Do I really need to visit a mattress showroom to test a bed?

Hi Robin,

Many thanks for your comment on mattresses and trying them out in a store.

We don't have stores or stockists of our John Ryan mattresses and never had. The reason being if we did our prices would be considerably higher to account for premises, sales staff, marketing materials, commissions to other retailers etc. All of which get passed onto you by mattress shops and retailers on the high street.

In fact we were one of the very first online-only mattress businesses 13 years ago now. Way before the bed in a box and online shopping world took off. We have a 99% success rate with our customers given our detailed advice service and we also back that up with our no-quibble 60 day love it or return it guarantee. No hidden catches or fees like other companies to return your bed if you don't get on with it.

Mattress Guarantees Explained:

Likewise, our full Mattress Guarantee (not a proportional warranty were you only get back a slice of the beds worth if it fails) is probably one of the best in the industry. No charges or fees. If the bed fails we either fix and replace it. We've written extensively on what other big retailers guarantee clauses contain here that may surprise you!

What are you testing in a mattress showroom?:

The other question you need to ask is 'What am I testing in a mattress showroom?'. Given that most people barely lie fully clothed on a showroom model for less than 30 seconds you're not really giving the mattress any kind of test as such. Yes, you can touch it. Look at the detailing which is important but in terms of mattress comfort then it's still a guessing game without some tailored advice and most importantly a fully comprehensive breakdown of what's actually inside those retail mattresses.

What's inside mattress models?:

You also have to ask exactly 'why don't retailers tell you what's inside their mattress models?' If they did you'd be able to save yourself a lot of guesswork and be able to compare them side by side. Say you have £1000 to spend on a mattress, it is only by knowing what's inside it and the amounts of pocket springs, upholstery fibres and bed fillings that you can see which of the mattress models offer you the best value for their components. It would also allow you to work out how many overheads you were paying for too!

As an idea of what to expect for each price point here's a starter for ten.

Mattress Comparisons and Alternatives:

If you've already trialled out a number of mattress models we do offer comparisons to a number of reputable high-end manufacturers.

• Vispring Mattresses
• Savoir Mattresses
• Tempur Mattresses
• John Lewis Mattresses
• Harrison Spinks Mattresses

If you have tried a model you like we are happy to discuss with you what the nearest alternative is and provide a full free mattress advice service- no matter which retailer or model you're buying.

There's probably enough food for thought there to help you, Robin, no matter where you choose to shop for a new mattress from. So hopefully it will help you choose the absolute very best for your sleeping requirements and budget.
If you need more help or guidance please give our small expert team a shout on 0161 437 4419 or info@localhost.

Sleep Well!
John & Ryan