I just read an article by consumer reports correspondent Janice Liberman. She was doing a story on mattresses for consumers, specifically, how much you need to spend and the difference between high end and low end mattresses. Here is one of the things she said:
“The difference in an $800 dollar mattress and a $2,000 one may not be that great, but salespeople will inundate you with “facts” about foam, coil count, and the quality of the mattress ticking. (Who looks at your ticking anyway?).”
This is one of the grossest misrepresentations of the mattress industry I have ever seen.
Sure, a $2000 mattress and an $800 mattress do the same thing. They are a place to lay your head at night
It’s the same with a Hyundai and a Corvette both get you from point A to point B, but one has much more benefits obviously.
I would ask her what type of car she drives. I wonder if she drives an economy car or a luxury car. She probably has something nicer than an economy car because if you can afford luxury you should treat yourself to it. Consumers should buy the nicest mattress they can afford and not short change themselves because sleep is important as well as back support.
Janice you are not doing consumers a service, you are doing a disservice by making an already difficult purchase more confusing.
So, I am going to do consumers a service by explaining the point you refused to inform the customers on.
“Who looks at your ticking anyway?”
Who looks at your under garments, seriously, why do people buy 100% underwear or silk underwear, I don’t know anything about women’s lingerie – but I know those items can get excessive too. What is the difference between buying a 100% cotton shirt and polyester shirt? Or a super 180s wool suit and a polyester suit? Simple the polyester gets you HOT!
Mattresses that are made of mostly synthetic materials (polyester rayon will make you sleep warmer too) they do not breath as well as the higher quality ticking cotton and cashmeres. I read in a survey in sleep savvy magazine that this is one of the main concerns consumers have about their mattress is that it will keep them at a comfortable temperature.
Well I don’t know anyone today who would buy a car without air conditioners and yeah it costs more and it’ll still get you from point A to point B but you will be more comfortable.
“Salespeople will inundate you with “facts” about foam”
Ok, yes mattress salesmen can be a bit boring when they go into “foam” specs I’ll give you that- it’s not the most exciting conversation. Especially since you can’t really see on the inside what you’re buying. But when you stop and think about it aside from the ticking and the thin fiber underneath the ticking the foam is the most important part of the mattress – the foam not only creates the fell, but it is the closest part of the mattress to your body for the next 10-15 years! You might want to get quality foam. No it’s not cheap. Yes it costs more- not only because (believe it or not) millions scientists invest millions of dollars and years of research to design the right foam that feels good and lasts a long time
Which brings me to the next point Ms. Liberman didn’t address:
I am going to introduce such an important term to you that you should write it down and bring it into the mattress store with you. The term comfort life!
What’s that? Most mattresses that are $800 feel great in the store, and yes $800 will get you a decent mattress.
But like most high use durable goods each year it will feel a bit “less new” obviously.
Comfort life is the mattresses ability to maintain that new feel luxury mattresses do this better than the mid-grade mattresses. Luxury mattresses have a stronger innerspring and more resilient foams – that feel nice, like they do in the store for a much longer time.
Another reason why this article is just ridiculous is that it doesn’t even address back support!
Scientists have finally acknowledged that sleeping on a bad mattress is bad for your back. Most Americans suffer from back pain a good mattress will aid in relieving that pain
What helps with back support in a mattress – Strong inner spring this can either mean a higher coil count or a lower coil count with thicker coils. -In addition the premium and luxury mattresses have specific technologies for specific problems- like some of the memory foam mattresses that fill in and support the hard to reach lower lumbar area.
Thinking about this one topic causes you to see the weakness is Ms. Liberman’s argument.
In conclusion Janice nice try but no cigar you kinda missed the boat on this one.
If consumers followed your advice we would all be getting cheap comfortable mattress that didn’t address the consumer needs. You’re biggest flaw is that you assume that all consumers shop just like you. Every consumer is unique and has unique needs. Some consumers needs mattresses that have a high motion separation index, some require mattresses with more support, some need edge support some are athletes, some are single, some are couples, some have allergies. And a good mattress expert will elicit and help appeal to these needs.
The point is our industry has something for every consumer- whether $500 dollars or $5000 Some consumers have special needs and require special mattresses these sometimes cost a bit more- and if you have ever had the experience of a great night sleep a really great nights sleep you know I am telling the truth.
I realize mattresses are not the most fun and glamorous purchase and are very complex and VERY subjective to your personal situation and even sometimes confusing so whether they are your mom, your best friend, or a NBC news reporter. It is rare to find an individual who is not actively part of this industry who really KNOWS what they are talking about. Make a decision based on your needs and your decision not what someone from television tells you to do.