Mattress Shopping Tips
If you are uncomfortable with your current mattress set, that's enough of a
reason to buy a new one. However, if you are unsure whether it's time to
replace your old mattress set, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your mattress set over ten years old?
- Does your mattress creak or squeak?
- Is the mattress sagging or uneven?
- Is the cover stained or torn?
- Do you toss and turn at night?
- Does your back ache when you lay down on your
mattress or after you wake up?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions it's
time to buy a new mattress set.
Shopping for a new mattress set is filled with furniture industry language. Here
are a few key terms to help make you a smarter shopper in finding what's
best for your needs:
- Pillow-Top: An extra layer of cushion on top of the
mattress, which basically looks like pillow cushion. If you're a side
sleeper these can be great investments, since they provide more
cushioning for your hips and shoulders.
- Plush: An extra layer of padding, which allows your
body to sink into the mattress. Still a comfortable layer of cushioning
but not as much as a pillow-top.
- Firm: Lots of support. Many people who sleep on
their backs swear by firm mattresses.
- Standard Sizes: Twin mattress 39" x 75", Full mattress 54" x
75", Queen mattress 60" x 80", King mattress 78" x 80".
Things to keep in mind to protect your new
mattress set purchase
- Use Proper Bed Frames: Make sure that you have, or
buy, a bed frame that's going to properly support your new mattress set.
All queen mattresses require a center support and all king's require
center supports under each foundation unit (king mattresses have two
foundations).
- Never use an old box spring with a new mattress. Old
box springs lose their strength and support through normal use
regardless of how good they may “look”. For this reason, a new mattress
may seem like it's sagging when it's placed on an old foundation. Doing
this will harm your new mattress and void any manufacturer warranty.
Manufacturers will not warranty any mattress that develops a problem due
to the use of old bedsprings or the use of a foundation “not
recommended” by the manufacturer.
Mattress Set Sales
You've probably seen ads on TV or in the newspaper promoting huge mattress
sales with unbelievable prices. Well, believe it; the promoted prices are
great, however the “promotional” mattress sets usually aren't. An example of
this would be a brand name queen size mattress set for only $299. Generally
these promotional sets are a lower grade with a shorter warranty. Not that
you can't find quality mattress sets at great prices at these sales, but as
with many things, price is usually a good indicator of quality. However, you
may be just as satisfied with a nice $700 queen mattress set than one costing $2000
or more. Also, consider how the mattress is going to be used. If it's going
to go in a guest room and never receive any use other than a couple of
nights a year, then a cheaper promotional set may be perfect. However,
if it is going to be where you sleep every night, you better get something
of quality.
Estimated bottom prices for quality mattress sets:
- Twin mattress set: $400
- Full mattress set (also called a double): $500
- Queen mattress set: $700
- King mattress set: $900
Keep in mind that these minimum prices are just
generalizations and you may be able to pay less and still get something
nice. Whatever you do, do your homework, ask questions and make sure your
new mattress set has a non-prorated warranty. And most importantly, it's
going to satisfy your need for a good night's rest.
Mattress Set Buying Tips by the Numbers
- Don't fall for the higher the price the better the
mattress. A quality name brand mattress set can be found in the range of
$400 to $900.
- Do your homework, i.e. pre-shop and research online before going to the
furniture stores. The more informed you are the better buying decision you
will make. Also, if you're buying an innerspring mattress, pay attention to
the wire gauge, not just the coil count. The smaller the number gauge the
heavier the wire. For example a 13-gauge is better than a 15-gauge coil.
Just remember lower is heavier.
- Never buy a new mattress without buying the matching box spring or
foundation unit, unless of course you're purchasing a mattress to go into a
platform bed. Even though you may think your old box spring looks fine it's
not. It has had just as much wear and tear as your mattress. Also, using a
mattress on an old box spring or foundation unit will cause your new
mattress to breakdown faster and void any manufacturer warranty.
- Always use a bed frame or a headboard and footboard set with good support
for the box spring or foundation unit, and make sure there is a strong
center support post.
- Don't believe rumors that you can't buy a good mattress set at a department
store because they offer a lower quality to meet a competitive price point.
Macy's for example offers some very nice mattress sets and they have their
name on the line more than Joe's Mattress Outlet down on the corner.
- Here's one that should be obvious, however too may people are reluctant
to do it. You have to lay on the mattress (not sit on it). Yes, you actually
have to lay down on the mattress like you would at home from head to foot.
Also, you need to say there and "settle in" for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
This is the test drive, if you know you spend the whole night sleeping on
your back, lay on your back. If you sleep on your side lay on your side,
etc.
- As a rule, only buy a major name brand mattress set. Two key reasons here: 1) they
won't go out of business if their CEO gets a divorce (seen it happen to
smaller no name companies), and 2) they have a brand name at stake and the
resources to stand behind it. Think Sealy, Serta, Simmons, etc.
- Watch the warranty and make sure it's a minimum of a Ten-Year Non-Prorated
Warranty. In reality, mattress sets only have about a 10 year life, unless they
are an all-latex core or other similar material.
- Don't buy at the first store you go into regardless of the "Big Sale"
they're having. Again, you need to shop around for both a quality and
comfortable mattress that you can spend a third of your 24 hours a day in,
and you want to get it for the best price. If presented with a "take it now
or walk" sales approach take a walk and don't go back. You don't want to do
business with people like that anyway.
- Never ever buy a "rebuilt" or "reconditioned" mattress set. Think about what
this means and it will simply gross you out…it's an old mattress that's been
reupholstered, which means it's already broken down and may have
innersprings that are contaminated by bed wetting, etc. We could get much
more graphic but we won't. Point: Don't do this under any circumstance, not
even for a guestroom. You don't want one of these biohazards anywhere near
your home. If finances are that serious buy a foam or air bed at Wal-Mart
and get something nicer when you can afford it.
- Don't fall into the coil count game. This has been used for decades to
sell mattresses as good better and best and is pretty much outdated due to
new methods such as continuous wire construction, etc. Use you're common
sense here and again do your homework prior. If it sounds cheap it probably
is, and if it sounds like more than you need it probably is also.
- No matter how nice your salesperson may be don't trust him or her
completely. After all, most work on a 100% commission basis and have bills
to pay like the rest of us. They aren't bad people as a rule, however they
do have to earn a living (no offense to all of our furniture friends - but
we all know it's true). Therefore, do you homework before shopping and while
shopping. Also, make sure to see all product literature, in-store marketing
materials, and the cut away sample to show you the inside of a mattress if
the store has one available.
- Never buy a mattress set sight unseen over the phone or online before
checking it out in person (we definitely made enemies in the business with
that one). The reason for this is simply because the mattress needs to be
comfortable for you to sleep on night after night for many years. It's hard
to make that decision based on some broiler plate text and a nice little
picture. However, if you know your buying a reputable product from a
reputable dealer this rule can be bent if the mattress is for limited guest
use a "few times a year".
- Most important: When buying a mattress for a child...don't buy a cheap,
low quality, piece of junk - we can't say it any clearer than that. If you
have to finance a furniture purchase this is the time to do it. Remember
that their bodies are growing and proper support is more important for them
than us older folks.
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