Online shopping has transformed the convenience of acquiring things that you need, including those that you can rarely access when searching in a physical store. From food cravings to trendy tees to collectible shoes, there are a myriad of options available in online stores.
If you are reading this article, you may have been pretty comfortable shopping for new clothes online but are still in doubt when it comes to making major purchases, such as a mattress. It’s understandable to feel sceptical about buying large and more expensive items online, especially when you can’t physically test the comfort and reliability of the materials.
Fortunately, online mattress retailers recognise this common shopping concern and have devised some methods to help you physically test the mattress at your leisure. This is offered on top of the many perks that online shopping is famous for: convenience, free shipping deals, lower prices, etc. But as we spotlight these benefits, it’s also good to talk about the downsides to properly weigh your options.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of online mattress shopping.
Benefits of Online Mattress Shopping
Affordability
Buying a mattress can be heavy, both literally and figuratively. If you plan to skip the budget options and take a higher notch for more durable varieties, you should expect to slightly increase your budget. But the surprising thing is that you can actually buy a higher-quality mattress online for a lower price!
Many brick-and-mortar stores also offer cheaper mattresses. But when we think about it, the best products, aka the pricier mattresses, will always be the priority when displaying in a limited showroom space. When it comes to online shopping, there’s no limited showroom space, so you can find plenty of options that match your budget.
Convenience
Shopping online means buying the best mattress in your own home at your own pace. You will be presented with the features of the mattresses without the pressure of sales talks. Of course, you are always free to connect with the retailer’s customer service team to ask questions.
If you prioritise the convenience of buying a mattress without the need to hunt down every single brick-and-mortar store out there, online mattress shopping is for you. But on the flip side of the coin, you may not gauge the quality of the mattress in an instant compared to physical stores that allow you to test the mattress for a few minutes.
Long Trial Periods
When spending hefty amounts of money on a mattress, you deserve a guarantee that you get what you pay for. Physical mattress stores will give you at least 5 to 15 minutes to try the mattress. But in all honesty, this amount of time isn’t enough to judge the quality of your mattress, since things can change during the 8 hours of actual sleep.
To give you a real-life quality check, online mattress retailers like Somnuz offer a risk-free trial period to test your mattress at home. You can expect to test your mattress at home for as many as 100 nights during the trial period.
Free Returns
If, after the trial period, you decide that the mattress is not the right one for your needs, online mattress retailers offer free return services. You can simply reach out to the customer service team and discuss the arrangements based on the store’s T&Cs.
Wider Selection
This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on what type of shopper you are.
If you are keen to find the right one by looking at many mattress brands and features, online shopping is for you. But if you get easily confused and distracted, you may stick to the specialised mattresses that your trusted brand offers or browse through specific online categories that fit your requirements.
When shopping at Somnuz, check our mattress comparison guide to choose the features that suit your needs.
Mattress Delivery
Gone are the days when you had to climb a bulky mattress to reach your floor. Many online mattress shops have shifted to offering beds-in-a-box, where a full-size mattress is compressed and safely sealed in a box that is almost the same size as a mini fridge. This compact box can easily be transported straight to your home without filling the whole lift or bumping into your furniture.
Some online retailers also offer free and fast delivery services on top of their cheaper mattress costs.
When Should You Buy a Mattress In-Store?
While online mattress shopping is extremely convenient and can be beneficial in several ways, brick-and-mortar stores likewise offer their own unique benefits. Here are some reasons you may want to stick with visiting a physical store.
- You want to try the mattress immediately instead of getting a 100-day trial.
- You need the help of a salesperson to discuss the perks. If you prefer a face-to-face discussion of the features of your mattress, visiting a physical showroom is a good idea.
- You want to negotiate on prices. Although buying online is much cheaper, negotiating prices in person can also be thrilling, especially when you physically get the feel of your desired mattress.
- You find the physical feeling of shopping more appealing. If you want to involve your senses aside from your eyes when shopping for a mattress, you’ll enjoy visiting a physical store.
Conclusion
It’s a fact that both in-store and online mattress shopping have benefits as well as some drawbacks. Your decision will boil down to your priorities.
Answer these questions when buying a mattress both online and in-store:
- Is this mattress affordable or simply of low quality?
- Are these materials helpful for my needs? How about their comfort?
- Do I really need these features? Are they worth the extra cost?
We highly suggest conducting your own research instead of fully relying on sales talk when buying a mattress. In the end, a thoughtful purchase is more fulfilling.
So, do you love the feeling of physically testing your cloudy mattress? Do you prefer the convenience of buying a mattress anytime, anywhere? Whatever your preference is, Somnuz can offer both experiences with ease! You can check out our thoughtfully engineered mattresses online or visit our experience centres. You are free to choose what makes you more comfortable.