More Consumer Protection Needed for Mattress Purchases?

Having had some bad experiences in the past when buying a mattress, I think that consumers need more peace of mind, which is something that the ACCC should look into. For example, if someone isn't satisfied with their mattress, they should be able to return it within 30 days. Almost no bed store offer any kind of guarantee - as soon as you pay for it, you're stuck with it, and then they don't want to know you. Unlike most other products, there's no way to test a mattress. Lying on it for 10 minutes in a store is not equivalent to sleeping in it for 8 hours. An analogy would be sitting in a car in a showroom, as opposed to actually driving the car on the road.

Whenever I go into a store, I always raise this issue with the staff, who then say - "well, if you return it, what are we going to do with the mattress? We can't re-sell it." This shouldn't be the store's problem - the manufacturer should take it back. If the manufacturer gets too many returns, then they need to make better mattresses. If stores offered a guarantee, it might mean that prices could go up, but it'd be worth it. Staff would also need to work harder to get people into the right mattress, instead of trying to sell them anything.

On the other hand, there are a number of products on the market that we can't try, or can't be demonstrated, before buying. Things like ovens, for example, are impossible to test in a store. This raises the question - do consumers need more protection in general, or is the current system ("you bought it, you're stuck with it") fine?

Comments

  • do consumers need more protection in general, or is the current system of "you bought it, you're stuck with it" fine?

    more consumer guarantees means higher costs. the $1000 mattress that you wanted will now cost you $2000. will you be happy with that?

    • No, but I can't see how the prices would double. Let's say that 10% of items bought were returned. That should mean that prices would only go up by 10%, to cover those losses. I could live with that if it meant peace of mind.

      • Let's say that 10% of items bought were returned. That should mean that prices would only go up by 10%, to cover those losses.

        that not how the manufacturers see it. a 10% real returns and they'll factor in a 50% return. now add a few % here and there to cover other overheads. the consumers will end up paying much more than the 10%.

        • -3

          If they raise the prices too much, then sales will suffer. Realistically there's only so much they could increase them by. Ultimately they would have to accept a bit less profit per sale.

        • @MrZ:

          Not if they do it across the board.

        • @MrZ: accept less profit… Yes that's how businesses work. They're in it to make less money.

          Should we extend this to underwear too? Tampons? Condoms? Toothbrush?

        • @mbck:

          I'm certain that if you rang Oral-B and complained about your toothbrush, they'd refund you for it. Or the store you bought it from. Same thing goes for the other products you listed. Try ringing any of the respective companies, complain, and let me know if any don't refund you.

        • +2

          @MrZ:

          These companies do it out of goodwill. It's also a lot cheaper to dispose of an electronic toothbrush than a mattress.

  • +5

    Quite a number of stores/sellers now have quite generous return policies. For example, ikea is 365 days. Most online/mattress in a box sellers have 90-180 day return policies. I am sure there are many other examples.

    Just another reason to avoid the majors (aside from their massive markups on mattresses).

    • -2

      Yes, but Ikea only allow you to return a mattress for exchange, not a refund. Their range of mattresses is very limited, and I don't like the idea of being forced to buy from them again if I wasn't happy with the initial purchase.

      However, if all bedding stores were required to accept returns for exchange, at the very least, that could also be a suitable solution.

      • +1

        I wouldn't call 10-15 types of mattresses very limited

        • -3

          Their website lists 12 different mattress. I'd call that very limited. A bed store might have 40-50.

        • +1

          @MrZ: All probably the same mattress rebranded

      • +3

        Ikea gave me the option of store credit when I returned a mattress for 'exchange'.

    • +1

      another reason to avoid the majors

      Your right support small business by shopping at Ikea.

  • +18

    Start your own mattress business with a 365 day return policy

  • Another consumer who needs to be spoon fed.
    There’s lots of mattresses stores that accept returns.
    Do some research when buying please.

  • +2

    The biggest factor would be that any returned mattresses, for health reasons, can't be easily resold. The cost to deliver, pickup and store the returned mattresses wouldn't be small either.

  • +3

    I believe koala mattress offers a 120 night trial.

  • Had the same dilemma a couple of years back so we bought an out of the box one (Sleeping Duck)as it had a 100 day trial and if we didn't like it they would pick it up and give it to a local charity. Luckily we liked it.

    The same types of consumer guarantees that the OP is concerned about should also be applied to movies. :)

    • +2

      And wives

      • And governments.

      • +3

        Don't give wives any idea mate, we husbands would be given out to charity for health reasons.

    • And kids.

    • -3

      No, because a movie is an intangible item. I'm referring only to physical goods. Also, apples and oranges. When you pay to see a movie, you can't "unwatch" it, therefore a refund would be technically impossible, unless you were somehow able to erase all memory of the movie from your mind. Similarly, a meal that's been paid for can't be "uneaten".

      • +1

        Nonsense. You can't 'unsleep' on a bed either.
        A bad meal can be rejected and taken off your bill.
        A movie is a consumer good that comes with marketing that promises that the product will be of a certain type and quality. If the product does not live up to the claims then a refund should be available.

        (BTW I'm not saying you don't have a valid point about beds just that there are plenty of other things that we pay good money for that also need similar 'protection'. :) )

        • -3

          Yes, but it's still not comparable with a physical purchase. When you watch a movie you have "consumed" it for lack of a better word, and therefore, you've got what you paid for. As I said, getting a refund would be unfair because you've still got 2 hours of entertainment which can't be given back. If you sleep on a mattress for a few weeks and find it uncomfortable, that's insignificant compared to the 3,000+ nights you would typically get out of the life of a mattress - not even 1% "used".

        • +1

          @MrZ: I didn't make the distinction between 'tangible' and 'intangible' you did. The money paid for both is exactly the same and my point is that if the movie doesn't live up to what was promised then I haven't 'enjoyed' the movie, I've just wasted 2 hours of my life and should be entitled to a refund.

        • -1

          @MrZ:
          Not even 1% used. Lol would op wear my 1%used toothbrush/underwear?

          Ozwhining.Com.Au

  • test driving the car for 30mins… but then you buy the car and now it doesn't perform like the 30mins you had, can you go and return it now?
    same concepts…

    • Why would a car be any different to drive after delivery compared to the test drive? If anything, it would be better.

      • Why would a mattress be any different to sleep in after delivery compared to the in-store test?

        • -3

          Because in the store you're not sleeping in it, you're lying in it. Try lying awake in your bed for 8 hours one night and see how you feel in the morning, compared to sleeping for 8 hours. Then tell me if there's any difference.

      • because of any number of reasons…

        oh… i'm driving on a different road to my daily drive
        the brakes are not bedded in… doesn't stop the same way
        oh the rubber doesn't grip the same way
        suspension is only now setting in

        does that warrant me to get a refund on the car afterwards?

        end of the day you pay for what u get. buy it and try it out and if it doesn't do what u want, u know what not to get next time
        just like if i went to a fine dining and had the tasting menu, and it's not what "i expect for paying $500 for" will i get a refund? no…

    • It never ends.

  • +7

    I used to work at a major mattress store in a regional city…. A few observations

    • on some of the mid range and high end models there was a 90 day exchange period where you could change the feel of the mattress. From firm to medium to plush etc. Nice fair arrangement

    • it takes around a month to get used to a newn mattress and wear in the foam\springs. Most unsatisfied customers that complained called after their first night, but after a few weeks more they were really happy with it.

    • When people shop for mattresses their decisions are quite often reactive. Ie If their old mattress is too hard they'll buy the softest mattress or if they had a soft lumpy mattress they'll buy the firmest in the store. Our staff advised against this and suggested a more appropriate feel but often consumers dont listen and then make bad choices.

    -pocket springs aren't that great.

    -often mattresses feel firmer than at the store once you place sheets and protectors on them

    — exchanged mattresses foam was recycled

    • +2

      thanks for the reply, it is good to get a perspective from someone who has experience.

    • -1

      Good point about it taking time to get used to a new mattress. However, you can become used to anything after long enough, even a genuinely bad mattress.

    • +1

      pocket springs aren't that great.

      Are you able to elaborate?

      • +1

        Pocket springs work well for movement reduction.

        But quite often the springs are actually quite soft and don't offer enough back support.

        I've found more traditional bonell style spring systems (when made properly) like Sealy use and lower mid range sleepmakers and king coils use offer better back support for medium to larger frames people.

        Unfortunately Some mattress stores and blogs Really push pocket springs too far to the point where consumers will not consider anything else.

        • +1

          Thanks!

          Yes, reducing partner disturbance appears to be a big marketing tactic.

          Makes no difference when one or both of you snore!

          Maybe you should start an AMA! Ha

        • @John Kimble: Try sleeping in a bed where everytime your partner breathes, moves, turns around, gets in and out, you will feel it. There's a reason why partner disturbance is big on the list of things to consider.

  • +1

    Mattresses are not goods that can be repackaged and sold to someone else if returned. I'm sure the OP would be unimpressed if he/she was given a replacement mattress that was returned by someone else. If 10 minutes isn't enough then lie on it for 1/2 an hour. Also issues with mattresses can be ameloriated by getting toppers and overlays. I bought a topper for my mattress because I found it too hot in summer and this seems to have helped.

    There are plenty of review sitese available that give you an idea on the mattresses and any reputable store will discuss suitable options. There are places that do offer the replacement if you aren't happy in a certain timeframe but you will pay the price of them needing to cover the overhead of some turnover.

    For your oven example there are installation/deinstallation costs that need to be covered as well. It is an oven, it cooks food and there are manuals that tell you how they function. Why would you possibly be returning it unless it is faulty?

    Consumer protection is for goods that are faulty or do not perform as detailed by the seller. They are not there to provide an umbrella if the consumer has not done their research or changes their mind. Too many people buy stuff because they like the look of it rather than actually working out how they will use it. Sorry mate, you bought it you are stuck with it. Next time go to a store than offers the replacement and pay the extra money.

  • -1

    Consumer Protection for change of mind? first world problems!…

  • I don't see why you can't just sleep on the mattress in the store for 1 / 2 / 3 hours or even 8 hours to satisfy your desire to ensure the product is the right one, I don't see how or why they would say no as I haven't seen a sign ever saying 10 minute time limit for Mattress testing. It is probably just your personal insecurity which is stopping you from testing the mattress properly. Similarly if you're concerned about safety while you sleep in a public place, take along a friend/family member to watch over you.

    This whole mattress testing thing seems like a legitimate concern for you, however I personally don't see the need for the entire sales structure or system to be revolutionized to suit that concern of yours, so maybe you can look to change yourself first and see how that goes? It's really not that hard, you only have to publicly sleep on a mattress for half a day maybe once every 5 years?

    • +1

      I suppose you could, in theory, but the bright lights and noise would make it difficult to get any decent sleep in a store. Most people are also not tired enough during the day to sleep, as it's not natural. Also, there are no sheets or blankets on any beds in a store - so you would have to bring your own. Would the store let you do this? Unlikely. Perhaps if stores offered a few separate rooms where people could nap for a few hours on a mattress, that could work, but how would they get the different beds in and out of those rooms?

      • +1

        There should be sleeping room, just like the cinema room in some stores that sell TV's

      • Would the store let you do this? Unlikely

        Try it and report back to us.

  • +1

    I took a new ($48,000) car for a 15 minute test drive a couple of weeks ago and was so impressed I bought the thing.

    Took it on a trip from Melbourne to Adelaide but was disappointed with the comfort and support of the seats on the 8 hour drive.

    Can I take it back to the dealer for a refund?

    • +1

      Oh 8 hour drive too? It should have only taken 7hr30, you should get a 110% refund for that because they didn't advertise the fault.

  • Bed bug risk. I dont wanna buy a "new" mattress knowing that it could be a reconditioned item.

    • -1

      Bed bugs are easily killed.

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