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+--- Thread: Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing (/Thread-Dreamstation-Go-and-Price-Fixing)
Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing - JimmyMc - 02-22-2018
I've been interested in getting a travel machine, and one that I'm considering is the Philips Dreamstation Go.
I am however distressed to find that Philips has artificially limited distribution and is "price fixing" among the dealers that ARE carrying it.
The lack of competition in the health care business is just one of the issues plaguing the US health care system. Philips should be censured for such activities.
RE: Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing - srlevine1 - 02-22-2018
(02-22-2018, 01:18 PM)JimmyMc Wrote: I've been interested in getting a travel machine, and one that I'm considering is the Philips Dreamstation Go.
I am however distressed to find that Philips has artificially limited distribution and is "price fixing" among the dealers that ARE carrying it.
The lack of competition in the health care business is just one of the issues plaguing the US health care system. Philips should be censured for such activities.
I feel your pain!
You will find that many retailers actually support the higher prices because it helps hold a profitable margin and prevents the manufacturer from disintermediating the retailer with a cheaper, direct-to-user price. You just can't win when it comes to mandated health items.
RE: Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing - dracus - 02-22-2018
Never found my as airsense to be that bulky.
The biggest bulk is the power brick and hose. I'd have exactly the same even with a "portable" machine.
Not having to pack it at all would be an improvement though. In that senerio a portable might make sense.
However the cost of the go/mini is double what a second A10 would be.
RE: Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing - Sora - 02-24-2018
Is this something insurance might cover or is that a laughable notion?
RE: Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing - CB91710 - 02-24-2018
(02-22-2018, 09:18 PM)srlevine1 Wrote: You will find that many retailers actually support the higher prices because it helps hold a profitable margin and prevents the manufacturer from disintermediating the retailer with a cheaper, direct-to-user price. You just can't win when it comes to mandated health items.Of course, the retailers want more profits... they aren't in business because they want to be
As for manufacturer direct sales, that is the norm and far from being an exception that applies to health care.
Most manufacturers simply won't sell direct. They are partners with their distributors and dealers, they are not in competition with them.
When a manufacturer DOES sell direct, they only sell at full MSRP, with the exception of discontinued items, items that the dealers are unable to move, and in some rare cases, new product introductions where they want to establish a product.
They have non-competition agreements that they will not undercut their retail dealers.
They also have advertising agreements, and if a dealer is advertising in an area there they do not have a physical presence, they are prohibited from advertising below "MAP"... "Minimum Advertised Price". They *can* sell below that price, but they can not advertise below that price. That is why you often see "Call for Price" or "Add to Cart for Price" on products.
These policies and agreements are all put in place to protect the local retail dealers and help prevent one retailer from using their financial position to run other retailers out of business.
Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, and Kroger running family-owned small stores out of local markets is the result of the lack of these agreements.
RE: Dreamstation Go and Price Fixing - CB91710 - 02-24-2018
(02-24-2018, 01:40 PM)Sora Wrote: Is this something insurance might cover or is that a laughable notion?Depends on the coverage. Most policies would not cover additional equipment beyond what is prescribed. HMOs would absolutely fall under this.
PPOs cost more per month, but they tend to be more flexible as well, and will often cover a percentage of "patient requested" products. Example, my vision care covers 100% of my glasses including progressives, transitions, and up to something like $200 for the frames. It's just $15 out of pocket for the exam.
Anything over the $200 for frames comes out of my pocket. My wife needs lightweight titanium frames so hers are usually $100 or so extra.
For outdoor activities, our regular transitions lenses don't get dark enough or provide full "wrap" coverage for wind blocking, so we also get a pair of Oakley's every 2 or 3 years. We get the same prescription, but with the solid tinted lens. Our insurance covers about 25% of the sunglasses.