HELP!!! ResMed CPAP devices and accessories are ridiculously priced

LuckyCJ on 11/05/2019 - 20:13

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea last year and purchased a ResMed AirSense 10 Elite machine with 3 years’ warranty.

Yes, the device is working AOK … but …

I’ve subsequently found how I can see my very detailed nightly sleep data that’s a lot more comprehensive than the daily data provided via Resmed’s My Air online access by using another no-charge program rather than the rip-off $450 program my sleep clinic suggested I buy.

HOWEVER, the ResMed device’s warranty does not include accessories such as the headgear, head gear framing, nasal pillow, tubing, etc etc … which, mostly, have just 90 days’ warranty so I’m on the lookout for more realistic prices for accessories rather than the pay-through-the-nose (ok, admission: poor pun wrt sleep apnea) monopolised prices the ResMed outlets and others charge.

To make things even more complicated, it’s very difficult to find individual model numbers for ResMed accessories to enable ResMed users to purchase individual accessory items rather than the ‘packaged items’ often presented.

Seriously, ResMed is a ginormous global corporation (see this report about its latest sales growth - 12%!!!
in a quarter -
(https://www.afr.com/business/health/resmed-sales-grow-12pc-i…) so it’s not in its interests to make it easy for users of its products to price-beat its authorised retail outlets.

Fellow OBers, your contributions will be warmly welcomed.

Health & Beauty ResMed

Comments

  • cypher67 on 11/05/2019 - 21:07
    +5

    I have sleep apnea and would love to weigh in on the topic, but honestly I have no idea what you want to talk about…. That post is a hot mess.

  • AdosHouse on 11/05/2019 - 22:09
    +2

    Buy machine from Australia, buy accessories from overseas. Very straight-forward.

    • coin saver on 12/05/2019 - 17:07

      Why? you can buy the machines from o/s and have an independent specialist program it for you or get the required settings from your independent specialist and set the machine yourself

      • AdosHouse on 12/05/2019 - 21:11

        Well for one, warranty.

        So how much cheaper can you get the ResMed AirSense 10 Elite for overseas?

  • LuckyCJ on 11/05/2019 - 22:16

    Point taken, cypher67.
    Let’s be direct.
    For starters, where can ResMed users obtain a catalogue of ResMed products with their individual product numbers and their (haha!!) RRPs?

    • cypher67 on 11/05/2019 - 22:49

      So I just ask the retail store the model number so I can order through them next time (wink wink) and just find the cheapest online

  • rjstev on 12/05/2019 - 00:08
    +2

    I worked out once I could fly to US for a weeks holiday, buy a cpap and accessories and total cost would still be less than buying in Aus, we are totally ripped off here, and Resmed is an Australian company. Also there nothing stopping you buying online from US, they are way cheaper there.

    • AdosHouse on 12/05/2019 - 21:16

      https://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/resmed-airsense-10-elite-cp…

      Love to know who you are flying with for that to be cheaper.

      • LuckyCJ on 12/05/2019 - 21:31

        $1499 - a good price. The “usual” outlets want about $2k!

        • AdosHouse on 12/05/2019 - 21:39

          Always pays to shop around.

          My dad needed a machine, I just found the cheapest price online for a legit seller, and he got his local person to match it.

    • itzbizlink on 12/05/2019 - 22:34

      That would be quite a few years ago when outlets were still selling RRPs (or close to it) and the exchange rate was almost 1:1. Completely different game nowadays.

  • coin saver on 12/05/2019 - 06:49

    Wow $450 for the program. The Resmed program for my Resmed Airmini is only $36 but i haven't bothered as they do a print out of it for free anytime i need it.However could you please provide a link to the free program as i know of others that may benefit. Does it do all Resmed machines?

    • itzbizlink on 12/05/2019 - 08:18

      Try Sleepyhead by jedimark.
      Not as easy to use as ResMed's ResScan but gives you most info.
      User's version of MyAir is free though but only giving you very basic info (which can be misleading at times)

  • SydneySwan on 12/05/2019 - 08:32

    ResMed started in Sydney but is a US company now.

    • coin saver on 12/05/2019 - 16:26

      ResMed is listed on both the ASX and NYSE

  • LuckyCJ on 12/05/2019 - 08:37
    +2

    For details about the program visit https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/ where there are links to test builds.I am running v1.0.0-beta-2 and it’s working AOK.

    Sadly, the developer of the project has closed down - another case of the big end of town beating up the little guy. Read his closing remarks at https://jedimark.net/2019/02/08/sleepyhead-project-shutdown/

    A word of caution: remember to lock your SD card before inserting it in your pc’s card reader (you wouldn’t want to lose all that valuable/important data) when using the program, ensure you eject the card properly from your pc when finished (don’t just press it and remove it from your pc - you don’t want to have a corrupted SD card) and then unlock the card before putting it back in your device (otherwise you won’t get new data added to it). As an added precaution I’ve made a duplicate copy of the supplied SD card.

  • Sunshines bright on 12/05/2019 - 15:05
    +1

    https://www.1800cpap.com/ cheaper for all there!

    • HMK on 13/05/2019 - 06:00

      I second 1800cpap. US based. Delivered quicker than domestic parcels! Cheapest I've ever found (weird, as ResMed is Aus).
      And I can't fault their customer service.

      • coin saver on 13/05/2019 - 07:12

        Yes i ordered from them early this year. Ordered on thursday received monday beat that Australia Post.

  • Chris Topher on 12/05/2019 - 19:28

    $200 for nasal pillows and rubber-band head set? As bad as car makers spare parts, maybe worse.

    Yeah, I suffer badly from sleep apnea equipment costs too. :-(

    I'm now in http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/index.php - I didn't know help even existed like this. Thanks :-)

  • itzbizlink on 12/05/2019 - 22:49

    Where in NSW are you? Your post does not quite make sense if you are in Sydney metro. You can find a much better price around (definitely not 2k for an Elite package).

    Not sure why you need a product list. If you are buying a replacement part for your existing mask/machine, the product codes would be listed in your user guide. If you lost it, you can download from resmed website. And it is easier to search by name rather than code.

    If you are getting a new mask, make sure you go to an outlet for a fitting. Buying one online without a proper fitting can result in a lot of heartache and money wasted.

    One thing worth buying local for is the warranty. And get that extended warranty - Resmed treats their machines as disposables. If you think they are expensive to buy, wait until you get their repair quote…

    • itzbizlink on 13/05/2019 - 06:42

      I mean, get the machines locally.

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