Mattress Store

Case 1: 54 year-old Martha Stevens wanted to buy mattresses at a cheaper rate but did not want to compromise on quality. She had a friend, Alexandra Edward who told her about the mattress store outside the state.

 If she would purchase from this mattress store, the price would get reduced automatically as they did not have the same taxes for out-of-state purchase. She had found what she wanted.

Case 2: 21-year-old Tim Taylor had never bought a mattress in his life. Fresh in college, his friends had suggested a street famous for its mattress stores, where he would supposedly get best deals on mattress. Next Saturday, Tim was in the street looking for his dream mattress. What surprise it was for him when he found himself in the seediest area he had ever seen!

Every shop had a run-down look. It was full of mattress stores, alright and every mattress store had a 50-70% off board. Tim stepped into the first one. To his surprise, the very first mattress he tested in the store turned out to be perfect. He placed the order at the mattress store. It was to be delivered in the evening.

The mattress came and he opened it to find a tattered mattress, nothing like the one he had checked out. It didn't take him long to figure out that he had been duped. His mom's warning when he was just a toddler came ringing into his ears. "Never trust a stranger!"   

Case 3:  Annie Holmes was turning seventy and decided to give herself a new mattress as a birthday. As her grand daughter, Tania, was turning 18 the same day, she thought she would buy her one too. There was one mattress store she had always purchased from. Her family had been buying from this mattress store from the time she could remember.

When she told her grand daughter that she intended to buy her a new mattress, she was a bit surprised. The grand daughter flatly refused mattress from such an "old" place. Annie decided to take Tania to the mattress store she had in mind. Before that Tania and Annie visited some of the "new" stores in the area. Annie also got opinions from her friends about the new mattress stores- not much of it was pretty. 

Then it was time for the "old" mattress store. Tania was surprised at the variety it offered. The quality, of course, could be vouched for. The mattress store had moved with the times and equipped itself with the latest mattresses. Tania realized that her Granny had been right all along. Old was gold.

In these simple examples is contained a wealth of information about mattress stores. Do remember these examples when you select your mattress store.

Mattress Size

Talking about mattress size, King size. Full size. Queen size. Twin sizes.....ah, it was all so confusing. I was undergoing training to become a mattress salesman. I had been a cosmetics salesman before this. I had no clue about how to tell one mattress from another. But I had good trainers.

They took us through one mattress size at a time so that we didn't get too muddled up. We practiced what we learnt taking turns role-playing as customer and salesman.

Day 1=Mattress size  1:
 The first mattress size was twin size mattress. It was 38 inches by 75 inches.
As for the details, we were taught that they were pretty small. If a couple came to buy it, we had try convincing them to buy a bigger mattress size.

Day 2= Mattress size  2:
The second day was for full or double size mattress. Although a bit bigger than twin, they were still not suitable for adult couple. They could be marketed as ideal for teens. They could also be useful for parents who had to sit by a child during the scary, stormy nights or during bedtime story sessions. The mattress dimension was 53 inches by 75 inches.

Day 3= Mattress size  3:

Queen mattresses were the subject for today. 60 inches by 80 inches in size, it was great for couples who felt "cozy" when closer together. It could serve as guest room mattress too.

Day 4= Mattress size   4:

Today it was 76 inches by 80 inches King size mattresses for those with a huge bedroom. The mattresses were spacious and could easily accommodate an adult couple and a child.

We had thus far learnt to identify a mattress by its size, recommend the mattress that best matched the consumer's needs and market better mattresses of the client seemed reluctant. The fabric, special features, costs etc had been taught earlier. Now, came the final day of our training.

 We would be asked to handle real clients and judged on that basis. My client was nice and polite. Advising him was not too tough and he readily agreed to all that I suggested. All I needed to know was if I was making the right suggestions. Only my results would tell.

The next day we all had a meeting with the floor manager. He criticized everyone except me. He told them how they could correct themselves. How some of them had mixed up the mattress size etc. When he didn't tell me anything I thought I was doomed. He wasn't telling me anything because he felt it a waste of time. I was waiting to be fired.

It was at this moment that he turned to me and said, "You, of course did very well. You have a bright future my lad!!!" I was a mattress salesman in one of America's biggest firms!     

How a huge tussle was resolved by a king mattress

Fighting scenes with my wife were a daily affair. This would only intensify once we reached the bedroom. There would never be enough room for the both of us and the battle of genders reared its ugly head. It was in these circumstances that we decided to purchase a king mattress.

Size does matter! This is what we discovered with our brand new king mattress. The king mattress was like a divine gift to us. We had brought one of those pure cotton mattress  from king with memory foam padding. It had tiny little floral design hat sent my wife into ecstasy.

It would not be too dramatic to say that the king mattress changed our lives. There were no more periodic fights in the night. We slept better in the new king mattress and after a restful night, we were in much better mood throughout the day. We were becoming pleasanter to each other. The change in our household that this mattress had brought in was almost palpable. We lived in peace for the first time in seven years of our married life.

But the advantage of buying this particular mattress did not end here. We had been suffering from various pains prior to this. I had severe back pains every morning and I had been suffering from neck pain. With this king of the mattresses our problems reduced considerably.

Of course, we did have the occasional differences of opinion and the usual middle-age pains but they were no longer the wars of sleep-deprived individuals or the aches caused by a well-past-its-prime mattress. This mattress had taken care of these problems for us.

We never imagined that buying new mattress would make our lives so different. But our king mattress was not just any mattress. It was THE mattress. I look forward to my bedtime every night and so does my wife. We are now the all-American happy family. 
          

Latex mattresses

Latex mattresses are popular for a number of reasons. In fact naturally made latex mattresses have the least number of complaints against them. Natural latex mattresses are made from the milky white substance got from the rubber plants.

Some of properties of latex mattress that make it a top favorite can be studied under the following headings:

Comfort: Latex mattress is unparalleled in comfort. Even when you change your position, the mattress adjusts accordingly to the change in pressure, leaving you comfortable all night long. This is in contrast to memory foam mattresses that are good enough to sleep in one position but highly uncomfortable when the position gets changed.

Allergy-free: The natural property of latex discourages the growth of dust-mites, thus helping those with dust allergy, asthma or allergic bronchitis. Latex mattress is also a good choice for those who are allergic to synthetic materials.

Trouble-free Care: Latex mattresses are easy to maintain. Most of them have anti-bacterial properties so there are no hassles with fungus and moulds.

Support: Latex mattress supports the spine and helps relax your entire body. It confirms to your body shape. Latex mattress strikes the right balance between firmness and softness. It is firm enough to give support to your back and yet soft enough to let you sleep without making you feel stiff and uncomfortable.

No harmful side-effect: Naturally made latex mattresses is free from harmful gases. Many people complain of breathlessness, choking, migraine etc when they buy new mattresses. This is because some types of mattresses emit toxic gases like isocyanides.

Durability: Although it would not be right to generalize, most latex mattresses, that is, good quality latex mattresses last for a really long time. At times they could be even used for a quarter of a century or longer! A latex mattress should give you a life of at least fifteen years.

Environmentally friendly: Although not all manufacturers of latex mattress can claim to be environmentally sound, there are many who make latex mattress with an environment conscious public in mind. These latex mattresses are made without any damage to nature, during procurement of the raw material and during manufacture.

With so many points in its favor, latex mattress doesn't require much else to become a choice of the masses. From glamour divas to truck drivers, latex mattress has something for everybody.

CHEAP MATTRESS

Why are we so obsessed with cheap mattresses? Cheap mattresses are available dime-a-dozen but have we ever sat back to dwell on the effect it will have long-term on our health? Cheap mattresses more often than not are second hand mattresses. The spring inside is long gone and the only thing soft while buying these cheap mattresses is money!

There are truckloads of seedy business dealers who can sell their grandmothers if given the chance. Why do we ever trust them? We teach our kids "Never trust a stranger" and yet we fall prey to such strangers time after time.

Cheap mattresses are times not a matter of choice. Sometime one just doesn't have enough dough to buy the luxurious one. So what should one do in these circumstances?

Here are a few tips:

Tip 1. Do you really need a NEW mattress?

Check if you really need a new mattress. Can refurbishing the old one do? Can you manage by changing the mattress pad? If you want to change the mattress because it no longer looks that nice, then a mattress pad can do. A mattress pad is much better option for stains or moisture than cheap mattresses.

 If you want to buy a cheap mattress just because the cotton stuffing or foam stuffing is coming out, get it filled and stitched, this will be much cheaper than the cheap mattress and much better too.

Tip 2: Can't you wait for the sale?
If you wait till Christmas or any other sale time, you can buy good quality mattresses at a cheaper rate and this would be much better option than buying a cheaper mattress now.
Tip 3: Try the net

Net offers cheap mattress at such reduced costs that those who want quality products at reasonable prices often look to net for help. But there is one drawback, though. The Internet as a medium is not very trustworthy so make sure you check out the credentials of your retailer.

Tip 4: Do your homework

You might be clueless about the cheap mattresses business, so before you go for the purchase, truly understand the market. You might be paying less, but you are still paying money! So compare various dealers. Try to decide beforehand what kind of mattress you want. Try to shortlist the retailers or dealers of cheap mattresses that you can trust.

Tip 5: Get a second opinion

Before you make the final purchase, as someone, preferably who has made this kind of purchase before for his or her opinion.

Cheap mattresses could be cheap in price, but see to it that you never settle for a cheap mattress that's cheap in quality.

TWIN MATTRESS

Twin mattresses are ideal if your bedroom doesn't have enough space to accommodate anything bigger and yet you need enough space for yourself. If you don't sleep alone, twin mattresses become all the more important. These days there are twin mattresses available even for a newborn baby!

All most all leading manufacturers of mattresses do make twin mattresses. Priced anywhere between $50 and $ 500, there are different types of twin mattresses to suit every individual's choice and need. Some of the more popular types of twin mattresses are:

1. Mattress Topper: If you own an ordinary single mattress, just spread this topper over it and voila! You have twin mattress. It comes cheap at around $ 60.

2. Floor Mat Folding Foam Twin Mattress: Priced at nearly $80, these twin mattresses are best suited for camping trips. Just roll them up and take them with you to the wild outdoors!

3.   Futon Twin Mattress: As these twin mattresses can also double as your sofa, they are extremely useful to those suffering space constrain. They are very economical at $75-85.

4. Memory Foam Mattress Topper: For those who want to enjoy the luxury of memory foam twin mattresses but can't afford the price, memory foam topper mattresses are ideal at only $110 or thereabouts.

5. Day-bed Twin Mattress: At $120, the day bed twin mattress come in a choice of poly-cotton, polyester or cotton.

 
6. Tempur-Pedic Twin Mattress: Taking the words memory foam to another level, Tempur-Pedic mattresses have become synonymous with comfort. Enjoy this comfort on your twin mattress at $ 275.

7. Deluxe Memory Foam Mattresses: These twin mattresses make the memory foam mattresses yet more desirable. They are reasonably priced at $280

8. Deluxe Plush Twin Mattresses: The sort of soft, cosy, comfortable, luxurious mattresses that will make you go mmmmm.... are well worth their price at $ 490-500. 

 
All the prices mentioned are just approximates. The prices could vary by a few dollars. Besides the given models twin mattresses are also available in water mattresses, fireproof mattresses, water resistant mattresses etc. if you have the need, there is now a twin mattress available to meet it.  

Crib Mattresses

Robert and Samantha were very excited. They were having a baby! There was so much to plan-cribs, crib mattresses, clothes, toys...!!!  When they came to my store asking for the best type of crib mattress, their excitement and anxiety to make the right decision showed. They were just one couple. In my children's specialty store, I come across dozens such couples everyday.

Crib mattresses are my specialty. Although I don't l know how many of the rumors and researches are true, here are some pointers I can give from my experience.

Choose the type: Crib mattress come in two varieties- foam and innerspring. While the foam ones are lighter convenient to use, some say that innerspring ones are more comfortable for the baby.   If you ask my advice, I'd say go with the foam crib mattress.

Measure the crib: The crib mattress has to fit inside the crib and there should not be too much space between the mattress and the crib. Alternatively you purchase your crib mattress in the same place you buy the crib, a good store will measure it right for you.

Safety measures: Buy mattresses that are fire proof. Also buy ventilated crib mattresses as there have been some researches saying using a mattress without ventilation might lead to SIDS. There is no concrete proof for it, but why take the risk?

Mattress Factory

My fiancé, Matt, and I were planning our wedding. With just a month to spare, we had scores of things to purchase. But topmost on the list was a gift from Matt's dear Uncle Arthur - a mattress.  Uncle Arthur, though very sweet, is little eccentric. He was the first one to declare what gift we'd be getting from him on our special day. The conversation went something like this:

"You are going to get a mattress from me for your wedding", he roared.

"Well, thank you, Uncle", said Matt.

"Yeah, and the finest mattress it would be," he beamed at me.

"Ah! That's very kind of you Uncle Arthur," this was my polite reply.

"You will have to travel to Arizona to get it , of course,"... was that a twinkle in his eye?

"Arizona? We have to go? Why" Matt asked, exactly what I wanted to know.

"The best mattress factory I have come across is in Arizona. You go there and choose the kind of mattress you want and place the order. They take orders only in person. I am too old to travel, so you will have to go. And anyway since both of you will be using it, I insist that both of you go to the mattress factory."

The next weekend we were on our way to Arizona, to hunt for this mattress factory, all other shopping forgotten. There was no arguing with Uncle Arthur.

It was a long, hot drive and I'll spare you the details. It will suffice to say that by the time we reached the mattress factory, we were tired, dirty and very irritable. But we had also had the longest and the most open discussion in our lives.

The people at the mattress factory were cordial. They took us through the entire process of making mattress before we made our decision, a sort of tour of the mattress factory.

In the first unit, the layers and layers of foam were fed into a contraption. Numerous needles worked to create one mattress pad. Our irritation, long forgotten, Matt and I marveled at the human brain that created these things in the mattress factory. The next unit was equally amazing.

The quilted pads were cut into right size in this part of the mattress factory. It could be twin, full, queen, king or custom-made to our specifications.
As we continued to explore the mattress factory we saw how a piece foam metamorphoses into a proper mattress. It was awe-inspiring.    

We made our selection and were on our way back home. We had learnt something on this trip to the mattress factory. We had talked and talked, we had had arguments, we had shared the beauty of choosing something together. In one day in the mattress factory, we had sort of a preview into how our future was going to be.

If we could spend this weekend spend this weekend together, not once regretting that we were committed to each other, we could spend our live together too.  Our commitment to each other was re-affirmed. Something tells me that this was exactly what Uncle Arthur had planned when he sent on the trip to the mattress factory.