Would you ever purchase a used mattress? In an informal poll, we found that less than 10% of people would buy a used mattress. Surprisingly however, a ton of people try to sell used mattresses all of the time. We looked at the volume in which people were selling used mattresses: We found Mattresses were the 4th most listed furniture type behind Chairs, Tables, and Beds. Due to how people tend to categorize their furniture, it’s unclear how to make the distinction between bed frames and mattresses, but the data clearly shows that they’re a popular second-hand item listed to be sold. It seems likely that people were much more inclined to purchase a used table. In fact, in the same informal poll 100% of people said they would buy a used table. It’s clear that there is a strong difference between buying a used table and a used mattress. When asked about the reasons behind not buying a used mattress, it came down to concerns over cleanliness (let’s call it differences in uses) for the two furniture items.
Using Google Trends we found that new mattresses are listed roughly 2x as often as used mattress on the internet. Again, this is surprising data because we found that only 10% of customers are interested in used mattresses. There are two probable realities for this difference in the data: August is the most popular month for both used and new mattresses. The second most popular month is January. This lines up with industry experts’ suggestion of buying furniture in August and January due to new furniture entering stores. New furniture releases mean sales and clearance pricing. Many people attempt to sell their used mattress, but not as many people are interested in buying used mattresses. This means that there should be a ton of supply for used mattresses, which should drive prices down. If you’re trying to sell a used mattress… you’re not going to get much for the mattress, due to the simple fact that it’s used. To help increase your chances, try to increase the perception of it being as new as possible.
If any of the following is true, add it to your listing to increase your odds of selling! You’ll want to avoid the competition from furniture stores that comes in August and January. If you’re one of the 10% of people who don’t mind buying a used mattress… you’re in a buyer’s market! Be tough when negotiating with sellers, and don’t be afraid to shoot for a low price. Odds are, they aren’t getting many offers from anyone else. Many people will be looking to take advantage of the pricing deals, therefore getting rid of their old mattress. Take advantage of this! It’s hard to pinpoint an exact value without knowing the details about the mattress. You can run the different attributes through Blue Book for Furniture to get an estimate of its value, but the real market value is probably even lower. The most typical mattress price in the secondhand market is $250. Once the mattress has been taken out of its protective seal, it’s going to lose value similar to how a brand new car loses value after driving off the lot.
We’d suggest a healthy dose of low expectations when forecasting the future value of your mattress, otherwise you may be sorely disappointed.Most people buy a mattress every 10 to 15 years, so it’s a decision you have to live with for a long time. But shopping for a mattress and trying to get the best deal can be maddening. Several major mattress manufacturers and retailers offer different models at different price points, so trying to comparison shop one store to another is just about impossible. Mattress retailers often tout their “beat our price” guarantee, but it’s an offer they can easily fulfill. When you try to compare one model at one store with one at a competitor’s, the salesperson will more than likely tell you they don’t carry that particular mattress and will try to sell you a “comparable” one. This experience becomes so mind-numbing that most consumers get tired of wheeling and dealing, give up and just buy a mattress. My advice is to offer the retailer a couple of hundred dollars less than the one on the price tag.
Buying a mattress is almost as bad as buying a car — or even worse. There’s no blue book for used mattresses or Internet listing for new ones to help you determine the fair price. So you have to threaten to walk out, shop around or buy online. Most of the time, they will want to make the sale, so they won’t let you walk out the door without making you a counteroffer. Choosing the right mattressEven before you start haggling over prices, you have to decide which mattress is right for you. The difference in an $800 dollar mattress and a $2,000 one may not be that great, but salespeople will inundate you with “facts” about foam, coil count, and the quality of the mattress ticking. (Who looks at your ticking anyway?) The best way to decide on a bed for you — and your partner — is to test mattresses. Lie on your side, lie on your belly, and lie down next to your partner to find out what feels comfortable. And you have to make sure it’s roomy enough. The average sleeper turns 40 to 60 times during the night, so finding the right size mattress is imperative.
If you constantly turn, and you have a spacious bedroom, a king-size mattress will give you more room as well as some extra length, if height is an issue. Make sure to try out plenty of mattresses. And go back and try them again. When you’re mattress shopping, make sure you wear comfortable clothes, and leave your inhibitions at home. So what makes one mattress worth hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars more than another? Sometimes it’s nothing at all. A different name and a different color ticking may affect the price. But sometimes the more expensive mattress’s coil count or configuration is more complex than cheaper models. But beware: Salespeople will push the coil and foam count. They will show you some cut outs of the mattress and try to explain its composition. You will doze and forget everything they said by the time you get to the next mattress. Go by the feel. If the mattress feels good to you, then that is the right mattress for you. When we shopped for mattresses for “Today,” we liked almost all of them.
Price didn’t seem to make a difference. Types of mattressesWhen it comes to support, most people believe the firmer the mattress the better. But firm may not be better for you. Besides, mattress makes and models vary so much that a label like “firm” or “plush” may mean nothing. Again, you have to test out the mattress and see how it feels. Some mattresses called “pillow tops” claim to be softer than most. Layers of foam or cotton are added on the top of the mattress to make it more cushy. Of course, you could save lots of money by purchasing an inexpensive egg crate pad and covering it with a down mattress cover or feather bed to get a similar effect. Final priceOnce you’ve settled on a mattress and a price, make sure to ask about the frame and box spring. (It’d be a shame to put your brand-new mattress on the floor.) Also check to see if the maker or retailer charges for delivery and if they will remove your old mattress and box spring. If they’ll charge for a box spring and frame, you may be able to get away with using your old ones.