Breast pump purchase...wwyd?

parrotgirl

I am looking to buy the Medela Freestyle breast pump, retail for $379.99 and I found a great deal for $287. Here is my dilema:

I have $350 worth of gift cards/store credit for Babies R Us, I really dislike this store but figure I could use the gift cards to purchase a few small items that we still need such as a bouncer, bf supplies, diapers and toys.

Option1: I could also use the gift cards/store credit to buy the same Medela BP using a 20% off coupon, the total cost would be about $333. With this option I don't have to pay anything out of pocket which is really nice.

OR

Option 2: Save the BRUS gifts cards for the small items mentioned above and any future purchases and pay for the BP for $287? With this option, although I won't be using the gift cards, somehow I just feel better about saving $46

Thanks ladies!! And if you're interested in getting a BP here is the website...www.strawberrykids.com and you can use the coupon code "10mama" for an additional 10% off .....$319-$31.9= $287

lola808

If you've already made your big purchases like crib, mattress, car seat, and stroller, or know that you won't buy these at BrU, I would use the GCs for the pump.  If not, BrU is a good place to check out for those purchases and you could direct the funds there.  Or, if you plan to use disposable diapers and formula once baby is here, you can save it for those purchases.

I'm with you in that I'm not a huge BrU fan.  I have a gift card and really don't know what to use it for since we've had so few baby expenses since Adrian was born. I purchased my pump and stroller there when I was pregnant, though.

mie

I'd go with option #2 since you still have items you could purchase at BRU.

sanae78

I'd save the gift cards since the savings on the pump is pretty significant. You'll always find things you could buy at BRU. If you're using disposable diapers, that $350 could go pretty quickly.

lelekay

I'd save the gift cards, myself.  Christine's right, there's always things you can get at BRU.  And that's a good deal!  I might check that out myself.

lelekay

Hmmmm.....I actually did just go check that out, but I'm having trouble ordering.  I keep getting an "Unknown Error" message when I try to submit my order.  Let me know if you do order and you're successful.

leslieanne1003@yahoo.com

i would save it...you will always need things from BRU.

MauiWedding08

first, if you haven't done so check to make sure your insurance doesn't cover a breast pump (although I'm not sure they would cover the freestyle even if they did - I had to get a PISA)

now to your question - I would save the gift cards, even if you are not a fan of BRU there will be lots of little things that you find out you need and it will be nice to have that little stash.  I guess if BRU is an inconvenient place or you don't envision yourself going there at all then buy the pump there.

We don't use disposable diapers or very many wipes but I have spent money on bottles, pacis, breast pads, milk bags, a pack n play for my parents' house, a second activity gym for the other floor of our house.... just to name a few items - those add up fast!

parrotgirl

lelekay:

Hmmmm.....I actually did just go check that out, but I'm having trouble ordering.  I keep getting an "Unknown Error" message when I try to submit my order.  Let me know if you do order and you're successful.

I keep getting the same error message. I left a voicemail with customer service- hopefully I hear back from them on Monday. I'll keep you posted! Btw- did you see the baby legs on sale on their site? They're so cute! I am going to order a couple more if they ever want to process my order  

parrotgirl

MauiWedding08:

first, if you haven't done so check to make sure your insurance doesn't cover a breast pump (although I'm not sure they would cover the freestyle even if they did - I had to get a PISA)

now to your question - I would save the gift cards, even if you are not a fan of BRU there will be lots of little things that you find out you need and it will be nice to have that little stash.  I guess if BRU is an inconvenient place or you don't envision yourself going there at all then buy the pump there.

We don't use disposable diapers or very many wipes but I have spent money on bottles, pacis, breast pads, milk bags, a pack n play for my parents' house, a second activity gym for the other floor of our house.... just to name a few items - those add up fast!

I've checked with my insurance and they do not cover breastpumps. boo!

We're using a hybrid diapering system (gro baby) but I still have yet to buy all the bf supplies. So I'm sure all those will add up quickly like you and other posters have said. Thanks!

inamra

Only because the difference of $46 is large enough IMO, I would choose #2 and just save the BRU GC for later. My biggest issue with BRU is that everything is overpriced and so I'm in a similar situation as you because I also have a BRU GC but I'm still spending $ out of pocket to get BR items because it's just so much cheaper at Target or Amazon. So I'm slowly using my BRU GC every other week on some sale items that end up being close in price to the other stores so I don't feel like I'm getting something for twice as much just because I want to use my BRU GC. I only have about $80 though and I'm barely making a dent in it. I really have no idea what I would do with $350 of BRU GCs though, so I feel like your situation is a bit tougher here, unless you have some other high-price items that you have in mind to get (I'm done purchasing all our high-price items). Either way, GL!

lisakeiko

I'd do #2 also.  Since our baby was born, I've had to send DH out to get all sorts of miscellaneous things for either the baby or me.  Those GCs would come in handy for purchases like that.   

lola808

inamra:

My biggest issue with BRU is that everything is overpriced and so I'm in a similar situation as you because I also have a BRU GC but I'm still spending $ out of pocket to get BR items because it's just so much cheaper at Target or Amazon.

Ditto.  And I really don't like that they charge shipping surcharges to Hawaii and pull sneaky tricks like two-for-$5 and then require you to buy two for the discount.  I'll probably save my GC for buying a gift for someone on the mainland who's registered there.  I prefer to shop on Amazon.

myday1708

I have the same choice and I made it Option #1 

-- Less $$ out of pocket

-- The BRU is not close and I didn't want to keep driving out there to buy little random things to use up my $250 gift card. I already had all the big stuff taken care of b/c the card came after the baby arrived.

FWIW, I have the Medela Freestyle and it sucks. But at least Medela is great and replaced it when it broke. I might need them to do it again. Whatever you do, SAVE YOUR RECEIPT!!!!!!!!!!! 

HTH!