Re: [IP] Warning to anyone considering an Accu-Chek Spirit Pump
I got the same message about my dtron+ when my tech inspection was due.
They said they would not perform a tech inspection in the 52 days it was due
and that I should put the short term pump out of service and use my backup
until I could get "a special deal" on the Spirit when my warranty runs out
in February. My back up still has 2 years, and the 52 day pump should be ok
if I need it. Sarah
----- Original Message -----
From: <email @ redacted>
To: <email @ redacted>
Sent: Saturday, October 28, 2006 1:21 PM
Subject: [IP] Warning to anyone considering an Accu-Chek Spirit Pump
> I have confirmed through Disetronic Pump Support that they will not reset
> the
> timers on H-TRON & D-TRON pumps once a Technical Inspection is due.
> Error/Alert
> 5 on the back of your pumps is for a Technical Inspection Due Alert. When
> this
> Alert goes off after 2-4 years you are (or were) supposed to send the pump
> back
> to Disetronic for Technical Inspection & reset of the timer. The timer
> only runs
> down while there is a battery installed.
>
> Disetronic just sent me a new pump for warranty replacement (my warranty
> expires in 10 days). On the back of the pump and included in a letter in
> the
> package was a notice that they changed the wording from "Technical
> Inspection
> Due" to "End of Use Time" on the back of the pump. "End of Use Time"?????
> No
> other explanation was given in the notice, just the change of wording. I
> thought
> this new wording was quite odd so I called Pump Support which confirmed
> that
> when this alarm triggers they will NOT reset the timer once the pump is
> out of
> warranty! When asked what If I didn't have insurance to purchase another
> pump,
> it made no difference, they would not reactivate the old pumps.
>
> That means that if this policy also extends to the Accu-Chek Spirit, you
> are
> not buying a pump with a 4 year warranty, but a pump with only a 4 year
> life
> span!!! The explanation Pump Support gave me was that the Spirit contained
> "newer technology" that I should want to upgrade to.
>
> Pertaining to this pump timer issue, on page 159 of the Spirit Reference
> manual, it states:
>
> "Contact Pump Support @ 1-800-688-4578 to discuss your options for further
> use
> of the Accu-Chek Spirit insulin pump[after 4 years]"
>
> The manual is available to review online:
>
http://www.disetronicusa.com/files/General/Instructions%20For%20Use/Manual%20VVF2%20121605.pdf
>
> When I questioned pump support on what the options would be for "further
> use"
> of the Spirit Pump once the timer expires, as per the user manual, they
> said I
> could be forwarded to the product specialist's mailbox. To me it sounds as
> if
> there are NO options in place and they just want to hook you in. Even if
> there
> are options, they are subject to change as evidenced by the hardball
> tactics
> being used against current customers.
>
> When I objected citing the apparent change in policy to H-Tron & D-Tron
> customers I asked why would I want a Spirit pump when in 4 years it would
> only
> be good for a doorstop? If they can screw H-Tron & D-Tron pump customers,
> years
> after they have paid for their pumps, they can do the same to you in 4
> years
> when they have a replacement for the Spirit ready to sell. Luckily all of
> my
> Disetronic pumps were sent in for replacement prior to warranty
> expiration,
> which means they all have fresh timers. I would recommend anyone else
> still
> under warranty to do the same.
>
> This pre-programmed death is planned obsolescence at its worst.
> .
.
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