Buying a good mattress is a major investment, and not just in terms of money. When you pay for a good mattress, you also invest in your sleep and, likewise, your overall health. Hence, it is important to pick the right mattress for yourself.
However, even after you have gone through multiple feedbacks and online reviews, conducted extensive research, and picked the best possible mattress for yourself, there might be a slim chance that you are not satisfied with the sleeping experience.
After you have chosen the best possible mattress for yourself and realize that it does not feel right when you sleep on it. When you bought the mattress from a traditional store, you may have sat and even lied on it to get a feel of the mattress. But it is impossible to tell how good a sleep you will get on it in such a short period.
Besides, if you buy the mattress, you won’t get any feel of the mattress unless it arrives. You might feel underwhelmed when you do, and this is why you may need to return the mattress.
This could happen with multiple number of buyers. Hence, what happens to those mattresses? Let us find out.
Can You Return a Mattress Immediately After Buying?
No, you cannot return any mattresses as soon as you buy them. No matter how soft, new mattresses will be rigid and firm outside the factory. It takes some time for a mattress to be broken into. And for that, you need to sleep on it for quite some time so that the foam and other materials mold to your body.
This is why most reputed mattress companies have a trial period of 100 nights. They urge you to break into your new mattress and sleep on it for at least three months to get the feel of the mattress. And if you want to return your mattress before that, you need to wait for at least 30 days before doing so.
That is the minimum time to get used to a mattress and break into it properly. If you are unsatisfied with the sleeping experience after three to four weeks, even after breaking into it, you can request an exchange or return.
Why is it Important to Know What Mattress Firms Do With Returned Mattresses?
Based on the above information, it is evident that at least some users may be dissatisfied after trying out a new mattress for thirty days. And they request a return. In that case, what happens to those returned mattresses?
Knowing what happens to those mattresses is crucial for discerning that you do not end up buying a used one. After all, you are paying for a new mattress and should not have to settle for an old or used one.
Most reputed brands ensure they only sell new mattresses to their customers after they have ordered a mattress. But a lot depends on state laws, and some unethical sellers dealing in cheap mattresses might try to sell you an old mattress in the garb of a new one.
This is why it is important to know what the mattress firm from which you are planning to buy does with their returned mattress. This can prevent you from buying from them in the first place and ending up with a used one.
Why is it Difficult to Tell if a Mattress is Used or Not?
The reason why it is difficult to tell whether a mattress is used or not is because there is no fixed rule for not selling used mattresses. Although most firms try to bring the best quality products to their clients, the industry is still largely unregulated.
Hence, a lot depends on which state of the US you are residing in. Some states do have strict rules about not selling used mattresses. In contrast, some states allow selling them after cleaning and refurbishing them. Since a new mattress has no noticeable wear and tear after thirty days, it can be impossible to tell if someone has slept on it.
Only cheap quality mattresses will have a dent or a slight indentation in case someone had slept on it previously. You will never be able to discern that if you are not perceptive. So knowing about the policies of the brand, in this case, is the best way to avoid being stuck with a pre-used mattress.
Do Reputed Firms Sell Used Mattresses to Buyers?
No, reputed firms will never sell used mattresses to their buyers. This is what they do with them instead.
1. Donate
Most reputed brands will donate their returned mattresses to charity. They donate these mattresses to homeless shelters, or the Salvation Army collects them. This at least puts the mattress to some good use, and those who need it can make use of them.
2. Recycle
Some companies recycle the mattress and use all the components of the mattress to make something new. The mattress is cut up, and then the foam is used to fill carpets, yoga mats, or cushions.
The entire mattress is dismantled, but the brand makes sure that the parts do not go to waste entirely. This helps them in recovering some of the costs.
3. Put Up on Sale
Some companies will clean the mattress thoroughly and sell it at a discounted rate. In that case, the buyers will know that they are getting the discount because the mattress is used.
However, that does not mean that the mattresses are very old. These mattresses are just a few weeks old, and those who cannot afford a brand-new mattress still feel they have got a fairly new one.
4. Offer Discounts
Some brands will change the top cover of the mattress but will retain the inner foam as they are not affected due to sleeping. These mattresses are also available at a fairly discounted price.
How to Tell if a Mattress is Used?
There are some ways in which you can tell if the mattress is used or not.
- Cheap mattresses are not made of high-quality products, and they may develop a sling indentation where they have been slept on. This indicates that it is a used and returned mattress.
- New mattresses have white tags, whereas used mattresses will have yellow or red tags. Although this does not apply to mattresses in every state, a new mattress will have all the relevant information.
- Check the price. If the mattress is priced way lower than its counterparts, then it will also cost far less. Unless you are specifically looking for discounted mattresses, you should avoid these.
What Can You Do to Avoid Buying an Old Mattress?
To avoid buying a used mattress, simply ask the brand representative or check the tag. You can also avoid buying from companies that charge a restocking fee, which means they accept returned mattresses.
If you do not want to take any chances, look for brands that do not accept returns. However, do remember that while you will ensure not to buy a used mattress, you will also not be able to return it if you are dissatisfied.
Usually, reputed brands do not try to sell used mattresses to unsuspecting customers. They have a brand image to maintain and cannot risk their customers falling sick. Since mattresses come in close contact with the body, dead skin cells, sweat, and hair can stick to the mattresses.
Reputed brands never risk this, and they only sell new mattresses to their clients. Or they make sure that the mattress protector is changed and it is thoroughly disinfected before it is put up on sale.
Moreover, since the cost of shipping and returns are included in the cost of the mattress, they do not suffer losses on returned mattresses. As a result, they do not have an agenda to sell used mattresses to their buyers.
Conclusion
Buying a mattress should not be hard, yet you need to be careful about a few things. You do not have to worry about ending up with a used mattress if you buy from a reputed brand. These brands are transparent about mattresses; all relevant details are mentioned on their website.
Nevertheless, knowing about what is done with returned mattresses can help you in your research and prevent purchases from companies that do not follow state guidelines. You can get a brand-new mattress for yourself by being a little vigilant.
