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Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

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Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#91

Post by dpark »

katzgrau wrote: post #83
gregsadetsky wrote: post #13

In addition to the article's points, it seems to me that the experience of dealing with aggressive/manipulative salespeople in a "classic" retail mattress store cannot be compared to the feeling that I get from most online stores. Questions on my budget, spending time to show me the mattresses (and then making me feel guilty that they spent all of this time on me), etc. Offering me a "last minute" deal once they saw…

I second that. I recently bought a king size tempur, upgrading from my queen size (which got moved to my spare room). It's not just comfortable - it's next level. I slept on a Casper at an airbnb for a full month this past summer - it's not bad but it isn't tempurpedic. Ps, check my past comments - I am not a shill, just someone who digs tempurpedic.

Ditto. My tempurpedic cost a fairly ridiculous amount. I would pay it again in a heartbeat if my mattress caught on fire. The best mattress I’ve ever slept on by a very large margin.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#92

Post by kitsunesoba »

calvinbhai wrote: post #88

Surprising that an article about mattress in a box companies can be written without mentioning T&N. Tuft & Needle probably was the first one to come out with this concept, and probably is still the best priced one. I have two T&N queen mattresses for more than 4 yrs. Been very happy with these in terms of comfort and durability. Never going back to any of the 4S mattresses. No reason for me to try other mattress in a…

Indeed. I bought a T&N cal king back in 2015 as my first brand new mattress and it’s been great. The firmness took a night or two to get used to but no complaints at all since.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#93

Post by lsc »

gehwartzen wrote: post #70
joshvm wrote: post #9

Somewhat ironic that the article comments about MemoryFoamTalk not disclosing comissions from Nectar and then provides an (undisclosed) affiliate link. I have a Leesa as it was the only mattress (at the time) which fit my bed properly. The fact that all these companies can offer 100-365 day trials does hint at how stupidly large the margins are.

I think the reason the 100+ day trials are successful for the companies is that it's a huge pain to box up and ship back a mattress. Also most people don't have room to hold onto the old mattress for several months while they try out the new one on trial. I imagine a lot of people therefore keep 'good enough' mattresses vs sending them back.

>I think the reason the 100+ day trials are successful for the companies is that it's a huge pain to box up and ship back a mattress.

I don't think they ask you to ship it back; I think they contract with some local charity to come pick up the mattress, or just toss it and write off the loss.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#94

Post by abakker »

Maybe I'm wrong, but I always assumed that the quality and convenience were secondary to the big factor for me: a cheap, disposable mattress that is NOT a 10 year investment is nicer for people who rent/move. If I have to donate/throw away my mattress in 2 years because I am moving across the country, into a new room that doesn't have the space, or just because I've decided I don't like it, I now can.

The inflection is taking something that used to be branded as a long term investment, and making it into something that doesn't have to be. Consumers seem to be reacting well to this change since there are many benefits. Everything else seems to be standard piling into a new market when there is obvious demand.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#95

Post by seattle_spring »

st26 wrote: post #64
dboreham wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If this is interesting look at how often Americans think they have to change the oil in their vehicles. Even if said oil is synthetic.

"think"? The manufacturer specifies the interval, and you best follow it if you'd like your warranty honored.

Most people don't follow the manufacturer's recommendation, they follow the "Jiffy Lube" recommendation which is every 3000 miles. 3000 miles is a ridiculous interval.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#96

Post by verelo »

alister wrote: post #90

The journalist spoke to all these founders and to marketing people, but didn't ask a fairly obvious question: What makes the mattress market so much weirder than for other products? Let's compare mattresses to big-screen TVs, which are also $1000+, infrequently purchased, bulky items: - The article says, "If consumers recognize a brand, it creates a situation where mattress stores are slashing prices to compete with…

I’m pretty sure the answer is simple: TVs are hard to make, mattresses are very simple. Foam latex, it’s pretty much the simplest product you can fit in a box, and damage is probably not a concern as the product itself is what we use to protect most other products!

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#97

Post by lsc »

jmspring wrote: post #89
sayhello wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Leesa and liked it so much that I bought 2 more for the rest of my beds. It feels great for me, I like a firmer mattress, but it’s not too firm. Here are the highlights: 1. Half the price of the equivalent at Sleep Country 2. Didn’t have to deal with mattress sales people. Margins are so high there is usually a negotiation. Given the varying types of materials, I don’t really know how to price and why I shou…

I’ve had two Leesas. One with my ex and now at my new place (a year old). Both were extremely comfortable and fit my sleep needs. The first was a risk, the second was an obvious choice.

I think this might be one of the big 'brand advantages' of the mattress in a box companies; because most people feel uneasy about the return process, and because of that, if they like the mattress, they are more likely to buy more of the same than to roll the dice again.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#98

Post by icantdrive55 »

ProfessorLayton wrote: post #18

Cheap memory foam toppers have effectively made the quality of the mattress irrelevant to me. I've been sleeping great on a compressed Ikea mattress with a foam topper. In fact the entire bed setup was boxed up and taken to my home in a car. I've spent the night at really nice guest rooms/hotels, and I don't prefer them over my setup. I would much rather re-buy my setup again every time I move, than spend a ton of mo…

Yea--the cheap foam toppers saved me so much money/aggravation.

My dad once bought a $5000 mattress. He literally died in it complaining about the purchase.

He spent his adult life priding himself on not being a fool with his money. He did a good job doing the opposite of what companies wanted, but he slipped up on the mattress.

(I probally shouldn't have mentioned my dad's death. We had a twisted relationship. He was a good guy deep down, but the alcohol affected his personality, and not in a good way.)

If I was forced to open a retail brick and mortar store; it would be a toss up between mattresses, couches, or a thrift store.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#99

Post by lsc »

wheels wrote: post #52

As an American that moved to Europe before I was old enough to ever buy an expensive mattress, what Americans spend on mattresses is always incredibly baffling. New, king sized (1.8 x 2.0 m), mattresses go for €200-1500 (about $250-1800) in Germany, with prices gravitating towards the lower end of the spectrum. Americans use much springier mattresses (box springs are unheard of here, and foam mattresses are standard)…

> As an American that moved to Europe before I was old enough to ever buy an expensive mattress, what Americans spend on mattresses is always incredibly baffling.

I think it might just be a class thing? If you want a $100 mattress in America, you can get one for super cheap:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Linenspa-6-inch-Innerspring-Mattr...

I'm just saying that I think that most Americans don't blow a grand every time they want a new mattress.

Re: Why there are so many online mattress-in-a-box companies

#100

Post by fein »

eropple wrote: post #72
fein wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a Leesa but I have 3 Brooklyn Bedding mattresses. I don't have a critique from any sort of experience aside from that I sleep well and its comfortable. I have the soft king size for the bedroom, and 2x full size mediums for the guest beds. My wife stole the free giant shredded foam pillow. I probably couldn't take it from her if I tried.

I will ride and/or die with Xtreme Comforts' shredded foam pillows. They're like fifty bucks, a little more for a bigger one. My girlfriend hates them--which is fine, because it means I get two . The bed's going to look funny when we move in together: two enormous pillows on my side, two puny flat ones on hers. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V909F1K

Heh I have the "as seen on TV" bamboo pillow as well that I bought on some insane sale somewhere. i think it was $12 ish for the pillow.

I like it quite a bit. When I was getting shipped around on a plane every week for work, the hotel super soft pillows really didn't stack up. You get used to having something that fully molds to your head.

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