THE SLEEP GURU

LEGGETT & PLATT ADJUSTABLE BEDS

E-COMMERCE MODELS vs BRICK & MORTAR MODELS

Leggett & Platt has two distribution channels for adjustable beds.

1. E-Commerce

2. Brick & Mortar.

If a dealer has a showroom they can buy units from either the E-Commerce Line or the Brick & Mortar Line. The choice of models offered is strictly a dealer decision.

However, the Brick and Mortar models cost 15% to 20% less than the equivalent E-Commerce models with the same features. Why are the Brick & Mortar models that much cheaper? The manufacturer contends there is no difference in quality between the models. Does anyone find that a little suspect?

So what's the problem? Some dealers are buying the cheaper Brick & Mortar models and selling them online and telling consumers there is "no difference".

If a dealer admits that the Brick & Mortar models are cheaper, which they almost never do, they'll have a few "reasons" why they're cheaper. These units may be initially cheaper but why?

Some may claim the units are cheaper because it's cheaper to process and handle multiple units vs processing and handling single orders. That is probably true but would that cost 15% to 20% of the item cost? Seems like a pretty weak explanation to us.

Are there any real savings in shipping costs because 10 units are shipping instead of one? Not for the manufacturer because they don’t pay the shipping, the dealer does. The Brick & Mortar Dealer has to pay the shipping cost to get the pallet to their warehouse and then pay the additional shipping costs of the individual units to your home. There's really no savings in shipping costs to you, the consumer.

Some dealers are purchasing the Brick & Mortar beds and then selling them online in an E-Commerce format. They’ll say “it’s the same bed” or even claim that it’s the new or improved model. They'll sometimes rename the units so they "sound" newer. They don't care that there are actually no such models as they advertise, just that you buy into their deception. What they will NEVER tell you is that the units cost them 15% to 20% less. For some reason that never enters the conversation. Wonder why?

*SIDE NOTE: Even if a unit IS newer, that does NOT mean better!

FOR EXAMPLE: If Toyota introduces an all-new Corolla this year, but continues to sell the same Camry as last year, the Camry is still the better car.

MODEL COMPARISON EXPLANATION

There are supposed “equivalent” models between E-Commerce and Brick & Mortar channels of distribution. We’re not of the opinion that they are truly equivalent, but they are equivalent in features offered. Here is how that works out.

The E-Commerce Model Prodigy Comfort Elite has the same features as the Brick & Mortar Model Prodigy LBR.

The E-Commerce Model Prodigy 2.0 has the same features as the Brick & Mortar Model Prodigy PT.

The E-Commerce Model S-Cape 2.0 has the same features as the Brick & Mortar Model S-Cape HF.