How to Get the Best Mattress for You
When “Choice” magazine conducted their initial comprehensive review of the mattress industry way back in June 2010, few shops offered any type of comfort guarantee, yet ‘Choice’ provided the following advice to bed shoppers: ”…make sure you can return the mattress if you find it’s not as comfortable as you expected.”
”Choice” obviously recognized the difficulty in selecting a mattress in a retail environment where you only have a relatively short opportunity to test the mattress properly. A ‘Comfort Guarantee’ can help you select a mattress that is perfect for you by allowing you time to test it at home. If, after a short period of time, you’re not comfortable, you can exchange it for a different one or—even better in our stores, get your money back. Both of our Relax Bedding stores, in Mandurah and Malaga, offer a free comprehensive guarantee; we believe it’s only fair. However, largely due to delivery or return issues, most mattresses ordered online from our ‘warehouse’ can not be covered.
What’s the difference between a comfort guarantee and a warranty?
All mattresses come with a manufacturer’s warranty, usually about 10 years for a good quality one. This is a structural warranty that the manufacturer provides that covers the quality of materials and workmanship used in the manufacture of the mattress. Don’t confuse this with a mattress comfort guarantee, which is usually provided by the retailer.
Why do you need the Comfort Guarantee?
Statistically, mattresses are changed every seven years, however, a more expensive one could be expected to be used for longer than that. That’s a long time if your new mattress isn’t helping you get a refreshing sleep. When purchasing, you should check out a broad selection of mattresses from a quality supplier and test them properly with some guidance from the retailer. You should do your best to find the one that feels just right for you and your partner, if any. But what happens if you find it doesn’t feel as good after you’ve got it home, despite your best efforts to choose in-store and even after a week or so of settling in? Sometimes you can find that, over an extended period of time, it’s not providing the support you need. That’s when you wish you had Comfort Guarantee. If not, you could have a long time to regret your selection or, alternatively, you may have to take the expensive option of starting the mattress hunt again.
What type of mattress Comfort guarantees are available?
Very few of the large bed store operators provide a comfort guarantee for your in-store purchase but if you can get one be sure to ask some questions as a few things may still be unclear: What exactly is it? What does it cover? How long does it last? Does it cost anything?
Do you really need it? Well, if you’re thinking of upgrading your mattress here are some things you should be aware of and some things to look out for.
1. Do they offer a comfort guarantee?
Most of the national franchise groups will not allow you to return your mattress. Some will do so on occasion as part of a specific promotion, implying it’s a benefit rather than a need. Individual store managers may assist but usually with conditions that mean you will pay an additional cost.
2. Is there a cost?
Most stores that offer a guarantee do not charge separately, but be sure to check. Some stores also provide extended guarantee periods for an additional cost. The other cost to look out for is the exchange swap over cost, should you require it. Make sure you’re aware of all the fees. There are sometimes pickup and delivery service costs, as well as accounting and other additional fees.
3. Does the guarantee apply to all mattresses in the store?
Some mattress manufacturers will provide the guarantee instead of the retailer, but often it’s only on a selected range. It’s important that the guarantee applies to all mattresses, otherwise your replacement selection is severely limited. In Relax Beddings stores all mattresses are covered.
4. How long does the comfort guarantee last?
There’s a big variation in the retail offerings. Usually, guarantees last between 14 and 100 days. Obviously, from your point of view, the longer the better, however, most people know within the first few weeks if it’s right or not (Please Note: There’s a period of adjustment when you first get into your new mattress. At Relax Bedding, we ask you to try it for 30 nights before deciding to return it to the store.)
5. If the replacement mattress you choose is cheaper, will you get a refund?
Will you pay the full Recommended Retail Price for your replacement mattress even if it’s currently being sold at a substantial discount? In the current economic climate, most retailers have regular sales with deep discounts, so if you pay the full R.R.P. you’re probably paying way over the odds for the replacement.
6. Is there a limit on how many times you can exchange it?
If you can find a store that offer a comfort guarantee, they will only offer one exchange, which can sometimes be an issue. At a Relax Bedding store, in an endeavour to ensure you get a good night’s sleep we will accommodate an additional swap. However, we reserve the right to give the customer their money back instead
7. Is there a money back option?
If there’s no Money Back option on offer, you’ll have to get your replacement mattress from the same store even if you can’t find one that feels just right for you. Clearly, a money back option for a reasonable period of time is by far the best choice. Check behind any ‘Money Back’ headlines to ensure that you’re not just getting money back on a mattress which is delivered damaged; ensure that the relates to your potential comfort. There are a number of things you should do to ensure you get your ideal bed. Use the guide above to avoid some potential mistakes, save you money, and give yourself the best opportunity to purchase a mattress that helps you achieve the best possible night’s sleep, leaving you refreshed for the day ahead. Thinking of buying? Click here to download our Free “Bed Buying Guide” which will tell you everything you need to look out for when buying your next bed.