Pitiful Experience at a DME

[Hydrangea]

I moved, and have been on the hunt for a good DME.  I called one today and asked if they had CPAP masks.  The lady had to put me on hold to find out. (This was enough to tell me to cross them off my list, but I don't see too many DME options near me, so I figured I may as well give them a chance.) They do.  So I went in to see what they've got.

I walked in and asked to see their CPAP masks.  The lady handed me two pieces of fabric.  I realized they were CPR masks.  

I pointed out her error, and asked again to see CPAP masks.  After quite a while in the back (I almost walked out, it took so long), she came out with 2 tiny tupperware tubs.  Due to my extensive(?) research and experience, I identified that there were 3 different ones: 2 FFMs, and 1 nasal mask.  They had no branding, and looked ultra-generic.  There were no sizes, no options.

If you could get a CPAP mask out of a giant gumball machine, these are the masks you'd get.

It was so sad.  Mainly, I felt very sad for anyone who needs CPAP supplies and this is all they're offered.  This has got to be just one of many reasons so many people give up on CPAP and just suffer with untreated OSA.

[JesseLee]

That's pretty bad. I'm not sure where you are from, but there are options. I'd keep looking.
I can't get the thought out of my head of a CPAP mask in one of those plastic bubbles now!

[Walla Walla]

It's OK. I'm sure they dusted them off after the last user.

[SarcasticDave94]

Err not a good sign. They definitely earned the Wrongling Bros. DME award of the week. You might want to try elsewhere ANYwhere else.

[Mosquitobait]

That beats my local experience. I went into two locally owned cpap shops. I just wanted to get a fitting nasal mask. I wanted to pay cash. I had my prescription. Nope, they wanted all my insurance info. I said this was a CASH deal, no insurance involved and you cost more than online and I'm willing to pay that to get it today! She insisted they had to have it. So, I just said "you lost a potential customer" and walked out. Ordered it online. I am still annoyed. TWO places!

[KSMatthew]

Another reason to mail order from an online DME.

[JesseLee]

That beats my local experience. I went into two locally owned cpap shops.  I just wanted to get a fitting nasal mask. I wanted to pay cash.  I had my prescription. Nope, they wanted all my insurance info. I said this was a CASH deal, no insurance involved and you cost more than online and I'm willing to pay that to get it today! She insisted they had to have it.  So, I just said "you lost a potential customer" and walked out. Ordered it online.  I am still annoyed.  TWO places!

I hate to say it but they probably would've taken your cash and the people in billing would have billed your insurance too. Only reason I'd level that kind of speculative accusation is because they sell "new" machines with a few hundred hours to cash customers alllll dayyy looong.

[Crimson Nape]

That beats my local experience. I went into two locally owned cpap shops.  I just wanted to get a fitting nasal mask. I wanted to pay cash.  I had my prescription. Nope, they wanted all my insurance info. I said this was a CASH deal, no insurance involved and you cost more than online and I'm willing to pay that to get it today! She insisted they had to have it.  So, I just said "you lost a potential customer" and walked out. Ordered it online.  I am still annoyed.  TWO places!

I think I would have told them. "I don't have insurance".

[kiwii]

If you could get a CPAP mask out of a giant gumball machine, these are the masks you'd get.

Omg, good thing I'd already swallowed my drink. Lol!

[SarcasticDave94]

New definitions for DME:

Doesn't Mean Experience

Dollars Money Emolument