varying names so they could identify US only machines.

Also they (as we all know) introduced restricted sales in the US. In Aust they did limit online sellers such that the buyer has to be able to buy ' a machine' in person. Some dealers in country areas sell from vans to get around this.

As to why Resmed may be making a push ...
My *guess* is that they may have some new models at very competitive prices that could allow them a significant leap in market share. This is merely my opinion & qualified by adding that it is *not* even an educated guess, merely me wondering about the way Resmed changed their manufacturing techniques to low cost automated assembly - shifted to a brand new factory at Bella Vista Sydney in 2005/6 - introduced the Vpap Adapt built using the new technology & may have a Bilevel Auto approved ready for release in the US market. IMHO The S8 models also use the new low cost automated assembly manufacturing.

Also, am guessing that Respironics (quick to react) introduced the M series in response. The older tank Remstars are very expensive to produce but the quality is superb.

DSM

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The Canadian DME's must be feeling the pinch.

I'm on a DME loaner program to get started - overseen by the sleep lab. I think the dynamic here in Canada is a little differnt because the medical side is fully paid by medicare, so there is less financial logrolling between sleep clinics and providers.

For an S8 Auto Vantage w. humidifier and a Swift II mask the DME wants $2200 CDN. It will come in at 1/2 that from an internet retailer, and the CDN dollar at par means the currency disincentive that existed last year has been erased (about a 25% currency move).

I don't blame manufacturers for trying to protect their distribution channels - the DME's have to carry inventory, offer service, etc.,. I am certainly not alone in being in the position of having to tell them "I'll keep the overpriced mask you sold me, but I can't justify the huge cost premium you want for my machine".

They will get the dependant type people and there is a good amount of fear of internet sales spread around.

My e-mail to customer service inquiring about selling me the machine was answered yesterday "yes, we'll sell it to you, shipped to your door in Canada for an extra $30, with the same 2 year warranty honoured."

So I spoke to the coordinator at the clinic and explained the situation and she tried very gently to disuade me but when I pressed a little she admitted I was one of many and there was a major dynamic at play. I don't like not supporting people who have helped me and wouldn't comparison shop - if it was 10% or 15% I might bite the bullet just to have the service and convenience. But $1000 difference? It is ridiculous. So the DME tries to steer people to bare bones CPAP to try and bridge the gap. Uh huh. Well, I'm strapping this to my face every night for five years since my insurance only allows five year replacment, and I'll buy the best, most flexible, most data-useful I can find to make my life better.

It will be interesting to see what hoops must be lept through to get the software if I decide to get it later.

Well, SnoreDog, at least it installs easily, the data it produces is easily understood and it doesn't lose data or skip nights. It doesn't need some freeware to make the data more easily understood. Yep, it has its shortcomings, but so doesn't Respironics!!!

Merry Christmas you huggable ole fart!