Mattress Ratings > Buying a Mattress Online
Buying A Mattress Online: What You Should Know → Based on Data From Over 13,800 Actual Owners
Page last updated December 4, 2010
What You Need To Know
Many mattress shoppers believe there is increased risk in buying a mattress online. This is mainly because buying online often requires buying a mattress untried – that is, without an opportunity to lie on it first.
Our research involving over 13,000 mattress owners shows, however, that owner satisfaction levels are similar whether a person tries a mattress before buying or not.
In other words, statistically speaking, there is no increased risk of being dissatisfied from buying online.
We determined this by comparing owner satisfaction of mattresses that can only be bought online without first trying them in a showroom with owner satisfaction of similar mattresses that are widely available in showrooms. The results show there is little if any difference in satisfaction.
Why is trying a mattress before buying not an advantage?
The data suggests three reasons. First, people who buy online tend to be more informed as consumers than those who do not buy online. In other words, people who buy online often do significant research and, as a result, know which mattress will likely best suit them even without lying on one.
Second, lying on a mattress in a showroom does not appear to be an accurate "test drive" in many cases. This is because an adjustment period of at least a few nights is often required for a new mattress. About 20% of the time, according to our data, owners are not sure if they like their new mattress at first, but like it more and more as they get used to it.
Third, a "test drive" may be largely useless because a mattress in a showroom can have a different "feel" than the mattress the person actually receives. This is due mainly to the fact that mattresses, even ones of the same model and specifications, often have their own individual characteristics and "feel" to some degree.
Advantages Of Buying A Mattress Online
Convenience
You can shop in the comfort of your home anytime -- and not have to deal with salespeople.
Better return policies.
Mattress retailers who operate exclusively online know that people perceive greater risk in buying from them because they cannot try the mattress before buying. As a result, these retailers often try to remove the perceived risk by having generous return policies. Unlike most traditional retailers, online retailers offer not only an exchange if you don't like your mattress but also provide the option of a full refund in many cases. In addition, traditional retailers usually make the owner pay for returning the mattress, while online retailers sometimes provide free return shipping.
Price
Oftentimes you will find a lower price and or better value from an online mattress retailer.
Disadvantages Of Buying A Mattress Online
Usually more hassle to return
While online retailers may be more generous with their return policies, getting the mattress back to them may be more of a hassle than is the case for traditional retailers. When you send back a mattress to a traditional retailer they often send out their own truck and simply take the mattress out of your house.
But when you send a mattress back to an online retailer, the shipping method is usually FedEx or UPS. This means that your mattress will need to be prepared for shipping by you. In some cases, especially with memory foam mattresses, you may need to locate and buy a box and secure wrapping to place the mattress in for return shipping. If the mattress is dirtied or damaged during return shipping, the online retailer may not provide you with a full refund. Therefore, if buying online, you would be wise to ask the retailer about their return shipping policy before purchase.
Usually no old mattress take away
Traditional retailers often will take away your old mattress at little or no cost when they deliver your new one. Some online mattress retailers offer this service (usually at an additional cost), but most do not. So you will need to find your own way to dispose of your old and likely very heavy mattress. Talk to your local waste management (garbage takeaway) company to see if they will take it from your curb. Some people report that they are embarrassed at leaving their old mattress at the curb for the neighborhood to see.
Perceived risk
Even though our research shows there is statistically no greater risk in buying online, some people still feel uneasy about making a fairly major purchase without first trying the product.