Mine, from Apria, broke yet again(natch).

What online sites are best for getting brand new machines that I can get reliable maintenance contracts on? I use a ResMed VPAP Adapt SV. It is the only machine that my doctor will prescribe. I get it from Apria because that's the DME that my insurance company uses. I can't afford to change insurance carriers and Apria has just mucked it up beyond repair.

Everything I've seen is very expensive and I need a service agreement. Do you know where I can buy one for a back up? I can use that whenever the gates of Apria open again.

Any and all help is welcome.

Since the ASAA is a not-for-profit organization, we cannot post or recommend commercial sites here. Plus, you need to comparison shops and look over their return policies youself. Just Google CPAP and most of the online stores will pop up.

Vicki

Thanks

Just curious about what is wrong with you VPAP Adapt SV. I had that machine, but it kept messing up and my DME complained to ResMed and it was taken back by ResMed. I now have the Respironics Bipap Auto SV. I have no problems with it since switching, although I thought the ResMed breathing pattern was smoother than this one. Could it be that you are having the same problem that I was having? I think that are some issues with this machine, at least the version that I had.

The ResMed squealed 5 times the other night. The error message was the same each time, "Flow Blocked." We checked the hose and humidifier and found no problems. The hose was only two weeks old.

The main problem is that my DME is Apria. I say that because so many of their machines have broken. My doctor wants me to use the ResMed because he says that ResMed invented the technology.

I have no choice about Apria. It's the only DME that my HMO uses and I can't afford it on my own.

ephraimh is your machine the new version the VPAP Adapt SV (Enhanced) it should have a little sticker saying Enhanced just above the alarm mute button, this machine shows the AI and AHI on the screen if it is enabled, it will also go up to 25cm. I have had mine since last May I think it came out last Mar. or Apr. and I haven't had any problems at all with mine, but mine was new when I got it. My DME said it cost about 8 grand or so, with humidifier? I purchased out of pocket the, ResLink, Nonnin Pulse-Ox, card and card reader and ResScan 3.5 software, for about 11 hundred to go with it. forneyfrau wasn't your machine the older version? Anyway just make sure you get the newest version, when and if you get an new one.

ephraimh one more thing have you checked the filter on the back of the machine? and have you been changing it regularly, my DME gives me filters to change it twice a month.

Yes, White Beard, I had the original ResMed VPAP. It had issues, definitely. The Respironics is working well for me (I think). I don't see Dr. again til May.

Yes, we change the filters regularly. The last machine lasted only 22 days. It wasn't the filter

machines that you have had, or does it include what you've heard from other people?

if it's the former then i think you have some freakish bermuda-triangle level of bad luck going on there.

if it's the latter, then could it be that effect that is often seen in large companies... there are always more examples of issues than there will be with smaller companies. eg out of 1,000 sales there are 10 issues... and the small DME has 200 sales and 2 issues... we know in our head that it's a direct ratio, but somehow we still get tricked into thinking the big company is the bad guy. i've done this myself.

ephraimh wrote:The main problem is that my DME is Apria. I say that because so many of their machines have broken.

Bermuda Triangle is a good way to put it, but I think it is my local Apria branch.

Years ago when I started to use them, they would come to my house to deliver something. I found this out when I returned a few hours later from an errand. They did not have the sense to schedule deliveries 24 hours ahead.

I once discussed the possibility of a total face mask. The person I was always directed to said that I would have to be fitted. The tech said, "No, one size fits all." who's right? They don't care.

I got home one day to find a message on my answering machine. They said, I kid you not, that if I did not return the loaner that I had, that they would bill my credit card. I had already returned it! Apria picked it up!

The don't tag their equipment when it is returned so God knows wheher a machine was returned because it was broken. Their central office is now on the local office's tail about some of these things. I'm writing another letter and sending it to more people and even, .. wait for it... the government!

The list is endless.

mmm, interesting. i know the machines log the hours used, and god knows this must be very difficult to do, but maybe they are 'winding back the clocks' on machines that have had a little use so they look brand new. my first though was that they were dropping them, but surely they'd be packaged in such a way that damage was impossible without externally visible signs. maybe they are allowing them to be in extremes of temperature while in transit? who knows.

i like the idea of working with the central office. usually the higher you go, the more customer-focussed they are, and the more they care about reputational risk. they also have the power to deal to those responsible. good luck!

Another way to comparison shop for online sites is to use www.froogle.com which is a division of Google, then search by your product name.


Linda

froogle? Thanks for the tip!