[Sliver]

Originally Posted by pylon

This thing still isn't right, and is still causing this cheek puffing problem. I finally give up, put the thing back in the box. Upon returning the equipment, I sit down with them, now another 10 pounds lighter, and explain how disappointed I am in how they refused to adjust things and re-assess based on my weight loss, their pricing model and what I heard about it, and also the fact that you terrified me with the extremity of my problem, and then told me to wait a month for a trial machine. I asked "Was telling me how bad my Apnea was, part of the pitch to pay triple for a machine on my benefits, I could get elsewhere at a fair price?" They tried to say their machine was better because they supported it, better, but I also gave them the analogy back, "I sell certified pre-owned certified VW's to my customers, as they are looked at by a VW mechanic, re-conned with VW parts, and have to be the cream of the crop used cars. I might get another 5% for my cars, not 300%"

You have to be getting more than a 5% premium on your cars or you wouldn't be in business. I've been to Northland VW. I know you have sales staff, financing staff, administrative staff, janitorial staff, and on it goes just to service the used car side. Those positions all need to be paid for out of a premium you sell your cars for over what I could find the exact same car elsewhere.

Your dealership would also retain lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, and other professionals. You pay for electricity, and Internet, and gas, and water/sewer. You pay municipal, provincial and federal taxes. You pay for the real estate on which the building you operate out of sits. You also pay for the building you're sitting in right now and the desk, chair, computer and phone you use. All this money comes from the difference between what the car is worth versus the value you add to the car via the service you offer.

Personally, I don't need a sales guy when I go to a dealership. I also don't need a finance guy because I buy cars in cash. I could also do without the hot chick sitting at the desk when I walk in. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred I know more about the car I'm there to view than the sales guy.

But...

I understand that some people need financing, so I can see why there is a finance guy there to arrange a loan. I understand some people don't have a clue about cars and appreciate the help a sales guy adds. I get that a smiling 25-year-old girl makes people feel good when they walk in the door, so I can see why every dealership seems to employee a greeter.

You seem to take pride in your work and I assume you don't see yourself as there to milk the customer for all you can, but rather I'd wager you see yourself as a good employee while also offering a service to the customer that is worth the premium they pay to keep you employed.

That's great you don't need the service of a sleep apnea clinic and are comfortable buying online. I think it'd be easy to argue you actually did need their service, though, as the cheek puffing thing would have been solved with a full face mask or a chin strap to keep your mouth closed, but let's ignore that for now.

Some people don't have $1000 in their account to pay for a machine with cash on Amazon, so are more than happy to take advantage of the financing services at a sleep clinic. They also prefer the clinic handles dealing with their insurance company directly for a smoother, less stressful buying experience. They also would prefer the respiratory therapist works with them to adjust their machine versus 'winging it' with the machine and all its settings off Amazon. They also operate a business where they have all the overhead your dealership has, and they also want to pay their hard-working staff a reasonable salary with benefits.

I'm on my third machine and been on sleep therapy for over 10 years. A new machine every five years on insurance is nothing to me. Every five years I go to the clinic to get my new machine and that's the only time I really get a check up on how things are going and an opportunity for the respiratory therapist to look at how I'm doing. I mean, without the machine I'd probably be shaving 10 years off my life, so it's hardly a huge expense to keep me going. Definitely a lot cheaper than buying a home gym like your brilliant suggestion.

You Karening in there to lecture them on running their business is beyond ignorant. I hope you're exaggerating what you did because it's abhorrent. You didn't have a good experience, but you can't condemn the entire business based on your one anecdotal experience. Not to mention you didn't even finish what you started with them, thus denying them the chance to make you happy.

And surely you can't just be suggesting everyone buy a home gym, cut their diet down to 1500 calories per day and work out two hours a night. Like, that's great you have that kind of money, time and energy, but good luck with that once you have a kid for a year or so. You'll be fat again and be right back sitting in that clinic with your tail between your legs.

Or, go buy on Amazon. A robot will grab a CPAP off a pallet rack and a minimum wage guy will deliver it to your door. Congrats! You got it cheaper, but there won't be anybody there to set it up, explain how to use a mask (if your cheeks are puffing and then air popping out your mouth, you are doing everything wrong and not creating the closed pressure system), there will be no opportunity to try different machines, masks, hoses, etc. These therapists have endless patience to try things out to get you sorted. Plus, I like supporting local when I can afford to knowing I pay a premium, but appreciating the improved service and support I receive.

Straight up, you owe them an apology.