Pump Class The Good and Ugly and ????

[Madisonsmom]

We had our pump class yesterday.

When we went we were sure we knew what we wanted. Well after class we are sitting her in limbo.

After reading several threads on here I realized I needed to let Madison have some say in her pump. We read info on all major pumps even got the sample OmniPod. WE have gone through all the info in preperation for this class thought we were ready.

Well went and talked to rep from MM first because we were sure that is what we really wanted. Well I can say we dont want the pump now if that Rep can work for them we dont want anything to do with them. He spent most of his time trashing the other pumps and telling us why we should not use them. Said that they are the only ones with intergreated CGMs and no matter what anyone else said they are no where close to do this with there pumps. He was very Rude to Madison she had prepared questions about the pumps. Well one of her questions was if MM had a food data base. He laughed at her and said that was a stupid feature. Said there is no point to have that on a pump. He was wearing a sensor and showed her the screen and told her that he knows what she goes through with diabetes because he wears a sensor and he can feel what they do.
The thing that really set me off to the point if no way will she ever use this pump.

He told Madison that you can get the code from a friends CGM and input it into yours and trade BGL yours will be on your friend screen in class and vice versa. I freaked could not believe he was trying to tell my 11 year old something so freaking dangerous.



Animas loved them the man has had Type 1 for over 25 years and told us that he has worn every pump out there and they all did the same thing and that was deliver his inslin and he had great control with all of them. Told her any pump would be a great way to go for her. Told us all about the Animas pumps and let her ask her questions and answered them all. Told her how impressed he was with her questions and he could tell she was ready for a pump.
But you know I loved that he was selling the pump to HER. He showed everything to her(of course we could see it to but he talked to her like she really was important)

This man talked to Madison for about 30 minutes just about D (not about selling a pump)and how was she feeling about having D. She started crying saying she hated it because sometimes she feels so bad and no one understands. About 15 minuites into the convo he was crying with her and telling her he knows how she feels. They talked about Camp Sweeney and how she will feel better once she meets some friends her age and how everyone goes through tough times with D. I really think he went beyound what the normal sales person does.

Cozmore was not there so we are waiting for a call for them to come show us there pump.


So anyone with Animas do you find this to be true with Animas do they have really good customer service?

Also those with MM or have had dealings with them is this just one bad apple or is this the company?

[frizzyrazzy]

gotta say, that was my experience with MM and a big reason why we didnt' go with them. I know they make a good pump but I hated their rep. Rep trashed the other companies and totally outright lied about the (he assumed I hadn't already done my homework on the other companies)

I LOVED the animas rep and we would have gone with them but it was a dead heat between cozmo and animas and Ian liked cozmo.

All that said, people LOVE animas and LOVE their CS . But yet people LOVE MM too and peopleLOVE cozmo too. whatever you end up picking will be the right one for you!!! Just know that - they're all good pumps. None of them are bad pumps. Some might have bad reps, but the pumps are good pumps.

[hawkeyegirl]

I have heard other people say the same thing about MM reps. I hope you get on the MM website and tell someone there of your experience with the rep. It's the only way MM is going to figure out that the "hard sell" isn't really appropriate when it comes to their pumps.

[wilowndmomof3]

We have been dealing with Animas for around 5 yrs now and the customer service is what made us stay with Animas when our son started pumping in January. My husband has had to have his pump replaced twice in the five yrs he was on the IR1000 and the replacement was here by the next day. He now has the 2020 and once he was approved for the upgrade by insurance we had the pump within two days. We did check into the other pumps and I really liked Medtronic, but in the end we went with what we knew and customer service has always been great.

[Twinklet]

Wow, what a horrible experience! So sorry you had to endure that.

I do want to comment about the food database: We have a Cozmore and the food database is totally customizable and we use it ALL THE TIME! We input our favorite restaurants, with notes on the items like "Combo 70/30 for 6 hours" and such. I can send her out with friends and it's all right there for her. It is an AWESOME feature for kids and I don't understand why he thinks it's stupid. :confused:

Make sure your daughter also looks at Cozmore and Omnipod. In the end, choose the PUMP you want. I doubt you'll deal with the rep again, even if you choose MM. Or at least not very much. We have never really used our rep, we only see him socially.

[Madisonsmom]

I have heard other people say the same thing about MM reps. I hope you get on the MM website and tell someone there of your experience with the rep. It's the only way MM is going to figure out that the "hard sell" isn't really appropriate when it comes to their pumps.


I plan on sending them a letter as well as calling them on Monday. My biggest thing is dont try to tell a child things like you can switch BGL with your friends. And I dont agree with the way he talked to Madison. Now I realize they dont have the food data base but no reason to tell a child its not worth anything. A simple no would have been fine you know we dont plan on adding one to our unit in the near future would have been fine.
I am really hoping to get a better understanding of their pump because I want to make sure we get whats right for Madison and what she really wants.

[Madisonsmom]

Wow, what a horrible experience! So sorry you had to endure that.

I do want to comment about the food database: We have a Cozmore and the food database is totally customizable and we use it ALL THE TIME! We input our favorite restaurants, with notes on the items like "Combo 70/30 for 6 hours" and such. I can send her out with friends and it's all right there for her. It is an AWESOME feature for kids and I don't understand why he thinks it's stupid. :confused:You know that is what I thought with Madison being 11 and going to Jr High I thought the database would give her more freedom to hang out with her friends with out the worry.

Make sure your daughter also looks at Cozmore and Omnipod. In the end, choose the PUMP you want. I doubt you'll deal with the rep again, even if you choose MM. Or at least not very much. We have never really used our rep, we only see him socially.


We are waiting for the Cozmore rep to get back in town and will meet with her. Madison has worn a pod and does not like it at all. I know lots of folks love them but its not right for her at this time.

That is good news about not seeing that Rep again if we try again with them it would not be a good idea.

[JenFur]

I'm sorry you had that bad experience with the MM rep.

I would definitely call or write them to complain about that rep, they won't know unless someone complains. All the reps I have talked to and my calls to MM have been good and I'm sure there are bad apples everywhere, unfortunately. :(

He was waaaay outta line.

Jennifer

[Hollyb]

Our experience was not as bad but similar.

Animas reps were great, answered all our questions thoroughly and promptly, came to our house to show us the pump, talked directly to Aaron, pointed out the good features of their pump but didn't trash any of them and acknowledged they were all good.

Minimed rep was, well, arrogant. Hard sell, denigrating to the competition, and not great at returning phone calls or answering follow up questions.

We went with Animas largely for that reason (and Aaron liked the look of it) and I must say they have been great. Helpful with any problem we had, quick to replace a pump that had a bit of a glitch (I didn't ask for that, they just said they wanted to to be on the safe side), and when I called the helpline once at MIDNIGHT a nurse called me back within three minutes. And they give back-up loaners if you go on holiday, which made me feel much, much better about going overseas and sending Aaron away to camp.

That said, liking the features of the pump itself is probably the most important thing. You just hate to reward such obnoxious sales tactics though.

[WestinsMom]

When we were pump shopping (way back when) we never met with reps, just with our CDE who would be training us. I guess it is probably a good thing as we chose a MM and didn't get turned off by any reps. :)

[bgallini]

I have to say that our MM rep was nothing like that. I can see why you'd want to go with someone else now. And from what I hear, the Animas rep is right. They are all basically the same so you'll learn to use whichever one you choose. But I've also only talked to our MM rep a couple of times since our first meeting so if you really want a MM, you don't necessarily have to interact with that guy much.

I would call or email MM though and tell them about your experience. He needs to either get a new job or learn to do this job better.

[Tripletmommy]

When we were pump shopping (way back when) we never met with reps, just with our CDE who would be training us. I guess it is probably a good thing as we chose a MM and didn't get turned off by any reps. :)

Us too! :cwds:

I can't beleive that rep told a child that she could trade bgl's !!! :eek: How awful! Let us know what happens when you call on monday - good luck! (give 'em he11) hehe.:D

[thebestnest5]

That rep needs to be reported to his Territory Manager and higher. What he said was just awful! I reported a rep in my state for much, much less than that! (She would not return my phone calls months--so she was just lazy from what I heard later.) Now, our state has some very good MM Reps :D!

In the end, MM did send a wonderful "new" rep to my home or I had the choice of having the Territory Manager come to my home--The TM just said the new rep could make the trip a week sooner.

It really saddens me that such a great product can get such a bad rap from some grossly ignorant reps.

In the end, we did choose MM and that was for my daughter's benefit, only. The reps have been nice--but we really have little, if any contact with them. Our Rep did offer to meet us with a "loaner pump" if Liv's pump ever breaks down and so we wouldn't have to have to do Lantus until the new pump arrived (especially over a weekend). Plus, I should add the our MM Rep went out of his way to make Liv feel comfortable and he was so instrumental in getting CGMS to our house for Liv to be on it and us trained in ONLY 2 days after the insurance approved us and we lived 4 hours away from the MM nurse. There are good reps out there. I am so sorry that you got such a "bad apple--just rotten".

The customer service that I deal with most is the 24 hour helpline from MM.

MM's 24 hour helpline has treated us very well and replaced sensors, offered to replace the pump when Liv dropped it (just for my peace of mind, if I was going to worry). In the end, the 24 hour helpline has been awesome and their willingness to do what it takes for my peace of mind has been so reassurring.

[TripleThreat]

when i was pump shopping i had the same experience but it was the ANIMAS

rep that was rude and out of line, it was the whole reason no one in my

house will where that product. I guess what im trying to say is there a jerks

in every bussiness, and go with the product that fits your family and child

best. I would also let them know what the rep said about switching

transmitter info, so could see friends bg completly out of line.(did this guy

have diabetes, if so he should know better and the dangers of this)

[Mama Belle]

Let me preface this post by saying that Samantha does not use a MM pump. The MM reps I spoke with were all very, very nice. They did not talk trash about other pumps at all. But a few of them were big into the "hard sell", if that makes sense. There's nothing wrong with that per se, but I was just looking for information about all the features of the pump, not just information about the integrated CGMS, which at the time I had no interest in purchasing.

[Kaylee's Mommy]

We had our pump class yesterday.

When we went we were sure we knew what we wanted. Well after class we are sitting her in limbo.

After reading several threads on here I realized I needed to let Madison have some say in her pump. We read info on all major pumps even got the sample OmniPod. WE have gone through all the info in preperation for this class thought we were ready.

Well went and talked to rep from MM first because we were sure that is what we really wanted. Well I can say we dont want the pump now if that Rep can work for them we dont want anything to do with them. He spent most of his time trashing the other pumps and telling us why we should not use them. Said that they are the only ones with intergreated CGMs and no matter what anyone else said they are no where close to do this with there pumps. He was very Rude to Madison she had prepared questions about the pumps. Well one of her questions was if MM had a food data base. He laughed at her and said that was a stupid feature. Said there is no point to have that on a pump. He was wearing a sensor and showed her the screen and told her that he knows what she goes through with diabetes because he wears a sensor and he can feel what they do.
The thing that really set me off to the point if no way will she ever use this pump.

He told Madison that you can get the code from a friends CGM and input it into yours and trade BGL yours will be on your friend screen in class and vice versa. I freaked could not believe he was trying to tell my 11 year old something so freaking dangerous.



Animas loved them the man has had Type 1 for over 25 years and told us that he has worn every pump out there and they all did the same thing and that was deliver his inslin and he had great control with all of them. Told her any pump would be a great way to go for her. Told us all about the Animas pumps and let her ask her questions and answered them all. Told her how impressed he was with her questions and he could tell she was ready for a pump.
But you know I loved that he was selling the pump to HER. He showed everything to her(of course we could see it to but he talked to her like she really was important)

This man talked to Madison for about 30 minutes just about D (not about selling a pump)and how was she feeling about having D. She started crying saying she hated it because sometimes she feels so bad and no one understands. About 15 minuites into the convo he was crying with her and telling her he knows how she feels. They talked about Camp Sweeney and how she will feel better once she meets some friends her age and how everyone goes through tough times with D. I really think he went beyound what the normal sales person does.

Cozmore was not there so we are waiting for a call for them to come show us there pump.


So anyone with Animas do you find this to be true with Animas do they have really good customer service?

Also those with MM or have had dealings with them is this just one bad apple or is this the company?

WOW.. all I can say is that guy from MM shouldn't be working with them.. if I were you, I'd call MM and ask to speak to someone that works higher up.. tell them what he told your daughter about entering the different sensor numbers so theirs isn't reading on their pump.. that is unbelievable.. dangerous in so many ways.. I would also let them know that they just lost a $6,000 sale because of what THEIR stupid rep did.. I've had nothing but pleasant experiences with MM, but if I were talked that way, I'd think twice about going with them too.. I wouldn't let this go.. I'd let MM know exactly what this rep did.. I think anyone that has a horrible experience with their rep (no matter the company) needs to contact that company and let them know just what type of people they have working for them..

Like I said before, I've had a great experience with MM, and there are always going to be 'bad apples' in any company.. but the guy way stepped over the line.. I think MM has a great product(s) but the other pumps and products are equally as good..

[Madisonsmom]

when i was pump shopping i had the same experience but it was the ANIMAS

rep that was rude and out of line, it was the whole reason no one in my

house will where that product. I guess what im trying to say is there a jerks

in every bussiness, and go with the product that fits your family and child

best. I would also let them know what the rep said about switching

transmitter info, so could see friends bg completly out of line.(did this guy

have diabetes, if so he should know better and the dangers of this)

No he does not have diabetes. He did tell us he was wearing a sensor and knew what she goes through as a diabetic because he has also worn a demo pump. I called our CDE today to get all the info we need on the rep so we can make the right connections with all the information.

[3js]

No he does not have diabetes. He did tell us he was wearing a sensor and knew what she goes through as a diabetic because he has also worn a demo pump. I called our CDE today to get all the info we need on the rep so we can make the right connections with all the information.

I think that`s what would`ve made me really mad! My son is very sensitive about people saying they "know" how he feels- even us. Only someone WITH d truly knows how it feels.

I agree the cgms code trading idea was pretty stupid too- I`m not even sure if it`s true.

We have MM. It was the one I knew we wanted because my son wanted the combined cgms.

The rep was awesome, and her daughter uses the same pump.

I`m sorry you and your daughter had to deal with such a jerk!

[DylansMum]

Our MM rep is fantastic, I can call her any time on her cell and she is very very helpful. She is just so wonderful. The first time I had to change a site, I freaked out and forgot what I had to do after the 2days training we had with her and the Pump Nurse, she went through everything with me over the phone.
I think the Minimed pump is great, very easy to follow, site changes are really easy to do now.

Probably was one bad apple, they shouldn't really be bad mouthing other pumps.

[speakup4kids]

I have posted this in another thread but I cannot begin to express how much I love the customer service at Animas. We are on our third pump in less than two years and not once have they questioned sending me a new one under warranty. If anything it seems like they really want to send me new pumps!! The last one I replaced last week due to the paint chipping. Our rep was good, her 10 year old daughter is diabetic and so she gave my son some insight into real life usage and helped him see that real kids could wear the pump swimming.... I still call her if I need some IV prep pads or to try new insets and don't want to pay for them. With the exception of the CGMS, and I really believe that ANIMAS is almost there with theirs, all pumps basically do the same thing. For me, I want to know things like, how easy is it to get pumps replaced? Customer care policy? How fast do they ship replacement pumps? ETC... These are really the most important things to me in the long run...

[deafmack]

I am sorry you went through that with the minimed rep. First of all he was clear out of line and if that is their policy I would certainly file a complaint against this rep. He was way out of line and should be called to account for his behavior.
By the way, congratulations on trying out the different pumps. The decision certainly is Madison's and yours. You stick to your guns. I bet you 10 to 1 the minimed rep did not have diabetes.

[Anja821]

Honestly, we never even looked at the other pumps and went with MM right away because my SIL's SIL was a trainer for MM, and living with d for - jeez, 25?? years.

We also don't deal with MM directly because all of our supplies come through Health Spectrum Pharmacy. We called CS twice because of alarms, and those reps were wonderful.

The Animas rep sounds very caring and understanding. That may be the pump for your daughter.

[miss_behave]

If you really want the MM, I wouldn't let the rep put you off. You might never have to see him again. He certainly isn't a reflection of MM's customer service overall KWIM? He's just a bad apple, every company has them. Don't choose a pump you like 2nd best simply because of the bad rep!

[iluvmhp]

I posted yesterday that I was very impressed with our Animas rep and less impressed with our MM rep. The rep wasnt bad, just didnt represent her company as well.

I ended up speaking with the MM rep again yesterday for more information. She was prompt and put me in direct contact with their insurance contact. He was very informative and answered every question professionally.

So, was my rep having a bad day the first day we met ???? Maybe? The two calls I had yesterday were great, no complaints.

My point- as everyone told me yesterday - dont let the rep make up your mind about the pump.

I can not imagine what you must have been feeling when you were hearing this man speak to your child like that. I am so sorry. Go get 'em!

Lots of luck with your choice!

[wendyc]

The Animas rep is correct, they are all great products and they all achieve what we need, and that is insulin delivery.

Now, we did not go with MM because when I contacted them, I advised them that I was shopping and comparing pumps and they immediately got on the defensive when I said I had narrowed it down between MM and Animas. They started trashing Animas, but never really told me why they felt their pump was superior to Animas. When I reached out for more info, they never got back to me.

We ultimately went with Animas because we needed a super small basal at the time and I really liked the rep.

If MM is what you want, I would contact MM and file a complaint and ask for another rep to speak to you.I would insist they come to your house! This guy sounds like he just has a big head! I'm glad the other rep spoke to your child as a person and not a customer, that was probably comforting to her.

? After this experience and seeing the Animas pump work, has your daughter any thoughts on which pump she prefers?

[badshoe]

If you can get to FFL in July go.

All the pumps will be represented by their best people.

There may be announcements of new stuff.

Our experience with Animas was similar in that they spoke to the diabetics as diabetics and didn't talk down to them or about other pumps.

If you go to FFL you will see that Animas is a big player there. Not just on the convention/sales hall but in providing people to run the sessions. In fact IHMO the very best people giving the best sessions on being a successful teen and parents in a family with T1 were from Animas.

I have been and am highly critical of Animas' software. It isn't up to their standards. On service, starting with understanding a D family, they are outstanding. Those people do make a difference.

I was in Animas offices a few weeks ago. Non D employees were wearing Dexcoms. I don't know when but something is coming of course the bigger issues is when will insurance cover a CGM form MM, Dex or Abbott?

All the pumps are great products. We get to choose not on the basic quality of the core functionality, pumping insulin, but on secondary features. Service and support of the family through things like FFL is a legitimate consideration.

So are sets. Sets are huge. This is the instrument that gets poked in the child. The insertion every other day can be a very big deal. It can be an even bigger deal is it isn't a big deal if you know what I mean. (An you have given a child shots and you know how a bad a bad shot can be so you know what I mean) Put them on yourself. Let the kids put them on themselves.

Pumping is a big step and it can be a great one. Look at www.2betr.com if you haven't already. Best of luck in finding the pump company that works best with your family.

[realsweety]

I went through the same thing but not as bad as yours awhile ago. I even posted about it.but I got lied to by the animas rep.some one gave me the advice that if I really wanted the product then go over there heads and get it without them.I thought that was a good idea.don't let liers or slime balls get your commision.I am going with another company anyways (fighting with an appeal)I didn't like that rep either (lazy)so I called the company directly and when the ins.finally approves it ,I will get it from them instead.so I agree that you shouldnt judge the company soley on the rep.just don't let the rep get your commision if you really like that pump.

[Mrs. Russman]

Last year at camp Aurora I spoke with the different pump reps that were there. MiniMed could only talk about the cgms. I wasn't really interested in that.
The Animas rep was great...So was the accu-check rep.
We went with Animas and have had great customer service. Late one Friday evening Ben came to me with a pump malfunction. They overnighted a new pump. They call me every month when I need to order more supplies, and take my order over the phone.

[wendyc]

One thing I remember now is at this past ADA expo in Boston I asked the Animas group about CGMS and they stated they are working on it and it is coming along. They said that they can't make any promises, but that they hope to have it up and out by late 09/early 10. I liked that, they were up front about it and wouldn't give us any false hopes.

[linda]

Hi-Pump shopping can be tough, when Em declared she wanted the pump (after going to camp Nejeda and seeing kids with pump dialing up #'s and jumping into activity, instaed of being sidelined waiting to be "served" shot)....we were as confused as you, we went with the consenses at the time which was COZMO-it has been 1 year and we just swapped out for our 1st replacement, i think it is pretty ez and friendly. It fits into a regular cell phone case and so em has many options to match outfits!!...we love the customer care (product wise) and receive the supplies from smiths medical no problems!!!!
comes in cool colors!!
good luck any questions: [email]tantucci@optonline.net...good:) luck kiddos!!Pump is great for kids on the go!!! some practice and adjustments and the benefits will be yours!!!

[jendean]

I am in full agreeance that your daughter should get to decide what pump she likes.
I am very enamored with the Animas right now, because of the food database, and because of the screen--- very big, bright, and readable.

Minimed.
Hm.
we like them, but they seem to be going through some changes lately, that are just not causing them to be the most helpful people ever.
I am so sad about that.
I cant say a lot of good about Minimed right now.... I am mad at them.
:(

[selketine]

Four years ago when we were pump shopping our MM rep was a good one - I really liked him but went with Animas cause we needed the lower basals. The Animas rep was fine.

I am VERY happy with the Animas customer service - they have been great. I am disappointed that we're ready for a new pump at the end of the year and there is no CGMS on the horizon for Animas.

I would report that MM rep and give them another chance - but the damage might already be done for your daughter. I wouldn't blame her if she doesn't want a MM pump after talking to that guy.

[clb1968]

Who was your local rep? We are in the same area so just curious.

I have only spoken with one over the phone, Travis was his name.
I had no problems with him, and I had a great trainer, her name is Leslie.

Some of the MM people I have spoke with at the 24hr line have been great and others sucked:eek:

I really like my pump , MM has been good to me so far, but that does not mean I will stick with them when it is time to make a change in 4 years.

[fredntan2]

I don't have time to finish reading all the posts as I'm on vacation!!!!

But just wanted to add my 2 cents.

Animas's customer service is excellent. I'm so lazy sometimes calling for vacation pumps. called on mon. and we had it by friday.

I know pump shopping can be such a headache. But the bottom line is that your dd has to be in love with the pump. it should be her final decision as to which one.

that being said. all pumps are returnable. we returned our mm after first few days-long story but i think she wanted mm because daddy like it so much so she chose that one.
well when it came she just wasnt excited. tried it for 1 day, had trouble with sets. could reconnect or disconnect-part of it had broken off-go figure on first one.

so after that I made her do a saline trial of animas.
but she never uses the food database. I think we've tried to look up popcorn once at movies.

[lilituc]

Wow, that rep sounds terrible. My local rep was great, and later they transferred me to another rep and she was good, too. I did meet another nonlocal rep at a pumping class who just failed to "get it." She said things during the class that showed that despite her 15 years of experience or whatever, she didn't really understand how diabetes works. She also complained that people at the classes areconfused because they try to tell her she's wrong. Uh...she WAS wrong. Maybe I've just been lucky in getting good reps here.

I would definitely complain to MM about that rep, though.

[Kaileen]

We did research on our own for the pumps. Thankfully, Deirdre wanted the Animas, and I really liked it as well. The person we have been dealing with is absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, our insurance is making us wait.

Our endo sent all our information to Animas after the very first appointment. He did not tell us that he did so. He has not sent information to any other pump company. I love the Animas people, but I'm totally disgusted with my endo.