Online or Offline? Where to Shop the Next Time You Buy Your Mattress

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home, are currently in the middle of fixing your interiors, or simply want something better to sleep on, you’re probably considering getting a new mattress to replace your old one. A trip to the mattress showroom is something you still have to work in your busy schedule. Or should you just do what everybody else is doing and buy a new mattress online?

There are pros and cons to buying a mattress online versus in a physical store. Let’s take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of each to help you see which option would be best for your situation.

Buying Online: Pros

• You can shop from the comfort of your own home, even in your pajamas, anytime. You don’t have to wait for showrooms to open or schedule in a trip to the store.
• Many mattress models are sold at a lower price online, sometimes 15 percent less than store prices.
• Online retailers include long trial periods to convince customers the transaction is low-risk.
• You have a wide variety of mattresses to choose from.
• You can quickly do a price comparison.
• You can read reviews on different kinds of mattresses.

Be sure to check out our guide to buying the right memory foam mattress online right here

Buying Online: Cons

• You can’t really determine how a mattress would feel to your touch.
• Some retailers have a rather sketchy return policy or a pricey return fee if it turns out you don’t like the mattress at all.
• It can make you feel nervous about making a big purchase online.

Buying In-store: Pros

• You can test out different mattresses in one visit. You can lie down and get a feel of the comfort and support that would work best for you.
• Salespeople can assist you in selecting a mattress that would meet your unique needs.
• You can negotiate with salespersons for a lower price.
• You can get freebies like a new set of pillows or a mattress topper.
• You can inspect mattresses closely.

Buying In-store: Cons

• Your choices are limited.
• It can be a hassle going to the store.
• The presence of other people may make you feel awkward or uncomfortable about lying down on different mattresses for 15 minutes at a time.
• Some salespeople can be pushy, or only show you mattresses that may be too expensive for your budget.

So where should you buy your next mattress?

Taking all of these points into consideration, the recommended thing to do is to look at the best of both options and work out a plan.

1. Do your research online to determine the kind of mattress that would be best for you. Make a list of the mattresses you’re interested in, their specifications and the price range of each type as offered by different retailers.
2. Find those mattresses in showrooms near you or ask to see mattresses that have the same specs so you can test them out. Bring your spouse or a friend with you so you won’t feel embarrassed about trying out the mattresses. Take your time to really get a good feel of the mattress.
3. Negotiate prices to see if the retailer can match the price you saw online, or offer a lower price. If the price in the physical store is firm, then it would be a better idea to buy the mattress online.