Nothing is more relaxing than snuggling into bed after a long day. But buying a mattress? That event is almost ZERO parts zen. There's much to consider when hunting for the centerpiece of your bedroom -- but the mattress-buying process doesn't have to be a nightmare. Here's a quick briefing that will ensure your shopping trip is as smooth as a midday nap. There is indeed a "cheapest" time to buy. Most experts recommend purchasing a mattress near a holiday -- like Presidents Day, Labor Day, the Fourth of July, and Memorial Day -- or in the month of May, when mattresses are usually marked down in showrooms. In January, you can start prepping for your mattress purchase at "white sales," which are deeply discounted sales for bedding. Higher prices does not mean better sleep. One of the biggest complaints when buying a mattress is price, and figuring out why they cost so damn much. This is usually attributed to large markups, which depends on the brand. We recommend staying in the $500 to $1200 range, as anything over that price doesn't necessarily indicate better quality or better sleep, and probably has the same amount of cushioning and support as more expensive mattresses.
You can negotiate your price. Though it may surprise most people, it is possible to negotiate the price at most of the bigger mattress chains. Robin Wilson, an eco-friendly interior design expert, says that if you bargain "at a department store, you might be able to get tax taken off the mattress price, or delivery for free." You'll also have a better chance of getting a discount or redeeming a coupon if you go to the store to purchase a mattress, rather than buying online. "Firm" mattresses are not the same "firmness" everywhere. Yes, labels may tout a mattress's level of firmness, but one brand's "firm" may be another brand's "soft," according to Consumer Reports Expert Shopper Tod Marks. "The only way to determine if the cushiness and the firmness is right for you is to lie down on the bed and try it for yourself," he says. It's harder to return a mattress than you think. Most mattress retailers (from IKEA to Tempur-Pedic) will allow you to try out your mattress for up to 90 days, but they differ on the amount of money you'll get back if you return it.
Other stores require an exchange fee or disposal fee, which can cost hundreds of dollars. There are organic options. The squishy foam on mattresses is often made from petroleum oil, which (not surprisingly) can cause health problems for some. Organic mattress brands like Keesa use their own foams that put plant oils into the mix. While they may be more costly, all-natural mattresses are worth it, says Wilson. "We spend one third of our lives sleeping," she explains. "Consider your mattress a health investment." You can order a mattress online as easily as you can order a pair of shoes. Yup, you'll find mattresses right in the Amazon store, many listed with free shipping. And a whole new suite of boutique mattress retailers (like the newly-popular Casper) operate solely online, sending mattresses to your door in a nice, neat box. These new online retailers often allow returns for a full refund, without any fees or charges whatsoever. But the old standby brands -- which you might find on discount sites like Overstock -- likely won't do the same, so it's smart to go test them out in a store first.
You don't need to buy your mattress from a brand you've heard of. The aforementioned Casper is an online retailer that aims to ease everyone's mattress-buying headache with a 100-day trial period and sleek design. Other sites like Saatva (which has an eco-friendly focus) and Novosbed (which also boasts free delivery, free trial periods and free returns) also deliver to your door in a snap. Hop on the bandwagon, because this is the future of mattresses. You are using an older browser version. Please use a supported version for the best MSN experience.There comes a point in many people’s lives when they realize, “That couch has got to go.” Or maybe their back is starting to complain about the mattress they’ve had so long they can’t remember what year they bought it. Regardless of what your reason may be for wanting new furniture, be strategic about when you purchase new items to revamp your home without breaking the bank. While January is also a great month to buy furniture (post-Christmas sales, new styles are released in February), July wins out over January because:
Springtime is when home sales are on the upswing, which means eager furniture retailers want to help people furnish their homes quickly by offering deals and discounts on indoor furniture. Don’t buy outdoor furniture in spring because patio sets, barbecues and poolside furniture are all in very high demand — with higher consumer demand, comes higher prices. Once summer rolls around, furniture sales seem to slump, especially in July (if it weren’t for discounts bringing in customers, retailers would be in trouble). Use this slump in sales to your advantage, and buy indoor furniture at heavily discounted prices in July before retailers release dozens of new items in August. Although August is a big month for new furniture sets, it’s a great month to buy outdoor furniture too. You just may have to bundle up or wait a while before you and your partner get to share a meal at your new patio table. Looking for a new swivel chair, desk or other office furniture?
Fall is the best times to invest in new office furniture, as retailers compete for students’ parents’ money. Buying spring or summer-related furniture — such as patio chairs or grills — is also a smart move during the autumn months. Retailers want to completely clear their shelves of outdoorsy items that don’t stand much of a chance of selling until the weather warms up next spring. Wintertime isn’t fun for furniture shopping. Before Christmas, people are simply too busy buying gifts and gadgets for their loved ones to be concerned with upgrading their beds, ottomans or recliners. As previously mentioned, January is still a decent bet for favorable furniture prices, even if the weather conditions are, well, frightful. If you have money leftover from the holiday shopping season and want to buy a new mattress or indoor furniture, then definitely look into buying furniture in January. Local furniture stores don’t always follow market trends. Sometimes, they’ll have a sale simply for the sake of boosting their sales numbers for the month, giving you great deals on everything from coffee tables to bed sets.