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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2009 > February > 16
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thinking mattress sales on President’s Day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It is President’s Day, when families bond by piling into the car and go check out mattress sales.
The connection between this holiday and comfortable sleep is unclear. But we are so inundated by TV and print ads that we cannot help but think Simmons Beautyrest and Sealy Posturepedic instead of Lincoln and Roosevelt.
What is your theory on the mattress stores treat President’s Day as if it’s pre-Fourth of July for fireworks?
It might not surprise you that these sales might not be what they seem.
The mark-up on mattresses over wholesale price is massive. As a result, so-called sales occur regularly, not just on Prez Day. So, if you get caught up reading Washington’s biography all day, there will be more opportunities to save.
Our first commandment for all shopping: Compare. The mattress industry makes it difficult by selling “exclusive” models to selected retailers. Thus, going store-to-store for an apples-to-apples comparison can be frustrating, as this website addresses.
Stacking up prices on the Internet can be helpful, if not fully satisfactory. Make a list of mattresses in your price range, and see if you can spot the same product in the store.
Just don’t enter a place blind because you’ll exit dizzy. Some mattress peddlers are notorious for bait-and-switch tactics.
Also, determine the delivery charge before you buy. Stores offering decent deals might get you on the back end with such fees.
Have you hunted for mattresses on President’s Day? What is the appeal?
Can you share a favorite tip on purchasing a mattress?
One more question as we ponder the holiday tie-in with mattress sales: You think the Obamas will spend the day shopping for their new White house bed?
