One of the best things about the internet today is that people can buy anything from an online store, including hybrid and foam mattresses. In fact, according to sleepdelivered.com, an online site that reviews mattresses sold online, mattress buying online is becoming increasingly popular.
But is online mattress buying as advantageous as it sounds? Or does it have a negative side? Well, the only way to get to know this is to analyze the pros and cons of online mattress buying.
Benefits of Buying Memory Foam Mattresses Online
1. Return Policies Are Long
There is no denying the fact that online mattress buying may seem riskier than buying from a brick-and-mortar retailer. To cushion the customer from the huge risk associated with customers not being able to test the products before purchasing, online retailers offer their customers very attractive return policies.
Most online retailers allow their customers to return unsatisfactory products within 100 days though sometimes the terms and conditions may differ. For example, Tuft and Needle give customers who buy mattresses from their website a 100-day return policy.
However, the return policy for those who buy a Tuft and Needle mattress from Amazon is reduced to 30 days. Casper also allows its clients a free trial stretching to a maximum of 100 days. The terms can differ if you order from the manufacturer’s website or a place like Amazon. You need to read the fine print, as with any purchase.
2. Prices More Affordable
Online mattress buying is relatively cheaper than buying from a traditional brick-and-mortar store. In fact, it is estimated that online mattress retailers are at least 15% cheaper than brick-and-mortar stores. This is because of several reasons.
First, customers may not have to pay sales taxes when buying foam mattresses online. Secondly, most online mattress retailers offer their customers free delivery. Not all brick-and-mortar stores offer their customers free delivery. The middleman or distributor is removed from the process. Most online mattress retailers also offer discount codes to customers making the mattresses even cheaper.
Cons of Buying Memory Foam Mattresses Online
1. Too Firm
One of the most common complaints about memory foam mattresses that are bought from the online scene is regard to firmness. For example, Seth Zehler complained that the Tuft and Needle mattress he bought was too firm for his liking. Paul J. also had the same sentiments about the Tuft and Needle mattress, even claiming that he and his wife didn’t sleep much during the first two nights of owning the mattress.
In addition to that, they both woke up with backaches. There are also a couple of similar complaints about the Casper mattress, with MykDnm insinuating that the Casper mattress is more like sleeping on a brick. Brenda, another Casper customer, also complained about the mattress being too firm for her back. Yet another customer named PM thought that sleeping on the Casper was akin to sleeping on the floor.
Again select a brand and a mattress that suits your sleeping position. Closely read the mattress description, and if you need a soft mattress, search for that type. Read customer reviews and confirm that the foam mattress sleeps softly.
2. Off-Gassing
Customers have also come forward with complaints about the smell given off by the memory foam mattresses that have been bought online. For example, Pen Name confessed liking the Sealy mattress but, at the same time, admitted to wanting to return it because of the pronounced smell of rubber that the mattress lets out. Apparently, the smell had been there for over a month by that time.
Ryan, another Sealy customer, also reported having to resort to techniques such as opening the window, taking out the sheets on a daily basis, and even switching on the fans in order to get rid of the foul chemical smell emitted by the mattress.
Jason, a Tuft and Needle customer, resisted sleeping on his new mattress on the first night because of a slight chemical smell. The domestic economist, writing about the Tuft and Needle mattress, noted that the chemical smell was the first thing they noticed about the new mattress. The domestic economist also notes that the smell was there even after one week of using the mattress.
Once again, this is a complaint that was quite common regardless of the mattress brand in question. Plan on unpacking the mattress and not sleeping on it the first day if you read this is a customer issue, but many of the smell issues are getting less common. The manufacturers do listen to their customer base and are making improvements. (Updated 2018)
3. Foam Mattresses Sleep Hot
While most of the mattresses sold on online platforms are marketed as ‘cool’ to sleep on, numerous customers have complained about the memory foam mattresses sleeping hot. Jen, for example, complains that her Sealy mattress gets too hot, especially around her hips and her rear.
TDK, another Sealy mattress customer, complained about the non-suitability of the mattress during summer. Even Tuft and Needle have not been spared of such complaints. J. Castle, for example, complained about the unbearable heat produced by the mattress. As of 2018, memory foam mattresses now offer cooling gel-infused foam. However, if you live in a hot climate, you may want to research further and select a newcomer to the market called Purple Mattress. Purple sleeps very cool and is great in a hot climate or for women dealing with menopause hot flashes.
4. Poor Delivery of Promises (delivery time & return policies)
Unfortunately, some online mattress retailers may not honor the promises made to customers regarding the delivery time and the return policy. For example, some Casper customers get heavily disappointed because their mattresses take longer to deliver. One disappointed customer claimed that the online retailer had promised delivery within 7 working days but took over 25 days instead.
There are also major complaints regarding the no-hassle return policy of some online retailers. Unfortunately, Casper is one such company. There are several complaints regarding implementing the 100-day return policy, with some customers claiming that Casper does not honor the policy if one purchases its products from Amazon. Complaints have also been filed regarding the difficulty of returning faulty and unsatisfactory mattresses, with some customers complaining of delayed pick-ups of returns and refunds. Buyer beware when not ordering straight from the manufacturer.
5. Filtered and Doctored Customer Reviews
This is yet another issue associated with online mattress buying. It is quite unfortunate that some online retailers mislead their customers by filtering out negative reviews by real customers and instead doctoring numerous positive reviews to make their products look better and of higher quality. Fake news has become so popular it is sad that fake positive reviews are part of the problem. We like the sleepdelivered.com website because this one seemed to have solid researched material.
Buying a mattress is a very personal and expensive purchase. Researching all the information can be overwhelming, so try to narrow it down to 2 or 3 brands you like, then compare the type of mattresses that suit your sleeping position or body best. Then your checkbook will let you know what you can afford. Good luck, and sleep tight.
Source: ABC News