I need to purchase a replacement Remote Control (part# 076-0065-P5). I paid $99 for it at Costco, where I bought my Phonak Brio BTEs, 2 years ago. Since, Phonak (Sonova Group) broke the relationship with Costco around October 2022, they no longer allow Costco to order Phonak parts/products. Phonak support stated via email this week that they do not sell online or directly to customers and I would need to reach out to authorized dealers. I called around and got a quote of about $500 for the remote that I paid $99 before. This an outrage and abandonment of disabled person like myself by Phonak/Sonova. Can someone please advise me what government agency can I file a complaint with: FTC, FCC or maybe another agency?
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I doubt complaining to anybody is going to do any good. If you want to solve your problem, check out EBay.
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It’s a business by Switzerland! Matchbox? 100$! An apple? 50$! Toilet paper roll? 500$! Remote control with 3 buttons? 500$!
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Phonak accessories are really expensive and the “mark up” is Huge. I almost think the company makes more money (profit) off Roger, remote control, TV adapter, etc., then hearing aids. Probably a toss up. With that said I had a small remote control on my key chain and then lost it. Phonak won’t replace lost accessories, even if under warranty. So now I just manually adjust volume bar on aid casing and use phone to adjust programs. After a couple months I realized there really is no reason for a hand held remote that’s over priced and easy to misplace.
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There is an alternative for everything you have mentioned. However, there is no alternative for proprietary product made only by Phonak. If they want to maintain unfair monopoly, then they need to answer to government rules and regulations. Some of their friends answered at Nuremberg last century for their infamous activities!
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