Why are Mothers Against Medela?

For years Medela has been recognized as a leading provider of breastfeeding products and has been a trusted name to breastfeeding mothers across the world. But is Medela using the loyalty consumers have for their brand to keep their products at unreasonably high prices?

In 2003, Medela began to set limitations on how much distributors and retailers could discount the prices of some of their products (namely the Pump In Style line of breast pumps). Distributors and potential retailers were informed that Medela would refuse to work with any retailer that sold the Pump In Style products more than 15% below the suggested retail price.

However, the restrictions did not stop there.

A new policy was issued in January of 2004 that required all authorized dealers to conduct at a minimum 50% of their sales face to face with their customers.

Another newly revised distribution policy was introduced in 2005, which stated that online retailers could neither list the price of a Pump In Style breastpump nor could they conduct sales of the pump with an online shopping cart. So much for the convenience of online shopping.

It is also important to note that “Medela’s distribution policy applies to all Medela customers except that, a select group of Medela dealers will not be included in the Internet Sales portion of this policy.” What??

Why does this inconsistency in policy exist?

It appears that only large corporations that agree to sell the Pump In Style breast pumps for an awfully high price (nearly $100 more than most smaller online retailers were charging). But who is to blame in this situation? The Blogging Baby provides some insight that leads us to believe that the corporate chains are pressuring Medela into this distribution and pricing policy.

With each new policy revision it becomes more evident that Medela is intentionally keeping the Pump in Style breast pumps priced high.

Medela says that this Distribution Policy has been set in place in efforts to maintain “a premium brand image.” However since the issue of the Distribution Policy, Medela’s actions have begun to tarnish the image that they are trying so very hard to preserve.

Is Medela involved in price fixing?

According to federal law the Sherman Act is “intended to prevent arrangements designed to, or which tend to, increase the cost of goods to the consumer.”

Visit the U.S. Department of Justice Anti Trust Division webpage to join the fight by filing your complaint online.

Who benefits from this policy?

Not breastfeeding mothers – that’s for sure.

Call Medela at 1-800-435-8316 to let them know that you disagree with their distribution policy.

Did Medela revoke you distributorship?
Are you a mother that experienced problems while working with Medela?
Do you think that mothers should have the opportunity to compare prices and shop online?

If you believe that Medela’s practices and policies are in violation of the law then you can help to stop them by fighting for the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Send us your story, and we’ll use it in our ongoing legal efforts to seek changes in Medela’s distribution.

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