What does mattress firm do with returned mattresses?

Have you ever thought about whether your new mattress is new to you? Have you ever wondered what these mattress firms do with the returns?

Let’s find out what happens to all returned mattresses.

Breaking in Your Mattress

Online mattress sellers claim that mattresses have to be broken night after night before you start expecting some good results from them. It can take anywhere from three to four weeks for a mattress begins to adapt to your body curves and lose its factory feel.

This is why some companies need you to try out their mattresses for at least 30 days before you can send them back to them.

But even after this period, you might still feel a bit underwhelmed by your new mattress and want to send it back to them.

Well, the good thing is that most retailers accept returns, and different retailers have different conditions.

We will talk about that in a bit, but first, we need to discuss what happens to the mattress once you send it back to them.

Judging by this scenario, it seems as if you are sleeping on a mattress that has been rejected by someone else. And if that is the case, it does raise a few eyebrows, no!

Mattress companies must comply with their state laws regarding reselling used beds. Reputable retailers will be upfront about their practices.

Where Do Those Returned Mattresses Go?

If you have bought a new mattress from a reputable vendor, you cannot be 100% sure that it is brand new unless anything else has been clearly mentioned. If you are dissatisfied with a particular mattress, you can return it. Well, the beds you have returned will find a good home and someone who loves to sleep on them.

As per Federal Trade Commission, as long as mattresses meet processing and labeling requirements, firms can continue to resell them.

These mattresses are usually sold as clearance kits or in those Scuff & Tear sales. So if you are getting a clearance price on a particular mattress, there is a high chance of buying a pre-owned one.

In most situations, when the state laws allow it, these returned mattresses go in donations to different charities such as women’s resource centers, the salvation army, or other homeless shelters.

Suppose state laws don’t allow these donations. In that case, the discarded mattresses are entirely disassembled. They are cut up for a range of other products, such as roofing materials, carpet padding, or foam inserts for gymnastic mats.

Some state laws allow reselling those pre-owned mattresses once they have been properly cleaned, relabeled, and refurbished.

How Can You Tell If Your Mattress is New?

There should be a way to tell if your mattress has been pre-owned or new. Unfortunately, there are laws in some states that retract reselling of any pre-owned mattresses, and some deceptive companies try to break the rules.

In some states, there are pretty loose rules pertaining to the bedding industry. So consumers in those states are left with very little protection from such shady mattress firms.

Here are a few things to consider:

Look for its tag

New pieces do come with a white-colored tag that is attached to them. This tag certifies that this unit contains all materials in it that are new. If a mattress has been pre-owned, it should come with a yellow or a red tag.

The purpose of this tag is to warn customers that it contains used materials. Make sure you never purchase a mattress without any of these tags. It clearly indicates that this mattress is new or used.

Just ask the retailer

You can simply ask the retailer directly if they sell used bedding or not. If they sell used bedding, make sure you choose a new one. And when it arrives, make sure that you have a look for that white tag that we just mentioned above.

Also, ask the vendor to write “new” on the receipt if that is exactly what they have agreed to sell you. If that particular mattress turned out to be used, you have evidence of fraud.

Just decline re-taped or torn packaging

If your bed comes within a re-taped or torn bag to the point that an entire mattress can come out of it, it is definitely someone else’s returned item. You must decline this delivery if you have paid for a new item.

Check the retailer’s return policy

Just avoid purchasing from firms that need a restocking fee for any returns. If you have to pay for restocking or return your mattress, you know that that mattress will be sold again. In addition, if you purchase from such a firm, your NEW mattress will be pre-owned by someone else before you.

Reputable Firms Handle Their Returns Responsibly

Online firms understand that they have to deal with a lot of competition in their industry. Customers have a lot of knowledge right at their fingertips about these mattresses. They also understand that online customer reviews can make or break their reputation.

So they conduct ethical practices and deal with their return in proper ways that will make their customers and local communities happy. Reputable companies don’t resell old mattresses (also check the top-rated mattresses).

They either donate returned mattresses to christies or other NGOs or recycle them.

If you purchase from these firms, you can be 100 percent sure that your mattress is truly a new mattress and hasn’t been slept on previously. But in a rare case, if you are not satisfied, your mattress will be donated to someone in your community who needs it.

Examples of some quality mattress brands & how they handle returns

Casper

Casper offers a 100-night sleep trial, and they will send a truck to pick up your returned mattress. This mattress will go through a wash and tend to be donated to local charities.

Purple

They also offer a 100-night sleep trial. After that, Purple will donate it to some local charity, and you can choose your favorite charity for this purpose.

Tuft & Needle

With a 100-night sleep trial, they will pick up the unwanted mattress from your home and donate it to some local charity or NGO. And if it can’t be donated, it will be recycled.

Leesa

With a 100-night sleep trial, they will pick the mattress up from your doorstep and donate it to a coal charity or an NGO.

Conclusion

Ethical mattress firms make sure that they don’t use any of their pre-owned or returned mattresses. Instead, they will donate these mattresses or recycle them to use in other products. So you have to ensure that you only buy from these ethical mattress firms.

Plus, keep in mind to look for the white tag for new mattresses. Red or yellow tags are for old mattresses in clearance items. If a mattress doesn’t come with such a tag, refuse to buy that particular mattress.