FYI Medela PIS/A users or former users

[KRL626]

I just found out you can upgrade your current pump for a brand new 2008 PISA or Freestyle for about $42 by calling Medela 1-800-435-8316. You have to mail them back your old pump and if you have the PIS they will upgrade you to a PISA. If you have a PISA they will upgrade you to the Freestyle.

I just called them and am mailing back a used PIS that someone gave me (I've never used it) and they are sending me a new PISA. I'm really psyched!

[tgal]

If I send them my PISA will they send me a new PIS. I've used both and prefer the PIS. I hate the way the PISA switches automatically. I really wish there was a shut off to that feature. Thanks for posting this, I am going to call them to discuss this issue.

ETA: As it turns out, they changed the PISA and there is a toggle now, but they won't upgrade the model that I purchased last year. Also, she didn't mention anything about upgrading to the Freestyle. I am curious if anyone who has the Freestyle has used a PISA and likes the Freestyle better. I just watched the videos and I wonder if the power is the same. Hmmmm!

[jesseybell]

That sounds like a cool deal! I got my PISA 2 years ago and loved it (and I got it for free through my insurance and we don't have the same insurance to get another one if we have #2) but after EPing for 6 months I was wondering if it would last through another child.

[KRL626]

I think they are discontinuing the PIS. If not, you still can't as it is not a replacement, but rather an upgrade they are offering.

[tgal]

Yes, she said the PIS will be discontinued. I asked her if I could upgrade my PISA and she said NO!

[jesseybell]

So if they won't upgrade PISAs then what ARE they doing?

I looked at the Freestyle and I was wondering about the power of it too since I had to EP last time.

[conneals]

That sounds like a cool deal! I got my PISA 2 years ago and loved it (and I got it for free through my insurance and we don't have the same insurance to get another one if we have #2) but after EPing for 6 months I was wondering if it would last through another child.

I've used my pisa for 25 months now. Granted, I only pump 4x daily, but still, 25 months. I have several friends that have used their pump thru multiple kids!

[lotsahaircrazy]

Great! I just traded up my PIS for the PISA for $41 incl. s/h. It should be here by next Thursday. To upgrade to the Freestyle it was $140 + s/h.

[KRL626]

Okay sorry I didn't realize you had to have PIS not a PISA. I guess because they are discontinuing the PIS you can upgrade to the the two models they will have from now on: PISA and Freestyle

[Scooter]

I've got a PIS and loved it, but have been wondering if I should get another to have a fresh motor--so thanks for posting this!

A couple questions:

1. I looked at the Medela website (http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breast-pumps), but does anyone know the difference between the Freestyle and PISA? Is it just that the Freestyle is hands free?

2. Does the current PISA allow you to change from letdown speed/suction to regular pumping manually?



(and psst, KRL, do you want me to change the title so it just says PIS instead of PIS/A?)

[Scooter]

So if they won't upgrade PISAs then what ARE they doing?

I looked at the Freestyle and I was wondering about the power of it too since I had to EP last time.

If you check the specs for both, they both say the power is 60Hz, so you shouldn't notice a difference.

[PookiePrincess]

Scooter: The PISA automatically switches from the letdown speed, but there is a button where you can do it yourself before it happens automatically or to get a 2nd letdown.

I don't know the difference between the PISA and Freestyle, but someone in the MWP thread (I think) posted a link to a review a while back and it didn't seem promising. I think there were more differences than just being hands free, but I don't remember what they were.

ETA: Here's a link to the post (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1725584&postcount=726) with the review.

[lotsahaircrazy]

The lady at Medela that I spoke to told me that the PISA that I ordered has the same motor as the PIS that I currently have. She said the Freestyle has a diffrerent motor. Both have the letdown function, I believe.

[jesseybell]

There definitely seems to be cool things with the Freestyle, but the sucky thing seems that I wouldn't be able to use anything I have for my PISA (I have 5 sets of horns, lots of extra parts) and seeing that I will be buying new medela (or some other form) of BPA-free bottles (I love the new medela bottles where you actually can see the #s!), I think I will be sticking with my PISA.

[jeninef]

This may sound silly...but do any of you know about how much it is to send the old PIS back? I'm just trying to figure out the bottom line cost. Thanks!

[mel7dog]

Sounds like a great deal, but I'm confused as to why the company is doing this? How does this benefit them? Also does the new pump come with all the parts (tubes/bottles) and do you have to mail all the old parts back?

[KRL626]

Scooter Yes please you can change the title. Thanks.

jeninef I think that depends on where you live. Medela is in Illinois. I might mail mine off on Monday so I'll let you know how much is was for me.

meldog I asked myself the same question. I have no idea why they are doing it. Also you only need to mail them the actual pump motor. I'm going to send it in the bag too, but you don't need to mail anything else that you might have.

[merjmo]

Sounds like a great deal, but I'm confused as to why the company is doing this? How does this benefit them? Also does the new pump come with all the parts (tubes/bottles) and do you have to mail all the old parts back?

I wonder if they refurbish the motors? Is there a way to do that and ensure there's no milk from a previous user?

[tgal]

2. Does the current PISA allow you to change from letdown speed/suction to regular pumping manually?

I'm not sure what you mean by manually. My PISA came with a manual pump that you assemble without the actual motor pump. The current PISA lets you select the suction between min and max. There is a button for the let down function and there is supposed to be a toggle button that allows you to turn this off when it switches automatically during your pumping session. Models purchased last year did not have this toggle function or so I was informed by Medela.

[solongtogo]

How long does this go for? I can't go without my pump for a day, so do they send you one first and then you send back your used pump?

[LRL]

meldog I asked myself the same question. I have no idea why they are doing it. Also you only need to mail them the actual pump motor. I'm going to send it in the bag too, but you don't need to mail anything else that you might have.

KRL- They told me I have to send everything back. Hmmm. :confused:

[lotsahaircrazy]

How long does this go for? I can't go without my pump for a day, so do they send you one first and then you send back your used pump?

Once you receive your new pump you have 30 days to send back your old one in the same box you received your new one in.

[KRL626]

Well I am going to have to call them again because they never said anything to me about sending it in the new pumps box. They also told me I didn't need to mail back the bottles and horns and stuff. I'll be rechecking on this though before I mail back anything.

[JennZ]

Hi girls,

Just chiming in...
I just spoke to Medela and they said you can either mail your old one back right away, or you can wait for the new one to arrive. She said they are really flexible with this whole program. She also said all they need back is the pump, the ac adaptor and the battery packs. She said you didn't need to send back any of the personal stuff like the horns or bottles.
HTH!!
I'm excited to try out the Freestyle!!

[shaqangel]

how long is this offer going on for? i'm interested in this but find myself being cautious. has anyone received a new one as yet?

[PalmBch2002]

I have a question about the pump - I have a chance to get an old PIS from someone I don't know (friend of a friend of a friend) that's 4 yrs old. I would then take it and trade it for the updated PISA - so my question is, I've always heard that you shouldn't get a used pump because of cleanliness and milk back-up. But I have my own tubes and horns from the Symphony I rented in the hospital so would that take care of the cleanliness problem??

[LRL]

Palmbch2002- Medelas are single user pumps- using your own horns and tubing would not solve the problem because there is the possibility that milk got in the motor.

[PalmBch2002]

LRL - isn't Medela replacing the motor though? So that would solve the problem? And I'd essentially be getting a new pump?

[JennZ]

PalmBch,
If you send in your PIS and upgrade to the PISA, you won't have to worry about it because it will be a new pump.
I think LRL just meant if you were to use the used PIS, it could have milk back-up even with the new horns and tubes.

It's a great deal for you if you are getting a PIS for free and then just have to pay $40 for the upgrade!!

[PookiePrincess]

If you trade it in for a new PISA, you would be fine.

[lotsahaircrazy]

Just got my new pump today and am using it right now! Woot! It's great. Quieter than my old one. This was a great deal!!!

[shaqangel]

ok I just called the number posted on the first page and the representative said they only do this for special circumstance????

did you have to give a specific reason for the upgrade? lotsahaircrazy what exactly did you say/do to get an upgraded one?

[Chylynn]

Okay, I just called and they would not do it for me???? What did you guys say to get the new pump for just $42?? She said she could only offer a discount to me. I am so bummed out. :(

[PalmBch2002]

Weird - I just called and they did it. It's called the "upgrade program"

[JennZ]

That is so strange that you guys ran into trouble!

I called the 1-800 number and went through the prompts and entered the one about product information. When she answered, I just said I was calling about the PIS upgrade and could she please tell me more about how the program worked. I ended up upgrading to the Freestyle for $140, but she did also offer me the PISA for $40.

Do you currently have a PIS? I am just asking because I don't think it works for a PISA.

I would call again and talk to a different person.

[shaqangel]

Chylynn same thing happened to me. she said they only offer it to mothers who have a really low supply and need an upgraded pump or if something went wrong with your pump and it was under warranty.

i'll probably try again.

[lotsahaircrazy]

Are you serious? Maybe it was only for a limited time or something??? I called last Thursday. I think I just said that I read that they were upgrading the PIS for a fee. And then she told me what I could get and for how much. Maybe try calling back and getting another rep? I don't know. That stinks. Heck, try it again and see if it works.

[Chylynn]

Okay, I am way pissed. I freakin had someone on the phone to do the upgrade with me and we got disconnected. I called back and the next person would not do it for me. WTF? I am so over this company right now.

[KRL626]

That is totally messed up. They should either offer it to all or not at all. I would call back and complain that certain representatives are willing to allow an upgrade and others are not.

[PalmBch2002]

Just keep calling back until you get someone to do it.

[Mickey&B]

Wow I called Saturday and didn't have any problems, she did say that the PISA was back ordered until the end of the month. But I got it for $42

Do you guys have a PIS or a PISA?

[ironhair]

Bummer. I just found this thread, so jumped on the phone to see if I could upgrade my 2-year-old PIS for a PISA and was told they discontinued the program :(

[Mickey&B]

Ironhair that really sucks! My cousin just got her's on Monday! I would call again and speak to someone else. It's obvious by this thread that they have some ignorant people working the phones!

[KRL626]

Oh that totally blows. I think they probably got such a huge response that they freaked and cancelled it. I called to check on my order and my PISA backpack is back ordered, so I won't get it until the end of the month. As long as I get it I don't care!

[1_mommy]

i let my friend borrow mine for when her baby comes, and she called yesterday and got it upgraded.

weird how some of you wern't able to do it

[Baby Lust]

I just called now and she said the company has decided to discontinue the program. I would guess if I called and got another rep, I would be told the same thing. Dang! I have an old PIS and a new PISA and I was hoping to end up with 2 PISAs!! :(

[Mickey&B]

Oh that totally blows. I think they probably got such a huge response that they freaked and cancelled it. I called to check on my order and my PISA backpack is back ordered, so I won't get it until the end of the month. As long as I get it I don't care!


I just got something in the mail stating it is going to take longer than expected and won't be shipped till 8/8

[PalmBch2002]

I got my shoulder bag PISA in the mail yesterday!!