How Retailers Sell Mattresses and What Services to Expect

Purchasing a mattress can be a confusing process. But with a little research you will be able to go shopping with confidence. Understanding how retailers sell their product is an important step in this process. Retailers use different types of pricing. Here are some of them.

Every Day Low Pricing - Some retailers and wholesale shops are beginning to sell bedding with an every day low price format. This simplifies the purchase decision for you. With this type of pricing you will not need to worry about that same mattress being on sale for lower price next week.

Sales - Most retailers and wholesale shops run special sales 90% of the time. When they want to increase the sales of a certain brand of mattress, they increase the discount on those branded items. The primary reason mattress discounters do this is because they want to attract you into the store and make you feel like you have received a good deal. This style of advertising is confusing and will hopefully be replaced with every day low pricing by all retailers.

While reading the paper this weekend, you noticed a "Great!" deal on a brand name mattress. I bet you did. There seems to be a mattress sale circular in every weekend paper in every city, town and borough across the country. I also bet that when you arrive at the retailer you will be directed away from that particular mattress on sale. Those circulars are designed to get you in the door. The sales personnel will then use one of many tactics to show you more expensive mattresses. Some of the practices we have heard of are almost funny --they'd be hysterical if your money weren't involved. Often when you arrive at the store the discounted mattress you saw in the circular is in the poorly lit corner of the showroom with the plastic cover still on it. To even get close enough to it to see it, you will need to walk past the expensive mattresses that are set up in luxurious and inviting ways. We have even heard stories of sales staff replying to people asking for that great deal with lines like, "Oh, you don't want THAT mattress. Nobody buys THAT mattress." Their job is to extract as much profit from each sale as possible and they simply make less money on certain mattresses. Keep these stories in mind as you shop. Not all sales staff are trying to trick you; but be educated and more knowledgeable than those who can be fooled so easily.

In addition to the techniques used above, you will also find some retailers using methods similar to legendary used car salespeople. "We can discount this unit this much, but I can only do that today since my boss is not in..." "It seems to me, Mr. Magillicutty that your little lady likes the one with the gold plated ticking - doesn't she deserve the best?" This is funny stuff unless you let yourself be manipulated by it. Keep your sense of humor and a clear mind and your shopping experience does not need to be an unpleasant experience.

When comparing mattresses, you will need to use some objective measures. First, read through this guide fully so you understand the terminology you will need to know. Second, have a notebook with you when you are shopping. As you narrow down your preferences at one retailer make a note of your two favorite mattresses. Write down the manufacturer and model name. You will also need to write down the other stats on the mattress (coil count, pillow-top, super pillow-top, firm, etc.). Get as specific as you can here. You will then have some objective measures to take with you to the next retailer so you can compare. Be ready for the next retailer to not have the model name you are looking for - this is typical. Rather than rely on the model name for comparison, use the manufacturer's name, coil count, gauge and type of top. Then you can check out what they have that fits those features. Most likely this is exactly the same mattress you saw at the first retailer just with a different model name.

Your mattress retailer will provide you with complimentary services when you make your mattress purchase. You want to consider these services as part of the purchase price and be leery if there is additional cost for these services.

-Free delivery
-Removal of old mattress and box spring
-Free frame
-Credit options - There should be several ways you can pay for the mattress over time. We prefer that you make any purchase with cash so you aren't overpaying for your mattress and are certain you can really afford it. But options should be available if the need exists.
-Free setup
-Comfort guarantee (30-60 days)

The comfort guarantee is exceptional today as more and more consumers are buying mattresses over the phone or Internet. You are typically able to sleep on the mattress for 30 days to determine whether you have purchased the best mattress for you and your needs. If you do not like it, your sales representative will help you choose another mattress that will likely feel better to you.

Most retailers do require that you sleep on the mattress for at least 30 days to truly determine if the mattress is right for you. It takes at least a month to determine whether you will like a mattress or not. It is very common for people to dislike their new mattress the first three weeks they own it, but rave about it after they have slept on it for a month. Some times it just takes some time to get used to sleeping on a proper mattress, especially if the one you are replacing was old and tired.