Different prices for masks

[Benzi]

Hi

The price for the Resmed nasal cushion that I use is $31 from one of the large CPAP vendors. Ditto the headgear. On Amazon I have found vendors selling it at half that price. When I asked the first vendor why their parts are more expensive, they answered that their parts are new, unlike those sold on Amazon.
Can anyone confirm or disprove their claim?
And can anyone recommend vendors?

TIA.

[Sleeprider]

No one on Amazon sells used parts, and most specify Resmed brand. The difference is markup. Online suppliers normally have agreements with the manufacturer not to advertise below a certain price (minimum advertised price) and prices are fairly uniform between vendors. These are approved vendors that are often DMEs with online sales and they sell at MSRP or a slight discount. Amazon sellers are often distributors or retailers that are not bound by the manufacturer selling agreements. In general, there are three price levels. A DME normally sells to people with insurance, and you don't know what the contract price is for those supplies. The retail price from a DME is a fictional wish list that some people that don't know better actually pay. While there is sometimes service attached to a DME supplied part, it is normally best to find the best online price and buy there, especially if your insurance has high deductibles or copay. If you have insurance, be sure the supplier is in-network. Online sellers usually sell with minimal services attached, but they may verify prescriptions, and have regular DME sales. There are also sellers that get wholesale or surplus parts, and resell at a lower price. It is not uncommon for the same business to have a storefront that sells at full price, and a discount outlet that sells at much lower prices.

[OpalRose]

Can anyone confirm or disprove their claim?


TIA.

I believe anything sold on Amazon (if not new) must be marked as such. And I've never seen used Cpap supplies listed on Amazon.

Now if you were talking about EBay, that would be different. But products would still have to be labeled as new or used.

[Big Guy]

I don't do a whole lot of buying off of Amazon, but they do indeed, sell used stuff. I just placed an order for my wife, and she bought some used (but in new condition) drawer pull knobs for our kitchen. 

But yes, if an item is used, it has to be stated as such.

[Nwtravler]

I have purchased mask parts on Amazon for half of what the same company was selling them for on their own site. They weren't used or expired just different sales channels.

[booksfan]

Before I started using the Bleep, I would order masks (many different ones!), replacement parts, short hoses, filters (still order filters),etc., on Amazon. Everything I received was new.

[ardenum]

Simple : If you order some part and the packaging is open or not original packaging send it back.

It's a hygiene product, you must be the first one to open it.

[RPDM]

Ordered everything on Amazon that can be ordered without prescription.
Challenge is often that the insurance does not pay for stuff bought on Amazon, and only pays for accessories / mask from official retailers / DMEs (and we keep wondering why the cost of healthcare is so high)

Everything i bought (for my mask) was new and in official "Resperonics" packaging. As i have to pay OOP anyways... Amazon is the place to be...

[Big Guy]

My wife received the kitchen drawer pull knobs today that she ordered on Amazon. Although the ad stated they were used, all that she ordered were brand-new, still in their factory packaging. 

Let's just say she's a very happy camper.............

[RNeil]

I buy my F&P nasal pillows on Ebay. They were new in sealed packages. The prices on Ebay, Amazon and discount suppliers are high. The DME prices are just ridiculous.