Mattress Buying Tips Review

On-line mattress reviews, for the most part, are the same as many other on-line reviews.  Most satisfied consumers don't feel the need to rave about their experience, while the unsatisfied use forums like this to vent their frustrations.  As a veteran in the business, I thought I'd share my experience on a couple of topics.  Hopefully it helps those reading and doing their homework on-line!

1. Warning to those buying pillowtop mattresses.   No matter the brand, or the price of the pillow-top mattress you select, there is a high likelihood that the pillow-top mattress will compress between 1/2 and 1 inch within the first 3 months.  There can be up to 8 or more layers of foam stacked on top of the innerspring.  It is simply going to happen.
2. Mattresses should not be expected to be a "cure all."   Too often, consumers expect a new mattress to alleviate all aches in pains magically.  Unfortunately, there are salesmen out there that take advantage of these people to upgrade the $$$$!  Let's remember that a mattress is basically two things.  It is a combination of foams and some type of support system.  The support system is typically an innerspring, but can also be replaced with a high density foam or "air mattress."  While higher end foams can conform better than others (tempered memory foam and latex for example), those higher end foams are more expensive because they typically have a longer life expectancy.  Typically, a mattress with higher quality foams has a slower "comfort" decline than others......but it isn't a sure thing!
3. Don't be sold on a mattress because of manufacturer's warranties!  Craftmen's defects like 1 3/4 inch body impressions are covered by most companies.  However, I compare a mattress warranty to a transmission warranty offered by car dealers.  Why do they cover a transmission for 100,000 miles???  That's because they are rarely ever going to have to cover it.  The same goes for mattress warranties.  A mattress will typically become "uncomfortable" long before a defective claim is going to be accepted.  Any stain voids a warranty, old box springs can void warranties, bad frames void warranties.......and the list goes on and on.  This has nothing to do with the retail location either.  They can only act on the manufacturer policies.
4. My last mattress lasted me 20 years!!!  And now that same expectation remains.  Remember, you are 20 years older now, and that makes a huge difference.  Odds are, that mattress had slowly worn out and should/could have been replaced years earlier.  But as younger adults, we don't notice it as much as we do later in life.  Trust me, the quality of mattresses, like everything else, has improved vastly over that time frame.  Take a good look at that 6 inch deep, flower quilted mattress!  An honest mattress expectation should be 7-10 years of quality sleep. 
5. The myth of factory direct.  This concept, while a novel one, is typically deceiving.  I run a show floor that carries four national brands and also sell mattresses we make "factory direct."  Here's the big difference.  Small "factory direct" brands claim they make the mattresses typically on site and therefore cut out the middle man.  Here is where the perception of big savings come in.  The problem is, these "factory direct" dealers have to buy the innersprings, foams, quilts, boxes, covers ect from other manufacturers.  They then put the mattress together like a puzzle.  Meanwhile, a national brand like Sealy or Simmons for example, MAKE THEIR OWN coil units, own their own foam factories, ect.  They use huge buying power to reduce costs.  Look at comparable mattresses without using the "factory direct" argument. 
6. Coil Counts  All mattress makers have entry level sets that come in around 380-420 coils.  They are typically "Bonnell" coils, and these mattresses have a "bounce" to them.  These are not everyday mattresses!!!!  I can't stress this enough!!!  They are often bargain priced, but you will get what you pay for.  Spare room situations would be where these types of beds could be used.  I wouldn't want my in-laws staying too long anyway.
7. More on Coil Counts.  When comparing two different makes of mattresses at the same price point, ignore the coil count concept completely.  If one maker uses a coil the diameter of a silver dollar, and the next uses a coil the diameter of a coffee mug, who's going to fit more coils into the same sized mattress?  Other mattresses stack coil units, or braid multiple coils, giving them impressive coil counts.  It doesn't make them any better when it comes to overall comfort.
8. 50% off SALE!!!  Big savings right!?!  Not likely.....When a company like Sears claims all mattresses are 50% off, plus an additional 20% off I can only shake my head.  I would like them to show any prior sales of that mattress EVER being sold at "suggested retail".  That $500 mattress has never ever sold for $1,600!  If you went to a Chevy dealer, would you believe them if they told you the original price of that new Cavalier was $40,000 but now was on sale for $16,000??? 
9. Free Delivery  Great in concept, but it's typically built into the price off the product.  Ask them if they will take money off if you pick the bed up.  If they discount the price, you know that delivery isn't free!  They have to pay their delivery drivers and pay for the cost of running delivery trucks the same as everyone else in the business.
10. Everyone is price competitive or they'd go out of business.  I certainly suggest shopping at least two places......but to try out every place in town is usually a waste of time.  Take note of the one or two models you preferred at dealer one and check out the nearest competitor.  Trust me, they know what the competitor is pricing their equivalent models at.  They simply have to in order to stay competitive.  If you spend a whole weekend and 8 hours of your time, think about how much you are really trying to save.  Are you really remembering the feel of the mattress at store #1 by the time you get to store #5?

I hope this small bit of information helps!  The honest dealers are out there, and most of us will do our best to help our guests make the best decision for them. 

This is RJ reporting from the mattress battlefield!