Hi Lactnetters,
I mostly lurk and learn but wanted to put in my two cents on the pump
prices.  My name's Deborah Haviland and I operate a pump rental station as a
home business.

I've definitely seen a marked decrease in the demand for the PNS.  My
business is very small but women were steadily purchasing this pump until
the new '98 package deal came out.  I have yet to sell the one I bought at
the beginning of the year.  I haven't heard of women purchasing the Nurture
III or double Evenflo instead, but that doesn't mean they're not doing it.
What I think is happening here is women are deciding to give the single ME a
try.  When I'm educating women about pumps I explain the # of cycles per
minute and I guess some of that is sinking in because they at least choose
the one that cycles 30 times per minute instead of the discount store's poor
excuse for a pump. I always stress the fact that the ME is recommended for
short separations but I do know that some full-time employed women have no
problem keeping up their supply with it.

While we're discussing them, what are your thoughts on the new ME double
model?  Maybe I just need some enlightenment, but what's the point of having
a double pump at almost double price that's still not recommended for
long-term separations? I haven't even mentioned this new pump to my
potential clients because I feel like it would be too confusing, plus I
think they'd purchase it in place of the PNS and might not be successful
because it isn't matched to their needs.  So, I continue to offer a manual
pump for those that want one, a small motorized pump for short/occasional
separations, the PNS for women working full-time outside the home and the
rentals.  I think that adding the others to the mix is difficult to sift
through.

re:  PNS for $200 still:  My understanding is that there are no contractual
agreements.  In fact, I received a form letter from the company regarding
the pricing policy and quote, "It is Medela's policy not to sell the Pump In
Style to anyone who re-sells it at a price less than 10% below the suggested
retail price. . . Medela does not enter into agreements with anyone
concerning retail prices or related matters."  I really think the models
we're seeing for $200 were purchased in 1997 and are not the new '98 model.

Okay, back to "lurk mode".  ;-)

Warmly,
Deborah Haviland
Lowcountry Breastpump Depot
Beaufort, SC
LLL Leader (on Reserve Status)