Buying a mattress online is becoming ever more popular. It’s not a trend that is going away anytime soon, as more and more companies keep popping up, and most of them offer great options.Prices online tend to be much better than what you’ll find at your local mattress shop. Plus, you simply can’t beat the convenience of having your new mattress shipped right to your front door.
Our guide tells you everything you need to know about buying a mattress online, including the benefits of buying online, and the tricks you’ll have to watch out for to make sure you get a good deal – and a good mattress.
PROS & CONS OF BUYING A MATTRESS ONLINE PROS
It’s cheaper
The best way to get help with choosing a mattress online is to see what other customers have to say. If you have some beds narrowed down that interest you, read reviews to see what others think about the comfort of the mattress, how the customer service was, and even the level of satisfaction with the delivery process. If many others have had an awful experience with that store or mattress model, you don’t want it.
Stick to Your Budget
There is a giant range of prices when it comes to mattresses, and rather than just start looking at all the options out there, it makes sense to start by thinking about your budget. First, honestly set an absolute maximum price. This should be a firm number that you can and will stick to. Second, think about what your preferred or ideal price would be. You can shoot for this price knowing that, if needed, you can stretch your spending up to the maximum that you set.
Check the return policy
Regardless of how or where you buy a mattress, it’s important to check the retailer’s return policy because even mattresses that have been rest-tested in a store may not be comfortable for a full night’s sleep. “Some will require you to take the mattress to, say, your local UPS outlet, whereas others will arrange that someone will come and pick it up,” Robinson says. Also, check if you’ll get a full refund for returns or if there are any fees deducted from what you paid. “How is it processed?” Uusimaki asks. “Are there going to be charges? Is there going to be a restocking fee?”
No salesmen
While the sales guy at your local mattress store can provide some good information, they also increase the pressure and anxiety of the whole mattress buying experience. Online, you can shop without a hovering salesperson harassing you and trying to meet a quota or deadline for their latest sale.
Rest easy with a longer trial period
Most brick-and-mortar mattress stores offer a trial period of 30 days. This makes sense, since you can get a feel for the mattress in the store, so it really ends up depending on whether it feels good for you to sleep on night over night at home. Online mattress companies understand that people want to be able to buy before they try, so they offer generous trial periods of 100 days or more.
Cons
You can’t “try before you buy.”
If you’re used to going to a mattress store and testing out a mattress in person before making a purchase, it might be jarring to think about buying a mattress online since you won’t have the opportunity to actually lie on the mattress until it is delivered.
No help from sales staff
While mattress salesmen can be a drag, they can also be helpful, quickly directing you to mattresses that fit your needs and price range. This ability to narrow down your options can be extremely valuable when there are so many models on the market. Buying a mattress online, on the other hand, requires you to do more of the research yourself (like reading this article). Fortunately, many companies have customer service via phone, Live Chat, and social media so you can ask questions 24/7.
Old mattress removal
When a brick and mortar store delivers a new mattress, it usually includes hauling away your old one. But with most online mattress companies simply delivering their products in a box on the porch, mattress removal is far less common. Though some offer removal service for a nominal fee (usually less than $40), with others, you’re on your own for disposing of your own mattress.
Tips before buying a mattress online
Read online reviews
The best way to get help with choosing a mattress online is to see what other customers have to say. If you have some beds narrowed down that interest you, read reviews to see what others think about the comfort of the mattress, how the customer service was, and even the level of satisfaction with the delivery process. If many others have had an awful experience with that store or mattress model, you don’t want it.
Stick to Your Budget
There is a giant range of prices when it comes to mattresses, and rather than just start looking at all the options out there, it makes sense to start by thinking about your budget. First, honestly set an absolute maximum price. This should be a firm number that you can and will stick to. Second, think about what your preferred or ideal price would be. You can shoot for this price knowing that, if needed, you can stretch your spending up to the maximum that you set.
Check the return policy
Regardless of how or where you buy a mattress, it’s important to check the retailer’s return policy because even mattresses that have been rest-tested in a store may not be comfortable for a full night’s sleep. “Some will require you to take the mattress to, say, your local UPS outlet, whereas others will arrange that someone will come and pick it up,” Robinson says. Also, check if you’ll get a full refund for returns or if there are any fees deducted from what you paid. “How is it processed?” Uusimaki asks. “Are there going to be charges? Is there going to be a restocking fee?”
Check for Coupons
Many times when you buy a bed online, the price you see isn’t set in stone. Often you’ll find a coupon that will take a certain dollar amount or percentage off of the price. It makes choosing a mattress a lot easier when you know you’re saving money.