ResMed Internet Pricing

Yep, Wulfman, Resmed did recall ALL those possibly affected.

At least the Resmeds weren't "pissing" all over themselves. We can't say the same for the Respironics. Respironics just quietly issued a very linited Recall and then just sat back and let the "customers" complain to replace or send a "fix" - or two or three - for those leaky humidifiers.

And we all know how the local DME suppliers were so cooperative about handling those Recalls for both manufacturers, don't we?? But those local DME providers are the manufacturers' such good "customers". And cooperative too, right?? Yeah, right. Snort!!

Well, say what you like about DMEs, I am very happy to have a good one here. They have been very accomodating and have spent alot of time with me especially in the beginning helping me to understand what the whole system was about. I can't imagine what Pharmacy would have the time to be customer oriented towards this type of personal equipment. My DME is actually a locally owned Drug Store.
Just as I would never order a motorcycle helmet from the internet without first trying on the same brand helmet at my local shop; I can't imagine paying the money for one of these masks without trying them on first. As I've said before on here, it took about 2 hours of trying on over 2 dozen masks before I found one that worked well for me. I couldn't do that over the internet and I'd have a bunch laying around ($$) because of it.
So, bash the B&Ms if you must, but next time you call your favorite internet source and you get a "press 1 for English", it's because they too are cutting costs; hopefully you'll still be able to visit your local DME to get the answers.

Ruffinit, yours is the way to go - IF - one is blessed w/a local DME provider and knowledgeable RRT as you are. Far too many of us aren't, and for way too many of us that is the very reason we sought out these apnea support forums in the first place. Count yourself blessed and fortunate.

I have no problem bashing them. They are over-rated and over-priced ... under-performing and under-competent. Not be trusted and not to be dependent upon.

Other than that they are ok if you have no choice but to deal with them.

On very rare occasions there are the exceptions to the norm like anything else in this world.

So can an unrelated web site that does not sell ResMed (or any manufacturer) products be a collection point for prices that customers have been able to get?

IE can we create our own cheat sheets and post for all to see?

no_more_headaches wrote:So can an unrelated web site that does not sell ResMed (or any manufacturer) products be a collection point for prices that customers have been able to get?

IE can we create our own cheat sheets and post for all to see?

I really don't see how anyone could stop someone from doing that... the manufacturers have a contract with the web site retailers that sell the equipment, not with anyone who might decide to publish the unpublished prices from said web sites... they would have no way to enforce such a thing. Seems like a good idea to me.

no_more_headaches wrote:So can an unrelated web site that does not sell ResMed (or any manufacturer) products be a collection point for prices that customers have been able to get?

IE can we create our own cheat sheets and post for all to see?

It is so easy for a purchaser to google, find the suppliers and get their prices by calling their toll-free numbers.

A cheat sheet would have to be updated daily and whoever volunteers to do that will soon lose interest. Let's not make this more complicated than it is.

Ruffinit wrote: So, bash the B&Ms if you must, but next time you call your favorite internet source and you get a "press 1 for English", it's because they too are cutting costs; hopefully you'll still be able to visit your local DME to get the answers.

Please read this - viewtopic/t49750/Feels-like-I-was-at-a-car-dealer-.html

I believe that crap is typical of B&M DMEs. They take deadly advantage of naive patients.

Thank God for internet suppliers.

Quite a story. I've seen quite a bit of problems reported on here about Apria. We have only 2 DMEs around here and both are very responsive. This is a larger town of ~30K, but both DMEs seem to have ample stock of systems and accessories. I'm the only one they know of (so far) that has gone to the trouble of getting the data from the machine and sending it to them.. (I'm one of the only ones that have the CSA issues and this machine too) And I am new to this whole thing.. Sounds like as much of a problem with the health care provider as the DME though.

~!~ I'm sure the national health care plan will make this all better ~!~

At least Resmeds not "offended" over their own. We can not say the same breath. Wei, just very linited quietly issued a recall, then just sit back and let the customers complain about the replacement or send a fix - for those who leak humidifier - or two or three.