Our chapter has two closets, and I maintain our Virginia AT loan closet.  Our reps have not been involved with loaner devices.  We have a lot of Tobii-Dynavox devices and we set up the loaners without support from a rep.  However, tech support is helpful whenever there is a problem no matter if it is a loaner device or user-owned.  Sometimes they will ask who is in possession of the device, but it doesn’t seem to affect the amount of free tech support our PALS are getting for each loaned device.

 

Also for the PC Eye Go and PC Eye Mobile unit, tech support has been a wonderful free service, so none of our PALS have had to pay for a rep to come out.  I have setup a few and I used tech support when needed.

 

We have heard of charges from other companies especially when it is an AT vendor as supposed to a device company, and we have had one family complain of a device company charging $500.00 to repair a device that was still under warranty.    I ask those considering purchasing a device to determine exactly what the company means by “warranty”.  Is it truly a year or is a year only up to a predetermined amount?

 

 

 

 

Thanks everybody for your insight into vendor visits.  I want to carry this conversation forward – for those of you managing AAC loaner closets, can you tell me what your local AAC rep’s involvement is?  Do you expect them to do training and set up on a loaner device?  Do you get this type of service or not?  I would love to hear how others are dealing with this situation.

 

We all seem to be doing something different and I’d like a feel for what others are doing.  If you have a suggestion about overcoming this challenge, I would enjoy hearing about it.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,

 

For a dedicated the device, the vendors have not tried to charge.  Tobii charges a very high fee for support with their surface tablet and eye gaze combo.  To be honest though, I have seen the level of customer support and care significantly decrease with some companies.  It has been very challenging with my pALS that require support.

 

Best,

 

 

Holly A. Cohen, OTR/L, ATP, SCEM

Clinical Specialist  ● Assistive Technology/Driving Rehabilitation

Rusk Rehabilitation

Ambulatory Care Center

240 East 38th Street, Suite# 17-14 ●  New York, NY 10016

e:  xxxxxx@nyumc.org ● p: 212.263.6016 ●  f: 212.263.5166

 

Connect with us online!

www.nyulmc.org/rusk

www.facebook.com/NYULangone

www.twitter.com/nyulmc

www.youtube.com/nyulmc

 

 

 

 

Wow, that's crazy! I bet that's a way to "persuade" clients to use the online trainings. 

All the Best-

Deb

 

 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 6, 2015, at 1:04 PM, Alisa Brownlee <xxxxxx@alsa-national.org> wrote:

Hello all,

 

I wanted to ask if anyone else is now being charged for an AAC vendor field tech visit.  We have been quoted by two different reps the same price -- $500/hour.  This is for the local AAC vendor to go an either fix/train a person on the device. 

 

Anyone else getting quoted this charge?  Your thoughts???

 

Thanks,

 

Alisa

 

Alisa Brownlee, ATP

Manager, Assistive Technology Services

ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) Association, National Office and Greater Philadelphia Chapter

 

Office line: 215-631-1877

Business Cell: 610-812-0361

 

Twitter: alsassistivetec

Facebook: Alisa Brownlee ALS

 

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