Although e-commerce has seen a surge in popularity in the retail industry, most consumers still want the tactile experiences offered by physical stores. This is especially true when it comes to making large purchases such as buying a mattress. However, although there are benefits to purchasing furniture from a brick-and-mortar store, there are also disadvantages.
Below are some reasons why, in some cases, it’s better to purchase a mattress from an online furniture store as well as tips to help you make an informed decision.
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The drawbacks of shopping from a brick-and-mortar store
When it comes to finding a mattress from a retail store, there are three main drawbacks to consider:
- Pushy sales rep
We’ve all been there. How often are you pressured into buying something when you enter a store? And even if a sales rep is not in your face, the pressure is still there as you’re being watched. Unfortunately, many consumers have admitted to making a purchase they weren’t entirely sold on simply because a salesperson worked so hard to help them on the sales floor. - Time spent
If you don’t already know exactly what you want, shopping around for a mattress can also be incredibly time consuming; many locations feature only a few exclusive lines of mattresses, meaning you’ll have to visit several different locations around town just to get a feel for the various products that are available. This also makes it challenging to compare different products at once.3. MarkupsShopping from a retail store can be more expensive because of markups associated with overhead costs. As well, when it comes to shopping for an expensive item such as furniture, the markup could be significantly higher since the sales are based on commission. On the other hand, online stores usually offer more affordable prices because the products come directly from the distributor.
3 Reasons why you should look purchase online
- Say goodbye to price haggling
Online furniture stores have one sticker price, so you needn’t worry about whether or not you’re paying more than someone else who’s better at bargaining.
- Better return policies
Online retailers also offer generous return policies. In fact, it’s typical for online retailers to offer extended in-home “sleep on it” trials that permit a no questions asked return within 100 days of purchase if you aren’t completely satisfied (compared to the customary 30-day return policy offered by most brick-and-mortar retailer).
- Lower prices
You can also expect prices to be lower, since online retailers don’t have added overhead expenses to work into the price of the mattress.
Before you buy online
Before you make a purchase, conduct some research. Many mattress brands sell more than one type of mattress, so it’s important to know what works best for you. Here are X tips to help you out:
- Know your firmness preference
Mattresses come in a variety of firmness level, ranging from soft, to medium feel, to very firm. These levels can also differ from one manufacturer to the next—there’s no universal firmness gauge. This is one of the reasons why online retailers offer such consumer-friendly return policies.
- Read lots of reviews
It’s important to find out what other people think about the mattress you’re considering buying. The wealth of information you can learn from other online shoppers about a particular product will far exceed the amount of information you can gather by heading to a physical store. Looking at reviews will also give you insight into the retailer when it comes to their customer service. Hearing first hand accounts from parents getting their first good night sleep is all you need to help you find your perfect match. As well, don’t just look at the ratings, read detailed reviews about a product, which could also address many of the questions you have.
- Compare products and prices
The great thing with online stores is that it’s easier to add products to your list and compare prices. This helps you make the best choice, given the many products that are available. When it comes to comparing mattresses, also take into consideration the various materials, sizes (for example king, queen, full size and twin) and quality. For instance, latex mattresses are generally more expensive than other materials such as memory foams and spring mattresses.
Shopping online makes things easier for you and your family.
The more you think about it, the easier it is to see that buying a mattress from an online retailer is by far the more convenient option. With only a few clicks, you find the right mattress for your bedroom in the comfort of your own home.
