Cheap mattress retailers have a reputation for using questionable sales practices. It is therefore a good idea to arm yourself with information before you go shopping. Learn what matters and doesn't matter in mattress construction. Learn to recognize common sales techniques.
In terms of mattress construction, there have been significant improvements over the last ten years. As long as you don't go into the low end of the market, durability should not be significantly different among brands and models. Major attributes to consider are firmness, and construction.
1. Firmness - test out the mattress to make sure it feels comfortable. Also make sure that the firmness is consistent across all areas of the mattress.
2. Construction - learn about how the mattress is made. More expensive mattresses typically have damask ticking, thicker padding, higher coil counts, and a cushion sewn into the mattress. Coil count and configuration seem to have little effect on durability. Sagging in mattresses is caused by the padding, not the coils. Therefore, when comparing mattresses look at for thicker, higher quality padding.
Now, where do you go for a cheap mattress?
1. Brick-and-Mortar Stores - includes department stores, chains, and boutiques. Allow you to test the mattress out, but require a significant time investment to comparison shop.
2. Cheap mattress by phone companies - more convenient than brick-and-mortar stores, but can be slippery on pricing and returns. Many offer different prices each time they're called. The upside, however, is you can likely negotiate over the phone by quoting competitor prices. An additional area to be wary is with returns. Be sure that you can return or exchange the mattress without paying fees or being forced to pay full retail on the exchange.
3. Internet - offer low prices, but you can't test the mattress before you buy. You may have difficulty returning if something goes wrong.
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Catherine has been a salesperson for a bedding store for the last 15 years and enjoys helping customers select the right products for maximum comfort and support. Come to www.mbwl.net to get free advice on evaluating mattresses and tips on how to buy a mattress.
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