[fatfreddiescat]

HOGWASH... We pay dearly for these tools of technology. And we listen to the hype attentively, and then try to make a decision based on what the 'pitchmen' (and women) tell us. "Oh sure, baby, you'll get free upgrades as long as you're under warranty." Well, then you have a chance for an upgrade, and the MONEY department tells you that they NEVER would promise such foolishness-do you think they are in business for FUN?

On and on. The pump providers in the US have got everyone running scared. Most folks I hear of are afraid that they will not end up with a pump if they don't walk lightly. I think its WRONG to take lie after lie, and promise after promise, and not hold these greedheads accountable. It costs about $100-$150 (or less) to manufacture a pump. But, by the time you pay for the hype shuckster, the order fulfillment people, the 'TRAINER' (I actually have a trainer flying 700 miles next week to set me up on my new Disetronic), and the phone 'techs' that will most of the time tell you you need to 'send it in', you have indeed charged the insurance company at least $2500-3000. So, the other $1500-2500 (pumps are retailed at $5000-6000, right?) is pure profit, and most of the time the shucksters don't even say thanks, and if they do, its a $0.04 form letter with bulk ($0.17) postage.

If I don't get what I want, then I will go back to shots. I WILL NOT BE PUSHED AROUND by the Pump Co Lackeys. For $6000 I can put a down payment on a home. It might be a mediocre place in the high desert, but hey! Its a home! MY pump and the people that represent it will perform, and if they don't, I W I L L H O L L E R LOUD & P L E N T Y O N T H E S E B O A R D S ! ! !

On the other hand, if the folks are polite, give great service, and the product works as promoted, then I'll just be quiet and roll along!

[Doug]

Originally Posted by fatfreddiescat

HOGWASH... We pay dearly for these tools of technology. And we listen to the hype attentively, and then try to make a decision based on what the 'pitchmen' (and women) tell us. "Oh sure, baby, you'll get free upgrades as long as you're under warranty." Well, then you have a chance for an upgrade, and the MONEY department tells you that they NEVER would promise such foolishness-do you think they are in business for FUN?

On and on. The pump providers in the US have got everyone running scared. Most folks I hear of are afraid that they will not end up with a pump if they don't walk lightly. I think its WRONG to take lie after lie, and promise after promise, and not hold these greedheads accountable. It costs about $100-$150 (or less) to manufacture a pump. But, by the time you pay for the hype shuckster, the order fulfillment people, the 'TRAINER' (I actually have a trainer flying 700 miles next week to set me up on my new Disetronic), and the phone 'techs' that will most of the time tell you you need to 'send it in', you have indeed charged the insurance company at least $2500-3000. So, the other $1500-2500 (pumps are retailed at $5000-6000, right?) is pure profit, and most of the time the shucksters don't even say thanks, and if they do, its a $0.04 form letter with bulk ($0.17) postage.

If I don't get what I want, then I will go back to shots. I WILL NOT BE PUSHED AROUND by the Pump Co Lackeys. For $6000 I can put a down payment on a home. It might be a mediocre place in the high desert, but hey! Its a home! MY pump and the people that represent it will perform, and if they don't, I W I L L H O L L E R LOUD & P L E N T Y O N T H E S E B O A R D S ! ! !

On the other hand, if the folks are polite, give great service, and the product works as promoted, then I'll just be quiet and roll along!

Dont forget the costs of R&D, Testing, FDA approval, and the costs of maintaining spares and shipping replacements .

[notme]

Originally Posted by fatfreddiescat

HOGWASH... We pay dearly for these tools of technology. And we listen to the hype attentively, and then try to make a decision based on what the 'pitchmen' (and women) tell us. "Oh sure, baby, you'll get free upgrades as long as you're under warranty." Well, then you have a chance for an upgrade, and the MONEY department tells you that they NEVER would promise such foolishness-do you think they are in business for FUN?

In your other post you stated your pump was out of warranty and Medtronic offered you an upgrade for $550.00. I honestly don't get the gripe. Medtronic offered you a $6,500.00 pump for a four year old, out of warranty, broken pump. It seems to me that this is a pretty good deal.

You can scream and yell to get what you want and you can even go back to shots before you pay the $550.00. Who will be hurt in the long run?

I hope the Disestronic pump is what you want and I truly do hope you are happy with the company. I would be a bit concerned about the lack of support in the area, but would do the same as you if I thought that there was nothing else available for me. Good luck. It will be great to hear your reports on your new pump.

[fatfreddiescat]

Wrong! Medtronic offered me an 'upgrade' that was for all intent and purpose a new pump. AFTER THE INSURANCE PICKED UP the $4K or $5K or whatever their contract price was, THEN they wanted me to come up with yet ANOTHER co-pay of $550, whereas every other pump company, after insurance, would offer me THEIR profuct for NO additional co-pay. Some called it a trade-in, some called it a VIP program, etc, but the end of the story is that Medtronic was the only one who wanted money in addition to the insurance. AND, there is a thing called customer loyalty and appreciation. Medtronic was the company I had used for years, thru 3 other pumps. I have paid PLENTY for co-pay and supplies over the years. I coulda bought thousands of shares of stock in animas for that dough! lol

[notme]

Isn't that your insurance co-pay? I had a deductible when I got my new pump also, but I had met my deductibles and there was no co-pay.

[Phantom]

Being new to this particular forum I find it interesting about the pump bashing. In particular I do beta testing for a well known mobile phone computer company. While developing the mobile phone hardware allot of us beta testers check forums to see what the users think of the product. It also gives us an insight on what needs to be upgraded and improved. So some bashing is good and some is bad depending on the moderation. But as the old saying goes: "someone's horror is someone's blessing". Being a new Ping user I find this very interesting since nothing ever changes when it comes to technology and likes and dislikes.

[Harold]

Speaking of such. Have this new work phone the Samsung Rugby that is so user unfriendly. Think the company set it up that way, and well maybe we could blame AT&T for some of it as well. Physically the phone feels good in the hand and performs basic phone calling. However the company has every feature turned off. Makes since to turn off / block GPS on a phone people carry on field trips. Go to menu and click on the default icon and it's all shop for everything else the phone is capable of. Really boring and aggravating. Oh tried to read the online instructions on a PC, but the company blocked that function through AT&T. They are just asking for people to hack these things and use them as a modem for their laptops. The best thing about this phone is I can chuck it across the room and not worry about hurting it. It just keeps bouncing.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Being new to this particular forum I find it interesting about the pump bashing. In particular I do beta testing for a well known mobile phone computer company. While developing the mobile phone hardware allot of us beta testers check forums to see what the users think of the product. It also gives us an insight on what needs to be upgraded and improved. So some bashing is good and some is bad depending on the moderation. But as the old saying goes: "someone's horror is someone's blessing". Being a new Ping user I find this very interesting since nothing ever changes when it comes to technology and likes and dislikes.

Hi Phantom and welcome here. You are right - I've even done my share of bashing. Of course, people perceive things in different ways (i.e. personal experience vs. bashing), and therein lies the problem.

Honestly, I truly do like ALL the pump companies, despite the dislikes I have with some of them. I think that if a person can do well on a product, then it (the product) is doing a good job for someone out there.

Once again, welcome to the forums and thank you for your input here.

[Phantom]

Yes That about sums it all up....... Like myself I checked all the pump manufactures in looking at the design, features and specially the service. I drove the pump reps. up the wall concerning my questions and did not settle for their general answers. I can honestly say that they left the sessions more knowledgeable than before they saw me. This is why I decided on my current pump unfortunately I wish they all had bluetooth capability. Infra Red is very outdated and not very reliable in this day and age. Also since I do Iphone Applications and Development I want to design an application that can be used on the Iphone and the pump. In the next few weeks I will make a section on the forum looking on suggestions on what people would like in this application. Since there is very little out there for the pumper and diabetic. Also I would like to incorporate a food group carb. which would update continually update when there are new food product available. This why bluetooth is a good option for Iphone to Pump transfer. Just will have to see what shakes out of the tree when it comes to design.

[RNjen]

I think we get really sensitive to having our pump company "insulted" because it is our, or our child or loved ones life support.... We get a little attached, it is not a pepsi-coke type of thing...