Why do mothers purchase a breast pump from the internet? With the new policy from Medela we wonder why?
Why is Medela implementing this policy?

Why are people buying from the internet?

How has this affected everyone involved - Medela, Retailers and Customers.

Why buy online?

In order to maintain Medela’s premium brand image, effective January 1, 2005, Medela has unilaterally adopted the policy that it will not conduct business with anyone who resells or lists a price for Pump In Style® Original models #57040 and #57042 on the Internet. Effective February 1, 2005, this Policy will include all Pump In Style Models.

This new policy is really shaking up the online breast pump retailers. At first we were not sure we were hearing a rep correctly... Is Medela really going to do this? It seemed unlikely and we held off until we were able to read the policy ourselves. Boy, were we surprised!

Why buy a breast pump online?

Really, the decision to purchase a breast pump online seems to boil down to just a few reasons.

The #1 reason is price. Most internet retailers sell the Medela breast pump up to $100 less than brick and mortar retail stores (Ameda pumps have similar online discounts). If you already know the pump you want why pay $100 more? Online retailers are not purchasing the pump at a lower price from Medela - they often have less overhead so they can charge less for the same pump. Simply put, buying online save you money.

The next reasons are similar. You buy a pump online to save time or because you can't leave the house. Of course, you can always call a Medela dealer and they should come out to your house, but why invite a stranger into your home? Especially when you already know what you need.