Lactnetters,
  I have both A-- & M-- pumps in my rental station, and have more business
with M. because more hospitals & H.D.'s have their products.
  Sometime ago a mom rented an A. lact-e-lite, but called me from work
saying that it didn't have much suction.  Since she had previously used the
larger A. lact-e, I just chalked it up to her preference and previous
experience with a vacuum, piston pump.  I did check the returned pump, & it
"seemed" to run ok.
  A few days ago I was showing the same pump to a mom, hooked up a dbl. pump
kit, & turned it on.  The pump barely tugged on the balloons I was using to
show suction.  With a somewhat red face, I suggested the mom rent another pump.
  Imagine the "on" switch as the face of a clock, with the word "vacuum" at
12 o'clock and the green "on" light at 6 o'clock.  The pump seems somewhat
sluggish when turned on (without a kit attached), and the silicone inserts
in the tops of the flanges hardly move until the dial is pointing to about
10:30.  The balloons begin to move at a little beyond 11 o'clock.
  For those of you who routinely deal with A. pumps, does this seem normal
to you.  What should I be looking for?  And, no, I haven't called the
company yet.  I wanted info from rental stations first...real-world experience.
TIA, Sara Reuning in Bristol, TN