Craigslist scammers (???)

I've been seeing a lot of somewhat shady looking things on CPAP sales through craigslist.

1) People selling CPAP machines for more than the online price. They claim it's less than the "list" price, but of course, they're listing the "DME list" price. Of course, you don't get the DME service that the DME list price is supposed to pay for. Some of them even provide links to CPAP.com for a reference, but don't use the discount code price.

2) The same phone number used on multiple ads over time selling "New in box" CPAP machines. Sometimes at above the online price. I'm wondering if these machines are stolen, factory returns from a DME, etc. Or is someone with a prescription simply buying the machines online and marking them up to sell through craiglist? Is there some likely scam here that I'm missing?

I've had great luck buying an APAP and two ASVs from a distance on CL, so don't be dissin' one of my fave sites too much.

From my personal experience, the one thing I can say about CL ads for xPAP is this: To the uneducated buyer, it's a minefield.

As to where "brand new" machines come from that are being sold on CL, I don't know. Wouldn't a DME be prohibited from selling privately when the equipment requires a prescription? (Not saying they might not do it anyway, but I'd think it would be very risky.)

I saw something similar recently that made me think it would be an easy scam to get medicaid recipients to get the machine, then resell them after the 30 day compliance is met.

People have posted about a particular seller on CL with whom they have had very good luck getting NEW S9 autos for a very good price. But I REALLY wonder about the origin of those machines.

I guarantee you there's something smelly going on somewhere in that supply chain. I don't blame people who take advantage of it but there's something not right going on somewhere along the way.

If that's not true, then I'd like to see that seller state exactly where and how she got these machines and how she is able to offer them at that price.

I check out Craigslist periodically and I have found very reasonable...often cheap "new"& "almost new" equipment. I sometimes wonder if these ads are from RTs that are selling the masks that they receive from the manufacturer to be used as fitting aids or exchanges that the manufacturer is paying for.

Like this: http://littlerock.craigslist.org/hab/2322795399.html

Craigslist. Amazon. E-bay. All have people who are more than willing to take advantage of you. You need to always do a bit of due diligence and understand what you are buying.

More from Craigslist....
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/hab/2349808498.html

kempo wrote:Like this: http://littlerock.craigslist.org/hab/2322795399.html

OK, that's the same number as this thread. And actually one of the local ads I had seen that got me thinking about this.

viewtopic/t58943/Craigslist-CPAP-gear-a ... in-TX.html

If I'm getting an authentic new machine that's not stolen, I don't care if the manufacturer is not happy about it. I'd be really reluctant to buy sight unseen, though.

Hello..I have seen this subject addressed before. I know the lady with the 512 area code and sells CPAP machines on Craigslist. I have bought a machine from her and highly recommend her if you are looking for a near new machine for a great price...Gip

Janknitz wrote:If that's not true, then I'd like to see that seller state exactly where and how she got these machines and how she is able to offer them at that price.

My experience on CL and eBay is an honest seller will readily tell you how they came to have a particular item for sale. Once in awhile their story will sound fishy, but almost always their story will read honest.

The fact that this person posts ads that make it look like she's a local seller when she isn't seems a little unkosher to me.