| While most mattress stores carry the same brands | | | | another |
| and embrace the same sales techniques, not all | | | | "We recently went shopping to see what deals we |
| mattress stores are created equal, because not all | | | | could find and to learn some of the sales tactics |
| people are created equal. When shopping various | | | | furniture stores use. We also consulted several |
| mattress stores, we must remember that each store | | | | informative Web sites that provide tips on what to |
| employs different people with different sales | | | | look for when it comes to quality and what to watch |
| philosophies and different customer service | | | | out for when dealing with salespeople. |
| approaches; a fact that can make a difference in not | | | | We recently found a $1,765 couch in a retailer's |
| only your shopping experience, but in your 'buying' | | | | clearance center for $999. The only flaw we saw |
| experience as well. Meaning, if you employ the right | | | | was a tiny spot on one of the cream-colored |
| bartering approach, you can negotiate a better price. | | | | cushions. The day after we visited the store, we got |
| Aside from the 'people' approach, the 'product' | | | | a call from a salesman offering us another $250 off. |
| approach to moving merchandise varies from store | | | | The moment we were the slightest bit hesitant to |
| to store. For example, most stores offer a greater | | | | buy at one mattress store, the salesman offered us |
| discount for irregular or damaged items and may list | | | | discounts of $500 and $600 on two mattresses. At |
| discounts for floor models. However, while one store | | | | another store, we watched a customer haggle a |
| offers 50% off damaged items, another may only | | | | price cut of more than $200 on a $749 mattress set. |
| offer 20% off. | | | | One retailer we checked charged $59 to exchange a |
| Take some time to review the following excerpt | | | | mattress set within 15 days of delivery. Another |
| from a story derived written for Consumer Reports | | | | allowed exchanges for up to 21 days, but charged |
| Magazine, and decide for yourself why one mattress | | | | $139 to $399 depending on the mattress size. |
| store, and mattress sales person, differs from | | | | |