Buying a mattress can be quite an experience. There are so
many factors to consider - soft or firm, queen or king, pillow top or
plain, new or used? Used? Most people assume that when they purchase a
mattress it's always new. According to the Federal Trade Commission, in
most parts of the country, used mattresses can be resold, as long as
they meet certain labeling and processing requirements. The best way to tell if you are buying new or used is to
look at the label attached to the mattress. New mattresses usually will
have a white tag attached to it that indicates that the mattress
contains all "new materials." Depending on the state, used mattresses
may contain a tag, sometimes red or yellow in color that warns that the
mattress contains used materials. Federal law requires that any
mattress that contains used stuffing bear a tag or label with that
information. If you do not see any tag, consider doing business with
another retailer.
Not all states have labeling requirements for the sale of
used mattresses, and for those that do, the requirements can vary. For
example, in many places, old mattresses that have been recovered with
new ticking (strong, tightly woven cotton or linen fabric) can be sold
as long as they are sanitized or disinfected in some way before sale.
In other states, only certain parts of mattresses, such as the springs,
can be reused. These rules apply to traditional retailers as well as to
thrift, secondhand and consignment shops.
To be sure you are satisfied with your mattress purchase, the
Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Trade Commission offer
the following tips when shopping:
- Shop around. Mattress prices and quality can vary greatly.
- Ask if the retailer sells used bedding. If so, and you want a new mattress, make sure your mattress has a "new" mattress tag.
- Make
sure you look at the tag on the actual mattress you're buying, either
before you leave the store or before the delivery person leaves your
house. Don't let the heavy plastic wrapping stop you from looking for
and at the tag.
- Ask the retailer to write "new" on your
sales receipt if you have been told you are buying a new mattress. If
it turns out that the mattress is used, you will have stronger
recourse.
- Avoid retailers with mattresses that do not
carry tags. There is no way for you to tell what you are getting,
regardless of what the sales person claims.
- Ask about the retailer's return and refund policies, and get copies in writing.
The
agency that regulates mattress labeling varies by state. To find out
what the bedding laws are in your state, contact the State Department
of Health.
