Buying a mattress

[MrsPete]

So, our mattress is shot. Actually, it's been shot for quite some time, but we've dragged our heels about getting out and choosing one.

Yesterday we went into a stand-alone Sealey mattress store (just because we drove by and said, "Hey, let's go see what they have"), and it really opened up more questions than answers: The salesperson showed us that they categorize things by color . . . and after laying down on firm, pillowtop, etc., we decided that we are "plush" people. She says most people prefer pillowtop.

Here's what we know:

We care more about good quality and long-term value than initial price (but that doesn't mean we're willing to plunk down more money than is necessary).
I disliked the memory foam tremendously.
The zero-movement concept doesn't matter to us; we both sleep like the dead.
We liked the "plush" category but couldn't distinguish a difference between one plush and another.
Our box spring is absolutely shot too. No question about it: we will replace the whole set.
Not all the mattresses had "handles" on the side for easy-flipping; I definitely want handles.
We're shopping for a king, which is going to be expensive.

The mattress/box spring set we liked best was $2300. OUCH.

In the back of the store they have "clearance" mattresses. They had two plush kings for $999/each and a king box spring would add another $300. I'm tempted to go with that -- it's hard to argue with saving $1000.

My husband says he'd like to have the warranty, which would NOT be included with the clearance mattresses. If, within 10 years, the mattress becomes "indented" 1.5 inches, they'll replace it. Is that promise really worth $1000? I read on the internet that mattress companies are very fussy about the mattress being 100% spotless, and that if you have even a small stain on it, the warranty is voided. Does that seem kind of pointless to anyone else?

We understand that a higher coil count is better, but what's "enough"? In most things in life, I'm convinced that mid-priced is best, but I don't know where the middle point lies in this case.

Finally, does that $2300 (or $1300 for a clearance set) sound realistic for a king set? Or did I end up in a very expensive place for my first visit?

 

[maleficentmom]

9 years ago we bought a Restonic mattress, we were told by several people in the furniture business that this was one of the best mattresses available and that they were made in the area. We got the kind you rotate rather than flip. We have been well satisfied with it. We got my teen a very comfy mattress at Big Lots at a good price, they have some brand names there..we got it when they had a 20% off coupon.

 

[CTdiznymom]

We had a pillowtop, and would never buy another. You get half the wear bc you can't flip it, and when you rotate it, you end up sleeping in your partners valley. Ours was a sagging mess after 2years. We went with a memory foarm from www.BedinaBox.com and we love it. I have never heard of anyone getting any compensation from a mattress warrenty. There are so many hoops you have to jump thru, so read the warrenty before purchase. Some say it has to be in the original packaging. Like that is going to happen!!

 

[LuLuO]

Having sold mattresses, forget the warranty. It is true that if there is any little stain on the mattress they will void the warranty. If they determine the mattress was abused in any way...take that to mean what you will...the warranty will be voided.

Go with what feels best. If the $1300 bed is most comfortable, go with that. If the $2300 bed is most comfortable and you can afford it, then go with that. Our mattress was a clearance queen at $500. It is not the best mattress in the world, but it is comfortable and it was in our budget. I figure at about five years we'll need another one, but that's fine with me. Once our kids are past the bed jumping stage, maybe we'll go to a higher price point.

 

[JaymeC]

I grew up a furniture sales persons daughter... and yes to some degree you pay for a better mattress but you also pay for the name, or in many cases the pillow top. Also, keep in mind because of the pillow top it will wear out a bit faster as you won't be able to flip it. If there's any available I would suggest going to one of your small, local mattress stores and seriously telling them you want to lay down for a bit. If you find a mattress that's comfy, stay on it for a bit. I've known a lot of people who thought they wanted a certain level of softness, but a week later realized it was hurting their back. If you could find a place that would do returns the first two weeks just in case that'd be awesome, but most places won't since they'd have to re-sell the mattress.

Having said all of this, I find myself buying a Japanese futon this go around for our mattress (not one of the cheap American made ones the college kids use!) and the older I get the more firm a mattress I seem to want. So I guess my only advice is to be sure it's what you really want

 

[DISdreamin']

I'd ignore the warranty if you are going with a pillow top. As others have pointed out, the Top does compress with age. At less than one year, I contacted the manufacturer of our set over what I considered sagging. They said it was the pillow top and refused to cover it as a warranty claim, even though there are definite valleys where we sleep. They wouldn't even discuss looking at it - just NO.

Our mattress is still comfortable, but when we snuggle you literally have to crawl up over the hill to get to you SO! I would never buy another pillow top mattress because of the issues we've had with this one. FWIW our mattress is 7 years old and we paid about $1500 for it.

 

[pantherlj]

Check out Original Mattress Factory if you have one in your area. We love our flipable (with handles) pillow top from there. Great price, service, quality.

 

[Eastern]

I actually got a mattress/boxspring set replaced under warranty. After about a year, there was obvious sag in the middle of the mattress. It originally cost about $700 for a queen set from Sleepy's. There was a very small, very faint stain on the mattress that I thought would void the warranty, but it wasn't a problem. An 'examiner' came and took pictures and measured the indentation with a ruler. He ok'd my complaint and I picked out a new set from the store.

$2300 sounds like a lot for a mattress. Did you try bargaining with him? Usually there is room to negotiate with mattresses. At least wait for a sale.

I wouldn't buy a pillowtop; they are notorious for wearing out. Better to get a plain mattress and add your own pillowtop from BB&B.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

9 years ago we bought a Restonic mattress, we were told by several people in the furniture business that this was one of the best mattresses available and that they were made in the area. We got the kind you rotate rather than flip. We have been well satisfied with it. We got my teen a very comfy mattress at Big Lots at a good price, they have some brand names there..we got it when they had a 20% off coupon.

I second Big Lots!! Recently I asked on here about buying my DD a mattress and Big Lots was recommended. That's where we went, and they had great mattresses at great prices. I was shocked, since I generally avoid Big Lots at all costs We ended up getting her mattress set there, and we're planning to go back and get our mattress set there when we need to replace it.

 

[twinboysmom]

It's been a little over 10 years but I actually owned a sterns n foster that was replaced by the company after owning 18 months for a sagging pillow top. They came out and took the measurements (I believe it has to be an indention of greater than 1.5 inches) and I received a brand new mattress.

MrsPete, I would take my time and look at a lot of different brands and spend lots of time laying on them, both you and your spouse in the positions you usually sleep in. I would only buy one on sale, never full price. Write down ones you like and what price they are so you can find who has the best price. Also see if the store you buy from has a policy that if you do not like the mattress aftermso much time you can return it and purchase another. We purchased a Serta a few years ago and hated it after a month. We payed a small penalty and the store came and picked it up and sent it to their clearance warehouse and we purchased another mattress. The only requirement was we had to purchase their mattress pad and there could be no stains. It was will worth it. Don't rule out Sam's club or Costco either. I know Sam's sells Serta for a reasonable cost. Good luck.

 

[Judique]

I wouldn't buy a pillowtop; they are notorious for wearing out. Better to get a plain mattress and add your own pillowtop from BB&B.

I added a pillowtop about two years ago to extend my mattress life. It made it very comfy but I am now ready to buy. (I was lucky to get a $300 pillowtop for $99)
The pillowtop slides and pulls the sheet and mattress cover off the mattress if I move around too much, and I'm done with it, although it is still very comfortable.

Going to see what Costco has.

 

[Tooth Fairy]

We bought the Novafoam gel memory foam mattress in a box(queen) with coupon $400 plus tax. Had it about a month and love it!!!!! Hope it holds up. We were replacing a Kingsdown traditional mattress that was a gift when we got married.....many years ago. It was still in fair shape and I will use at my mothers for when we visit. Could not find another kingsdown worth the money they were asking.....Plus Costco told me they take it back up to 2years from purchase....

 

[Jex]

From my experience mattress places will deeply discount the price if you negotiate.

 

[starry_solo]

Have you looked at your local Sam's or Costco? That's where I got mine (I only got the mattress, not the box spring). I laid on it for a while (it's a plush and Serta) - queen - got it for less than $500.

 

[Judique]

Have you looked at your local Sam's or Costco? That's where I got mine (I only got the mattress, not the box spring). I laid on it for a while (it's a plush and Serta) - queen - got it for less than $500.

My Costco = $600 for a posturepedic set queen sized

Could not test drive (rest on it) - it's in a vertical position.

This is much less than what I paid for the last 2 sets I've purchased.

So, I'm not sure.

 

[MrsPete]

We got the kind you rotate rather than flip.

I thought all mattresses were supposed to be BOTH rotated and flipped every season? I thought that was the way to promote equal wear. What am I missing?

I have never heard of anyone getting any compensation from a mattress warrenty. There are so many hoops you have to jump thru, so read the warrenty before purchase. Some say it has to be in the original packaging. Like that is going to happen!!

I suspected as much, and I think my husband is starting to lean that way too. We'd essentially be paying $1000 for the warranty, which isn't likely to be used. He's seeing as "use the mattress for 10 years, get another one 'cause it's bound to be worn-down 1.5 inches". He's trying to talk himself into thinking this is like pre-paying our NEXT mattress along with this one . . . but I don't think he's right on that.

Go with what feels best. If the $1300 bed is most comfortable, go with that. If the $2300 bed is most comfortable and you can afford it, then go with that.

I can't tell a difference between any of the mattresses in the "plush" category, so I'm thinking it comes down to price within that category.

If you could find a place that would do returns the first two weeks just in case that'd be awesome, but most places won't since they'd have to re-sell the mattress.

Yeah, the place we visited offers returns (no re-stock fees) within 100 days; however, the prices are high, so we'd be paying for that "peace of mind".

I'd ignore the warranty if you are going with a pillow top. As others have pointed out, the Top does compress with age. At less than one year, I contacted the manufacturer of our set over what I considered sagging. They said it was the pillow top and refused to cover it as a warranty claim, even though there are definite valleys where we sleep. They wouldn't even discuss looking at it - just NO.

Yeah, just as well that we didn't really go for the pillowtop category. It seems to me that if you want the pillowtop, it'd be better to buy a separate pillow topper -- then it could be replaced for much less money than the whole mattress.

$2300 sounds like a lot for a mattress. Did you try bargaining with him? Usually there is room to negotiate with mattresses. At least wait for a sale.

I wouldn't buy a pillowtop; they are notorious for wearing out. Better to get a plain mattress and add your own pillowtop from BB&B.

No, we didn't negotiate . . . yet. That was our first shopping trip, and we're not yet sure of what we want. You can't neogiate 'til you're ready to buy.

My daughter's starting to collect stuff for college next fall, and she's already scoped out college-dorm pillow tops on ebay in the $10 range. Of course, that's for an extra-long twin, not a king.

I actually owned a sterns n foster

That's the brand we liked best!

From my experience mattress places will deeply discount the price if you negotiate.

Any hint about just how much might be possible? A percentage?

Have you looked at your local Sam's or Costco? That's where I got mine (I only got the mattress, not the box spring). I laid on it for a while (it's a plush and Serta) - queen - got it for less than $500.

We don't have those, but we do have BJ's Warehouse. That price difference is so large that it makes me suspicious. Well, maybe not . . . you're talking about a queen instead of a king, and it's 50% the price I saw on clearance. Maybe I'm not wary of that price.

 

[starry_solo]

I know the Sam's club one will let you "test drive" it, so to speak, because they have a pull-out mattress available to lie down on. I'm not sure about Costco's.

I do know that the brand/type they sell, you would have to find a similar style outside (but not exact). I think the mattress places have it that way so you can't compare the styles with other retailers

 

[Sadie22]

Apparently some cheaper pillowtop mattresses only have the pillowtop on one side, so they cannot be flipped. We negotiated a good discount for a two-sided pillowtop and have been very happy with ours.