Mistakes happen. No big deal. But when that mistake involves something as important as sleep – well, that’s a different story. And let’s face it, the mattress industry isn’t exactly known for making it easy to spot potential mistakes beforehand. I’ve been in this business for more than 25 years, so this list comes from experience!
Rookie Mistake #1. Buying “The Cool” Mattress
Just because a well-spoken actor in a crisp white lab coat tells you his mattress is great doesn’t mean it is. Ask yourself: Have the cool new kids undergone the test of time? Are all those positive reviews coming from people who have slept on those mattresses for years, or are all these positive reviews just extra stuffing?
According to a recent story by CNBC, there are 175 online mattress companies. That’s a crazy number! How many of them can say they have decades – not just a few years – of experience selling mattresses?
This guy can!
Rookie Mistake #2: Buying Before Trying
Here’s a thought: would you ever buy a car without first taking it for a test drive? It’s not just that a car is a big-ticket item. You want to know how the car feels. How the car hugs the road. It’s the same with a mattress. You need to lay on it to see how quickly it will take you from wide awake to sound asleep.
And don’t be fooled by the mattress companies that claim they’ve created a one-size-fits-all mattress. We all sleep differently, and thus we each need a mattress that suits our sleep styles.
Rookie Mistake #3. Assuming Price = Quality
Just because a mattress costs a lot of money does not mean that the quality is any better than a mattress with a significantly smaller price tag. This is the perception that the fancy name labels want you to believe. Well, I’m all about smashing perception and giving you the honest truth. It’s just what I do!
Mattress construction isn’t as complicated as some would have you believe. There is certainly a lot of innovation that goes into mattress development, but at the end of the day, most mattresses are made roughly the same way. And here’s an inside industry secret: some fancy, over-priced mattresses are made in the same factories as the value-priced mattresses using many of the same materials and techniques.
So just because a mattress has a bigger price tag, does not mean the quality is any better. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out what my customers are saying:
Bob-O-Pedic Gem
For the first time in several years, I have slept through the night since the mattress was delivered two days ago. Hurray!
Synergy Ultra Plush
spectacular mattress!!! best sleep ever. soft yet firm. just what i was looking for. thanx bob
Bob-O-Pedic Sport Hybrid Plush
I have severe back problems, where I can’t really sleep 8 hours or my back acts up, and mostly had restless sleep. I’ve been sleeping like a log, and I’m waking up w/o as much pain! I love the fact that it helps keep me cool, since I tend to run hot when I sleep. I’m so happy with this mattress!
Rookie Mistake #4. Not Taking Advantage of the Warranty
Research has shown that the average mattress will last anywhere between seven and 10 years. As mattresses age and wear down they can have a negative impact on your sleep.
A study by Oklahoma State University found measurable improvements in people who had older mattresses and then began sleeping on new mattresses. The average age of the older mattress was 9.5 years.
If you start to see issues with your mattress, you should examine your warranty to see if these problems are covered. Companies that have weak warranties expect you not to bother to use the warranty. They’re hoping you forget about the warranty and just deal with the mattress even if you’re disappointed with the quality. And get this–some warranties don’t even cover the expected life-span of the mattress. How crazy is that?!
But there’s good news! Bob’s Warranty is the best of the best. I’m talking 10-year non-pro-rated to 20-year non-pro-rated warranties; double, triple the length of some of my competitors. Check out the details here. Sleep on that!
Rookie Mistake #5. Just Dealing With It
Shopping for a mattress doesn’t make most people’s top 10 things to do this weekend. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important. The National Sleep Foundation’s 2018 Sleep in America Poll shows that only 10% of American adults make sleep a priority over other aspects of daily life. Getting a good night’s sleep is as important to your overall health as eating well and exercising. So, do yourself a favor and check out your mattress tonight. If you’ve had it for 10 years or more, there’s a good chance you need a new mattress.
My trained sleep associates will guide you through the mattress shopping process and help you select a mattress that’s perfect for you, at any of my 121 stores across the country. Don’t forget to take a “test nap” at my sleep center.
My mattress-in-a-box mattresses ship via FedEx, directly to your doorstep and set up is fun and super easy. Check this handy mattress-in-a-box setup guide.
If you purchased a mattress-in-a-box along with other items and have your entire order shipped via BOBtastic White Glove Delivery Experience, we’ll remove your old mattress and foundation!
P.s.
So, there you have it. Five rookie mistakes to avoid when shopping for a mattress, because mattress shopping should be fun!
I’m proud of the work we’ve done at Bob’s over the past 25+ years to bring transparency, fairness and yes, comfort, to the mattress business. Come take a test nap at any of my 121 Sleep Centers coast to coast and see (and sleep) for yourself!
