Buying a new mattress can be scary, and it may seem better to shop online where you won't have to deal with pushy salespeople. However, buying a mattress online is still no substitute for buying one in-person. Here are three key differences between these experiences:
1. Try before you buy
One of the chief advantages of buying a mattress in-person is the ability to experience the product before you make a purchasing decision. When you shop online, you can only view images of the products, which tells you very little about how they will feel. The website may tell you the product is soft and comfortable – but how do you know that the brand's opinion of comfortable aligns with your own? Everyone's body is unique, and no single product will suit the needs of all.
Finding the right mattress requires a personal touch that can't be had online.2. Expert assistance
Online shops try to emulate the expertise of in-store sales associates with static FAQs and chatbots with limited knowledge. These solutions can answer basic questions about a product, but they cannot react to your unique needs and desires. Even when you can interact with a real human online, the experience is quite different from a face-to-face interaction.
When you speak with a sleep expert in person, you can have a constructive conversation about your sleep habits and mattress needs, then really take the time to explore all the available options. Online representatives likely have a queue of customers waiting on hold, so they have an incentive to sell as quickly as possible – plus online options are very limited an may not meet all your personal needs. In-store sales associates have the ability to take their time and address all of your concerns, and they have no incentive to rush you out the door.
3. Better quality products
The majority of the mattresses you'll find online are all shipped in the same manner: They are rolled up as tightly as possible, wrapped in plastic so that even more air can be squeezed from the product and shipped via a standard shipping firm. This inferior construction can mean that the products you find online will break down much faster than the products you find in a store. Furthermore, returns are a hassle when you shop online – if you're not happy with the mattress, it's impossible to ship back yourself, so you'll either have to pay fee for the company to come collect it, or donate the mattress and return the donation receipt to the manufacturer for a refund that may take weeks or months to recieve – that is, if a charity will take a used mattress in the first place.
The mattresses you'll find at your local store do not need to be squeezed and constricted for a journey across the country. The quality of construction of these products prohibits rough handling. In fact, if you can't transport your new mattress yourself, your local store will deliver and install your purchase as well as remove your old mattress if necessary. That's simply not a service provided by online brands.
On the hunt for a better night's sleep? Head to Arwood's Furniture and Mattress! Family-owned and -operated, Arwood's has the largest selection of Missouri furniture. Our knowledgeable staff can help you find the best products for your needs and budget.
