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Sir, buy a mattress – bazaar romance?

15 stycznia 2025
In the age of consumerism, purchasing a mattress is no small feat, especially when you decide to visit a mattress store in its traditional, brick-and-mortar form. There, right from the entrance, you are greeted by smiling salespeople ready to do everything to make sure you leave with a mattress under your arm. Or at least with an order for a mattress that will be delivered after some time. And it might not necessarily be the same as the display mattress, as many manufacturers struggle with consistency.

It's good to know that some of their sales techniques may not only bring a smile to your face but also violate the law, surprising with a lack of integrity. So, stay vigilant when a salesperson assures you that this particular foam is an absolute novelty, and its innovation is confirmed by aliens. Before making a purchase, it's worth knowing the classic tricks so as not to be drawn into a spiral of purchases based on empty promises that end up causing back pain.

Magic memory foam

“Please, please, place your hand here and check how comfortable this foam is” – sound familiar? This is a popular foam test, used in many mattress stores. Salespeople with a smile encourage customers to press their hand into the surface of the mattress as if it would dispel all doubts. However, this kind of dubious experiment says nothing about how the mattress will perform under the weight of a body throughout the night. What seems to be fancy and comfortable for the hand might not necessarily be suitable for the back.

Thus, showing the imprint of a hand on a mattress, whose top layer is the famous memory foam, is completely senseless. The same goes for those using metal balls that sink into it. The body is not supposed to sink into the mattress, but be gently contoured. Only a functional mattress can provide this, which of course will also include the mentioned memory foam, but necessarily in the second layer.

In reality, it's not about how the mattress reacts to the hand, but how it supports the entire body during sleep. Salespeople usually are well aware of this, but it doesn’t stop them from using this trick to convince customers that a particular mattress is a perfect choice. It's better to instead focus on real parameters, such as the type, density, and firmness of the foam.

Sleeping like on a cloud

Memory foam, or viscoelastic foam, is one of the most praised materials. Sellers almost unanimously assure that this material is the pinnacle of comfort, an indispensable element of every modern mattress. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is a bit less rosy. Visco foam tends to retain heat, which results in overheating for many people at night.

Visco foam is a very marketable material because it sounds modern and has impressive properties. Sellers often present it as a revolutionary solution that almost magically conforms to the shape of the body. However, this foam simply causes sinking, leading many users to complain that it is difficult to change positions at night when it is on the top of the mattress. However, in stores, the memory of these inconveniences seems to fade, and memory foam is promoted as the gold standard in the mattress industry.

It is important not to rely solely on the enthusiastic opinions of salespeople, who approach the topic with an obvious tendency to embellish. Good sleep is a matter of sleep hygiene, and memory foam is rarely associated with it. Remember also that clouds are nothing more than water vapor hanging in the air. Lying on a cloud, therefore, will not provide any support, rolling straight down. In addition, it will make us completely wet, absorbing a lot of water along the way. And that makes sense when you have visco foam on top of your mattress.

Name game and other weather phenomena

Another classic tactic is the name game, especially prevalent in brick-and-mortar stores. It can take several forms, each differing in details. The first involves giving mattresses sophisticated names that suggest a higher standard, prestige, or unique properties. The second form is selling the same mattress under different names to increase profit. This often occurs in agreement with the manufacturer, who uses a specific name for the mattress only in a particular store or chain, creating an impression of exclusivity.

Very rarely does the name of a mattress have anything to do with its actual properties. The name game is an old sales trick intended to enhance the attractiveness of a product, but without actual impact on its quality. Do not be deceived and always ask about the technical parameters of the foams to be able to assess their quality.

The name game also has its price consequences, as mattresses with more sophisticated names are often more expensive, justified by their innovative properties. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the specific specifications of the mattress, rather than just the name, unless you want to end up with an uncomfortable mattress at a high price.

Turkish market habits

If you've ever visited a bazaar in Turkey or Egypt, you've surely encountered sales pitches like "Ten dollars, my friend!" through which whole throngs of tourists buy low-quality products at exaggerated prices. The atmosphere of the market is a place where margins and high prices reign, and a similar mechanism can be found in many mattress stores, including those operating within chains. Sellers often count on the fact that customers will not realize the actual value of the mattress, thus tempting them with seemingly advantageous deals.

In brick-and-mortar stores, margins are high, and sellers proudly present ubiquitous promotions and special offers, which supposedly guarantee the best price. However, such discounts are often merely a marketing gimmick, and the real value of the mattress may be much lower. Online shopping offers much greater price transparency and the ability to compare offers, helping to avoid ill-considered decisions.

Remember that in traditional stores, salespeople also have their sales targets, and their ambitions can lead to exaggerated recommendations, which result in praising not always the best solutions. What has value in their eyes may not necessarily be the best for the customer. Therefore, it is worth approaching the purchase of a mattress with the proper distance.

Common sense and mattress choice

Another popular trick is the hand test, where the seller places their hand under the lumbar spine section of their customer. In our opinion, such action is senseless as it provides no valuable information. Some stores also offer physiotherapist advice, which should be ignored. These professionals are not taught about mattresses during their studies, often having no idea about the types or functions of mattresses, including how they should be chosen.

Purchasing a mattress is a serious decision that affects your sleep comfort and health, so it's worth approaching it fully consciously, without being misled by sales techniques. We have described just a few of the hundreds of methods that cause many consumers to buy a mattress that earns the seller the most profit, rather than a product suitable for themselves. By critically approaching sales tricks, you can make a better choice and avoid unnecessary expenses. It is too important a purchase to allow the Pygmalion effect or other phenomena to cloud your judgement.

When opting for buying a mattress online, you have the opportunity to compare specifications more thoroughly, including type, density, and firmness of foams, as well as read other users' reviews, provided they are genuine. Always without the pressure exerted by salespeople. Therefore, it's a better solution that allows you to avoid additional costs from high margins. Online shopping also provides greater comfort and the option to return if the mattress does not meet your expectations.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.

FAQ: Mattress from the store

How long should you test a mattress?

To properly evaluate a mattress, it is recommended to sleep on it for at least 30 nights. Spending 15 minutes on a mattress in a store tells you nothing substantial because during sleep, we are unconscious and in a store, we consciously control our body movements. Additionally, clothing and the microclimate of our homes differ from that of a store. Lastly, display models in stores often differ from those delivered to customers' homes.

Is it normal to sleep poorly on a new mattress?

Generally, this is not normal. If your new mattress is fully functional, supporting the spine in its natural alignment while contouring to your body, you should experience comfort from the first few nights. Exceptions may occur if spinal issues are so severe that the mattress needs to mechanically alter its curves, hence the recommendation to test a mattress for at least 30 nights, optimally for 50 nights.

Is it advisable to buy used mattresses?

Generally, buying a used mattress is not a good idea. There is usually a reason why someone wants to sell it. Most likely, it is because the mattress is not functional, which means it won?t provide healthy or comfortable sleep. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the used mattress was properly maintained and stored, potentially harboring a unique set of bacteria from previous users. Used mattresses may also contain dust mites, fungi, mold, or even insects like bed bugs.

Why does a mattress cause back pain?

Back pain may occur if the mattress does not function properly, failing to provide proper support for the spine. It should also contour the body correctly to support the spine's curves. This contouring should not be confused with the sinking that occurs with memory foam. Often, back pain arises from using a top layer of memory foam in the mattress. Additionally, sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or too soft can cause back pain.

What types of mattresses should be avoided?

It is best to avoid mattresses that do not support the spine in a way that maintains its natural curves. Therefore, avoid mattresses with a top layer made of memory foam and T-foam. Also, steer clear of spring cores, including pocket springs, as they often fail to provide adequate support. Consider purchasing a mattress made from high-resilience HR foam instead.

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