The Smart Shopper's Guide To Great Deals At Mattress Stores

You wake up again with overwhelming discomfort: there goes another night of bad sleep due to your lumpy, old bed. You've been contemplating new bedding for some time, but mattress stores are so intimidating. Where should you go? What should you get? These questions may circle in your mind, preventing you from making that purchase - but the longer you put it off, the longer you go without a good night's sleep. It's time to take a deep breath and make that leap. Shopping for new bedding is not a big deal when you tackle it with an airtight strategy.

Do Some Home-Based Window Shopping

Why waste time and gas to go to a mattress store when you have no idea what you're looking to buy? Stay productive and educate yourself by doing some research at home. Browse the websites of local shops to get an idea of products and prices. Read through some reviews to weed out bad brands, poor quality, and eventual discomfort.

In addition to window-shopping, consider negotiating via phone. Call a shop and start a conversation with a local mattress sales representative. Find out if they have any time-sensitive sales or promotions going on this week, share information about your bedding needs, and don't be afraid to mention that you would benefit from a discount. This is a rare tactic, but it's one that might work to your advantage. If you establish a consumer's relationship with a seller or a shop, you have a greater chance of obtaining some discounts.

Gather Coupons Online

Some larger bedding chains will have a selection of coupons listed on their website. Those who don't look out for bargains will not find them, so shop smart and save well. Certain sellers urge their customers to buy a certain brand or style of bed, so great savings may be had on that particular item. Don't tailor your preferences to the coupons you find, however: buying a mattress because it's cheap may prompt dissatisfaction if it is one you wouldn't normally have chosen in the first place.

Remember that some coupons are for online use only, but that should not entice you to click the "add to cart" icon. You can't test out a bed if you buy it online, so print out some in-store coupons and let the shopping begin.

Don't Be Afraid To Negotiate

When you find the bedding you like, don't be afraid to negotiate for it. In fact, most mattress stores expect you to do just that. Price markups are not uncommon; therefore, negotiating for a 10% discount is often considered acceptable. Most mattress salesmen depend on sales commissions, which means your business is important to them. Establish a good rapport with your salesperson, and don't be afraid to shoot for the best deal possible.

Bed shopping is most rewarding when you find the right item at a store you like, and saving some money will sweeten the deal even more. It all comes down to becoming a savvy shopper and sticking to stores with reliable, trustworthy service.