How might I buy a bed and mattress without getting screwed

[bobdole369]

As the title suggests, it is time to purchase a bed. My future wife and I have been sleeping upon a full size nightmare handmedown.

So. Since mattress-folk tend to be just as bad - if not worse than used car salesman - how might I go about doing this? I have about a thousand and I'd like to keep as much as I can.

Any tips? What to look for? I know that brands and models are essentially meaningless from store to store. I know to shy away from "discount" places, and I know pillow-tops that are sewn on are usually to be avoided.

Anything else?

 

[jhu]

Costco

 

[MJinZ]

For frames and everything but the mattress, you can try Ikea. I got a nice full size for less than $100.

I got some a full size 8" thick Memory Foam mattress for around only $80 from Walmart, keep an out eye out for those deals. The Queen and King sizes at the time were only $10-$30 more.

Not expensive at all to get a super comfy memory foam mattress.

 

[marvdmartian]

OP, suggest you go around to some bed shops and "test drive" different mattresses before you buy.

No, not THAT type of test drive!!

Meaning, I've had a regular (cheap) mattress & box spring, a pillow top, and now have an inexpensive bed with a 4" memory foam topper. For me, the memory foam wins, hands down. I'm a pretty big guy, and the pillow top just seemed to flatten out after a few years (even with the one I had, which had the pillow top on both sides, so frequent flipping and spinning kept me from sleeping on the same spot all the time). I've slept on this memory foam pad for almost 3 years now, and it just keeps springing back. Chances are I'll replace the bed underneath the pad first! :awe:

But memory foam isn't for everyone, especially as it tends to keep you warmer than you'd be otherwise (it's how the memory foam works, by using your body heat to mold to your body's contours). If you're in a place that's warmer most of the year, you might not like that as much.

But if you're going to shell out hundreds of dollars for a bed, might as well make sure you're going to like it, right?

 

[IGBT]

try a memory foam topper. that may be all you need.

 

[dud]

I live in the south. DO NOT shop at Mattress BARN!!! The beds in thie stores feel NOTHING like the crao they deliver to your home. I complained about how much harder my mattress was from the showroom model ... and they informed me that the 30 warranty had expired. This was, of course, after they told me to "jump" on the bed to soften it.


AVOID ...

 

[DukeN]

Buy the bed (or just a frame/rails) at Costco/Ikea.

Buy the memory foam mattress in a box at Costco or Sams (whichever's cheaper). There's usually no difference between the higher end and the ordinary mattresses, and once you add a nice coolmax mattress cover you'll have a great mattress.

The whole setup should not cost you more than $800 all in typically (unless you buy an expensive wooden bed).

 

[Jeff7]

As the title suggests, it is time to purchase a bed. My future wife and I have been sleeping upon a full size nightmare handmedown.

So. Since mattress-folk tend to be just as bad - if not worse than used car salesman - how might I go about doing this? I have about a thousand and I'd like to keep as much as I can.
...

Just curious, howso?

 

[JEDI]

Costco

this

 

[JEDI]

For frames and everything but the mattress, you can try Ikea. I got a nice full size for less than $100.

I got some a full size 8" thick Memory Foam mattress for around only $80 from Walmart, keep an out eye out for those deals. The Queen and King sizes at the time were only $10-$30 more.

Not expensive at all to get a super comfy memory foam mattress.

what density was the memory foam?

for future ref: get 4 or 5lb memory foam

what happened to the 20+ page memory foam thread?!
they had a reputable ebay dealer listed in there that many ATOT'ers bought from

 

[bobdole369]

Just curious, howso?

In that the sharks swim at the door waiting for the next upsell victim. I went out a few years ago and just looked. The high pressure at "mattress giant", "furniture city", "el dorado", "city furniture" and the 3 local "mattress shops" I went into was unreal. Everyone dogging on everyone else, talking about coil count, longevity, lets get you financed "whats it gonna take to get you into this today", and what not. It really was just like walking onto a used car lot.

Since I'm no expert and the folks selling them are sharks, and as marges boss once put it, "the right house is the one you are in, and the right person is anybody" - I'm a bit cautious of going out unarmed.

So after some googling, there is some truth to coil count vs. construction, a pillow-top is a horrible thing to have sewn on, and watch out for warranties. That being said:

Ikea has a few bed frames that are interesting, unfortunately there are 5 pages of folks on ikeafan.com with one of them which broke right in the middle the same way. Sort of disheartening.

The bed slat idea is not one I'm fond of, being of ample girth.

I don't see an advantage in shopping at Costco, perhaps because there might not be any sales sharks? The stuff is expensive as hell there. King beds start at 750.

I figured $600ish for a mattress, and somewhere around 400 for a frame. I'm seeing that to be possible, with some work.

 

[microAmp]

I got a mattress from Macy's a couple weeks ago, they were having a sale on them, who knows if it was really a sale or not. Sales lady didn't bother me at all while testing several beds out or during purchasing.

Someone mentioned 30 day warranty, Macy's does 60, so something to consider.

 

[Jeff7]

In that the sharks swim at the door waiting for the next upsell victim....

Geez. I guess I was lucky then?

My mattress buying process:
Went to a local mattress store.
I pretty much said, "I need a mattress, decent, but not too expensive."
He started me out with their cheapest mattress, which felt like crap to lay on - there was very little padding over the springs. Next one felt better, and the next one above that was a bit too expensive.
Paid for it, had it delivered, it arrived, all was well.
No pressure on anything, no hassle. I don't know if I paid too much or not - $189 for a twin mattress, but it was simple to get, and about 3 years later, it still works perfectly fine.

 

[bobdole369]

No pressure on anything, no hassle. I don't know if I paid too much or not

Wow. Dunno if you got lucky or what. Maybe things have changed but I doubt it in the Great Recession. My prior experience, of which soured me on buying new, and instead just picked up new rails for the tired old handmedown, is something I'm sure will be more akin to drilling my own mouth

I went with my MIL when she got her bedroom set and matress about 9 months ago. She actually had to scream at a guy to GTF away from her, when she went in with a list and a picture of what she wanted. It took a manager to get her what she wanted and even then he tried to sell her something on the way.

 

[PsiStar]

I am not a salesman, but if I got no attention I think it would be as bad as too much ... they can't win. Ok, so much for the pity them thing.

I have bought from a Macy's like store & from bed discount places. I'll offer this test question for them, "Can I exchange if I don't like this & want to upgrade?" more $$ of course. That worked in Morgantown, WV & my 19 y/o daughter took care of it with the sales guy ... so win win can happen.

I don't like foam, but I am always "warm". On foam, ex-wife had to have, the side down (on the foam) was too warm. The side up seemed chilled. I did not fight over who got to keep the foam mattress. Well, a little just so it seemed like I was giving up something else.:sneaky:

Another thought, buy yourself a night at a Hilton in the tower for just 1 night. (She/He deserves it. Right? That is end of the relationship counseling.) Even a Westin ... just to check what is advertised as a quality bed. If you like it or not, don't forget to pull the sheets up to check it out. They will also tell you what the sheets are so you can find equivalent ... they "make the bed" also.:biggrin:

I just bought for another daughter a bed from Ikea. She kept insisting that she wanted to pay me back (d@mn independent) ... we bought medium. She is very slim (as in no fat at all), and yes ... 2 weeks later she has severe shoulder, neck, back pain. Bought a few more bed pads to build it up to make tolerable. In my opinion === all bad! Buy better. She won't argue with me next time.

 

[Fritzo]

January is the best time of year to buy furnature. The stores are getting rid of their 2009 inventory and you can often find 50%-90% off deals. Also up to 3 years no interest financing rocks---it's a free loan!

I even got "no sales tax" at a local Laz-y-Boy store when we bought our new living room outfit.

 

[JS80]

i'm thinking about getting this. anyone have any experience? http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Peyton-S...4894806&sr=1-3

 

[bobsmith1492]

Question is, can you USE it without getting screwed?

 

[Bignate603]

Ikea has good beds but their mattresses were terrible when I looked at them last.

 

[quakefiend420]

I am not a salesman, but if I got no attention I think it would be as bad as too much ... they can't win. Ok, so much for the pity them thing.

I have bought from a Macy's like store & from bed discount places. I'll offer this test question for them, "Can I exchange if I don't like this & want to upgrade?" more $$ of course. That worked in Morgantown, WV & my 19 y/o daughter took care of it with the sales guy ... so win win can happen.

I don't like foam, but I am always "warm". On foam, ex-wife had to have, the side down (on the foam) was too warm. The side up seemed chilled. I did not fight over who got to keep the foam mattress. Well, a little just so it seemed like I was giving up something else.:sneaky:

Another thought, buy yourself a night at a Hilton in the tower for just 1 night. (She/He deserves it. Right? That is end of the relationship counseling.) Even a Westin ... just to check what is advertised as a quality bed. If you like it or not, don't forget to pull the sheets up to check it out. They will also tell you what the sheets are so you can find equivalent ... they "make the bed" also.:biggrin:

I just bought for another daughter a bed from Ikea. She kept insisting that she wanted to pay me back (d@mn independent) ... we bought medium. She is very slim (as in no fat at all), and yes ... 2 weeks later she has severe shoulder, neck, back pain. Bought a few more bed pads to build it up to make tolerable. In my opinion === all bad! Buy better. She won't argue with me next time.

orly

 

[IronWing]

Mattress sales people piss me off. I don't want a box spring and will not buy one. When I state that I don't want a box spring the sales people seem to take that as a personal challenge to try to sell me a box spring.

 

[Sea Moose]

I got my bed from ikea. THe matress was pretty shit so i added on softening sheets and lambs wool and stuff.

Kinda like the show "pimp my ride"

but its a matress


Oh and pic of wife on your current mattress wearing a bikini please

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

How might I buy a bed and mattress without getting screwed

Just keep doing what you've been doing. Seems to be working for ya.

 

[Farang]

I went to Sleep Country USA.

The whole operation is a bait and switch. Like going to Goodwill to buy a TV and having the the employee tell you the dangers of used televisions, and how you might like this new one instead.

Anyway I needed a mattress and wasn't too keen on mattress shopping so I just laid on a few to find one that was comfortable. $450 with free delivery.

Found out later the whole mattress industry is a bait and switch. For example everyone offers a price match guarantee, but take a look out how many wacky names for mattress models there are out there. The reason? Every store gets its own model, so you're never going to price match since each "original" series is exclusive to that store.

You're fucked, just go lay on a few beds and find a comfortable one at an affordable price. The mattress tycoons have this one locked up pretty good.

 

[Zstream]

i'm thinking about getting this. anyone have any experience? http://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Peyton-S...4894806&sr=1-3

Is that just the mattress or the entire bed like in the picture?