Hi guys,
Transmitter has a build date of 2020-08-10, and an “expiry” of 2021-08-10.
By now do you think this transmitter is done for? Or still able to be used? I might only be starting it in a month. It is all still in the box.
I am still on the G5 and I know they would eventually go bad in the box, even with the magnet thing that they come with (what does that even do anyway? I’ve taken apart the transmitters and can’t see how that would change anything inside the transmitter)
Unfortunately, you have absolutely no clue. That expiration date doesn’t mean the battery is dead, it means that Dexcom won’t offer the 90 day lifespan warranty on it. It’s entirely use at your own risk. Batteries in these things vary so much that no one person’s experience would be worth much to you.
I think it depends on the cost of the supplies, personally. If they’re dirt cheap, and you wouldn’t be mad to get less than a months worth out of them… Or maybe none… Then go for it. You might just get a full run. If it’s more money then you’re willing to risk with no warranty and no guarantees, then definitely pass.
I am not sure it matters, but it is not clear to me whether you are asking about a G6 transmitter or a G5 transmitter. The title of your topic explicitly asks about G6 transmitters. On the other hand, your post says you are still using the G5.
So, what’s up with this? 
I think you have a typo there. You could edit your post to correct the expiration date.
Oh yes you’re right. Also someone else told me the second number is the “sell before date”, and not expiry?
Yes, of course. This is certainly true in my experience with food products. (Amazing the things one will try during covid self-isolation. 
)
I still tend to reflexively refer to it as the “expiration” date. It truly is an expiration date in the overly technical sense that it is the date the warranty expires. 
This only applied to G4 transmitters.
G5 and G6 will both slowly lose battery power about same rate while in box.
The key date is ship date and first day used.
From Dexcom:
A single Dexcom G6 transmitter lasts for three months (90 days), starting from the first time you snap it into a sensor–provided that it is used within five months of its shipping date.
I suggest to start G6 within 5 months (of ship) even if you have G5 still left. This will give you full warranty on G6 and replacement if it doesn’t last 90 days.
Ok great thanks.
If you start it on 2021-08-10 you are guaranteed 90 days. You have almost another 7 months to use it.
I may be misunderstanding this, but that does not appear to be what the Dexcom warranty seems to say. 
I have always focused on the “Use By Date” on the box of the transmitter. I had assumed if the transmitter failed within 3 months after its first use, then the warranty would be effective so long as the failure occurred prior to that “Use By Date”. So I’m astounded to find no mention of “Use By Date” in the warranty.
Instead the Warranty Period is defined as:
the period commencing on the date of first use by the original purchaser (the “Date of First Use”) and expiring three (3) months thereafter; provided, that, the Date of First use occurs within five (5) months of the date of shipment (or disbursement) of the transmitter to you (“Warranty Period”)
What madness is this? There is only a 5 month warranty which dates from when the transmitter was shipped to, not received by, you? 
If you received two transmitters in the same shipment, then one of them will have only a 2 month warranty?
Also of interest is that when you return the defective transmitter to Dexcom, the return package is supposed to include:
- Transmitter
- Sales receipt or comparable substitute proof of sale showing the date of purchase
- Transmitter’s serial number
- Seller’s name and address
- Purchaser’s name and address for Dexcom to ship the replacement
I highlighted two items above because the US VA sends me my supplies. I (usually) have only an online prescription in the VA’s computer system. There is some paperwork that comes with the supplies but I’ve always just thrown that in the recycling. Should I have kept it? 
Now I have never heard of anyone having problems with Dexcom customer service because of the legalese outlined above. But it looks like Dexcom could pull this out of their back pocket and hassle someone big time if they chose to. Huh?
One other thing. Only the original purchaser appears to be covered by the warranty. So if you got your supplies from anyone other than a Dexcom supply, then technically are you not covered by any warranty? 
This is some special stuff. 
DME or Pharmacy “suppliers” would not be considered the user of the product. Do you think TVs, etc mfg warranty is given to BEST Buy, etc??
@irrational_John Were you looking at the G6 warranty or G5? If for the G6, I’m guessing you’re in the USA, and that’s actually pretty decent.
Here is what it says on the CANADIAN Dexcom site regarding warranty for the G6 transmitters.
Warranties & Returns
All sales are final. There are no returns or exchanges. Dexcom G6 Transmitters are under limited warranty for 3 months from the date of shipment. For more information, please review the Using Your G6 Guide. To report a defect in your transmitter and request a replacement please contact our Technical Service team at 1-844-832-1809.
Note 3 months from the date of shipment! That is not even date received, let alone date of first use. The first time I read that I thought it was borderline ridiculous. Basically if your shipment gets delayed you could only be looking at 2.5 months of warranty on a brand new transmitter, and that’s IF you start it as soon as you get it. I really don’t understand their logic behind this.
Just throwing this out there, but the original post was modified to abide by the site’s TOS. Suffice to say, the shipping date isn’t relevant to this particular circumstance. The original question is to gauge a yay or nay about obtaining this transmitter.
The excerpt was quoted from this PDF: Dexcom G6 System User Guide
I got the link from the Product Guides page on the (US) Dexom web site. The document identification info on the last/back page is LBL014003 Rev 011 MT23976 Rev Date: 03/2020
The warranty I looked at is in the chapter E.2 Dexcom Transmitter Limited Warranty.
The point I was trying but (obviously) failed to make is that if you obtain a transmitter from someone who had originally purchased it for their personal use but later donated it to you, then, I think technically you are not covered by the Dexcom warranty. That’s a guess. I am definitely not a lawyer.
Even if my guess is correct, whether or not it would actually matter in real world practice I have no idea. What confuses me is how much the warranty as written differs from the anecdotal customer experience I have read about in forums such as this.
For example, I have never read about a return for exchange being required to include proof of sale showing the date of purchase. Yet that’s what I read in the warranty section of the G6 user guide. Huh?
Yeah. I’ve returned 4 failed items to Dexcom since starting the G6. 3 transmitters and 1 sensor stuck in the inserter by a bent insertion needle. Each time I was sent an identical “return kit”, considering of a medical specimen cup stuffed inside a clear capped cylinder (exactly like what would hold tennis balls), 2 different mailing envelope, and return instructions. Supposed to include a return mailing label, too, but they’ve never actually gotten that into my kits yet. The instructions pretty much just state to put a transmitter in the specimen cup, or an inserter device in the larger cylinder, and the order in which to stuff the envelopes and which envelope gets the mailing label. Odd, but I learned the Tyvek one is sometimes required for shipping biohazard materials. There is absolutely no personal, DME, or billing/shipping information requested, other than what’s on the shipping label.
BUT… On the tech support call leading up to the warranty part replacement and return kit, they always ask for the transmitter serial number and lot number. I’m assuming they verify that the serial number does indeed match that lot, and then base the warranty period off of the manufacturing date, and the warranty end date being exactly 1 year thereafter. I’m not sure if the 3 month in-use warranty can extend beyond that 12 months, though?
Maybe the shipping half of the equation is an arrangement they have with the DME suppliers… No transmitters can be stored for longer than 7 months in the warehouse. If you call in a transmitter that is outside their warranty, but say “but it was just shipped to me!”, then I’m guessing they tell you to take it up with your DME supplier, because it’s on them.
I can’t imagine saving the packing lists, but maybe the lesson to be learned is to check the dates before you throw anything away?
If it makes you feel any better:
I had a transmitter physically break during sensor removal (the plastic tab on the skinny end broke off).
I called Dexcom.
They sent me a new transmitter and a new sensor.
They also sent me a return kit so I could return the broken one back for analysis.
They never asked for any sales receipt or for any dates.
Pretty sure they asked for transmitter serial number on the phone call but not on any written return material.
It seems possible the 5-month threshold in the written warranty might have been written in as some way to reduce Dexcom’s warranty exposure to grey-market sales.
Grey market: People are prescribed supplies but instead of using them they sell them to grey market resellers. These grey market resellers post ads especially in less affluent communities looking to buy diabetic supplies from I guess seniors or low income people who would rather sell their diabetic supplies than use them.
I know there’s a grey market for Dexcom stuff because offers show up in Google searches. But it seems way shadier than the grey market for test strips or meters (which I have actually taken advantage of many times - all my grey market meters came in boxes clearly and prominently labeled “For Medicare only”).
i am currently dealing with this. I cannot understand how this can be so convoluted. The transmitter box should have this information on it. I don’t understand how the FDA approved the labeling. If you look at the box, it looks like the expiration date of the transmitter is at least a year away. I think the FDA need to require accurate labeling. I have had TWO transmitter failures and one sensor failure in the past month, and that is very concerning as well. It’s really hard to know how to stock transmitters so you have a backup on hand for failures. I’ve been without a CBM for 8 of the past 30 days. I don’t wake up for lows, and I live alone.
Luckily the transmitter thing will be done soon, the g7 will not have them.
Good and bad…bad because battery replacements will be a thing of the past.