I posted today about a breast pump, and once again, the Medela's get the resounding vote... so I looked on Craigslist again today (don't want to spend for a new one because with staying home, I won't need it much), and I found a nice appearing one, with lots of accessories, some still in the pacakge... it's the Medela Pump In Style... backpack style... the photos show some of the home in the background, and it looks like it comes from a nice home! LOL I'm not judging, just sayin'! LOL And she only wants $65 for it, and the best part is I drive right through where she lives on my way to and from work... so I emailed to see if it's still available, and lo and behold, she still has it.
She said she could meet me at the Krispy Kreme (on my way home)...
My question is how safe is this? I will be by myself, on my way home from work. It will be dark by then, but we will be in a public parking lot. I would ask what type of car she drives, and conceivably, we should be able to exchange the pump/money without me getting out of my car...
Have you ever done this? Are there any other things I should do or be aware of if I do decide to meet this woman? Other safety concerns I'm not thinking about?
ETA: This pump is 8 years old - she says it works wonderfully, and she only needed it a few times a month, so it's gently used... would it bother you to buy an 8 year old Medela Pump In Style breast pump?
I have done it and had no problems. I met up with a guy at a park parking lot and and a female in a large shopping strip mall. I didn't have any reservations. I just do it in a open area.
I have to meet people all the time for my business. You just have to be as safe as possible.
To be honest, the reason why she's doing this, meeting at a neutral spot, is because she has the same fears as you, safety. She apparently doesn't want a stranger at her home. If you're uncomfortable, bring someone along with you and let her know you'll be bringing a friend along. If there's another place you would feel more comfortable at, suggest that. You can also meet inside the building stating that it's cold outside. Many people do it this way, meeting at a neutral spot, for both their saftey in mind.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
I would take along an extra person for safety's sake. Coincidentally, I'm meeting someone to buy a play pen from them tomorrow and I will be taking my husband along!
Meeting at a business that is open, is safe.
If I am going by someones home, I make my husband do the transaction..
If we sell a large piece of furniture from our home, I also have my husband handle the transaction. He is a big guy and always mentions he works for the Police Dept..
Never had a problem.
FYI, sounds like a good deal!
Please meet in a public place. I have bought and sold lots of items on Craigslist and never had a problem. Also let someone or people close to you know where and when you will be stopping to pick up the item (and her name and phone #).
I always find a public place to meet people to do an exchange so it shouldn't be a problem. I am sure she is thinking the same about meeting you.
I think it's safer than meeting at their house. Your both in a public place.
Just meet her inside.
Can you rent from a hospital? It's more sanitary.
That's the way we always do it on craigslist, buying or selling anything. Sounds like she probably has the same things in mind, which is why she suggested a public place. Let her know the car you drive, make the exchange, then leave. Sounds find to me!
L.:
I would do it.
Sanitize the pump pieces after you bring it home!
What a great deal!!
In your situation, yes, I would purchase an older Medela - it's a quality product! You can run it to see that it still functions - just plug it in before you pay for it and listen to it - no squeaks, etc.
You're meeting in what will be a well lit, public parking lot. She suggested it for her safety as much as yours! Call your husband and let him know where you'll be and when, text him when you get there (give him her license plate number, just in case), and if he doesn't hear from you in, say 15 minutes, tell him to call you. OR stay on the phone with him the entire time. Either way, make sure you get in touch with him afterwards so he knows you're okay :)
I do a LOT on craigslist, mostly selling, and I'm pretty craigslist savvy ;)
The pump is fine, but REPLACE THE TUBING and other pieces that aren't brand new on it. you can get them off medela's website. It will need new membranes also, for suction. You might want to test it out on the spot.
Sounds safe. If it makes you feel better ask her to meet you inside, that way you can also look at the pump and accessories and decide if it is what you expect. Remember buying at CL means buying as is. If the item isn't as described you can back out, but once you bought it there are no returns.
I had a Medela PiS and it was a good pump. I regretted spending so much money on a new one though, after using it I knew all the "single user pump" talk was just humbug and the company covering their butt. I would not mind buying a used one, just replace all the tubing and little membranes and thoroughly sterilize the other plastic parts.
If it's 8 years old I would ask to plug it in and see it run for a few minutes to make sure the motor is running ok - for that it would be better to meet inside.
Good luck!
I worry about the pickup but that is just me
My bigger worry would be mold...you want to make sure there is no mold inside the pump before you purchase this and you can't really do this easily and good in the dark. 8 yrs old is a long time and a lot of mold can be growing in parts that you cannot really see well...
I have always been told the biggest thing to look at is mold in a used pump. Not just the tubing but the pump itself.
Keep this in mind.
Unless you buy a hospital grade pump there is no way to "sanitize" the pump. You will have the risk of mold and even infection or disease from a used pump. You can usually rent a hospital grade pump for rather cheap. look into it! That is what I did. Also if you produce milk well you can usually pump with a hand pump very quickly (and cheaply). I was not a big producer and really needed the pump to keep nursing. I bought a Medela and it never worked as well as the hospital's so I ended up renting the hospital pump. You can always rent for a month or two and then switch to a hand pump as the feedings go down. I think I paid $25/month for the rental. It's just another option.
All of the Krispy Kremes out here are out of business. Is this just an empty parking lot where you'll be meeting? It sounds like a pretty safe arrangement to me, but I would try to meet inside a Starbucks or McDonalds instead. Or if you won't want to have to go inside, go to a Target or Walmart where they have security cameras even in the parking lots. Good luck! Sounds like you're getting a great deal.
I would meet her inside something more like a MacDonalds. And I would find a plug to plug it into to make sure it works.
Make sure you tell people where you are going so that if you don't get to work, the police have a clue where to start to look.
I'm sure you will be fine, L.. Just listen to these words of caution here on this thread. And it sounds like the pump is a great deal.
Dawn
I always like to talk to someone on the phone. silly enough, it gives me a sense of security prior to purchase / sell.
I think you're going to have to get out of the car, as will she.
Meeting in general in a public place like that sounds fine to me.
I borrowed a Medela from my friend. I'm not sure which style it is. The tubing has yellow connectors on the end that plug into the pump. The lactation consultant at the hospital wanted me to pump at the hospital to help my son latch on. She asked me about the pump and I told her I was borrowing it. She said that kind was fine because the milk doesn't go through the tubes. The tubes she had me use at the hospital fi the pump too, so I didn't have to buy new tubes.
Please make sure someone (other than us lol) know where you will be and when to expect you. I have freecycled stuff like this and it's been ok. but better safe than sorry. have your cell phone with you and charged.
personally i think i would expect to get out of the car, That would signal me that you were the one i was waiting for. I"m not sure i would walk up to someone's car and hand them goods through the window. just a thought.
Is there someone from work that could follow you that far and wait in the parking lot a few spaces down from you?
good luck.
Meet her inside the Krispy Kreme, not in the parking lot. Regardless, I think you'll be safe, but I personally would feel safer going to someone's home, because you can give people the address.
Anything that takes place in a parking lot usually feels shady. :)
It's safe meeting in a public place. I second the idea of meeting inside because you want to look at the pump. You have no way of knowing that her description is accurate. You need to look at the pump and try the motor before giving her the money.
An added security is that you have her phone number. No one would go thru this for any other reason than to sell the pump. You got a good vibe from her?
My daughter bought a used pump and found using it very satisfactory.
If I had known someone who had a pump I could have bought or barrowed I would have done it. I ended up purchasing the Medela Freestyle. To all those worried about mold ect in the pump. These pumps are closed systems and the milk never comes in contact with the pump itself or the tubes that connect the pump to the breast cup/membrane or bottle. The pump motor is in a unit about the size of an old walkman radio. You can buy new tubes, cups, membranes, bottles and don't have to worry about contamination since the milk does not go into the pump itself. I think it's a great deal considering the cost of renting a machine from the hospital (which have been used by others BTW and sterillized) or purchasing a new one at about 289.00. You might spend $30-$40 replacing the other parts so that combined with the cost of the pump is still less than even renting.
As for meeting her in the parking lot, make sure it is well lit, go inside if you can and see about running the motor to make sure it is working right.
Meet her INSIDE the establishment! All kind of unsavory things happen in parking lots
This is how I always do my CL transactions. Never had any issues. I'd rather do that than go to the seller's house or vice versa.
I posted to your other question so check out my answering in why you should not buy her pump. As for craigslist, I think it's fine if you meet in a lit, public place. If you are really worried, take your husband with you. I've done it before but have heard some horror stories that's why I always meet in public.
