Can this be a new APAP?

RachelM · Post by **RachelM** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 2:20 pm

Yes, I realize it was a good deal for me. Warranty would have been up in August. I now have another two years of warranty.

What is bad is the DME saying it was a never used machine.

I did call the DME today and he insists it was a new machine and that all 391 hours of blower time was done at the factory. He said he unpacked it himself. He thought 391 blower hours at the factory was unusual but said it could be they were having difficulty with it and had to run it that many hours. Either story is bad.

RAINSUX · Post by **RAINSUX** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:14 pm

Let's say that I have a brand new CFlex with ZERO hours. Will you trade me even for your 'Used" AFlex? Didn't think so. I think you got a great deal, even though the DME was less than totally honest. Did you also get the upgraded humidifier? If so, another bonus.

Sam

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:24 pm

What's at question here is the DME's assurance that the machine was new. Yes, you were given a used machine for a used machine, perhaps even a better used machine. But they lied to you. It makes no difference that they might be allowed to replace a machine with a 'refurbished' or used machine in some circumstances, you were told it was a new machine with no use on it. They didn't accidentally clear the number of therapy sessions and the number of therapy hours, they did that with full knowledge of what they were doing. Essentially, they were getting rid of a used machine they had somehow become stuck with.

So what if they didn't charge you or the insurance company? Would you trust anything this company or its employees tells you about any aspect of your coverage, costs, or therapy in the future? Could you?

Pd · Post by Pd » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:46 am

So, they lied about your "new" machine, and you really think you can trust them when they tell you that they extended your warranty?

Well, unless you have that extension in writting, I will bet that you find that your warranty expires right on time and no one remembers ever stating anything about a two year extension. They are just gambling that you won't ruin a second machine before you "forget" the details. Are you really sure they did not say a two month extension? You know, like a sixty day warranty for a refurbished unit.

Good luck, and I would be at their door step with my "new" machine, because something really stinks about their "facts". If they told you the machine was "new" and not used or reconditioned, and Not that it was "new" as in diffrent from your old machine, then you have every reason to expect that they have already forgotten about your two years.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:04 am

Come on, folks. Most of us are here because we encountered lousy local DME suppliers but for crying out loud they aren't all bad and frankly I think we're trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill here.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:34 am

RachelM wrote:It showed 0 therapy hours and 0 therapy sessions. How can they reset these to 0 and not the blower hours?

Therapy is for the patient. It can be reset.

Blower is for the machine. It cannot be.

Think of it like your car. Trip odometer can be reset, but overall cannot.

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:41 am

I totally agree with Slinky's opinion, and also with PD(guest)'s reply. I would make absolutely sure I got that warranty in writing in my hand. Because if they are trying to pull one on you, (even with a great machine!), how can you trust that they are not trying to pull on one you with the warranty? Yes, I would definitely keep the machine, but I would go to them and ask for the warranty papers to keep with my records.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:46 am

Can you go to the Respironics website to register your new device for the guarantee? We can w/the Resmeds, instead of sending the guarantee card to Resmed. Date you got it, model, serial number, dealer, etc. I don't remember if I could/did w/the "tank" that I had.

Pd · Post by Pd » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:33 am

As I understand Respironics two year warranty, the clock starts ticking the day the machine leaves the factory for the DME. So, the one year service contract and the two year warranty start to expire before you ever see your new machine. If you are unlucky and get the unit that was sitting on the shelf for six months at the DME then your service contract is only for six months and your factory warranty the remaining eighteen months.

Of course I would hope the DME would work with you if you had any problems, and your insurance agreement might require them to step up and fix the situation, but Respironics has limited exposure. One of the reasons the DMEs get to charge the big bucks, and why "in network" are important words.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:00 am

Then what is the use of bothering w/filling out the guarantee card and the expense of mailing it in? You are required to fill in the date you got the device and the serial number, the dealer you got it from, etc. My Resmeds are guaranteed from the date "I" got it, not from the date my local DME got it. I fail to see why Respironics' guarantee would be any different.

Rankbud · Post by **Rankbud** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:15 am

[quote="Slinky"]

Lets see, you upgraded your "used" (by you) auto w/C-Flex for a used auto w/A-Flex w/391 hours on it. Now, if there was NO CHARGE to you or your insurance company I'd say you most likely came out ahead of the game.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:46 am

Rankbud,

When aflex came out there was a flurry of posts about the difference. Do a search on old posts. I am on bipap so can't say, but I've heard it is an extra measure of comfort and people do notice the difference.

Jen

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:06 pm

[quote="Rankbud"][quote="Slinky"]

Lets see, you upgraded your "used" (by you) auto w/C-Flex for a used auto w/A-Flex w/391 hours on it. Now, if there was NO CHARGE to you or your insurance company I'd say you most likely came out ahead of the game.

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:26 pm

Pd wrote:So, they lied about your "new" machine, and you really think you can trust them when they tell you that they extended your warranty?

The warranty is from the manufacturer AND is by serial number. The warranty is thru the DME and only the DME.

As far as I know the DME also registers the machine.

OK the DME lied - when I told my doc that she leaned over and whispered "They ALL lie".

Go figure.

You can run but you sure can't find an honest one - except on here of course.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:27 pm

I do think the DME was mistaken. Whether they deliberately lied or just assumed the machine hadn't been used since they didn't see any record of it having been dispensed to someone... I do think they are wrong about it never having been used.

I also think you came out wayyyyyyy ahead in getting a machine with A-Flex for your older C-Flex machine in a straight swap. A-Flex feels much more like natural breathing to me.

I understand that the point is they told you it was "new, never used." The number of blower hours says otherwise.

But I'd hang onto that machine anyway. I'd be afraid that if I made a fuss about it and insisted on a truly "never been used" machine, they'd search high and low until they found an old Auto with C-Flex on a shelf that really had never been used, and I'd lose that comfy A-Flex when I took it back to pick up the "new" one.

Machine	Humidifier

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4