What's up with these new in the box CPAP machines being sold on FB marketplace?

[rallypoint]

I was browsing the Facebook marketplace and see more than a couple brand new, in the box, CPAP machines being sold.  Obviously seems too good to be true.  I don't get it... are they all stolen?  Is there some other reason not so obvious ?  What do you think?

Thanks!

[upsman]

I agree with you on the "too good to be true" theory. 
I question most things being sold on FB Marketplace.

[YipeekiOH]

Lots of scammers out there. I’ve also seen CPAP users scammed on some of private buy/sell/trade pages on FB. There is something very cruel scamming someone using medical devices as bait.

[ItsComplicated]

I am certain there are scammers, so you have to be very careful.  At least previously, FB "rules" stated people are not allowed to sell medical equipment in Marketplace. FB reserves the right to cancel your account, as I understand it.  However, as you note, the number of CPAP/BiPAP equipment sellers is increasing. 

I have successfully purchased 2 machines on Marketplace at a bargain.  In one case, the person had bought out the contents of a house in an estate sale, and he was trying to move merchandise and make a profit based on what he paid for it.  In the other instance, I picked up a brand new "still in the plastic" AVAPS machine.  This was a local sale, so I could meet this individual and look at the machine before purchasing it.  Their parent purchased the machine and passed away before using it.  In both cases, I did my best to ask questions to determine if the machines were stolen, and I was convinced they were not. 

Of course, the Philips machines are the best bargain if you are willing to use a Philips machine and replace the foam container.  I am sure some of you will warn people to stay away from Philips machines, and each of you will need to make your own decision on that.   Resmed machines are usually priced higher.  Occasionally you will find a family who has dealt with an older person with a breathing disorder, and they just want the machine to go to someone who needs it and will benefit from it.  There are honest people out there who want to help someone in memory of a family member. 

Sometimes people selling machines on FB will misstate the hours.  Patient hours can be reset to 0, so you should try getting machine hours if that is important.  Sometimes a seller will misrepresent the hours of use, and some sellers just do not understand the nuances of PAP machines. 

No guarantees, but you can improve your odds by asking the right questions.

[chasmm]

I've seen several new Philips devices (Dreamstation and Dreamstation 2) being sold. Most are saying that they are replacement devices provided as part of the Philips recall. Many of the sellers grew tired of waiting for their machines to be recalled and purchased their own replacements and are now selling the Philips replacement machines to try and recoup some of the money they spent.

I'm not trying to say whether this is good or bad...just possibly a reason for the number of the sales...

[Homerec130]

I don't buy off FB marketplace either. If I see something interesting from a "company" I try searching on it and see what I can find. My preferred search engine is DuckDuckGo. Get a lot less ads and they don't track you like Google.

Now, wearing my monitor hat, just a reminder of Rule 3 -

3.  No member may use their forum account to offer, mediate or solicit the sale, trade, or transfer of any prescription-required items (such as CPAP machines, CPAP humidifiers, CPAP masks, CPAP hoses or the individual parts that make up such items).*   Offering, mediating, soliciting or facilitating the sale, trade, or transfer of commercially-sold or pirated computer software packages or digital media is also prohibited.   Members using a forum account for promoting spam of any kind will be banned.