8 Reasons It’s Better to Buy a Mattress Online

Many consumers are contemplating whether or not it is better to buy a mattress online. For some people, it may be difficult to make such a large purchase without physically being there to do so.

Online shopping has taken over the way people buy and sell goods so purchasing a mattress online has quickly become an option that many people are choosing. The benefits prove numerous, from significant financial savings to a better selection of mattress brands, and much more. For those that are still a little skeptical, here are the top 8 reasons to buy a mattress online.

Top Benefits When You Buy a Mattress Online

1) Flexibility & Convenience

In the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, it may be difficult to find time to go shopping during business hours.  Now, consumers can simply sit down at their computer in the privacy of their homes and take as much time as they need looking for their perfect mattress.

There is no need to dress-up, get the kids ready, or drive across town to a retailer showroom when you buy a mattress online. Instead, you can shop on your time and on your own terms. If you want to take days or weeks to decide, you can.

2) Less Sales Pressure

While you may like the security of being able to test a bed before purchase, you will also have a sales person giving you the rundown of why you should upgrade to a bigger, better mattress or trying to steer towards the latest hot ticket item. It can be difficult for consumers to really focus on the pros and cons of the beds they are interested in a showroom setting when there is sales pressure diluting your judgment.

Many people are also uncomfortable laying on beds in stores. Online shopping presents the facts of the products without someone pressuring you the entire time.

Retailer websites generally do have an option for chatting with a salesperson, but it is up to you to initiate that conversation. If you prefer to shop in peace or find yourself easily “sold” to, this is an important benefit received when you buy a mattress online.

3) Opportunity to Be a More Informed Shopper

When you go to a retail showroom, there is often brochures and sales people to provide you with information. The downside is that they will only provide you information about their brands. Many stores also feature privately-labelled collections from big brands which can make comparing between stores difficult.

When you buy a mattress online, you can browse countless brands, sizes, and styles, scrutinizing them in detail to see which ones you are most interested in purchasing. At your fingertips are several resources explaining the different fabrics, materials and terminology used in the mattress industry.

Information published on a retailer’s website may also be more factual and reliable than word of mouth from salespeople. Consumer reviews and social media outlets also provide an insight into what real shoppers have to save about specific beds.  Opting to research and buy a mattress online provides greater access to information and makes better-informed shoppers.

4) Better Return Policies

Another important benefit, one brought up in a recent Mattress Inquirer article about the benefits of buying a mattress online, is extended return policies. Internet retailers know how important your new mattress is to you. They are also aware that you were not able to thoroughly examine the bed before purchase, and generally want to mitigate this concern and make the purchase feel like less of risk.

Whereas many brick and mortar stores offer only a few days or weeks for returns, it is the norm for online retailers to offer 1-3 months depending on the mattress type. This can be very helpful when deciding if a particular mattress is right for you, as you can see how it fares over several nights instead of just a minutes.

5) Better Prices

Pricing online generally is significantly less than local stores. The reasons for this include high retail markups, less overhead and more online competition.

A comparable online mattress may be up to 70% off the price of a bed you would purchase at any physical location.  Stores will also add sales tax though if you purchase a mattress online from a retailer in a different state, you typically do not have to pay that additional tax.

Websites also tend offer frequent mattress sales and promotions to get an edge over competitors (on top their already reduced prices). We also found some websites that price-match other sellers like latex mattress retailer Astrabeds. The savings alone make checking out online options worthwhile for most shoppers.

Some of the best times to buy a mattress online include:

• Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

6) Better Selection

While some consumers may think they will have a better chance of picking a good bed if they go to a showroom, the truth is the selection is often very limited due to size, cost and brand constraints. Typically, retailers only offer a few brands and only a few models you can actually test out.

When you buy a mattress online, you can view countless beds and better research the ones that you think meet your specific needs. What’s more, many specialty mattress brands of latex, memory foam and waterbeds can only be found online and are not available in stores.

7) Better Chance of Comfort Satisfaction

Many people assume that being able to test out a mattress in a showroom will ensure that they are getting the comfort and satisfaction that they are looking for. The truth is, statistics prove that this is not an adequate way to ensure that a particular bed offers the appropriate comfort and support.

According a study of consumer mattress satisfaction by Best Mattress Reviews the breakdown of customer satisfaction compared to showroom and online shopper are as follows:

• Innerspring-60% were satisfied when shopping at a showroom. 64% were satisfied when shopping online.
• Memory foam- 80% were satisfied when shopping at a showroom. 82% were satisfied when shopping online.
• Latex- 65% were satisfied when shopping at a showroom. 84% were satisfied when shopping online.

As the statistics clearly indicate, people are more satisfied when they can thoroughly research a brand rather than when they can lay on the bed for a few moments. The above article also cites a study by RTI International that indicated a typical showroom experience did not help people select a comfortable bed for sleeping throughout the night.

All of these indicate that when people buy a mattress online using critical thinking and careful comparisons rather than a test drive that they will be more satisfied.

8) Comparison Shopping

Savvy shoppers typically always compare a product’s value at different retailers when making big buying decisions. Online shopping allows people to easily click from site to site to learn more about beds that catch their eye.

In contrast, comparison shopping at actual locations means hours spent driving around from one store to the next. Comparison shopping while you buy a mattress online is not only faster, but typically provides more information as well.  If you want to compare 50 retailers without spending a fortune on gas, you can.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & 7 In-Store Myths

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to buy a mattress online?

Yes, it should be quite safe as long as you buy from a trusted and well-reviewed company. Most online mattress companies offer a sleep trial with a simple return process, so if you’re not satisfied with your mattress you can return it for a full refund. You’re also likely to save money by shopping online.

What should you pay for a mattress?

When you’re shopping online you should be able to find an excellent mattress for under $1000 or thereabouts, with higher end models costing about $2000. The price you’re likely to pay depends on what type of mattress it is and how thick it is. Memory foam and innerspring mattresses usually cost less than a hybrid or natural latex bed. A thicker mattress costs more than a thinner one because it contains more material.

Which mattress is best for back pain?

If you need a mattress for back pain, try one with medium-firm foam top. A memory foam mattress is a good choice, particularly if you’re shopping on a budget. Some sleepers prefer the bounce that a hybrid or latex mattress can offer.

How do I know what kind of mattress to buy?

One way is to ask yourself how you would like your bed to feel. Do you want a conforming mattress that molds to your body for a hug-like feel and lets you sink in slightly? Then you might want to consider a memory foam mattress. However, if you prefer a spring bed that lets you feel “on top” of your mattress, you might be better off with a hybrid or latex bed.

How do I know if my mattress is causing my back pain?

Ask yourself when your back pain is at its worst. Do you feel most in pain when you get up in the morning, and does the pain fade as the day goes on? Then the problem could be your sleeping position or your mattress.

If you’re a stomach or side sleeper, you might want to try back sleeping for a few nights. Have you tried a different sleeping position and you’re still waking up with pain? Then it’s probably because of a bad mattress.

Buy a Mattress Online for a Better Bed

Purchasing a mattress is a big investment in any person’s life. It is something that is supposed to provide you the proper comfort and support for several years, enabling you to sleep better and live a healthier lifestyle. Because of this, it is very important that consumers are able to weigh their options and research mattresses thoroughly, while saving time and money. When you choose to buy a mattress online you get all of these benefits and more, helping to ensure restful nights and sweeter dreams.