There is something else we haven’t paid attention to. That Phonak also generated income from the sale of receivers, chargers and wax filters for the KS10/KS9
Phonak didn’t just make money from hearing aids.
1 Like
My KS8 aids actually had the Rexton model markings.
Really?
They registered the KS11 user portal in 2017, long before they parted ways with Phonak.
https://www.godaddy.com/whois/results.aspx?checkAvail=1&tmskey=&domain=Ks11userportal.com
How was it resolved? I only heard about the workaround where they would send you a matched set of aids and charger. That happened after the split. How does that resolve the issue for those needing to buy another charger?
This appears to me to be an underlying manufacturing or quality assurance issue that never should have escaped the factory.
1 Like
For those that they take what they read on the forum as a reliable “source,” remember that when we have discussions like this one, it’s all speculation. All we know currently is that 1) Costco is not currently selling a Kirkland model. 2)Costco has discontinued other Kirkland items. I’ll reiterate one of my favorite quotes reportedly by Yogi Berra. “Predictions are really hard, especially about the future.” Speculate away! 
Just poking around, I found this article (which is largely speculation) Costco Considers Closing Food Courts At US Stores - AisleofShame.com.
Costco closing it’s food courts would be far more “earth shattering” than not carrying a Kirkland hearing aid.
9 Likes
Before it was a thing being sold at Costco! before it was known if it was going to be Phonak.
What’s that link?
That shows when they registered the Dom.
Receivers, wax filters, cleaning were all free here in Texas. All part of the Costco package deal.
Entire replacement of hearing aids is never a problem either for the warranty period.
1 Like
Costco still needed to buy the parts from Phonak.
3 Likes
Quite a spicy stew of speculation here. Since I just came back from my overdue visit to tweak my KS10s for the first time, here’s what the Costco fitter had to say.
Apparently the Costco/Phonak/Charging kerfuffle came up just as bids were being requested for the upcoming KS11. Things went downhill fast for the relationship, declining to the point where now it’s similar to a bitter divorce. ‘I found more of your stuff. It’s in a box on the porch. You can come and pick it up.’
It’s gotten better, but there is no way Costco will be starting any new ventures with Phonak anytime soon. The good news is that Phonak support through Costco for their Kirkland Signature branded products is continuing without a hitch.
Also, the KS10 has been, hands down, the most popular, most value per dollar solution they’ve had.
And the KS11 is still coming. My contact is guessing it will be from Rexton, maybe in a month or so.
Or not. Who the heck knows?
2 Likes
For the time, the KS6, Resound LiNX, the first MFi aid would dispute that.
After suffering 4 years with Rexton KS8, I sincerely hope KS11 are not Rexton.
I have been driven to the expensive Oticon camp.
Interesting. I was just at Costco too and also learned that no problem sending aids back to Phonak for repair. Did learn that repairs after warranty is over is a little more expensive. I’d still be surprised if a KS11 showed up. The most consistent info I’ve heard is that the employees don’t know what’s coming until maybe a week before it arrives. I asked about the new Phillips 9040, which seems like a safe bet and they knew nothing. Also interesting about the Rexton speculation. Just before the KS10 came out, I asked the specialist I was seeing (who I really liked) if he’d heard anything and he was guessing it would be Rexton.
Have OTC aids shown up at Costco? Are/will they be sold from their HA shops?
They’re not available in their HA shops and am not aware of them being sold in store. I’m guessing they won’t, but purely a guess. For full disclosure, I’m a naysayer and I really don’t think OTC hearing aids are going to be a big deal. However, they will likely separate a fair amount of people from their money.
4 Likes
OTCs might actually be a benefit to the “real” HA market. Less effort, less cost, no feeling like you need to go see the “doctor,” just buying some new tech.
When they see these new products making a difference but not measuring up in some ways (short battery life, not being adjustable enough, hard to dial in, etc.), people might be more willing to consider real HAs.
Think of OTCs as being a gateway drug.
1 Like
That’s certainly a popular thought. Might also be like having an awful version of a food and never wanting to try it again.
1 Like
Or they might say “ KNEW hearing aids were a scam!”
2 Likes
I appreciate the insight. Obviously I treat carefully because it’s anyone’s guess where the KS11’s are going to come from.
In any case, I’m genuinely hoping that the pricing for the KS models remains relatively the same. My KS9’s cost me roughly $1,100 CAD ($800 US), and I’d like to see the trend continue downward. It’s disconcerting with what’s happened regarding Phonak, but I suppose change is good in a way.
1 Like
The bad news on the KS 9’s and KS10’s is that neither Costco nor the Manufacturer (where-ever Sonova has them assembled) Repair these HAs after they are out of warranty. People are selling them on EBay.
1 Like
Not totally accurate. They will repair them for at least 2 years after the warranty expires on a pay basis I was told. If they don’t, Citi Visa will end up refunding a lot of people $1399 for purchasing their KS10’s who used their Citi Visa for purchases which extends the manufacturer’s warranty an additional 2 years. Heck, the KS9 too. I would imagine a few people have sent their KS9’s in for repairs after 3 years for this same reason.
1 Like