I dislike mattress-shopping almost as much as used-car shopping!

[Oopsie Daisy]

The mattress & furniture stores give us a chance to test and try (an advantage over bed-in-a-box options, or online delivery) but the stores and sales people are aggressive and hovering.

And then there's the tried-and-true bait-and-switch. The "Mattress Firm" website listed a mattress that I was interested in at 60% off the (inflated) MSRP with the notation that it was "discontinued" and "limited stock" ... but that it was available at my nearby location.

They did not actually have that mattress for me to try and inspect... just a twin-size of the same model and firmness. --- I liked it and I started asking when the queen size could be delivered.

THAT'S when they told me the "disclosures" and letting me know that the mattress has been "reconditioned" and inspected and cleaned (deloused?) and that it could be a floor sample, or that it could be a returned mattress from a customer using their 120-night guarantee.

WHAT??!! --- While I am willing to sleep on hotel beds that hundreds of guests sleep on in a year, I draw the line at buying a "new" (used) mattress. --- Fleas? Bedbugs? Pet hair? Pee? Weed? Cigarette smoke? Perfume and cologne? --- No thanks!

When they realized I didn't want the "reconditioned" mattress, they immediately started guiding me toward "similar" mattresses that cost twice, thrice and FOUR TIMES as much.

I was angry, but I didn't let it show. I just said, "that's out of my budget"... and I walked out. --- Am I just being a fussy old biddy?

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I know and I have to get a new one in the next couple of months.

[CountAllVotes]

2. I bought a "Pleasant" mattress a few years ago

Severe back pain. I tried this out in the store and the salesman said that it worked well for others with my problem.

And, it did! Lots of relief right away.

It is a soft mattress and was pricey but it is worth it!

[Srkdqltr]

3. And.... why do they have to be a foot thick .. or more? Sheets don't fit and try getting into one.

Without a stool. Im old climbing is not my thing. I have a lift bed or I would put the mattress on the floor.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. You must have very old sheets.

They started making fitted sheets that fit the deeper mattresses years ago, decades ago.

[Srkdqltr]

7. Everything i have is decades old.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. Consider purchasing new sheets.

Ones that will actually fit.

[Srkdqltr]

11. Of course, silly me , i didn't think of that.

just in case.

I made a dozen pillowcases from the old sheets. So there

[IcyPeas]

13. Fitted sheets....

When I saw this cartoon I couldn't believe it.... because this is me trying to get all 4 corners on.

I hate my too high bed too and I hate the pillow top. I just want a plain old mattress... no frills, no gimmicky stuff.

[Oopsie Daisy]

15. I hear ya! It's a team-effort here too.

Even without a pillow-top mattress.

[Mosby]

5. I recommend Costco

Bought two foam mattresses and adjustable bed frames with remotes for 2k. Best mattress I've ever owned.

https://www.costco.com/mattresses.html?brand=novaform&refine=%7C%7CBrand_attr-Novaform

[Oopsie Daisy]

8. Thank you! That is exactly what we just did!

We ended up getting the sleep science brand. The one that is extra firm but has no built-in pillow topper. We both prefer firm beds and if it's too firm, then we can always add an inexpensive 1-in foam topper for some added plushness.

It was a decent price, and it includes delivery and haul away of our old mattress. The scoundrels at mattress firm wanted an extra $100 to do that.

🥱😴💤🛌
Night-night! Sweet dreams!

[Mosby]

9. One of my concerns was the foam mattress would be hot

But it's the exact opposite, it's cooler than our old pillow top. What I also like is that it hasn't developed any indentations, both sides are still completely flat after 4 years or so. It's just unbelievably comfortable, and I can lift the front a little which helps me sleep better.

[Oopsie Daisy]

14. The mattress that's arriving soon is compatible with an adjustable bed platform...

... but that's too much of an expense. Still it's an option for later if necessary. For the moment, I sometimes use a foam wedge pillow, and that's enough for now. (Funny to remember how I could sleep almost anywhere when I was younger... floors, sofas, recliners, airplanes, sleeping bags on rocky-unlevel campsites.)

[LogDog75]

6. The problem with buying online matresses is

you don't get to see how they feel like you do in a store. I like extra firm mattresses and saying a mattress in a commercial is extra firm doesn't convince me. Comfort is subjective which is why trying it out in a store is important.

[womanofthehills]

12. I read all the reviews online for foam mattresses

Many of the Amazon foam mattresses are hard - so I just get foam toppers.

[underpants]

16. They are almost 100% commission. I've never heard of a return policy

That sounds like BS. Mattresses can’t be returned from everything I’ve ever known.

[Oopsie Daisy]

17. Great observation... in many states it's illegal to re-sell a used mattress (other than as a private transaction).

I found this. --- Apparently it's illegal in my home state. I'm not sure what Mattress Firm was trying to pull.
https://www.nolahmattress.com/blogs/blog/is-it-legal-to-sell-a-used-mattress

1) Is it illegal to sell a used mattress in Alabama? (AL): No, but it is illegal to claim a used mattress is new.
2) ... Alaska? (AK): Contact your local department of health.
3) ... Arizona? (AZ): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
4) ... Arkansas? (AR): No, but it is illegal to claim a used mattress is new.
5) ... California? (CA): No, unless the mattress has visible stains .
6) ... Colorado? (CO): No, but used mattress must be sanitized before sale.
7) ... Connecticut? (CT): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized and correctly labeled.
8) ... Delaware? (DE): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
9) ... Florida? (FL): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
10) ... Georgia? (GA): No, but used filling must be labeled.
11) ... Hawaii? (HI): No, but the condition of materials must be clearly labeled.
12) ... Idaho? (ID): Contact your local department of health.
13) ... Illinois? (IL): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
14) ... Indiana? (IN): Yes, for a retailer. However, individuals can sell a used mattress to another individual.
15) ... Iowa? (IA): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
16) ... Kansas? (KS): Yes.
17) ... Kentucky? (KY): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
18) ... Louisiana? (LA): Yes, for a retailer. However, an individual can sell a used mattress to another individual.
19) ... Maine? (ME): Contact your local department of health.
20) ... Maryland? (MD): Yes, for a retailer. However, an individual can sell a used mattress to another individual.
21) ... Massachusetts? (MA): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
22) ... Michigan? (MI): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
23) ... Minnesota? (MN): No, but used mattress must be sanitized before sale.
24) ... Mississippi? (MS): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
25) ... Missouri? (MO): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
26) ... Montana? (MT): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
27) ... Nebraska? (NE): No law on selling used mattresses.
28) ... Nevada? (NV): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
29) ... New Hampshire? (NH): Contact your local department of health.
30) ... New Jersey? (NJ): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
31) ... New Mexico? (NM): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
32) ... New York? (NY): No, but retailers need a special license.
33) ... North Carolina? (NC): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
34) ... North Dakota? (ND): Contact your local department of health.
35) ... Ohio? (OH): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
36) ... Oklahoma? (OK): Contact your local department of health.
37) ... Oregon? (OR): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
38) ... Pennsylvania? (PA): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
39) ... Rhode Island? (RI): Contact your local department of health.
40) ... South Carolina? (SC): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
41) ... South Dakota? (SD): Contact your local department of health.
42) ... Tennessee? (TN): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
43) ... Texas? (TX): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized and clearly labeled.
44) ... Utah? (UT): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
45) ... Vermont? (VT): No, but it is illegal to claim a used mattress is new.
46) ... Virginia? (VA): No, but used mattresses must be sanitized before sale.
47) ... Washington? (WA): Yes, for a retailer. However, an individual can sell a used mattress to another individual.
48) ... West Virginia? (WV): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
49) ... Wisconsin? (WI): No, but the condition must be clearly labeled.
50) ... Wyoming? (WY): Contact your local department of health.

[underpants]

18. Bed bugs Richmond VA

Per capita Richmond is amongst the leading locations in the US for tattoos and bed bugs.

There’s a fantastic charity here called Caritas. They went from helping families that were living in their car to helping people get back on their feet after addiction issues. They found a big reason for relapses was people spending much of their paycheck just buying household items. They give people furniture plates cooking pans etc. the big problem was furniture and mattresses. UPS stepped up and built a room size furnace. Now when someone donates these items Caritas is able to basically cook any bugs out of them. Kills them dead. No chemicals which are iffy needed.

[Oopsie Daisy]

19. Interesting stats. I wonder if there's a correlation.

Yes, I'd heard that heat was the best way to kill bedbugs in all stages of their lives: eggs, nymphs, adults... and that chemicals didn't always work because of resistance, and also needing to make direct contact (difficult to do when their "nests" were hidden and safe from exposure.

[Hotler]

20. I had very good luck buying from Sealy online. I got their Posturepedic coil spring mattress.

It's medium, yet plenty firm. I ordered and new box spring also. Their free delivery and set up was awesome. Hauled off the old stuff and packing trash and set up the new. If you have stairs .......

I suggest buying box spring, mattress and pillow protectors that are dust mite, bed bug and allergy proof. Stop those little fuckers right away. I bought Allerease protectors.

I like my Sealy. Went from a full size to a Queen. I got a couple of their adjustable pillows also. Nice pillows.

Sleep well.

[Oopsie Daisy]

21. Interesting that you mentioned the box-spring platform... I'm considering tossing this one and *

* replacing it with one that's shorter. I've been using the same box springs for 20 years. They're protected and structurally in good shape, HOWEVER, they were made to go with the original mattress that was about 4" thinner than the ones I can find now.

This makes my bed just a little too high to get in/out of easily. I'd considered a small step-up platform, but I'm sure I'd trip over it in the night. --- After this mattress arrives (on Friday) I'll re-visit the idea of getting a shorter box-spring platform.

I see them on Amazon for a reasonable price as a DIY "tinkertoy" or "erector-set" assembly process. If I can assemble an Ikea bookshelf and small wardrobe, then I'm sure I can assemble a new metal box-spring frame.

Yes, allergens do accumulate over the years. I have all my bedding (box springs, mattress, pillows) protected with removable and washable covers. This is in addition to the skirt, mattress pad, and pillow cases! Everything beneath these protectors are as clean as they day they arrived! --- Besides the health aspects, I think of it as an investment that I want to protect.