Friday, March 5, 2010

What Are You Going to Pump With That

I buy and I sell, that's what I do. It's fun and I make decent money doing it. I've bought and sold just about everything. Dental equipment, pantyhose, blinking doll eyes, a Rolling Stones pinball machine, gold coins, an antique javlin and about 2000 other items. There is, however one item that I have never bought and sold. I see them listed on craigslist frequently but have never even ventured to check on their resale value. You see, whenever I buy something from someone they win undoubtedly ask me, "So, what are you going to do with that." I always try to beat around the bush to avoid telling them that I'm going to sell it for a lot more than I just paid them. But still, that is that one item. What would I say? Even if there is money to be maid, I'm just too embarrassed to buy and sell breast pumps.

6 comments:

Francy said...

Haha! I just saw a story on Ch.19 News about how people buy and sell used pantyhose on ebay. I noticed you mention that you have bought and sold pantyhose... hmmm...

photogr said...

If you ever run across good deals on Digital SLRs let me know

to sing and to dance (karen) said...

I'm sorry, but anyone who NEEDS to buy a second hand breast pump from you, that might be used, in order to save a few dollars (maybe at best 5 dollars, which will be taken up in shipping costs to them anyway), isn't going to have their head screwed on right.
If someone works enough outside the home, they can afford to buy one from a store. If someone doesn't work outside the home, no need to use one anyway.
So, I say, if you find a market for them, buy and sell them, then send them my way for a bridge I'd like to sell them.

Erin Hull said...

Actually Karen, you can save up to $200 by buying a used pump. The nicer ones (Medela) retail for around $350. You can buy them used for $100-$150 and buy new tubing which is only a few bucks. So it is a quite level-headed and economical thing to do. The milk never actually goes through the pump, just the parts. I got my pump new as a gift but would've had no qualms with buying a used one. Many women buy them and then give up on breastfeeding within a couple weeks and never even use them.
Dan, do ya thang dude. I say, flip the pumps.

-Erin Hull

Not Too Old said...

I'm with Erin. I worked, spent $250 11 years ago for the deluxe model. I gave it to a friend in need, but had an offer of $200. At the time the parts that you had to buy cost about $30.

Dan, go for it. The nicer models could yield quite a bit of money, however you could probably get more if you were willing to include a new set of replacement parts.

Ruby said...

Hey, there's nothing wrong with keeping an eye out for someone else when you have a well-known habit of perusing used-goods sales.. ;) and yeah, Karen, even for a stay at home mom an expensive breast pump is sooo worth it, it allows Mom a few hours out (think: retreat, or date night or Moms' night out) months sooner than would otherwise be possible. It also allows Dad to feed a breast-fed baby, great bonding that some would really enjoy. The cheap ones are ineffective, quite uncomfortable, and take too long...