Tips and Tricks for Buying a Mattress in Person
Physical mattress stores give shoppers the chance to try before they buy. Yet obstacles like time constraints, pushy salespeople, and higher price-points can make brick-and-mortar mattress shopping more difficult. We’ll take a look at some pointers to help make buying a mattress in person easier.
- Don’t rush: Take as much time as possible to try out a mattress. The longer you rest on the mattress, the better idea you will have of how comfortable it is for you. It’s important to remember that you won’t actually know what it’s like to sleep on the mattress until you’ve used it for at least several nights.
- Ask for advice but don’t feel pressured: Salespeople can offer a wealth of knowledge about the mattresses in their showroom. They can answer questions and help steer you to options that will work best for your sleep style and needs. Take advantage of their expert advice, but remember you are not obligated to make a purchase.
- Watch for sales: Holidays and three-day weekends are excellent times to find mattress sales. If you can wait until the next sales event, you’ll be more likely to encounter lower in-store prices.
- Cross-check online stores: Bring your smartphone with you and do an online check of the mattress you like. You may find it for a better price online, in which case you can ask the retail store to match the price.
- Ask if the price is negotiable: In a brick-and-mortar store, the initial price of the mattress may be negotiable. This is particularly true if you’re visiting outside of a sales event period. Consider asking for a discount or for a deal that includes accessories.
Types of Mattress Stores
Brick-and-mortar stores include national chains and local storefronts, department and home furnishing stores, and outlet stores. The online retail space for mattresses includes direct-to-consumer brands and third-party sites like Amazon and Wayfair. Additionally, many mattress retailers have both physical and online stores, though prices, inventory, and mattress policies may vary between the two.
Direct-to-Consumer Brands
Direct-to-consumer brands sell their mattresses online without a middleman. Mattresses are shipped directly to shoppers’ doorsteps, often arriving compressed and rolled in a box.
These brands have a defined set of mattress models, each with a comprehensive product page detailing its materials and features. It’s common for online mattress retailers to offer free shipping and lengthy sleep trials with free or low-cost returns or exchanges. Many also sell mattress accessories including pillows, toppers, and sheets. Most online stores run frequent sales and offer heavily marketed coupons or discount codes as well.
Occasionally, direct-to-consumer brands have physical showrooms. You may also find one or more of their models in a mattress chain store. This is helpful if you want to try the mattresses in person, but keep in mind that the brand’s pricing and policies may change if you buy in a brick-and-mortar outlet.
Third-Party Online Stores
You can find a wide variety of mattresses for sale via third-party online retailers and marketplaces like Amazon and Wayfair. Shoppers on third-party sites can easily search for and compare mattresses across brands.
It’s worth noting that mattresses purchased through these sites may be subject to the third-party seller’s policies regarding shipping, returns, and warranties, which may differ significantly from those of the mattress brand. Buyers also won’t have access to the brand’s customer service team, who may have more mattress-specific knowledge to help answer questions or guide purchases.
Department and Home Furnishing Stores
Department stores like Macy’s and national chain furniture stores like Ashley Furniture sell mattresses in both their physical and online stores. Target, Walmart, and other big-box stores also have mattress offerings, but you may only find them exclusively online.
In addition to mattresses, shoppers may also find bedding and other bedroom accessories at these stores. However, prices are rarely negotiable and sales are less frequent.
Mattress Store Chains
Mattress store chains like Mattress Firm sell multiple brands of mattresses in local showrooms across the country. They often feature an online storefront as well.
These chain stores allow shoppers to test mattresses before buying them. Frequent sales events drive business, but prices are generally negotiable and frequently include free White Glove delivery and setup of your new mattress.
While multiple brands are represented in chain store showrooms, shoppers have a more limited selection than on third-party websites. Sales pressure from commission-based employees can be off-putting, and most mattress store purchases do not include sleep trials.
Outlet Stores
Outlet stores may be branches of a larger home furnishings or department store or they may be independent businesses selling liquidation inventory. These store types are known for offering significant discounts on mattress models.
Mattresses may be sold in outlet stores due to cosmetic defects, overstock inventory, or because they’re a discontinued model. They may also be open-box customer returns. Typically, outlet store sales are final with no returns, exchanges, sleep trials, or warranties.
Local Stores
Some areas have local mattress stores or chains that are specific to their region or city. These function similarly to national chains but may feature slightly less inventory and have sales based on local festivals or events.
While independent shops often focus on customer service, keep in mind that they generally have a smaller selection of mattresses and often highlight specialty materials, tech-heavy models, or high-end brands.
