Realty Times - Purchasing a Mattress

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Purchasing a Mattress

by Courtney Ronan

How do you know if it's time to consider shelling out hundreds of dollars for a new mattress? If your mattress is more than 15 years old, if you haven't had a good night's sleep in months, if you and your spouse are rolling toward the middle of the "cave" in your mattress, if your back is killing you or if your mattress has more craters and bumps than the Grand Canyon, it's probably time to hit the stores.

Unfortunately, shopping for a new mattress can be a lot like shopping for a new car. You know the scenario: You enter the store, and within seconds, the salesman approaches you. "I'm just looking" fails to deter the salesman; in fact, your response usually serves as the impetus for a lengthy sales pitch. It doesn't hurt to listen, however. And this isn't to imply that all mattress salespeople are wheelers-and-dealers. But if you're too quick to jump on his or her proposed "deal," you might lose the opportunity to pay substantially less. You may also select a mattress that really isn't right for your needs. Before you head to the store, keep these tips in mind:

Prepare to be a mattress-tester. That means wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can slip off if necessary. While you're testing out mattresses, don't just sit on the edge of each bed. Lie on it just as you would if you were about to go to sleep. Roll over on your stomach. Lie on your side. Spend a few minutes getting used to it. Salespeople are fully prepared for consumers to do just that, and most of the time, they'll encourage you to hop up and check out the mattresses on display.

Consider only name brands. This is one occasion during which generic isn't necessarily just as good. It's best to stick to a well-known mattress warehouse or factory. Heading to an out-of-the-way, unknown retailer with lower overhead isn't always the best strategy. Undercover investigations have determined that some dishonest salespeople have simply recovered used mattresses and sold them as new ones. The household name retailers in your area are your safest bet.

Purchase mattress and box spring as a set. Don't buy them separately or from different retailers. They're made to fit together, and different manufacturers produce different products that don't necessarily fit well with other manufacturers' products.

As you test each mattress, note how much your body "sinks" into the mattress. Are you sinking a lot? When you get up from the mattress, is your body leaving an impression behind? Those are both bad signs. You want a mattress to be firm but not rock-hard, and which supplies you with ample support for your back. The surface should give with the contours of your back. While laying on your back, determine whether there's a space between the small of your back and the mattress. If the answer is yes, you could experience lower back pain from this mattress. If the surface gives with the contours of your back, you're not as likely to experience back pain, and chances are good you'll sleep better, too.

Ask your salesperson about "pillow-top" matresses. They can be a godsend for some consumers because they offer additional comfort. On the other hand, you don't want a surface completely lacking in support. Pillow tops come in different thicknesses. Try several before making your decision.

Ask about the number of coils in each mattress, and the thickness of the wire used in the coils. Your goal should be to purchase a mattress with thicker-wire coils, which will help prolong the life of the mattress and offer you maximum support. Quality mattresses will have a minimum of 300 coils for full size; 375 coils for queen size; and 450 coils for king size.

Don't purchase any mattress without a warranty of between 10 to 15 years. This is fairly standard among the name-brand mattresses.

Avoid mattresses containing wool, which can provoke allergic and/or asthmatic reactions.

When you're down to the wire and are trying to make your decision between two or three mattresses, remember that now isn't the time to be a penny-pincher. While you don't have to purchase that $1,400 mattress -- the one the salesman refers to as "heaven" -- you shouldn't cheat yourself, either. A mattress is one of the most important investments you'll make. It doesn't hurt for you to shop around, and in fact, you should do just that to ensure that you're getting the best possible deal for your mattress (check delivery charges and whether or not the delivery service will pick up your old mattress). Odds are, you'll pay perhaps a bit more than you anticipated for your mattress, but by no means should you empty your savings account for a good night's sleep. Selling mattresses is a competitive business, so do a little comparison shopping before you sign the dotted line. Depending upon the size of your mattress, you're probably going to spend somewhere around $700 before it's over. But many retailers offer finance options. When it comes to the quality of your sleep and the care of your back, you can't afford not to buy the best mattress within your means.

Published: February 10, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

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Today's Headlines 02/10/2000 12:00:00 AM

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