How to Buy a New Mattress: Overview

People are different, and everyone has their own way of dealing with buying a new mattress. Some people really dread it and put it off until they just can’t ignore their discomfort any longer. Other people are really on top of things and begin to do research and shop around months before they plan on buying anything.

Most people, however, buy a new mattress about every 10 years, so it is a decision that you have to live with for awhile – we get that here at Seattle Mattress. It is also a decision that has the potential to affect your daily mood and overall health, so making the best decision is very important to you – we get that, too.

Over the course of 10 years, a $1,000 mattress set costs about .28 cents a day or $2 a week or $8 a month. And since you spend about 1/3 of your life in bed, it is probably the best “value” of anything you purchase.

But shopping for a mattress and trying to get the best deal can be maddening. Most of the major mattress manufacturers and retailers offer the same models but rename them, in order to make comparison shopping difficult - plus, all the differences in mattress style and construction can be mind-boggling to keep track of. That's why we're here - to help you sort through the information overload.

The bottom line is, when it comes to mattresses, there is no Universal standard. If someone you know has found a mattress that they like, and claim that it gives them a good night’s sleep - that same style mattress might not sleep as comfortably to you. People come in all shapes & sizes, which means that we all have different things we need from a mattress.

Generally speaking, our best advice is to make your best decision based on:

1)     Comfort & Care for Your Body

2)     Quality / Construction

3)     Warranty

4)     Price

The difference between an $800 mattress and a $2,000 one may not be that great, but sales people will inundate you with “facts” about foam, coil count, and the quality of the mattress ticking - and these things may or may not be that important to you. If any of these details are especially important to you, it is recommended that you do some research ahead of time into the specifics of what exactly you desire in a bed. Keep in mind however, that the most important thing about buying a new bed is your long-term health & comfort. If you put your priority on what kind of mattress ticking the bed has, you may end up with a really pretty bed that you hate sleeping in.

Many people read the mattress comparison shopping reviews on the Internet in order to get information about a specific type or brand of mattress. While this is probably a good idea to a certain extent, keep in mind that unhappy people are far more likely to write a review; and for every bad review you read, there may be many more customers who were satisfied with their purchase.

Don’t worry if you haven’t done all your homework or if you have any confusion about details. A good sales person is an invaluable resource and should be able to help guide you through your bed-buying adventure with a knowledgeable, non-pressurizing demeanor – no matter what your own knowledge level is.

What to Expect on Your 1st Visit

What to Expect on Your First Visit to the Seattle Mattress Company Showroom

We love our job… People are so fun and everyone has a different story. Some of you have been buying mattresses for various households from us for years; while others of you are just coming in for the first time around the age of forty-something to buy your first “adult mattress” after sleeping on your beloved childhood mattress for decades.

If you’ve never stepped into a mattress store before, you’ll find the experience different depending on the type of store you choose to visit. Many larger mattress chain stores have strict sales rules, guidelines and quotas that their sales people need to adhere to during interactions with customers that can make the experience feel a little impersonal for the customer - but a new mattress is a very personal thing, and we believe that the experience should be as personalized as possible!

Here at Seattle Mattress, our sales people are not under any kind of sales pressure… We’re small and local, and we care far more about taking care of our customers than fulfilling rigid sales quotas. So you’re welcome to come on in, relax, and take your time picking out your cozy new bed at your own pace. Yeah, we’re a little different than most other mattress stores around…

We'll greet you at the door and start off by asking a few basic questions, like:

• Do you know what kind of “feel” you like – something on the softer or firmer side, or something “in between”? (Don’t worry if you don’t know, we’re good at helping you find your comfort level.)
• Are you looking for a mattress made out of something in particular? (Like an Organic or Latex Mattress)
• Do you have any issues that need to be addressed – for example, if you’re looking for a bed with no off-gassing; or you have Arthritis or Fibromyalgia; or a bad back; or problems with motion from your partner waking you up during the night, etc.
• What is your bed like now, and what (if anything) would you like to be different about this new bed? (Other than it not causing you pain anymore, that’s a given.)
• What size mattress are you looking for?
• Do you have a budget in mind?

Try not to be put off by the budget question... We have all kinds of mattresses in all kinds of comfort levels and price points on our floor, and we’re simply trying to show you what you’re looking for. For instance, if you let us know that this mattress is for a guest room that is used once in awhile and you’re on a budget, we’ve got some great guest bedroom options at decent prices that we’re only too happy to show you.

Next, we’ll guide you around to the mattresses on our floor that we feel meet your criteria. We like to pay special attention to your initial reactions because they tell us so much. We’ll continue around the showroom until we narrow the mattresses you like down to two or three, and then help you decide between them.

We believe mattress shopping should be a fun educational experience, and you’ll learn a lot from us about mattresses, taking care of yourself, and maybe even a little on the “history of mattresses” while you’re here.