Are you in the market for a new mattress, but overwhelmed by the endless choices, brands, and prices? You're not alone! Welcome to our smart shopper's guide, where we aim to make your journey of purchasing a new mattress as smooth and cost-effective as possible.
One question we often encounter is: does it matter when you buy a mattress? The answer may surprise you! The timing of your purchase can indeed have a substantial impact on the price and value you receive.
In this guide, we will discuss the importance of timing in shopping. It involves utilizing seasonal sales, waiting for promotions from popular brands, and understanding the optimal times to negotiate in stores.
Investing in a mattress has a sizeable price tag, but finding the best deal can make the experience less daunting. However, many sales, discounts, and promotional offers can be overwhelming. Until now! Thanks to these handy tips and tricks, you will be well on your way to find the best mattress deals easily.
Stay tuned as we unravel the tips to buy a great mattress and secrets of shopping for one like a pro. With our insider knowledge, you'll be resting easy on a top-quality mattress without breaking the bank.
Table of Contents
1. Do Your HomeworkUnderstand Your Needs and Preferences
Research Options
2. Set a Realistic Budget
3. Comparison Shopping
Examine Product Quality
Research the Brand Reputation
Read Customer Reviews
Compare Terms of Sale
Comparison Tools and Shopping Assistants
4. Mattress Sales and Discounts
Timing Your Purchase
Regular Sales and Clearance Items
Coupon Codes and Promotional Discounts
5. Understand Policies
Making the Most of Your Sleep Trial
Navigating Returns
6. Negotiate
Conclusion
1. Do Your Homework
While it may sound cliché, researching before you buy is an essential first step when shopping for a mattress. This entails assessing your needs and preferences, researching options, and establishing a sensible budget.
You will learn how to score a mattress deal, while avoiding buying a bad mattress. Let's dive deeper into these areas to ensure you find the perfect mattress to suit your sleeping needs.
Understand Your Needs and Preferences
We have said if before, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for beds. It all depends on an individual's needs and preferences, and mattress budget. Each person has their own sleep pattern and comfort level. Recognizing these can greatly improve the quality of your sleep.
When buying a new mattress, many factors, including sleep position, body weight, temperature preferences, and health concerns, greatly influence sleep quality. There are also mattress features to consider like edge support, motion isolation and responsiveness, and mattress size.
Side sleepers may benefit from pressure-relieving mattresses, but back and stomach sleepers may need firmer surfaces for sufficient support. Additionally, a mattress may be more appropriate for heavier individuals. In contrast, a softer bed may be more comfortable for lighter individuals.
Temperature regulation is also crucial for sleep comfort. Mattresses with cooling technology can be essential for hot sleepers, while materials that retain heat are ideal for cold sleepers.
Lastly, those with health or allergy concerns should consider hypoallergenic mattress options. A supportive and pressure-relieving mattress is crucial for back or joint pain. Prioritizing these factors in selecting a bed will significantly improve your sleep quality.
Research Options
Once you're clear about your needs, it's time to begin the research phase. However, you should not limit your understanding to self-reflection. Indeed, investing time in comprehensive research is crucial.
Get to know the various types of mattresses - from innerspring to memory foam, latex to hybrids etc. It's important to understand the range of mattresses on the market thoroughly. Each mattress type has its advantages and disadvantages, and being aware of them can streamline your selection process. Consider how these align with your needs to refine your choices.
People widely recognize traditional innerspring mattresses for their exceptional support and ability to disperse body heat while sleeping. The steel coils offer resilience and resistance, which could benefit those needing firm support. Some people may not like the firmness of innerspring mattresses, which can cause discomfort and make it difficult to sleep.
Memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to alleviate pressure points by conforming to your body shape. How they envelop your body can lead to a more comfortable sleep experience. However, the foam layers in these mattresses can occasionally retain heat, potentially creating a too-warm sleep environment. Memory foam mattresses might not provide the required support for larger individuals, resulting in them sinking into the mattress.
Another option is latex mattresses, recognized for their longevity, responsiveness, and resistance to common allergens. Constructed from natural or synthetic rubber, these mattresses offer robust yet flexible support that gently molds to your body. They are also eco friendly. Despite these benefits, it's worth noting that latex mattresses can be pretty pricey, which might make them less affordable for some cost-conscious buyers.
Hybrid mattresses merge the best features of the mentioned types. These mattresses usually utilize a mix of materials to balance comfort and support. This could involve combining an pocket coil system with memory foam or latex layers. While hybrid mattresses can offer a superb mix of the key advantages of other mattress types, this innovation and flexibility often come with a higher price tag.
Check out our catalog to learn about other mattress types.
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Another critical step in your preparation is establishing a sensible budget. This should include the initial mattress cost and extra expenses like bed frames, pillows, and bedding. Shopping for a mattress can sometimes seem intimidating, especially when you notice the vast differences in price tags. They can swing from a couple of hundred bucks to several thousand.
It's certainly true that investing in a good mattress is necessary for your health and wellness. After all, sleep is a priceless component of maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. However, it's equally vital to respect your financial goals. Finding the right balance between physical and financial comfort can be tough.
Remember, higher cost doesn't always equal better quality or sleep. Your goal is to make a wise investment that gives you comfort and durability without causing unnecessary financial strain.
Your mattress-purchasing journey should be an adventure, not a sprint. So, take your time, make educated choices, and anticipate the enhanced sleep quality that your hard work will undoubtedly yield. Know what you need, learn your options, plan your budget, and confidently enter the marketplace.
3. Comparison Shopping
Comparison shopping is an essential step in finding the best mattress deal. It goes beyond just looking at the price tag. It's about examining the product's quality, the brand's reputation, customer reviews, and the terms of sale. Here's how to approach each of these aspects:
Examine Product Quality
Although choosing the cheapest option can be tempting, remember - buying a mattress is an investment that will benefit you long-term. Opting for a low-quality mattress can cause sleep discomfort and health issues. Research the materials, construction process, and bed's longevity to avoid that. Regarding mattress shopping, paying close attention to the details is essential.
You want to ensure you're getting the right foam type and density, the appropriate gauge of coils in an innerspring mattress, or the type of latex in a latex mattress. By focusing on these factors, you'll surely get the right mattress. Considering these factors can help you make a wise decision and ensure your sleeping comfort, night after night.
Research the Brand Reputation
A famous brand doesn't always guarantee a superior product, in fact, many online mattress brands are gimmicky, overpriced, and low quality. A company's reputation can reveal its focus on quality and customer satisfaction. First-party reviews don't often tell the full story.
Look for third party reviews and try to avoid paid sponsorships. To assess a company's reliability, consider its tenure, warranty terms and industry certifications. Talk to a mattress expert to get an unbiased assessment on quality and value.
Read Customer Reviews
Genuine user reviews can offer essential insights into the real-life performance of a mattress. Although a solitary lousy review shouldn't spook you, consistent complaints (e.g. substandard customer service, excessive sagging, etc.) should raise concern.
However, it's wise to be wary of the reviews' source. Unbiased, third-party review sites typically provide more accurate feedback than reviews on a company's website. It is important to watch out for partnerships and sponsored reviews, as those are the most biased.
Compare Terms of Sale
A quality mattress might still not be your ideal pick. It's paramount to comprehend the supplier's return policy and guarantee provisions.
Extended trial periods, stretching out for weeks or months, can grant ample time to appraise the mattress in your space. Furthermore, scrutinizing the warranty terms, covering more flaws and prolonging the duration can significantly increase the product's worth.
Comparison Tools and Shopping Assistants
Make your shopping process hassle-free by using online price comparison tools. Input the product you want and see the prices from various retailers, allowing you to spot the best deal quickly.
But remember, the goal is not just to find the cheapest option. It's about ensuring you receive the best value for your money. Consider the product quality, brand reputation, customer reviews, and sales terms to confidently choose a mattress that's the best fit for your needs and budget.
An easy way to compare mattresses and help narrow down your search is by using virtual shopping assistants, or shopping wizards. In a few clicks you will have a list of recommended mattresses based on your sleeping position, preferred comfort level, body type, and mattress style.
Try the Mattress Matchmaker to help find your perfect mattress.
4. Mattress Sales and Discounts
Purchasing a mattress can quickly become expensive. With some savvy shopping techniques, you can reduce costs and still get the one you want. Here we will cover taking advantage of sales and discounts, as well as mattress coupons and promotions. Learn when and where to search for deals and make your shopping experience easier on your wallet.
Timing Your Purchase
Timing is everything when it comes to mattress shopping. Watch for sales events during holiday weekends and significant retail periods. These are often the best opportunities to snag a deal. Take note of some of the advantages of shopping during these times to buy and plan accordingly.
- Canada Day (July): Canada Day Sales are traditionally the first major sales event of the year. It's another opportunity for mattress companies to clear out stock before the new fall collections arrive. Upgrade your sleep and rest well after celebrating the nations birthday.
- Back to School (August): At the end of summer, back-to-school sales are a good time to buy big ticket items like mattresses. This is a time when students could be moving into dorms or residences, or senior students moving into apartments, making it a good time for deal.
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday (November): Black Friday to Cyber Monday is one of the biggest sales event of the year. It has become a popular time to shop and score some last minute deals before the holidays.
- Boxing Day (December): Boxing Day sales are a great opportunity to purchase items. This is because stores aim to clear out their old stock and create room for new products.
Check out our promotional blogs to learn more about seasonal mattress sales.
Regular Sales and Clearance Items
In addition to yearly events, staying alert for sales throughout the year is worthwhile. Certain businesses offer frequent markdowns on excess inventory or slightly flawed. Fortunately, these deals don't compromise the mattress's functionality or comfort.
This can be a great way to snag a deal without compromising comfort. Look out for mattress clearance, and flash deals. Follow your local retailers on social media to stay up to date on the latest promos.
Coupon Codes and Promotional Discounts
Mattress companies often promote their products by offering coupon codes, instant rebates, and other discounts to attract customers. You can find these promo codes on the company's website (online shopping), social media, or newsletters. Some third-party sites compile lists of codes for multiple retailers. It's wise to do some sleuthing to uncover the best offers before purchasing.
However, to avoid disappointment, remember that the cheapest mattress may not provide optimal comfort or value. Evaluate durability, warranty, and trial period to determine the best option. Always remember to view purchasing a mattress as an investment.
5. Understand Policies
A sleep trial allows you to sleep on your new mattress at home, testing if it's the right fit. Most companies offer a full refund if you find it uncomfortable or inadequate within the trial period.
Remember that sleep trials typically last anywhere from 30 to 90 days. The exact length varies based on the company and mattress model. Be sure to check for a minimum break-in period you must abide by before starting a return.
Making the Most of Your Sleep Trial
Here are some valuable tips to maximize the benefits of your sleep trial:
- Scrutinize the Fine Print: Carefully read its terms and conditions before opting for a sleep trial. Be wary of any concealed fees, prerequisites or exceptions.
- Adjustment Time: Your body needs time to adjust to a new mattress, especially if it's a different type or firmness. A few weeks of patience goes a long way in adjusting to the change.
- Protect Your Mattress: Preserve the mattress in "like new" condition using a mattress protector during the trial period. Most trial periods mandate it for returns.
Navigating Returns
Understanding your new mattress's return policy is essential to make the most of your sleep trial. Here are some key considerations:
- Return Process: Follow the company's procedure for starting a return. This could involve contacting customer service or filling out a form.
- Cost Coverage: Companies' return policies differ in their coverage of costs. Some cover the cost of picking up and returning the mattress for free. In comparison, others may charge a shipping or restocking fee.
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Philanthropy: Partnering with local charities to pick up and donate returned mattresses is a convenient and philanthropic alternative.
6. Negotiate
Investing in a mattress is a big decision that impacts your overall sleep quality. Thus, it is essential to ensure that you get the right fit. Especially when dealing with big box retailers, you should assume that product prices have big margins to pay for the store's overhead and commissioned staff.
Knowing this, you should be able to talk the price down a bit or ask for a price match if the retailer will honor it. Supporting local and online retailers will help guarantee that you are getting the best deal without haggling.
Conclusion
Purchasing a good mattress is more complex than selecting the cheapest option. Try to strike a balance between comfort and buying and affordable mattress. There are many factors to consider, such as your needs, thorough research, and informed decision-making. Each of these factors can go down its own rabbit hole of information, like finding the right mattress firmness.
You can now confidently find your perfect mattress for a good deal using these tips and tricks. With a restful night of sleep being vital, it's worth investing time in the mattress shopping process.
So, embark on this journey fully prepared, and make the best investment for your sleep quality. Enjoy the shopping experience!