What Those "Free" Mattress Trials Actually Cost You
Every online mattress company advertises 100-night or 365-night free trials. It sounds risk-free. Try the mattress at home, return it if you don't like it. But there are real costs to these trials that nobody talks about.
The Time Cost
The first few weeks on any new mattress feel different. Your body takes time to adjust. Most sleep experts say you need at least 30 days before you know if a mattress actually works for you. Some people need 60-90 days.
So you spend weeks, maybe months, on a mattress that might not be right. That's weeks or months of potentially poor sleep. If the mattress doesn't work out, you've lost that time, and you start over with the next one.
Compare that to trying mattresses in a store where you can feel the difference between options in minutes.
The Return Process Reality
Returning a mattress isn't like returning a shirt. Even companies with "easy returns" make you:
- Contact customer service and explain why you want to return
- Wait for them to process the return request
- Either arrange donation pickup (which requires coordination) or wait for scheduled pickup
- Wait days or weeks while sleeping on a mattress you don't want
Some companies make you try sleep accessories, adjustable bases, or other products before they'll approve a return. Others require you to keep the mattress for a minimum period (often 30 days) before you can even start the return process.
The Environmental Cost
Here's what happens to most returned mattresses: they end up in landfills. Even when companies say they donate returned mattresses, many actually can't be donated due to hygiene regulations. A mattress that's been slept on for 90 days and returned doesn't go to someone in need. It goes to the dump.
That's a lot of foam, fabric, and metal that could have been avoided if you'd tried mattresses in person first.
The Hidden Fees
Read the fine print on "free" trials:
- Restocking fees. Some companies charge 10-15% of the purchase price for returns.
- Return shipping. Compressed mattresses ship cheaply, but returning an expanded mattress costs more. Some companies make you pay it.
- Pickup fees. Even "free" pickups sometimes come with scheduling charges or require you to be home during a wide window.
- Credit vs. refund. Some companies offer store credit rather than full refunds, locking you into buying from them again.
The Quality Question
Many bed-in-a-box mattresses are made to a price point that allows for high return rates. They use cheaper materials because the business model expects a certain percentage of returns. The mattress that arrives might not be the same quality as what you'd find at a proper mattress store.
What Actually Works Better
Try Before You Buy
Come to a store, lie on mattresses, compare options side by side. Spend 15-20 minutes on each one you're seriously considering. You'll know more in an hour of in-store testing than in 100 nights of trial and error at home.
Ask Questions
Talk to someone who knows mattresses. What works for your sleep position? Your weight? Your partner's preferences? A knowledgeable salesperson can narrow down options quickly.
Buy from Someone Who Stands Behind It
Local stores like ours depend on reputation. If you're not happy, we want to know and we want to fix it. Our exchange policy exists because we'd rather find you the right mattress than lose a customer forever.
The Real Cost of "Risk-Free"
Nothing is risk-free. Those online trials cost you:
- Time spent sleeping on the wrong mattress
- Energy dealing with returns
- Environmental impact of discarded beds
- Sometimes actual money in fees
Walking into a store, trying mattresses, and leaving with the right one the same day costs you an hour and zero sleep deprivation.
Come Try Mattresses in Brantford
We have over 40 mattresses you can try in our showroom. Lie on them, compare them, take your time. If you find one you love, we can often deliver same-day. No 100-night guessing game required.
Mattress Miracle is at 441½ West Street, Brantford. We've been helping people find the right mattress since 1987.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mattress typically last?
Most quality mattresses last 7-10 years with proper care. Signs to replace include visible sagging over 1 inch, waking with pain, or sleeping better in hotels. Rotating your mattress regularly and using a protector extends its lifespan.
What firmness level is best for most people?
Medium-firm (around 6 on a 10-point scale) suits most sleepers and provides good spinal support. However, individual preference matters - side sleepers often prefer softer, while stomach sleepers need firmer. Try before you buy when possible.
Do I need a boxspring with a new mattress?
Most modern mattresses work fine without a traditional boxspring. Platform beds, slatted foundations (slats 3 inches apart or less), and adjustable bases all work well. Check your mattress warranty requirements.
How to Make the Best Mattress Decision
Follow these steps to choose the right mattress with confidence.
Step 1: Research your options thoroughly
Spend time understanding what is available in the mattress market. Read articles, compare features, and learn what separates quality from marketing. Informed shoppers consistently make better purchasing decisions.
Step 2: Define your priorities and budget
List what matters most to you in a mattress: comfort, durability, style, size, or specific features. Set a budget range that reflects the importance of this purchase to your daily life. Quality sleep affects everything.
Step 3: Seek expert advice
Talk to someone with real experience in mattresss. At Mattress Miracle, Brad has been helping families find the right sleep solutions since 1987. Expert guidance saves you from expensive mistakes and buyer's remorse.
Step 4: Test and compare before committing
Always try a mattress before buying when possible. Visit our Brantford showroom at 441 West St to test options side by side. Your body knows what feels right. Trust that more than any online review.
Step 5: Buy with confidence from a trusted retailer
Choose a retailer that stands behind their products with real warranty support and after-sale service. Mattress Miracle has been Brantford's trusted sleep store for over 35 years. Call 519-770-0001 or visit 441 West St.
Quick Answers
What is a hybrid mattress? A hybrid has pocketed coils on the bottom with foam layers on top. The coils give you support and airflow; the foam handles comfort and pressure relief. Most of our customers end up choosing hybrids.
Are they worth the money? In our experience, yes. Hybrids last longer than all-foam (8-10 years vs 5-7), they sleep cooler, and they work for more body types. The extra cost usually makes sense.
Which hybrid helps with back pain? Look for medium-firm with zoned support - firmer where your lower back sits, softer at the shoulders. We can show you a few options in store.
Visit Mattress Miracle
Find us at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario. Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Family-owned since 1987.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1987. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6 | Thu-Fri 10-7 | Sat 10-5 | Sun 12-4
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7