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Full Disclosure Time:
With all the scams out there on mattresses (a recent poll had mattress dealers ranked just below used car salesmen in terms of sleaziness), I want you to know what I get out of writing and advertising this guide.
The reason I decided to spend the time researching these scams and writing this page was that I realized that there are a lot of people like me out there -- confused about buying a mattress -- and that this sort of insider information could really be useful. And I also realized that some of you would also be looking to buy a mattress, especially if I could find reputable dealers to send you to.
So I worked out a deal with two dealers I think very highly of -- Healthy Foundations and Habitat Futons (both 5 Star Shopping.com Rated Trusted Stores, and both offer money back guarantees). So that if you end up visiting their sites and buying one of their mattresses I get a referral fee (links to our recommended dealers are presented after the mattress scam information).
If you don't end up buying, and just like the information, that works fine also. The referral fees from any such sales allow me to afford to advertise and run this business -- without it, I just couldn't do this. I just wanted to be upfront with you about this so there is no misunderstanding my involvement with these dealers and their products.
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 From the Desk of Eben Goresko
Maybe like you, when I started my search for a new mattress, all I wanted was a good night's sleep. My 10-year-old quilted, pillow-top bed just hadn't been making it for a long time. But I just couldn't seem to get the energy to deal with the whole mattress buying thing. Finally, after literally years of waking up with a morning backache, I decided to bring my very meticulous nature (my wife might say maddeningly so) to research how to buy a truly comfortable mattress.
After 25 years as a Piano Tuner
and a Pianist, I tend to be both measured and exacting in process. So I started my mattress search by breaking the task into its separate components: first I looked at the issues involved in buying a mattress, then I looked into what sort of mattress might give me the most comfort. And after months of visiting retailers and picking the brains of those in the mattress industry (who only revealed their insider information after a lot of arm twisting), I decided to put together this guide.
The bottom line of my buying experience is that there's a lot of new technology that has made mattresses more comfortable than ever (memory foam, latex, air beds, etc). I found a great one that gives me a good night's sleep AND also, I don't wake up with a morning backache anymore! (for more on this mattress, see the Healthy Foundations Memory Foam Mattress at the end of this page).
I have to tell you, my buying experience wasn't always pretty. I learned a lot about different mattress scams during the process, and found out how important it is to be really educated before heading off to the mattress showroom. So it is with heartfelt good wishes on your mattress buying journey that I will share what I learned: the secrets of not getting scammed in buying a mattress and finding the right mattress for you.
And now, on to the first mattress scam ...
Walking in to the Lion Pit - How to Get a Good Deal on a Mattress.
It had been awhile since I had bought a mattress, but I knew that it wasn't going to be easy to get a good deal. I dreaded visiting a mattress store only second to going to a dealership for used cars.
My first step, before going into a showroom, was to talk with some industry insiders to get the scoop, and here are the scams they told me to watch out for:
1. The Ever Changing Name Scam
This is an oldie but goody. The industry insiders told me that this has been going on for decades, and is a basic way mattress retailers try to keep customers from comparison shopping. Here's the deal - while all mattresses of a particular name brand manufacturer (Serta, Sealy, Simmons, etc.), are made at the same factory, the factory will put different names on the exact same mattress that is going to different retailers. That way, if you shop for a mattress with a particular dealer, you will find that you can't comparison shop the same mattress (by name) with another dealer. So, even though the other dealer will have the exact same mattress, they will have it with another name (and perhaps a different outside cover as well, to better throw you off). This little trick protects each retailer's turf, and also allows them to try to sell you on their own "personalized" line as somehow better than the identical mattress from their competitors (but since it has a different name, the consumer has no idea that the whole thing is a bunch of hooey).
The best thing for you to do here is to buy a mattress based on its inner components, rather than looking at the particular brand names. Of course the problem with this approach is…
2. The Mystery Components Scam
So now that you are wised up about the Brand name scam, you decide to buy based on the quality of the particular components of a mattress. You do your research, and you are looking for a particular coil count, checking out the layers of good quality foam or maybe even latex or memory foam if you are trying to go for the more high-end, quality components.
What happens then? Well, you quickly find yourself drowning in a bunch of esoteric mattress lingo mumbo jumbo. For example, if you ask about the foam used in a mattress, you may be told that the foam is "medical" grade - whatever that means. Or you could be told that it is their special, proprietary "supersoft cell" foam. As opposed to their "superhard cell" foam? And it just goes on and on. It is like trying to herd squirrels to get a straight answer out of the salesmen to basic questions that might allow you to compare one mattress' ingredients to another. When I asked a salesman about the density of the foam used in their pillow top layers, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. After 15 minutes of him looking in the mattress' spec notebook, and calling their main office, he finally told me he'd have to get back to me.
Being unable to get the basic specs on a mattress' innards just makes comparison shopping about impossible. But even if you somehow can pry the information out of them, you run into the next hurdle…
3. The Comfort Scam
If you do get lucky enough to get the details on a mattress' construction, the next step would be to lie down on some mattresses to see which one might be comfortable for you. But, again the mattress industry is ahead of you - unfortunately, for many mattresses, the feel and comfort of the mattress in the store just isn't what you can expect on that particular mattress in your own home.
This seems to make no sense - why would a mattress feel different in the store than in your own home? Here's the inside scoop:
- Mattress manufacturers use layers of comfort material (foam, cotton batting, etc.) on the top of the mattress to give it a nice comfortable, even luxurious feel. But they have found that they can use relatively inexpensive foams, and layer them, to get the same comfortable feel of a more expensive comfort layer made of the good stuff (dense foam, latex, or high quality memory foam). This way, the mattress manufacturer makes a lot more money on a mattress (since the lower quality foams cost a lot less than the good stuff). Also, because of the layering technique, you really can't feel much, if any, difference between the two mattresses when they are new at the store. But the one made of lower quality comfort layers will break down pretty quickly (and leave the bed feeling much firmer and even cause dips or depressions to form). So you can end up buying a "premium" bed that feels great at the store, only to find that in a relatively short time you are back to a too firm, uncomfortable bed.
- Some materials either take time to break in or they may be harder or softer in different environments. An example of this kind of problem is the components used in memory foam mattresses (both the dense "core" support foam layer and the memory foam top layers). In a show room, a memory foam mattress may feel pretty comfortable, but often people find that the new bed that arrives at their home is much firmer. This is because the core support foam layers have not been broken in (unlike the one in the store, which was broken in from all the previous customers that were lying on the bed). Another variation of this has to do with the memory foam layers. Some memory foams are much firmer at certain temperatures - even temperatures just a bit below 70 degrees. So the memory foam mattress that felt great in the store, where it is a cozy 75 degrees, may end up feeling hard and unforgiving when you get it home to your 70 degree bedroom.
What you need to realize is that you can only tell so much about a mattress in the showroom - and that the feel of the mattress at home may be very different. This means that it really is vitally important to be able to try the mattress in your own home, in your own bedroom's environment, to really know if the mattress will work for you or not. Since it may take a bit of time for the different layers to break in, you need to be able try it out for a period of time - it can take a month or even two for some of the denser core foam layers to really break in. But that isn't a problem, right? The retailer always has a "money back guarantee". That is where they get you with the next one…
4. The Money Back Guarantee Scam
So the mattress isn't comfortable. You can take it back to the retailer and get your money back - right? If only it were so. In most cases, what you will find instead, is that the dealer will let you exchange the mattress for another of equal value (but you may have to pay delivery charges all over again). Or you might get store credit if no other mattress suits your taste. But in most cases, you will not get your money refunded to you. It has just been one of the bedrock principles that the mattress industry has been built on - there should be no money back trials on a mattress. For most dealers, the idea of a money back guarantee is almost physically painful. What would they do with the mattresses that came back? Best not to get them back and avoid the whole thing. And that, for the most part, is what they do - a money back guarantee is simply something most retailers don't offer.
So you need to ask upfront - can I get my money back if I don't like the mattress? On the very slim chance they would offer this, ask if they would have any fees they might take out (restocking, etc.), or any requirements about the mattress (that it be in new resellable condition, for instance, which in reality means they will never take it back (since a dealer can't legally resell a used mattress). Bottom line - you really need to watch your back on this one. I've talked with lots of people that ended up eating the cost of their mattress, and sometimes more than one, when their new, expensive mattress ended up being uncomfortable.
5. The Spring Scam
I've saved the most insidious scam for last, because it is one that pervades the entire industry. What most people in the U.S. consider the prototypical mattress - the innerspring mattress - just isn't inherently a comfortable mattress.
If you think about it for a minute you'll understand what I mean. Sleeping on a bunch of rolled, steel springs by themselves just wouldn't be comfortable at all. Steel is a pretty unforgiving substance, and even when you put it in coil form it still isn't something you are going to want to lie down on all night.
As the years have gone by since the introduction of the innerspring mattress, people have demanded a more comfortable and luxurious feeling bed. As a result, innerspring mattresses have become absolutely gigantic in size because of all the comfort layers that manufacturers put on their mattresses to overcome the inherently uncomfortable steel spring core of the mattress.
This has gotten completely out of control in the last 10 years or so. While the average size of a mattress used to be 6 inches, maybe 8 inches if it was "plush", now innerspring mattresses routinely clock in at 12 - 14 inches - some even more. And they weigh exponentially more than they used to as well, since they are double the height and using a lot denser comfort layers. So just try turning these new innersprings - they're hernias just waiting to happen!
And this is all due to the inherent design flaw of using an uncomfortable material (steel) as the core support feature in a bed. But technology has come a long way since the innerspring mattress was first developed in the 30's, and these days you have lots of options for a more comfortable mattress…
6. Getting to the Core of the Problem
In my research, I was surprised to find out that the fastest growing segment of the mattress industry in the last 10 years has been what it termed the "specialty mattress" segment. What is this? The specialty mattress term encompasses the latest technologies in the bedding industry: memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, and air beds.
While these specialty mattresses do differ greatly from each other in both construction and what types of sleep issues they may work best for, they share one common bond. Unlike the innerspring mattresses, they are comfortable at their cores. That is to say, while you wouldn't find it comfortable at all to sleep on just a bed of steel springs, sleeping on a mattress just made of foam, latex, or air is pretty comfortable. The core of the specialty beds just offers a huge improvement in comfort over steel springs, and so this comfortable core means the mattresses made of these cores are just inherently more comfortable than an innerspring.
That isn't to say all memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, and air beds are alike. These broad groups of mattresses have somewhat different feels and attributes and so appeal to somewhat different types of people.
Memory foam is the hottest segment in the mattress industry, and for good reason. The unique way that memory foam cells spread pressure and conform to your body make memory foam beds a good match for those with sleep problems, pain issues, or those looking for a mattress that custom molds to their shape. Memory foam mattresses can be very comfortable, but there are huge variations in the feel of different manufacturers' memory foams. And the quality of memory foams used in mattresses vary dramatically as well. How do you find a good memory foam mattress with comfortable, quality components at a reasonable price? See my recommendation below for a retailer who specializes in memory foam mattresses and offers an unheard of 365 day money back guarantee on their mattress.
Latex mattresses are a great alternative for those looking for a firm, supportive sleep surface. And they are also a terrific choice for those looking for an environmentally safe mattress. To my surprise, I learned that not all latex mattresses are created equal. It is a little told fact that most latex mattresses actually are made of a combination of real latex (made from the sap of the rubber tree) and artificial latex (made from petrochemicals). I never got a great answer to why latex beds are mostly made of this blend of artificial and natural latex. The best I came away with was that this is just how it has mainly been done. But I found the natural latex to be much more comfortable, and as long as you are paying for latex, you might as well get the real deal. Of course if you are wanting the environmental benefits of sleeping on latex you will want to make sure that what you are looking at is made from all-natural latex. If you think latex might be the solution for you, please check out the recommendations section below for a dealer that only carries all-natural latex mattresses with a 180 day money back guarantee.
Finally, air beds are a nice option for those who want to be able to adjust the firmness of their mattress to their own unique preferences. Make sure you get an air bed with a dual chamber if you sleep with a partner - this will allow you to each individually adjust the firmness of your own side. Like all other mattresses, there are lots of ins and outs of buying an air bed. One thing that I came away with was that, if possible, to get an air bed that has a top layer of memory foam. The top layer of memory foam might seem redundant since the air bladder is individually adjustable - so why do you need memory foam (which also conforms to your body)? The answer is that in an air bed, the actual air chamber is the support layer - the core of the bed. Think of it this way - the air chamber replaces the springs. So you need the air chamber to be fairly firm to be supportive. This is why the memory foam layer really makes an air bed much more comfortable. It lets you use the air chamber as designed, as the support layer, and the memory foam layer provides the cushioning and comfort for the mattress. Unfortunately, it can be very expensive to get an air bed with the memory foam layer. But as you will see in my recommendation section below, I've found a dealer that only carries an air bed with memory foam at a really good price. They also back their air bed up with a 180 day money back guarantee, so you won't get burned.
A Couple Of Dealers To Check Out
The dealer I highly recommend for memory foam mattresses is Healthy Foundations. To say that they are like an encyclopedia of information about memory foam is an understatement. They offer by far the best, and most unbiased, information on memory foam on the Web, period. What I like about Healthy Foundations is that they don't seem like they are out to sell you. Their mission seems rather to be to provide you with all the information you might need, and then you can see for yourself whether a memory foam mattress might be a good choice for you. Really kind of a refreshing change from the hard sell school of mattress selling you encounter in the stores.
Shopping.com Review
"I purchased a memory foam mattress from healthy foundations and it
was the most incredible experience & product I have ever purchased
online. I purchased this mattress 9 months ago, & it truly is the
MOST comfortable mattress I have ever slept on. Since we purchased
this mattress I have not once woken up sore, I have had NO back
pain, & have not suffered from sciatica."
"Healthy Foundations is incredible to work with, I called them to
ask about their 365 day money back guarantee because I was nervous
about making such a big purchase online. I was extremely impressed
by the customer service I received, I was NOT put on hold, Brian
answered immediately, answered every question I had, & told me if I
had any other concerns to phone him on his cell phone. This company
& product is INCREDIBLE, you will not regret dealing with them & the
best part is, you will get the best sleep of your life."
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One other thing I really liked about Healthy Foundations was that, unlike a lot of memory foam mattress dealers, they don't carry a dizzying number of memory foam mattress models. Rather than putting the burden on you to figure which memory foam mattress might offer the most comfortable sleep, Healthy Foundations' has winnowed it down to just one memory foam mattress after two years of testing over 25 different memory foam mattresses. This Memory Foam Mattress was the only one they looked at that had the quality and comfort they demanded and at a price that was less than ˝ that of the leading brand. This attention to detail seems to have been worth it - I was impressed by the fact that the Healthy Foundations Memory Foam Mattress gets about half the returns than they had for the leading brand's memory foam mattress that they previously carried.
Shopping.com Review
"Your customer service is the best I've encountered in a very long
time!!! ... Your customer service department emailed me a couple of
times and actually called to let me know the status of my order and
to make sure everything was OK. Someone actually cared and treated
me like a person, not just another "order!"
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Another great thing about Healthy Foundations is that they offer a 365 day money back trial so you can try a memory foam mattress at no risk for a full year. And Healthy Foundations has an impressive commitment to customer service. They have been a BBB member for 8 years with never a complaint, and they have a 5 star Shopping.com rating (something you almost never see for a mattress retailer). If you are at all interested in a memory foam mattress, you might want to read over the testimonials that Healthy Foundations has received on its Memory Foam Mattress - they are really something!
Shopping.com Review
"The memory foam mattress that I purchased from [Healthy
Foundations] has helped me to sleep ten times better ...I was
extremely pleased and satisfied with the quality of merchandise,
customer service, and speedy delivery that Healthy Foundations
provided. The memory foam mattress that I purchased from them has
helped me to sleep ten times better than when I used to sleep on my
old mattress. I was also pleasantly surprised to receive my mattress
within 2 days of ordering."
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As for latex mattresses and air beds, I found another dealer that I really like that offers both of these mattress options. Habitat Furnishings offers both a line of 100% all-natural, environmentally friendly latex mattresses as well as their custom Air Mattress System. The Habitat Furnishings All-Natural Latex Mattress comes in a basic 6" model and a more plush 8" model. Both these models have gotten rave reviews from customers (one neat thing, they have actual audio testimonials from their customers on the latex mattress that you can listen to on their site). If you are at all interested in a latex mattress, you should check out the Habitat Furnishings site just for the information they offer. I really learned a lot about latex mattresses from their 3 online videos (one explaining the difference between natural and synthetic latex, one on the eco-friendly properties of latex, and one on the details of their all-natural latex line).
"...It is simply the most comfortable thing I've ever slept on. I
transferred over from a $2500 ... spring bed, and its fantastic. The
service so far from Habitat has been fantastic. I got my bed 10 - 15
days faster than I thought I would. Marc is a fantastic manager. ...
"
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Habitat Furnishings also manufactures their own line of Air Bed Systems. The Habitat Air Bed line incorporates the best components they could find (best air bladders, pump, memory foam layers, etc.), and so far surpasses the quality of that offered by the standard air bed companies. Their top of the line air bed comes standard with 2" of memory foam on the top - at about ˝ the price of the leading air bed manufacturer's air bed with memory foam, and even features a layer of. natural latex, giving the bed a plusher, more luxurious feel than any other Air Bed in the industry. They offer a more basic model as well which features a layer of high tech foam that provides great support and comfort. Again, you will find lots of information about air beds on the Habitat Furnishings site, including two terrific videos (one that explores all the components of the Habitat Furnishings Air Bed Line, and another showing in detail how the Air Bed is put together - something I didn't find on any other site, and really shows how easy it is to put together).
"... My wife and I had searched for months and months for a bed that
is not only durable but extremely comfortable. And luckily we found
one at Habitat Furnishings. I've got to say that the latex bed is
the best
bed we ever had. So if you are on the fence, give it a shot."
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Habitat Furnishings is also a rock solid company with over 3 years as a member of the BBB with never a complaint, and a 4 1/2 star Shopping.com rating. And they do offer an unmatched 180 day money back guarantee for both their Latex Mattresses and Air Bed System.
Other Sleep Information That You Might Find Helpful
While a good mattress can be a key in getting a better night's sleep, here are some ways you can try to get a better night's sleep:
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