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Mattresses Cost Less Than You Think
This entry was posted on June 25, 2014.
One of the main reasons people give for why they aren’t buying a new mattress (despite knowing that it’s time to buy one) is that they are concerned about the high prices. But a recent survey by the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) shows that the average price for a mattress was just $286.29 in 2013, up from 3.1 percent the year before. The ISPA is a trade organization that releases statistical data on the industry. The information may seem surprising, but that may be because the pricey beds that are on the market are the ones that are getting the most attention, but more conservatively priced beds are still the most popular.
The average price cited includes all types of mattresses, and all sizes as well, but queen sized mattresses account for 40 percent of 2013 mattress sales, making up the majority. Full mattresses account for 15.4 percent of sales and king mattresses follow with 15 percent of sales. Over 40 percent of the queen-sized mattresses purchased during 2013 cost less than $500, followed by 35.5 percent between $500 and $1000 and 17.7 percent sold for between $1,000 and $2,000. Only 6.1 percent of queen-sized mattresses were in the upper stratosphere of $2,000 or more.
The fact that mattresses can be inexpensive is easily forgotten in the face of aggressive salespeople offering remarkable-sounding benefits, but it is important to remember that the most important aspect of choosing a mattress is making sure that it is comfortable. Though salespeople may toss out lots of descriptive terms like firmness, those terms are all subjective and may mean different things to different people. The best way to determine whether a mattress is going to work for you is to lay down on it and relax. Mattress experts encourage consumers to take their time, and point out that in order to get a real sense for whether a mattress suits you you need to lay down on it in whatever your preferred position is for at least fifteen minutes.
Though many people feel uncomfortable lying in such a seemingly vulnerable position in a retail environment, keep in mind that everybody in the store is there for the same reason that you are, so there is no reason to feel self-conscious. Also keep in mind that even if you are with the majority of the population and plan on buying a mattress that is $500 or less, it is still a big investment that you want to get right. Do your homework before you go shopping, and remember the steps of the S.L.E.E.P. test:
S = Select a mattress
L = Lie down in your normal sleep position
E = Evaluate how comfortable you feel
E = Educate yourself about your options and features
P = Partners should shop together
By taking the time and choosing carefully, you can get a new mattress that will provide you with a good night’s sleep without breaking the bank.
