NEW SEALED CPAP MASKS FOR SALE

Don't the vendors assume that these free masks are used to help new CPAP customers find the right mask? When I switched from nasal mask to FF mask my DME gave me a F & P to try and when I didn't like it they let me keep it even though I purchased a Quattro. It's great that these masks are available at a low price...but...I feel it's the same as people getting masks free or at a very low cost from their insurance and then selling them.

I hear the concerns but here's the reality: some of us do not have DMEs because we don't have insurance for durable medical supplies (my diagnosis of UARS gets me sleep studies and doctor appts but no equipment since there is no "definitive" treatment for UARS). My options are full retail for something that may not even work, or may not be included in CPAP.com's return insurance program (and $40 or whatever it is plus shipping both ways is still not a small piece of change, especially when everything is out of pocket); used (not so appealing for masks, though I did so once or twice when we still had the CPAP auction site); or a RT or DME selling surplus/samples in this manner. Frankly, I never would have found the machine and mask that worked for me without those kinds of sales (as it was, I still have spent close to $2000 on masks, parts, and supplies from our host and will continue to do so, so I'm still supporting cpap.com, by the way).

Before I knew better, I paid for my first machine--the ResMed S7 Lightweight which was already discontinued at that point, and the most basic brick possible--full retail charged by the DME the doctor told me to use....it was $700, and not even close to what I ended up needing. I just picked up the machine that finally worked....a brand new data-capable auto biflex with flow limitation detection and response...for $500, through one of the independent resellers here. It's been life-changing, and it's what my doctor recommended I get, even though he knew I likely couldn't afford one. I would have done it years sooner--which would have made a real difference in the quality of my life--but I didn't have $2000+.

It's important to stay on top of business ethics and to keep this from turning the boards into a flea market, but remember that a sizable chunk of us are not getting "free" masks and supplies from the DME, or the chance to try a new machine or mask for "free" (I put "free" in quotes because I know many have deductibles and high co-pays).

I was only curious; I don't judge.
I have even bought counterfeit "license" t-shirts myself. (the prices were right--ok?)
--and various stuff from 3-day warehouse sales.
Any time the "original" price of something is totally out of line, I will look for a deal.
Crazy not to.

chunkyfrog wrote:I was only curious; I don't judge.
I have even bought counterfeit "license" t-shirts myself. (the prices were right--ok?)
--and various stuff from 3-day warehouse sales.
Any time the "original" price of something is totally out of line, I will look for a deal.
Crazy not to.

You should always draw the line at counterfeit t-shirts, though.

I have mixed emotions about this issue. I definitely understand the need to give people an opportunity to buy masks at a discount who aren't in a position to pay full price.

But I have a problem with an item that was obtained for free being charged for more than a minimal fee. A DME member who used to post on this forum, mcdover and whom I have purchased masks from, charged $30 for all masks, including shipping, which I felt was very fair.

My two cents.

49er