How Much Does Fitstar Cost?
Fitstar by Fitbit, now known as Fitbit Coach after it acquired the company, is a separate app that’s designed to help you have a variety of short workout programs that you’re capable of doing inside of your home without the use of any pricy equipment.
According to the company, you can “get fit anytime, anywhere” with access to unlimited adaptive video workouts and audio coaching.
How much does Fitstar cost?
According to the official website, and the official app when downloaded, members have two options — the annual subscription, which retails for $39.99 per year or a $7.99 a month option. The app is free to download and use, but to access the content, you will need to sign up for a premium account.
What’s included in the annual subscription?
Fitness programs evolve, offering you personalized video workouts that adjust based on your goals, current progress and feedback.
The app offers unlimited variety and access, with new workouts/content added regularly.
Members are able to find programs that suit their schedule, ranging from as little as seven minutes to as long as one hour.
Multiple coach/personal trainers are available, allowing members to choose a professional that’s right for their workout regime.
You’re able to run or walk while being audio coached, designed to help increase your endurance and speed.
Choose from a variety of energizing music stations to help motivate you.
What exactly is Fitstart?
Fitstar is known to basically be a “personal trainer in your pocket,” allow you to gain access to workouts, fitness plans and personalized coaching as long as you pay the subscription fee. The whole idea behind the app, according to imore.com, is a simple one — to have a variety of short workout videos that you’re able to do inside of your home without the need to purchase any expensive equipment. Glancing at the app, members have access to a succession of quick workouts, categorized by muscle groups and specific exercise classes.
Tips to know
Fitbit Coach works with iOS, Android phones and almost all Internet browsers.
Members are able to use their Fitbit Ionic watch to access audio coaching and video workouts, all from your wrist.
Aside from English, additional languages are available, including German, Spanish and Portuguese.
In the past, Fitstar was a separate entity but was later purchased by Fitbit.
How Much Does Avastin Cost?
Avastin or bevacizumab, made by Genentech, is approved for patients with breast, colon and lung cancer and is designed in a way to cut off the tumors’ blood supply.
How much does Avastin cost?
The cost of Avastin will depend on a variety of factors, including the reason for treatment, the doctor you use, your geographical location and the number of treatments required going forward. The New York Times, for example, noted the cost of this cancer drug can cost upwards of $100,000 per year, while an injection for your eyes to treat wet AMD, for instance, can cost as little as $50 per injection. The costs, dependent upon the patients’ weight and the type of cancer, can average $4,000 to more than $10,000 a month without any insurance coverage, with a full course averaging at least $50,000+.
As for health insurance coverage, Medicare, for example, typically pays 80 percent but will require the doctor or hospital to be paid in the amount of the drug’s average selling price, plus a markup of five to six percent. While most health insurance companies will cover the drug, the amount you’re responsible for will primarily depend on your insurance policy restrictions, your deductibles and co-pays. In the New York Times article mentioned prior, it’s not too uncommon to find out that your insurance company will make you pay a percentage of your total bill. For example, one patient they talked to who had colon cancer was charged $6,000 a month and was responsible for $1,500 of that. To know what you’re responsible for, talk with your insurance company to see what you may need to budget.
How to save on Avastin
Manufacturer coupon: The official manufacturer of the drug, Genentech, does offer the Genentech BioOncology Co-Pay Card, a co-pay card that covers at least 80 percent of each infusion or prescription so that you only pay the remaining 20 percent. To qualify, you must have commercial insurance and will have to register online via the official website at copayassistancenow.com.
Patient assistance programs: Aside from the typical government assistance, multiple non-profit organizations are out there that are able to help cover all of a portion of your medication as long as you meet the program’s eligibility terms. Genentech Access Solutions, for example, allows potential applicants to receive the medication at no cost as long as the applicant has no insurance and a limited income. Another program, Good Days Patient Assistance Program, can also help applicants out as long as you have a valid insurance policy and a prescription. The program also asks you have been diagnosed with the disease to be eligible. There are a lot of programs such as the ones mentioned and a quick online search can often yield multiple results to help you save on your upcoming doctor’s appointment.
Avastin side effects
The most common side effects seen, as per the official website, includes high blood pressure, high protein levels in the urine, nosebleeds, back pain, headaches, taste change, dry skin, inflammation and watery eyes. More serious, yet possible side effects may include a severely high blood pressure, kidney problems, infusion problems, heart problems or a nervous system/vision problems. Blindness was also a concern in some cases.
This is not a full list of side effects you may experience; for more information, refer to this FDA guide.
What is Avastin?
Avastin is a man-made antibody (IgG1) that is used to help treat multiple cancers, including, cervical, colon, kidney, lung, ovarian and rectal cancer. It can also treat certain cancers found in the fallopian tube or the lining of the abdominal wall, as well as certain brain tumors. The medication works by blocking the VEGF protein in order to decrease the blood supply to help slow the tumor growth. The medication is always administered by a healthcare professional, with the first dosage given over 90 minutes and subsequent dosages given over a shorter period, usually 60 or 30 minutes long. The actual dosage will be based on the patient’s weight, medical condition and how well they responded to past therapies.
Tips to know
As one of the most popular cancer treatment drugs in the world, Avastin had sales surpassing $3.5 billion in 2007.
Genentech, as per the AAO, has not sought FDA approval for Avastin when used for the treatment of wet AMD; however, in February 2004, the FDA did approve the medication for colon cancer.
Avastin has a high price tag when used for colon cancer, but when used for eye treatments, it only uses 1/40th of the drug for each dose, hence the lower-than-average price tag.
Eylea Injections Cost
Eylea, an injectable medicine for the eye available by prescription only, is used to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), macular edema and diabetic retinopathy for patients who suffer from diabetic macular edema. This injectable medicine is designed to help slow down the disease and help maintain vision.
How much does Eylea cost?
The cost of Eylea primarily depends upon your health insurance coverage and the doctor you choose for your treatment. According to this Chicago Tribune article, the reported costs be dose is said to be $2,000 per injection without insurance, with Medicare covering it. If you do have a health insurance policy, talk with your provider and/or doctor’s office to know what you will be responsible for as the thousands of policies on the market do vary in terms of coverage, co-pays and deductibles. Eylea is only available in a 0.05 ml single-use vial, with each vial designed for single eye use only.
According to the company’s official website, they do offer a comprehensive support program that is designed to help eligible patients with the cost of the medication if you’re unable to afford it and/or your health insurance company doesn’t cover it. To learn more about this support program, you can view the official brochure to see if the company can help. If approved, you can receive up to $10,000 in assistance per year.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Eylea costs about $1,800~, while its competitors, Avastin, retails for $50, whereas Lucentis can cost $2,000. The higher price tags, as per the Academy, is due to the costly process of FDA approval and the intended usage. While Avastin can be as much as Eylea when used for colon cancer, it’s a fraction of the costs for eye injections since it only uses 1/40th of the drug in a single dosage.
How does the medicine work?
Wet macular degeneration will occur when the atypical blood vessels start to grow beneath the retina, leaking blood and/or a fluid that begins to cause blurry vision. A chemical known as a vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, is what is responsible for this growth, and anti-VEGF treatments, such as Eylea, seek out these damaging VEGF molecules and will block them, essentially reducing the growth and leaking, helping stabilize your vision and even improve your sight in some circumstances.
These treatments are always performed inside your ophthalmologist’s office, where he or she will administer anesthetic and antiseptic drops on the eyes to help numb it, followed by administering the drug via an injection. While the needle sounds scary, Raj Maturi, M.D., via AAO.org, notes the needle is “very small and the injection is very quick – a fraction of a second.” Your doctor, in most cases, will recommend you come back every couple of weeks or months depending on your individual case since each situation will be unique. Repeated treatments will be necessary to see a continued benefit.
Eylea side effects
Common side effects include bleeding of the tissues that cover the white part of the eye, eye pain, floaters, cataracts, increased eye pressure and/or the separation of the gel-like substance from the retina. For a full list of side effects, refer to this FDA guide.
Eylea injection frequency
The recommended dosages vary depending upon the reason for treatment, with the averages noted below:
For neovascular (Wet) age-related muscular degeneration (AMD), a 2 mg injection is injected every four weeks for the first three months, followed by a 2 mg injection once every eight weeks.
For macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO), a 2 mg injection is recommended every four weeks.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with diabetic macular edema may receive a two mg injection into the eye every four weeks for the first five injections, followed by two mg injections every eight weeks after.
Tips to know
Eylea is approved by the FDA for use in the eye and was approved in November 2011.
How Much Does a Dumbwaiter Cost?
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Powerlift Dumbwaiters, a family-owned operation founded by John Reite in 1972, is similar to a small elevator, but instead of transporting people, it was designed to help transport materials from one floor to another.
Historically known for bringing food from the basement into the kitchen, the uses are varied today, from bringing toting laundry from the upstairs to the basement or carrying firewood from the basement floor to the upper floors, the uses are endless.
How much does a dumbwaiter cost?
The cost of the actual dumbwaiter product will depend on the exact product you want as the company does offer a variety of options, which we will describe in the table below.
Model | Price Quoted (via official website) |
---|---|
Powerlift 100 | - 2 stop: $3,895 - 3 stop: $5,195 - 4 stop: $6,495 |
Powerlift 200 | - 2 stop: $4,595 - 3 stop: $5,895 - 4 stop: $7,195 |
Powerlift 300 | - 2 stop: $5,745 - 3 stop: $6,995 - 4 stop: $8,295 |
Powerlift MJ-500 | - 2 stop: $7,995 - 3 stop: $10,245 - 4 stop: $12,270 |
As for the installation, the cost of hiring a professional contractor will depend on a few factors, including the scope of your job, the contractor you hire and your geographical region. For just the installation, be prepared to budget anywhere from $500 to $1,000 based on the research we did. The company allows any contractor to install the dumbwaiter, and as per the FAQ, a professional will only need to build a shaft to house the dumbwaiter, making the installation “very easy,” only requiring basic tools. In some counties, however, a local code enforcement inspector may be required to see if a special license is needed, which could increase the costs mentioned above.
In conclusion, the total costs, including installation, can range anywhere from $4,400 to as much as $14,000+ in total.
In this New York Times article, for example, they noted a basic dumbwaiter can start at $4,000 and can be installed by a do-it-yourselfer; however, if you were to hire a contractor, a standard, two-stop dumbwaiter can cost another $750 or so.
What’s included in the price?
The number following the series indicates the weight capacity; for example, the Powerlift 200 will have a 200-pound weight limit, whereas the 500 series has a 500-pound weight limit. Today, most elevators are powered by electricity but some manual models can be found, which are designed to be pulled up and down via a pulley system.
As for the stops indicated in the price section, this simply indicates how many stops the elevator can make as it goes up and down the floor, with five and six stop dumbwaiter elevators available for an additional cost. While the company does not note the price, they do ask you to call them for prices. At a minimum, all models are designed to make at least two stops, but according to SilverCross.com, there are some options that can offer an unlimited amount of stops.
All models can be opened on any three sides at no additional charge.
All of the low voltage wirings will come prewired with plugs for easy installation, as well as furnished call/send buttons, door locks and safety switches.
The motor can be mounted either at the top or bottom.
Powder coated car, rail assembly and trolley.
Pillow block top fixture.
All residential dumbwaiters come with a 5-year, parts only, limited warranty, while the commercial versions come with a two-year, parts-only, limited warranty.
Additional options available for an additional cost
- Stainless steel units and/or cars
- Car shelving
- Car here lights
- Metal access and hoistway doors
- Car gates, bi-parting, slide-up
- ASME 17.1 package
- Powder coated car panels
- Keyed on/off switch designed to lock the dumbwaiter
- Top and bottom final limits
- 220V – 3/4 HP motor or 240 Volt – 3/4 HP 50 Hz motors for European markets
- Interlocks
Tips to know
The average installation job will take anywhere from two to five hours, with the total time dependent upon how many accessories and/or stops are required. Each stop, as per the official FAQ, should take about 60 minutes each to install.
On average, dumbwaiters can travel 20 to 30 feet per minute, with higher-end models traveling upwards of 50.
A permit may be required before you hire a contractor. To know for certain, talk with your local code enforcement office to see if a permit is required.
Maintenance is very minimal, according to the official company’s website, with only bi-annual maintenance required such as checking the chain tension and adjusting and/or lubricating as needed.
Crunchyroll Subscription Cost
Crunchyroll claims to be the world’s largest destination for everything anime and manga, boasting a global community of more than 40+ million users and more than 1 million subscribers as of this publishing.
Founded by a group of UC, Berkeley grads in 2006, the company is known for its anime such as manga, live-action dramas and Naruto Shippuden, according to LifeHacker.com.
While the service is available for free with limitations, there’s a premium version that allows members to watch content ad-free with access to simulcasts immediately after its Japanese broadcast.
How much does a Crunchyroll subscription cost?
At the time of this publishing, the company had three membership plans available: a $6.95 monthly plan, $19.95 three-month plan and $59.95 annual plan. The company, as per its pricing page, also offers a free two-week trial for all new incoming members. To purchase, you can either do so via Paypal or a credit card.
The free version, if you decide to not become a premium member, will offer ads and the video quality is subject to 480p, plus, to keep it free, free members are also limited to the choices in the inventory, with most episodes, according to DailyDot.com, being about 20 minutes long, with three ad breaks per episode. While it can be free per se, the “free” account will be quite limited in comparison to the premium option.
What’s included in a premium subscription?
The company notes that with a premium membership, you will receive access to the newest episodes of your favorite shows, all ad-free in HD. In addition to access to the company’s entire lineup, premium members also receive VIP customer service and discounts to the online store.
Today, according to LifeHacker.com, Crunchyroll, has more than 800 anime in its roster, with popular shows included such as Attack on Titan, Dragon Ball Super, Yuri on Ice, My Hero Academia, Blue Exorcist, Naruto Shippuden, One Piece and many niche shows such as Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid, Fuuka, Schoolgirl Strikers, and Kemono Friends. All of these shows will have subtitles and will not be available in English, meaning you will have to read during the shows. As mentioned, you can view the shows one hour after the original time in Japan. To date, there are more than 25,000 streaming episodes available.
Every 30 days, premium members are able to give two 48-hour guest passes to friends to let them test the experience.
Tips to know
As long as you have an Internet-connected device, you can use the service on Apple TV, iOS, Android, Wii U, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, Windows Phone, Roku, Amazon Fire and Kindle Fire. Aside from these options, Crunchyroll can be played on any Internet browser as well.
In LifeHacker’s comparison with Funimation, they recommend Crunchyroll for those who want the hottest and newest shows and do not mind the subs. If you’re not into the niche anime shows and hate reading subtitles, then the website recommends you consider Funimation instead, a similar service offered at almost identical prices.
How Much Does Aimovig Cost?
Aimovig, used to prevent migraine headaches, is a migraine medication available by prescription only and is approved by the FDA.
Being an antibody, just like the antibodies in our natural immune system, which are designed to help attack viruses and other intruders, these antibodies within the injection, unlike our natural ones, are produced in a lab, designed to hook onto the receptors known to react with a protein called CGRP. While professionals are unsure why the CGRP levels increase during a migraine, the maker of the drug notes that may be a connection between CGRP, the CGRP receptors and a migraine.
How much does Aimovig cost?
Like most prescriptions, the cost of Aimovig will depend on the dosage/quantity, the pharmacy you choose and your health insurance coverage. Based on these factors, the average cost of two 70mg/ml sureclicks averages about $600 each without any insurance or discounts. Since you use the injection once a month, this is the price you should be prepared to budget for monthly.
As per GoodRX.com, Medicare will not cover this drug and the same can be said about multiple private health insurance companies; however, this doesn’t mean you cannot save money and/or your health insurance company will help reimburse you. When filling any prescription, be sure to talk with your health insurance company to see what you may be responsible for if you were prescribed this medication. However, be prepared for a denial as we didn’t find anyone as of yet who was approved via their carrier, but to be fair, this drug is relatively new to the market, so things can change in the future.
FiercePharma.com notes the official list price is $6,900 a year or about $75 for once monthly self-injections.
How to save on Aimovig
Aimovig coupon: The official manufacturer of the drug, Amgen, offers the Aimovig Copay Support program, a program that is designed to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses to as little as $0 as long as you qualify. As per the fine print on the official website, it appears the “pay as little as $5” is designed for eligible patients who have commercial insurance and eligibility is not based on your income. To see if you qualify, visit aimovigcopaysupport.com to enroll and see if you qualify.
Coupons: Online third-party prescription coupon-based websites, such as GoodRX.com, offer coupons that you can print from home and simply display at your local pharmacy to pay the price listed on the website. Granted, if you do consider this route, then you can only use the coupon or your health insurance card — no in between. With multiple coupon-based websites online, search to see which website is currently offering the best deal, and even if you have health insurance, be sure to compare the two prices to see which option is best for your wallet.
Free trial: On the official website of the drug, you can try Aimovig for two months at no cost as long as you meet the eligibility criteria and program terms. You can learn more about the program by visiting the official website.
Aimovig side effects
The most common side effects reported include reactions at the injection site, constipation, cramps and/or muscle spasms, according to multiple medical studies. This is not a full list; for more side effects reported, refer to this FDA guide.
Tips to know
The medicine is designed as an injection beneath the skin and you will be taught how to use the medicine before you leave your doctor’s office. As with any medication, be sure to use the drug as expected — don’t inject less, more or stop without your doctor’s consent.
Aimovig is the first and only FDA-approved treatment to help block the calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRP-R), which plays an important role in a migraine, according to this Novartis press release. It was approved by the FDA in May of 2018.
How Much Does Duexis Cost?
Duexis, a combination of famotidine, a type of antihistamine which blocks the release of the stomach acid and helps prevent stomach problems from the ibuprofen, and ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is a prescription medication in the form of a tablet used to treat the symptoms associated with arthritis pain.
How much does Duexis cost?
The cost of Duexis will depend on a few factors, just like any other medication, including your health insurance policy, the dosage, quantity and where you have your prescription filled. Based on all of these factors and our research, the total cost of Duexis can vary anywhere from $850 for 30 800mg tablets to as much as $2,500+ for 90 800mg tablets. As of this publishing, Duexis is only available in 26.6 mg-800 mg strength.
30 tablets | $850 |
60 tablets | $1,700 |
90 tablets | $2,500 |
As for health insurance coverage, GoodRX.com does note that Medicare does not cover this drug, but your co-pay with other insurance companies will depend, with co-pay price ranges reportedly to be in the $95 to $2,855 range. To be for certain, however, check with your health insurance provider or talk with your local pharmacy to see what you may be responsible for. Using your health insurance isn’t the only way to save as there are other ways, which we get into below, as to ways to save on Duexis.
Why is Duexis so expensive?
The medication was approved in 2011, and as noted, it’s simply a combination of both ibuprofen (Advil) and famotidine (Pepcid) at a dose of 800 mg and 26.6 mg. While you can buy ibuprofen and famotidine over the counter, the combination of these drugs are designed to help protect the stomach from the ibuprofen, but according to this GoodRX.com guide, there’s no evidence that a combination pill works better than taking the prescriptions separately.
As for the expensive price tag, the answer isn’t definitive, but from answers from representatives in the past, they claim the price is based on the value it brings to patients, while some economists simply call the price tag a “scam.”
How to save money on Duexis
Manufacturer coupon program: The official manufacturer of the drug, Horizon Pharma offers the Duexis Savings Plus Program, a savings program designed to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs to as little as $0, with a maximum savings of $1,200. According to the terms and conditions on the website, you will need to be an eligible patient with commercial insurance and the offer cannot be combined with any other offers, including those who are on government assistance. To learn more about the program, refer to the official Duexis website to apply.
A separate prescription? As noted, Duexis is a combination of two medications, which can be prescribed separately, and in most cases, the separate prescription can be much cheaper in some cases; however, as the label does note, it clearly states “do not substitute DUEXIS with the single-ingredient products of ibuprofen and famotidine.” Talk with your doctor about separate prescriptions if you’re concerned about the price at your local pharmacy. The New York Times, for example, noted that if the two drugs were prescribed separately, it would cost no more than $40 a month.
Support programs: Aside from the coupon program and your health insurance, countless non-profit organizations exist that are designed to help pay for your medication as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. The Horizon Patient Assistance Program, for example, can help you out financially as long as you meet the restrictions such as a proof of household income and a valid prescription. Other support programs do exist and a simple Google search can often yield multiple results.
Longer supply: If your doctor knows you will need the medication for more than 30 days, then you may want to ask for a longer supply since this can sometimes cut down the costs of the medication by 5% or more.
Duexis side effects
- Allergic reactions such as swelling, chest tightness, trouble breathing, itching or hives
- Unusual bleeding, bruising or weakness
- Dark urine, nausea, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes
- Fever, stiff neck or neck pain
- Sudden headaches or problems with walking, speech or vision
- A decrease in how often you urinate or rapid increase in weight gain.
- Red skin rash, peeling or blistering
- Fast, slow or pounding heartbeat
- Severe stomach pain, bloody, black or tarry stools
This is not a full list of side effects; for an in-depth list, refer to this FDA guide
Tips to know
As of 2018, no generic equivalent is available.
For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis sufferers, your doctor will more than likely prescribe three tablets per day.
How Much Does Addyi Cost?
Addyi, a prescription-based drug commonly referred to as the “pink pill,” is used to help treat a low sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women who have not gone through menopause, have a low sexual desire and/or a low sexual desire regardless of the sexual activity and is commonly prescribed for women who find their sexual desire to be troublesome and is not due to other medicines, mental health, problems in a relationship and/or drug abuse.
As per the drug information, this medicine is not available for women who have undergone menopause, for men or designed to help increase sexual performance.
How much does Addyi cost?
In general, from our research, health insurance providers will not cover this prescription if your doctor were to prescribe it, and for that reason, the costs will generally depend on the number of tablets prescribed and the pharmacy you choose, but for the most part, the average cost per 30 tablets of 100mg of Addyi tends to be in the $415 range, according to GoodRx.com. This is the price if you were to not have adequate health insurance cover and you didn’t take advantage of any discounts the company offered.
The official website of Addyi had an advertisement on its website, claiming you could talk with a doctor over the phone for $75 and pay as little as $25 if your insurance company did not cover the drug or you were uninsured. In the fine print, it did note that you will never pay more than $99 a month should your insurer not cover Addyi or you’re uninsured. This is accurate as of 2018 and is subject to change. Do read the fine print and the past link for more details.
In conclusion, it appears if you work with the drug manufacturer, your drug will probably be less than $99 a month; however, if you were to purchase directly without any health insurance or financial assistance, then the costs would be closer to the $415 a month range.
How to save on Addyi
Take advantage of the manufacturer’s discounted program: The official manufacturer of the drug, Sprout Pharmaceuticals, does offer the Sprout Access Program, a program which helps you reduce your co-pay to as little as $25 on your first fill for those with health insurance or as little as $150 for cash paying patients. To see if you qualify, you can follow this official link and fill out the questionnaire to see if you can save on your new prescription. According to the fine print, it is only open to patients with commercial insurance and eligible uninsured patients and is not valid for anyone as part of a federal, state or a governmental program.
Larger supply: A 90-day supply tends to be cheaper than a 30-day supply and if you know you will need the medicine for a longer-than-average time, then be sure to ask your doctor for a longer prescription to help save on the costs. The drug, as per Rxeconsult.com, does note it will be discontinued if you see no change within eight weeks.
Coupons: GoodRX.com, for example, works a lot like your health insurance policy. To take advantage, all you need to do is find your local pharmacy, pick your dosage and print out the coupon to bring in to your local pharmacy to pay the price listed on the website. If you were to use this option, however, do keep in mind that you will not be able to use your health insurance if they did cover the medication; it’s either this coupon or your health insurance, no mixing the two.
Risks and side effects
The drug, according to LifeHacker.com, can include sedation, dizziness and sleepiness, the main reason it should be taken right before bedtime. The medication can also cause lower blood pressure and in rare circumstances, fainting. According to regulators, though, this only happened to a select few during medical studies and users are likely to experience it while drinking alcohol. Other side effects include somnolence, fatigue, dry mouth, anxiety, constipation, abdominal pain, rashes, vertigo and appendicitis.
Addyi reviews
With less than 10 reviews on Drugs.com, consumers gave the drug an average of a 4.4 out of 10, with some noting the drug made them very tired, almost like they were drunk, while another stated it started to work after the third week but only lasted a few days. Others noted massive mood swings and felt it wasn’t worth it.
On EverydayHealth.com, three people gave the drug an average of 2.5 out of 5 stars, with two negative reviewers noting it was great as a sleeping pill and nothing else, while the lone five-star reviewer claimed it works just as described.
Lastly, on PeoplesPharmacy.com, 45 visitors gave the drug a 4.5 out of 5 stars, with the high majority said it truly works, while others noted you should be aware of the side effects once you stop the drug since it does affect your brain chemistry.
Tips to know
Dosages are often at bedtime, once a day, taken with a full glass of water. If taken at any time other than your bedtime, then it can increase your chances of a lower blood pressure, accidental injury, daytime drowsiness, and/or fainting. Never stop taking the medicine without doctor’s orders and be sure to take at regular intervals to reach the drug’s maximum efficiency.
As of today, a generic version of the drug or a drug similar to Addyi is not available on the market.
The drug was approved by the FDA in August of 2015.
How Much Does InventHelp Cost?
Since 1984 InventHelp has helped inventors across the United States submit their invention idea, with more than 9,000 patent referrals leading to a patent.
Known for their popular television commercials, the company, as of today, has more than 60 regional sales offices located throughout the world.
How much does InventHelp cost?
According to the company’s official FAQ page, they will charge a fee for their submission services, and its sister company, Intromark Incorporated, takes a percentage from any invention that becomes a financial gain in the future, but such gains, as the FAQ notes, can be rare and the company relies on the payment of fees to help perform their services. While the official website does not note the official prices for their services, we were able to find prices via third-party sources online as to what you should be prepared to budget if you were to consider their services.
To start the process, also referred to as the first phase, it appears you have to pay anywhere in the $800 to $1,000 range to start working with the company and this phase will include a nice book with a description of your invention and a notice that your invention is patentable. According to inventorwarning.wordpress.com, most invention help companies, including InventHelp.com, will work this way. After they learn of your idea and you pay the startup fee, they will then push to phase two, regardless of how poor your product may be.
From there, you will be asked to go to the second phase, which, from our research, can start in the low $xx,xxx range, while some people stated they had to pay a monthly payment, broken down to about $250 to $300 a month with a mid $x,xxx down payment to keep the account active. During this phase, the company is said to help market your idea and attempt to get a patent.
One reviewer on a ConsumerAffairs.com reviewer thread, for instance, stated he had to pay $10,000 to start the process plus another $1,000 to perform the patent search, all of which takes up to 15 months to perform. Another said they invest close to $52,000 with the company and was never issued one patent after the process.
In conclusion, it seems it averages $700 to $1,000 to start, with most people spending anywhere from $7,000 to $50,000+ during the process in hopes of a patent. The company and the reviews online do not that nothing is guaranteed and your chances of a patent are said to be 1 in 40 odds. Depending on how long you want to remain active in the company while working on your invention and receiving your patent, your costs can greatly vary.
The New York Times, in its interview, noted the average two-year agreement can cost anywhere from $800 to $10,000 depending upon how detailed the marketing plan. In its interview, only three percent of its clients did receive licensing details from known retailers. This fee would not include the cost of a lawyer if you were to need outside legal help.
On this TheWorkingInventor.com post, he was quoted $199 for the patent search and $746 for the company’s “basic information package” for a total of $945. The second phase was quoted at $10,900.
How InventHelp works
The process seems to be similar for most, but it could vary for some. In a nutshell, here’s what to expect:
During the first meeting, you will first be asked to sign a “Statement of Confidentiality and Non-Use,” which basically states that your invention will not be sold, assigned, disclosed or used by any other person or organization without your permission. Once signed, you will be asked to fill out the form to note that you’re disclosing your invention to InventHelp, followed by a series of questions in relation to your invention. After you fill out the form and explain your invention, the manager at the office will ask about your invention and talk about the patent process.
The second stage of the meeting, which happens at a later date, involves a presentation by the sales manager, in which he or she will explain the costs of the first phase, which often includes the patent search and a basic information package that is a glossy hard bound book that provides basic information about your product. As stated above, this entire first phase will be close to $1,000.
If you do decide to pay the first phase fee, you will then be asked to sign an Affirmative Disclosure Form, which can start at $10,900 to $15,900+ and will include marketing, promotional services and licensing, and this fee will depend on the circumstances of your meeting. The marketing period, which is cloudy according to most online, will get you placed in some catalogs at local trade shows, where the company will market your invention to potential retailers that may be interested in your product.
InventHelp reviews
On its official BBB review page, the company had a total of 23 reviews at the time of this publishing, with 12 positive and 10 negatives. The positive reviewers boasted about the customer service and help provided throughout the entire process, while the negative reviewers seemed to complain about the high costs, unprofessional products and unprofessional customer service. As per many of the review websites we did find online, the reviews seemed to be mixed and would greatly depend on the customer service representative you were working with and how successful your patent could be.
Via the 50+ reviews on Inventhelp.reviews.com, a subsidiary of Pissed Consumer.com, the reviews were also mixed, with a lot of people saying the process was truly “wonderful,” allowing them to take the right steps to ensure their product was patented properly, while, again, like the BBB reviews, many moaned about the price, saying they never saw results in the end.
Tips to know
To learn about the company, you can provide your name and email information to have free information sent to you about the process. The company also has 60 offices located across the world to help set up an in-person discussion.
InventHelp does not offer any legal advice on patents and will encourage its customers to seek legal advice for any questions in regards to the legalities.
How Much Does Instant Checkmate Cost?
Instant Checkmate is a public records search service, allowing you to search social media, police records, civil judgments, background checks and much more instantly as long as the person lives in the United States. To start, the company asks for the person’s first and last name, city and location, and with this information, they will pull information from multiple sources and create an easy-to-read background check report.
At the time of this publishing, the website claims to have processed more than 1.3 billion searches, which continues to grow as of today.
How much does Instant Checkmate cost?
At the time of this publishing, the company offers two basic membership plans, with each plan billed up front for the entire term selected, and like most recurring subscription services, your credit card will continue to be billed by default until you cancel your service. In order to cancel your membership once you subscribe, you will either have to email the company, call their toll-free line or submit an online request form.
Since the website isn’t straightforward with its fees and makes you wait quite a long time as you research the individual, the prices can be hard to find right away. Sadly, in order to see the costs, you will need to run person’s name through the system, which, in some cases, can take as long as 10 minutes to do so. To save you the time, we ran a report on a sample subject and were able to find the prices, which we note below inside of the table.
1 month of unlimited reports | $34.78 a month |
3 months of unlimited reports | $27.82 a month (billed $83.47 at the time of purchase) |
NOTE: Accurate as of 2018 and the fees are subject to change. These are the fees for unlimited reports, with no free option or individual report available. Instant Checkmate, regardless of how you use it, will cost money.
While we did find this link, we did see on the terms and conditions page that the company did offer a trial membership plan, which would cost $1 for five days of use, and if you do not cancel within the five days, then you will be automatically billed per month at the current monthly rates. In some cases, again, according to the same page, the company may offer the opportunity for the purchase of an individual report, said to be $19.99 each, but this will depend on the time of promotion. With all of this being said, be sure to check for any promotional opportunities before making your purchase to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible at the time.
What’s included in the fee?
According to the official website, they offer a standard report and premium report option, both of which vary with the inclusions and each report will vary depending upon the individual as public records will have varying amounts for each person you search.
The standard report includes personal information (date of birth and phone numbers), any related individual to the individual researched, contact details, their location history, criminal records, traffic violations, vehicle information, social media profiles, FAA pilot licenses, DEA controlled substances licenses, nearby sex offenders and horoscope information.
As for the premium reports, this information may include civil judgments, corporate affiliations, UCC filings, hunting/fishing permits, watercraft ownership, old phone numbers, properties owned, tax liens, any professional licenses on file, foreclosures, weapons permit, foreclosures, nearby neighbors and business associates.
Instant Checkmate reviews
On its official BBB reviews and complaint page, 185 customers gave the company a “negative” review, whereas 9 gave it a “positive” review. The most common culprit, in regards to the negative review, was in regards to the billing policy, inaccurate results and the hard “cancellation” process.
Via Highya.com, close to 500 reviewers gave the company a 3.5 out of five-star rating, with the positive reviewers boasting of its easy-to-read layout and the negative reviewers claiming the same problems like the BBB reviews, noting it was hard to cancel and noted multiple inaccuracies.
Top 10 Reviews claimed it was ranked sixth in background check services, with a total 7.68 out of 10 rating. The major con, as per their detailed guide, was the monthly subscription setup.
Tips to know
Instant Checkmate does note they are not considered to be a Consumer Reporting Agency and you are not allowed to use the service for employment screening, screening household workers, tenant screening, assessing professional services, determining education/scholarship qualifications and/or making a decision about insurance/credit eligibility. You are allowed to use it to find nearby sex offenders, see who your new neighbors are, learn more about your family members, see the parents of childhood friends, find old friends/classmates, screen new dates and/or check out your own history, to name a few.
Some of the downfalls to the service, as per many of the reviews we read online, is that the company actually pulls much of its information via public records and sources it all in one place, putting it into an easy-to-read report. For most, you can find a lot of the information you do see on the standard reports on Whitepages.com, for example, but this isn’t always the case, however, as you may need to pay to access certain criminal reports, etc.
As of 2018, the company has an A+ BBB rating with 185 negative reviews and 9 positive reviews.