How to tell if you're getting a deal on that mattress?
Buying a mattress is always a challenge. There are so many choices and the manufacturers deliberately make it impossible for you to comparison shop by model names.
How do you know if you're getting a deal?
The shopping experts at Consumer Reports Money Advisor say pick a price-point based on list price: $500 or less, $501 to $999, $1,000 to $1,999 and $2,000 and up. Then compare competing models in that category.
Consumer Reports advises against buying online unless you've tested the exact same model in a store.
Here's a clever idea: If you want a luxury mattress, you might want to spend the night at a hotel. The editors say some chains sell their commercial-grade beds, brand new, at big discount. You can get more information at Bedding Concierge.
Senior editor Tod Marks recommends haggling.
"Mattresses carry hefty markups," he says. "So don't pay the asking price."
And be sure to get free removal and disposal of your old mattress.
For more information
Consumer Reports: Mattress Buying Guide
How do you know if you're getting a deal?
The shopping experts at Consumer Reports Money Advisor say pick a price-point based on list price: $500 or less, $501 to $999, $1,000 to $1,999 and $2,000 and up. Then compare competing models in that category.
Consumer Reports advises against buying online unless you've tested the exact same model in a store.
Here's a clever idea: If you want a luxury mattress, you might want to spend the night at a hotel. The editors say some chains sell their commercial-grade beds, brand new, at big discount. You can get more information at Bedding Concierge.
Senior editor Tod Marks recommends haggling.
"Mattresses carry hefty markups," he says. "So don't pay the asking price."
And be sure to get free removal and disposal of your old mattress.
For more information
Consumer Reports: Mattress Buying Guide
