Here is my situation. I am the mother of a 7 month old, and returned to work a month ago. When my daughter was about 5 months old, I decided to buy a pump to take to work later. I had a Philips Avent pump that worked quite well, however it took me around 30 minutes to pump 120 ml (4 oz), so I went for the Medela Pump In Style, which was meant to be "the only retail pump out there that had hospital pump like suction" and claimed to do the job in just 10 minutes.
So I paid £200 (0) for Medela Pump In Style. To my surprise, it didn’t wort AT ALL; I couldn’t even express a drop of milk with it. I called them and they suggested that I bought the Personal Fit breast shields (21 mm), which was the same size as Philips Avent that worked for me. Nothing changed, in my opinion it had nothing to do with the shields or anything, but the suction was just very very weak (believe me, it’s not rocket science to compare the suction when you test it on your own body).
I contacted the company and sent them the pump for testing. I also sent them a short film, where I was pumping with both Medela and Avent, the former did not work at all, the latter worked fine. They promised to get a lactation consultant to look at it. Finally they got back to me and told me the pump was working just great, and there will be no refund as it was an item of personal use. That it didn’t work for me it was my business, as it was my body that didn’t fit. I told them that was rubbish, as Avent worked ok and told them I would post the video on YouTube if they don’t refund, so that other mums don’t get trapped into the same situation. Since then I did not hear from them, they never got back to me, not with an update, not with a lactation consultant, and most importantly, they have kept my pump - useless as it is, it is still my property - for over a month.
I am so outraged by this situation, for so many reasons:
1. They sell a pump with a weak suction, that is really the only reason why it didn’t work - and by not working I mean, it did not work at all
2. They claim it is the best pump out there, and that it does the job in 10 minutes
3. They charge an enormous amount of money for it £200 = 0 as it is so proficient, which is net net just deceiving fraud
4. They held my property for over 1 month w/out even updating me why
Yes, I understand they are a big company, have good lawyers, however I think there is a point where this type of shamelessness is just enough. I am considering to sue them, not only for my £230 (pump plus breast shieldsds), but for the sake of the principle of not allowing a fat company to cash the money of mums who just want the best for their babies. It is just outrageous to produce something useless, claim it is the best product out there, charge a hell lot for it, and keep the whole amount even when it is obvious that your product does not work.
What would you mums advise? Anything from common sense to legal advice would be really appreciated.
Thanks
THE PUMP IS NOT DEFECTIVE, they said themselves it is working like any other pump. I understand it is working well for some mums, and I wouldn’t have said anything if neither Medela, nor Avent worked. PLEASE BELIEVE ME, THIS PUMP FEELS LIKE IT HAS THE SUCCTION OF A CEREAL BOWL.
Yes, I used it correctly - the tubbings, the orifice, everything.
Thanks for all your ideas related to why it might not be working. I am 100% positive I used it correctly, the membranes were new etc. In the film I sent them I filmed everything I was doing, the pump in detail with tubbings and orrifice, the bottles with the membranes, the shields etc. They never came back to tell me I was doing anything wrong.
