Has it been awhile or what??
This is the 2nd incarnation of the “blog” and with this, I’m embarking on a new take on the tradtional “product hightlight” blog by not even talking about individual products! Instead, what you will read here in the coming entries will be focused on bringing the consumer and the industry a little closer together knowledge wise. Hopefully, this will make the consumer a more informed shopper and any industry “insiders” that read this a little less high-and-mighty about what they think the consumers want.
Future topics will include:
Why I can’t get the bed I want at the price I want? This is going to be a bit of a consumer education on why mattresses are priced a certain way and how to avoid sticker shock – and get a bed that’s a good value in the process!
What’s up with Warranties? In this entry, you’re going to see my “Get Real” piece for BOTH consumers and the industry on mattress warranties and why I feel they are WAY out of line with other consumer products.
Why does this bed seem like it’s a copy of another bed? Well, your observations are correct! In American these days, manufacturer’s don’t innovate (generally), they copy! What this means is that they very high priced bed you looked at and liked from a big name brand is likely out there from someone else for a lot less money!
How do I REALLY shop for a mattress? Cut through the salesperson clutter and approach shopping for a mattress like a pro. Don’t be afraid to take your pillow and actually try the bed!!
I bought it, I don’t like it, what are my options? Yes, the dreaded “comfort guarantee” – dreaded for the dealer that is. I’ll explain the “ins” and “outs of this often unstated policy and what you need to know as both a consumer and retailer.
Accessories? For a mattress??? Let’s face it, everyone tries to “upsell” these days. I’ll examine the most common things – and some new ones – that mattress dealers are pitching to add on to your new bed order.
Shopping specifications – the how, when and why you should do it! This is where you can really benefit from having a little inside information and, if you’re a salesperson, where you can pad your product knowledge by helping a customer understand what is really under that mattress cover!
I have a medical problem. How do I address this when shopping for a mattress? Some salespeople salivate when they hear about any type of “medical issue” from a customer because that means they get to show the higher priced beds. While it’s true that the higher priced and more specialized beds are better for medical problems, there are things the budget concious can look for that will keep you from selling your first born to sleep better.
These are just a few upcoming posts that I hope you will check out. After seeing the list, you are probably asking yourself:
What makes this guy an expert?
Here’s the answer: I’ve spent my whole life around mattresses – and not just sleeping on them. My father has sold mattresses almost since my birth and our family has owned our own factory for about half my life. I’ve seen mattresses made by mom-and-pop factories and toured the factories of the big “S” brands – and some in-between. I’ve been to the industry shows, trained salespeople, trained sales reps and written for both industry and consumer publications.
In addtion, with a masters degree in teaching, I know how to do my homework – and I’ve done it! The focus here is not to sell you something, but to teach you something. In a recent public opinion poll, mattreses were the number 2 LEAST favorite thing among consumers to shop for (tires were the worst, by the way), so I hope to help make this a much more POSITIVE experience for you!
So check back in each week for a new article!
Until next time, sleep well!
