Medela company fallout

Hard decisions by the largest breast pump company

We have heard from many Medela dealers who are very frustrated with the new policy. Is the new policy fair? Who benefits from this policy?

Dealers are told that the new policy is because they were having a lot of customers complain that they buy a pump online and then can't get in touch with anyone if there is a problem. There is no way to determine if this is a real problem or not, but there seems to be a few points we should consider - Medula has always asked that all warranty issues to go directly through them and not the rep/dealer. If this is still the case, just how much would not getting in touch with the dealer affect the customer? If they are concerned about customers needing assistance using the pump you have to wonder - Who is going to help the customer that purchases the pump from one of the large retail chains that sell their products?

Actually, if you pick the top 10 sites on Google or Yahoo and call them you will receive excellent service. Madela is the first company that came out with a high quality home breast pump. Being first has earned them a well establish market that includes a large "army" of lactation consultants whose jobs do not pay very much but hope to sell 3 to 5 pumps each month and make $150 on each (purchase price about $150, sell for $300). Internet sales has put a huge dent in the income of these LCs as consumers can now buy it for $80 to $100 less than from the LC. The same economy is also hitting large retailers. Why buy a $330 pump from XYZ corp when you can order it for $230 from a reliable internet retailer (most of whom are LCs in disguise). The cost of Medela maintaining their brand image is going to be $100 - and it comes out of the pocket of their customers.