Slimiest, sleaziest industries

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Insurance companies. They hate paying anything out.

As for mortgage and car loans, what i find weird is how they let so many people get around loopholes. My cousin (okay I have to admit I did tell her she was dumb) borrowed from her 401k to buy a home $720k and she and her boyfriend at the time both owned two other homes rented out. And honestly I don't get how they were even approved for a $720k home with a combined income of maybe $150k if that plus carrying two other mortgages. Crazy.

[FLA]

Durable Medical Equipment companies.

They have a reputation of drastically overcharging for medical equipment.

we wanted to get my mom an over the bed table like at the hospital. The DME provider had them with no drawer used for $150. With the drawer $1000. I knew the guy from work and said, "no really, how much?" It really was $1000! and he admitted the only difference was the drawer

[JoeP]

Anything associated with timeshares (except those renting out unused weeks), used cars, replacement windows, personal injury lawyers.

Our area has also had its share of huckster contractors selling snow plowing service, paving, decking, handyman stuff...who never show up after collecting the deposit. Makes the news pretty much a couple times a year.

[disneysteve]

Anything associated with timeshares (except those renting out unused weeks)

Yep. The best thing about the timeshare industry is being able to take advantage of it to find really nice, really cheap accommodations. We spent a week in Orlando in November in a wonderful 2-bedroom, 2-bath timeshare unit for under $50/night. If it wasn't for the existence of that sleazy industry, deals like that wouldn't exist. You just have to know how to play the game.

[bjl584]

Most of the lending industry.

Payday loans are at the top of my list.

[dawnwes]

My experience was good, only have to rent the machine, comply, then I own it. Insurance does not kick in until the deductible though.

That was my experience too. I had to do it twice. Once to get diagnosed with sleep apnea and once to get fitted for a C-papp.

I paid min. amounts both times. Sleep study was covered with a $20 co-pay (insurance paid $2,500/night) and my C-papp was $8/month for 10 months and then a $200 copay.

Dawn

[greenskeeper]

lawyers win this and it's not even close....they are the scum of the earth kind of thing.

[disneysteve]

I see a solid trend in this thread to lump the good with the bad.

Lawyers are a perfect example. Sure there are sleazy lawyers out there (better call Saul ) but there are also many excellent lawyers. I've worked with plenty both personally and professionally. Every time I've personally hired a lawyer to do work for me, I've been very pleased with the service and the outcome. I've used lawyers for contract negotiations, real estate transactions, a personal injury case, our wills, etc. I would highly recommend every single attorney I've dealt with.

We have a plumbing contractor who is excellent. Honest, trustworthy, reasonably priced, and an all around nice guy.

In most fields, you will find bad apples. I don't think that's really the point of this thread. I think of it more in terms of industries that are just inherently bad. Sorry, but I don't think there's such a thing as a "good" payday lender because the entire business model is sleazy. On the other hand, it isn't fair to say that every mortgage lender is shady. Some are for sure, but plenty are not.

[FLA]

That was my experience too. I had to do it twice. Once to get diagnosed with sleep apnea and once to get fitted for a C-papp.

I paid min. amounts both times. Sleep study was covered with a $20 co-pay (insurance paid $2,500/night) and my C-papp was $8/month for 10 months and then a $200 copay.

Dawn

I have to go one full day and one full night because it's not just sleep apnea they are looking for. then if I have sleep apnea, I go back. The testing should be well covered but I have heard my insurance plan is not good about the equipment.

My fear is that despite being a nurse and totally getting how important it is, I cannot picture not feeling totally claustrophobic with that mask over my face. Hopefully, I can get the smallest type they have. i know millions of people have sleep apnea and they adjust to the machine just fine. I cannot picture that being my experience. Ugh

[QuarterMillionMan]

Not political but government workers, I'm referring to the bad apples that I work with but I know not all of them are sleazy/slimmy, I have some good ones as well.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I have to go one full day and one full night because it's not just sleep apnea they are looking for. then if I have sleep apnea, I go back. The testing should be well covered but I have heard my insurance plan is not good about the equipment.

My fear is that despite being a nurse and totally getting how important it is, I cannot picture not feeling totally claustrophobic with that mask over my face. Hopefully, I can get the smallest type they have. i know millions of people have sleep apnea and they adjust to the machine just fine. I cannot picture that being my experience. Ugh

Offtopic: I thought the same thing. Putting the mask on made me fearful. My first night was a weekend night (important) and I waited until I could not keep my eyes open anymore, then threw the mask on. When I woke up, I didn't even realize I had it on, which was shocking.

Oddly enough, I've heard of people who feel different the day after, and I absolutely felt an immediate improvement the very first day. It wasn't miraculous or anything, but my mood and energy level both improved, literally over night.

The machine "breathes" with you. I think part of the problem with FFM is that people hyperventilate with them because they don't breathe naturally. But eventually the machine breathes with you: it lowers the pressure when you exhale, and gives a nice gentle pulse when it detects an apnea. I've felt the machine do this on the verge of sleep, when my throat would close up, in an area I had never realized it was closing up.

I'm on an apnea forum as well. I have had good results form the therapy, my "vitals" are all better and I feel better.

[FLA]

thank you so much!

[ua_guy]

Offtopic: I thought the same thing. Putting the mask on made me fearful. My first night was a weekend night (important) and I waited until I could not keep my eyes open anymore, then threw the mask on. When I woke up, I didn't even realize I had it on, which was shocking.

Oddly enough, I've heard of people who feel different the day after, and I absolutely felt an immediate improvement the very first day. It wasn't miraculous or anything, but my mood and energy level both improved, literally over night.

The machine "breathes" with you. I think part of the problem with FFM is that people hyperventilate with them because they don't breathe naturally. But eventually the machine breathes with you: it lowers the pressure when you exhale, and gives a nice gentle pulse when it detects an apnea. I've felt the machine do this on the verge of sleep, when my throat would close up, in an area I had never realized it was closing up.

I'm on an apnea forum as well. I have had good results form the therapy, my "vitals" are all better and I feel better.

Also off-topic, but I agree! I started CPAP in 2008, and it took me a while to adjust. It takes work, and persistence. Once I found the right mask, and became "ok" with the noise of the machine, and the feeling of something strapped to my head while I slept, I started having the best sleep I've ever had. The improvement to health and happiness was astounding, as was the reduction in overall inflammation throughout my body.

Worth every penny. Just don't let those DME's take you for a ride on stuff you don't want or need.

[FLA]

Still off topic (sorry), I called my insurance and they only pay 50% of the machine and zero for supplies. Well, as a nurse, I know that stuff is expensive. Anyone have a site they use or suggestions on how to keep cost down?