Very useful information in this book! Also, here are some tips regarding purchasing diabetes supplies on Amazon (or other supply sites):

If you are tired of using old-fashioned lancets, tired of waiting in line at your local pharmacy to purchase your testing supplies, tired of the complications of using regular blood glucose testing meters and test strips, or are even tired of using your current glucose meter because it just doesn't have the features you're looking for, you're in luck. Buying the right diabetes supplies for you doesn't require running across town anymore, and shopping online for diabetes supplies offers you a selection that you just can't find in most pharmacies. However, there are some differences among online diabetes supplies stores and some things to pay particular attention to when comparing both diabetes supplies and sites that sell diabetes supplies.

Features and functions to look for in diabetes supplies
If you think that shopping online for diabetes supplies would fit your needs, there are a few things to look for when shopping for the right diabetes supplies for you.

Price- of course, price should be a consideration for any purchase you make, including diabetes supplies. All other things being equal, it usually makes sense to go with the service that offers the lowest price. However, don't make price your only criteria for choosing the best diabetes supplies or diabetes supplies supply site.

Insurance- Many diabetes supplies supply sites will work directly with your insurance company or Medicare on the processing, paperwork, and payment for your diabetes supplies. Many times, you won't need to pay for the diabetes supplies upfront and will only be responsible for the co-pay and/or deductible. There may be limitations to how much Medicare or your insurance company will cover for your diabetes supplies, so make sure to find out what this amount is before buying any diabetes supplies online.

Selection- finding just the right diabetes supplies for you is important, and there can be a significant difference in selection among diabetes supplies stores. Don't just stop on the first site and pick something- do a little bit of browsing among sites first. As you visit the various diabetes supplies sites, check out the selection as it might surprise you how many different products are available. If you are looking for several different diabetes products, try to find a site where you can buy all of those products so that you don't have to pay for shipping more than once.

Timing- timing can be important for getting your diabetes supplies and replacement strips. When comparing diabetes supplies sites, find out how long it takes to ship the diabetes supplies, when they will be delivered, and if expedited shipping is possible.

See if the diabetes supplies supply site allows you to set up recurring shipments so that you know that your supplies are going to be there on time automatically.

Guarantee/returns- find out if there are any warranties or guarantees on any of the diabetes supplies or on the overall satisfaction of the service. Find out what these guarantees cover and what the remuneration is if something goes wrong. Also, find out if there is a return policy and how are returns made.

The functionality of site- the best online diabetes supplies sites are clearly organized and easy to navigate. The best sites will also let you search easily by price or category to quickly find the diabetes supplies that would fit your needs. Look for an easy-to-use shopping cart and checkout process.

Customer service- the better the online glucose supply store, the better the customer service they will provide. Look for sites that have extensive FAQ sections, have a friendly interface, and several options to contact customer service (via email, chat, or phone, etc.). Find out what hours customer service is open and how long the response time is.

Frequent buyer/rewards program- check to see if the online diabetes supplies store you'd like to use has any sort of loyalty program that gives you benefits if you use their service multiple times. It might not make sense to pay more for the same diabetes supplies just to be a part of a loyalty program, so compare around to see if it will be worth it to you.

Shipping- Shipping costs add to the total cost of anything you buy online, including diabetes supplies, but this cost is usually offset compared to buying in a store because you typically don't need to pay sales tax. Compare shipping costs among online sites as they may vary. If applicable for your particular supplies, you might want to find out if shipping insurance is included or available as an option.

How to find the best diabetes supplies for you
The main advantage to shopping for diabetes supplies in pharmacies is that you can see and touch the items for yourself; you can also bring them home that day instead of waiting a few days or weeks for shipping. In contrast, shopping online for diabetes supplies can be a lot more convenient and efficient than driving across and around town to visit the various stores in person, especially if there is no pharmacy close to you; shopping online for diabetes supplies can also be done 24 hours a day.

To go a step further in finding the right diabetes supplies for you, it might pay to ask your doctor, friends, and peers if they have had any experience with specific diabetes supply manufacturers and/or suppliers. Also, you may consider the brand name as a criterion. Generally, the best-known and most successful businesses are those that do a good job, earn repeat business, and build a good reputation over the course of time.