How to find cheap mattress prices

The key to finding the best deals is to answer the simple question where do you live? Here in the Saint Louis area where STL beds is located we have many competitors which drive retail mattress prices down which is good for the consumer. Who are the competitors of STLBeds who offer mattresses for a cheap price? Just look at the list: Costco, Sam’s Club, Mattress Giant, Mattress Firm, Weekends Only and many many others. (Yes STLBeds carries them too “Cheap Plug”) The list reads like whose whom of the mattress market. This in particular is what makes the St. Louis market so competitive, especially when compared with more isolated areas like Montana and Wyoming. Chime in here North West USA do you have to drive 150 miles to even find a bedding store?

Finding Cheap Mattresses on the Internet

So what do you do when you’re in situation where there is not a mattress store on every corner and the closest cheap mattress prices can be an hour to two hours drive away? Instead of wasting away and reading this boring blog go online and shop using the precise keywords you would use to describe what you’re looking for: “Cheap Mattress” The quotes will force the search to those exact words. “Cheap Mattress” however is a national term so you may want to geo-locate the search word: “Cheap Mattress” + St. Louis for example would give local cheap mattress stores in the St. Louis area. If you do not, shipping and handling can cost you more than the mattress itself.

Something to keep in mind is that online mattress retailers (stores that do not have a showroom where you can test rest beds) may be very competitive however you are buying the mattress sight unseen and often you get exactly what you paid for, a cheap mattress and we aren’t just talking about price. Also many of the web stores have comfort guarantees but way out in Montana it’s very possible you could end up paying the freight both ways and which could run $400 or more just to take advantage of a free trial mattress offer, providing the company has one.

Other ways to find a cheap mattress

Another option is Craigs List. Keep in mind not only can you find used mattresses, but also new mattresses are for sale there too or at other similar community based sites. If you don’t mind the risk of a used bed give your local goodwill store or thrift store a try. Sometimes a good lightly worn cheap mattress can be found at a resale shop, used furniture store, or flea market. Hey garage salers, we didn’t forget you. Sales in your local neighborhood are there for the taking. NOTE: we are not recommending you buy used mattresses but unfortunately not everyone can afford new mattresses. A couple quick notes when buying used mattresses or accepting free ones, be sure to check it for soiling, stains, bed bugs, smell, or even fleas. No sense bringing any new pets home to drive the ones you already have crazy. With all this in mind happy shopping.

Cheap Prices, Great Deals, Free Stuff Right Here in Saint Louis.

Purchase any complete mattress set over $399.00 and get:

• Free Bed Frame
• Free Delivery*
• Free Set Up*
• 2 Free Pillows

Simmons Beautyrest® Mattress Queen Set

Ardona Plush
Reg. $ Full 668.00 558.00
Reg. $ Queen 678.00 578.00
Reg. $ King 1058.00 958.00

Our Simmons Beautyrest® Mattress features the Do Not Disturb Individually Pocketed Coils so each person cannot only get perfect body support but a complete night of uninterrupted sleep. The heavy-duty support of the patented Simmons Triton® bar Foundation / boxspring will give your new Beautyrest® Mattress years of unmatched support. The complete set carries a 10-year warranty.

Complete Mattress Sets Starting At:

Easy Rest Special Value
Twin Mattress & Boxspring 129.00
Full Mattress & Boxspring 169.00
Queen Mattress & Boxspring 199.00

Easy Rest Imperial
King Mattress & Boxspring 450.00

If you are looking for the cheapest prices on mattresses in St. Louis for the kid’s room or a spare bedroom, look no further. These won’t last 10 years but then again do you need them too?

Memory Foam Mattresses & Foundations

You’ve seen the commercials for Tempur-Pedic® with the handprint in the foam, and the wine glass not spilling on the mattress, or even that it is NASA engineered the foam. Were asking you not to pay their high prices. Check out Symbol® Mattresses version at a fraction of the price.

Ours
Symbol® Memory Foam Mattress (Set) Model #HTK8

Twin $449.00
Full $599.00
Queen $699.00
King $949.00

Theirs
Tempur-Pedic® AdvantageBed (We do not carry this bed)

Twin $899 Mattress + $250 for the foundation
Double $1,099 Mattress + $350 for the foundation
Queen $1,299 Mattress + $400 for the foundation
King $1,599 Mattress + $500 for the foundation

Bedroom Suites

Aspen White 4 Piece Bedroom $798.00 $699.00
(Includes) #54800-4PC

Dresser $300.00
Mirror $100.000
Chest of Drawer $278.00
Queen Headboard $120.00

(2-Drawer Nightstand is optional) $158.00
(Steel Frame Optional)

Complete Waterbeds

Briarwood 5 Board Waterbed
Many colors available Dark Wood, Light Wood, Black etc.

Super Single $429.95
California Queen $459.95
California King $489.95

This waterbed includes everything you need to sleep on it but the water. That’s right – our Briarwood waterbed includes the headboard, all wood frame, decking, hardware, heater, liner, free flow mattress, drain & fill kit with the conditioner.

* Free Delivery and Set Up Restrictions. See Store For Details.

From now through 2/28/09, Choose from  one of two great Symbol Mattress Sets, either our Stafford Plush or the Stafford Firm . These mattresses will be reduced to only $499.00*!

In order for you to lock in this sale, you need to call or visit our showroom before 2/28/09.

And, to help you even more, we’re offering the following ‘Bailout Benefits’
* 90 days same as cash with approved credit
* 120 Day Layaway (that’s right, we still do layaway!)
* FREE Steel Bed Frame with purchase (24rr) $49.00 Value

The only way to get this deal is to mention the Tax Refund Special so don’t forget when you call!

* price does not include tax or delivery.

Items that are discounted include:
 
Bargains on: Memory Foam Mattress
Deals on: Organic Mattress
Cheap Prices on; Simmons Mattress and Boxspring
Bargains on: All Bedroom Sets

Deals on: Hardside Waterbeds
Cheap Prices on; Symbol Mattress & Box Springs
Deals on: Soft Side Water beds
Bargains on: Chest of Drawers
Deals on: Dressers and Mirrors
Cheap Prices on; Nightstands
Bargains on: Armoires
Deals on: All size mattresses Twin Full Queen and King
Cheap Prices on; Campbell Mattress sets
Bargains on: Bed Frames
Deals on: Pillows
Cheap Prices on; Sheets
Bargains on: Comforters

Why overpay for used when you can have new? We are about to start our 2008 fiscal year end inventory and we would rather sell it than count it. Reasonable offers will not be refused. Save more money if you pay with cash and pick it up yourself.
Don’t miss these last minute savings St. Louis, if you want to save, save, save, on the furniture and mattress you need you have till December 31 2008.
Contact us at The Water Works Sleep Center Hurry these Deals are only good thru 12-31-08. 1360 Jeffco Blvd Arnold MO 63010 On the Jefferson County St. Louis County Line.

11-inch Memory Foam Queen Size Mattress
· Compare at: $1,130.90
· Our Price: $350.00
· Sale Discount: $35.00
· Your Price: $315.00
· You Save: $815.90 or (72%)

If this particular advertised mattress actually sold for $1,130.90 then this very well may be a great deal. However, in this ad nowhere does it say any such a thing. The ad says Compare at: $1,130.90
It goes on to say plainly “Our Price: (is) $350.00.”
 It then says the “Sale Discount: (is) $35.00.” (This is the discount the company is offering)
It then goes on to say that “Your Price: (is) $315.00.” (What you will pay)
Finally the ad claims “You Save: $815.90 (or) (72%).”

Wait a minute didn’t they just tell you that your Sale Discount is only $35.00? Yes it did. The truth is the way this mattress ad is worded in my opinion is very deceptive and not uncommon in the mattress industry. They are telling you the “Sale Discount” is only “$35.00.” That is the equivalent off only 10% off of their price. Yet the ad is claiming a savings of $815.90 or (72%) when looking at the “Compare at price”
 
It is my opinion that this is not a great mattress deal. This mattress ad doesn’t say this mattress was originally $1,130.90, it says Compare at. (Compare to Who, What, Where and When?) Those are important questions that need to be addressed. Sure you can probably find a store selling a memory foam mattress for $1130.90 but was it the exact same one? I don’t think so after all the #1 memory foam mattress Tempur Pedic offers memory foam mattresses for thousands of dollars but I assure you this was no Tempur Pedic.
 
The funny thing about this ad is that it has a disclaimer defining to the mattress shopper what “Compare at” means. In this ad the definition of compare at is nearly one page long, has over 301 words in it, and I’m not sure a lawyer could understand the disclaimer, I know I didn’t.

I believe we all like a good deal but It is not about how much you save. It is about comparing apples to apples and getting the best price for that apple.

Feel free to tell us your experiences. No company names Please. Store names will be deleted.

Recently I was challenged on the sales floor by a shopper who said that mattress prices were too high because stores have a lock on mattress pricing. His proof of this was that we were the only guys in town and that there wasn’t enough competition to force mattress prices down. Apparently he was unaware of our local mattress competition because he did not take the time to look for it. If he had really been paying attention he would have noticed that within the last two years, approximately 4 competitors went out of business in my area alone. My question is – If mattress stores were making so much money, why did 4 out of the 6 local mattress dealers go out of business?

I can only assume the man did not consider these St. Louis Mattress stores competition.

Anyone looking to buy a mattress could look under the heading “Mattresses” in the AT&T Yellow Pages Directory and find the following mattress store listings in the order I found them in the phonebook.

1. Ashley Furniture Homestore
2. The Bed Guy
3. The Bedroom Store
4. Campbell Mattress Factory Outlet Showroom
5. Carol House Furniture
6. Craftmatic Adjustable Beds
7. Custom Foam
8. Elite Mattress Manufacturing
9. Ferguson sofa & Sleep Center
10. Goedeker’s
11. Home Décor Liquidators
12. Intelli-Bed
13. The Mattress Firm
14. Mattress & Futon Outlet
15. Mattress Giant
16. Mattress Outlet
17. Mattresses & More
18. Mattresses Wholesale Inc.
19. Meyer Bedding
20. Relax The Back
21. Rothman Furniture Stores
22. Select Comfort
23. Shubert Design Furniture and Bedding
24. Stlmattressdirect.com
25. Tempur-Pedic
26. The Furniture Gallery
27. Value City Furniture
28. Verlo Mattress Factory Stores

Looking through the phone book I was shocked to find that the big 4 department stores
· Macy’s
· Dillard’s
· JC Penny’s
· Sears
the biggest players in the mattress game did not have a listing under the heading Mattresses in the St. Louis AT&T Phone Book. Also there were a number of smaller independent mattress stores that were not listed. I would assume because of the expense to advertise there.
Lastly a person really needs to take into consideration that many of the mattress stores listed above have multiple locations throughout the St. Louis Metro area.  If you were to add the 28 mattress stores listed above to the roughly 44 additional multiple store locations, the total number of mattress store locations in the St. Louis vicinity is in excess of 72 locations.

NOTE:

This quick compilation did not include the 4 big players I mentioned above, Costco, Sam’s Club, Yellow Book, Verizon Super Pages or any of the smaller rural phone books, only the AT&T Yellow pages.

Yes it is true that the large furniture and mattress chains including the giant mattress stores in St. Louis and St Charles have plenty of mattresses to select from. Most giant mattress retail stores pride themselves in carrying the 4 major brand names in mattresses.  For example, just think about these 4 brand name mattresses for a moment: Sealy Posturepedic®, Serta Perfect Sleeper® Simmons Beauty Rest® and Spring Air Back Supporter®.

What store wouldn’t shout from the rooftops and sing the praises of such well know mattress brands? It is not unusual for giant retail stores to offer vast choices in brand name mattresses. They often brag about it to their potential customers in ads, boasting about their large showrooms, truckload saving and unbeatable selection. While the sheer number of choices the big stores offer is impressive, they are not up front about how many real different choices in types of mattresses they have to offer. This may just be a difference of ideology but we don’t thinks so.

How come giant mattress stores sometimes display 12 mattresses but often only display 3 choices in comfort?

Most large mattress retailers typically display 15- 20 brand name models for you to choose from. Each competing brand name offers a nearly identical feel and price point to compete with one another; these are called comparisons by the industry. Each brand name mattress will share nearly identical construction, warranty, price and feel while differing in color, quilting pattern, and name.

For example, take the $1200.00 Sealy®, Serta®, Spring Air®, and Simmons® beds.  Each will display a mattress at this price point. In addition each of the brand names may also display a firm top, plush top, and a pillow top mattress. Many sales associates in private say when it comes down to the difference between each brand name mattress; there really isn’t much of a difference. Of course each brand feels theirs is the best and will debate it to the bitter end. Each will tell you that their mattress has a unique feel. Each will claim they have the best prices on their mattresses. The reality is that you are viewing 12 nearly identical models from 4 different brand names.

If you do the math; the dealer is technically showing 12 different mattresses, however they are nearly impossible to tell apart from one another. The fact is that the mattress store is displaying 4 Plush Top Mattress sets, 4 Firm Top Mattress sets, and 4 Pillow Top Mattresses. Each of those 3 choices are then represented by one of the 4 brand names like Sealy®, Serta®, Spring Air®, and Simmons® – giving the appearance of a giant selection with the 12 different beds. But is that a real choice or is that just a bunch of the same thing being offered up as something different?

Do people want the same beds with different brand names on them or do they want real variety in selection when choosing a new bed?

We at The Water Works Sleep Center believe variety is not a bunch of the same stuff disguised to look different.

Here is what we feel real choice and variety in mattresses are:

• An expansive line of mattresses and boxsprings from the cheapest to the very best
• A choice of memory foam mattresses from the most affordable to the Rolls Royce
• A selection of adjustable airbeds to get just that perfect feel
• Organic Mattresses
• All Natural Mattresses
• Hardside and softside waterbeds
• Hybrids or cross breeds of all the above beds

By choosing to support specialty sleep stores like The Water Works Sleep Center, you as the consumer will get REAL choices in comfort and value for a great price.

What separates St. Louis Missouri mom and pop mattress stores like The Water Works Sleep Center from the big corporations that sell mattresses and bedroom furniture? This 3-part blog will give you a glimpse at what the attraction is and why people drive from virtually anywhere to support small retail stores.

How can smaller furniture and mattress stores have better prices?

Many consumers say that small retail stores are not privy to the massive wholesale discounts that are usually available to larger retailers who make their purchases in greater volume. That mindset is unfortunate for small stores like The Water Works Sleep Center and other small retailers. This is because for most people the general consensus is that by purchasing larger quanties on items like mattresses and bedroom furniture, that larger stores have more buying power and therefore will save the consumer more money. Consumers have told us that they feel the bigger box stores and furniture and mattress chains leverage better pricing on the things we all buy, saving them more money at the cash register. We are sorry to say that this notion misleads people to believe that stores like The Water Works Sleep Center cannot compete with the big companies on items like mattresses and bedroom furniture, but also that they can not save money unless they make their purchase at a big chain or box store who have more buying power. Really?

What seems more likely?
a.)    A large retail mattress corporation saves money by purchasing in large volume and then passes the saving along to their customers?
b.)    A large retail mattress store takes advantage of the volume discounts by pocketing the savings and maximizing the profits for their owners and stockholders?

I think we all know the answer is (b).
It is true that small stores don’t get those nice volume discounts? However where small retail mattress stores like The Water Works Sleep Center fall short in discount purchasing they more than make up for it in other aspects of doing business like location? Yes it’s location, location, and location. Specialty sleep stores like The Water Works choose not to locate in the high rent districts. Examples high rent districts where monthly rent and mortgages astronomical include areas like Manchester Rd. in West County, Chesterfield Valley, Lindbergh Blvd in South County or even St. Peters & St. Charles.  Large retail stores love to locate in these high dollar settings knowing that a combination of proximity to other successful companies and that these areas are seen by the consumer as shopping Mecca’s. These two things do not necessarily make for cheaper prices at the register for the consumer. These companies have to make up for the prices they pay in rent and mortgages by increasing the cost of their mattresses and bedroom furniture. The consumer is the loser since they are the ones who ultimately have to pay for those higher expenses or overhead.

Advertising dollars

Another way large mattress and furniture companies fail to save you money is with their huge marketing budgets. Furniture and mattress stores spend extremely large amounts on a regular basis toward their advertising budget; this is to establish brand identity. The first brand they want you to identify with is their company name. My guess is that you could probably name at least one furniture or mattress store in the St. Louis Metro area with out having to think about it very long. I would even go so far to say you could name at least one brand name mattress or line of brand name furniture without trying very hard. Why is that?

Here is why. The hope is that by flooding the market with their company name, slogan, or catchy jingle that their company and their brand names will become a household name. Television, radio, newsprint ads, and sponsorships are very expensive and usually fall short of replenishing the advertising dollars these companies spend.  To offset those costs large furniture and mattress stores incorporate higher margins to get back their return on investment.

Who pays for this stuff? You do.

Continue reading about how the small mom pop store beat the big box stores and retail chains.

Ownership has its privileges.

Mattress and retail store The Water Works Sleep Center located in Arnold MO many years ago made a conscious decision to keep their company small. Owner Dave Belleville continues to utilize his family for a combined 45 years plus of experience and knowledge in the field of bedroom furniture and mattresses. The family has teamed up to give their customers superior information and product selection while demonstrating that you don’t have to be bigger to be better.

Customer referrals lower mattress and furniture prices.

One way Dave believes that his company is better than the large chain stores is in their ability to explain and educate their shoppers which, will result in a happy satisfied loyal customer. The owner and his staff believe this customer will not only be happy and satisfied but will refer friends, family and coworkers who are the ultimate in customer loyalty and Dave understands this.  These loyalist of patrons save his company costly advertising dollars allowing him to compete with the big guys. After all advertising is a major expense for any business and companies like The Water Works realizes this and would like to keep it to a bare minimum.

Small furniture storeowners buy beds and bedrooms that they would buy for themselves.

Owners like Dave Belleville purchase their own merchandise instead of relying on or paying for expensive buyers. Dave purchases the merchandise himself, just like you would. He looks for style, comfort, and the best bargains he can find. It’s also important that he shop for quality and value ultimately knowing that as owner he will fulfill the role of service department as well. It only makes since that small companies like The Water Works Sleep Center wants to be able to dedicate more time to the sales portion of their business to, let face it make money. The fact is that ownership does not have the time to dedicate to fixing inferior poorly built mattresses and furniture and therefore buy better goods. This is why Dave purchases well-built furniture and mattresses, they last and he uses them himself.

Having an owner spend time with you has its advantages.

The hands on approach that positions Dave and his son Doug Belleville among their customers on the showroom floor is a great advantage for the small business and the customers. They are able to teach their customers the difference between good quality and poor quality products. They can share their 45 plus years of furniture and mattress experience helping their customers make more informed decisions about their purchase.

Many companies employ well-trained commissioned sales staff to sell their mattresses and bedroom furniture. Unfortunately most commissioned sales associates are hawk like and waiting to swoop in and meet their own greedy financial well-being not the companies. They associate sales direction by directing customers to the most profitable beds and bedrooms instead of what really meets the consumer’s overall needs.

The tough questions get answered

Customers tell us that the most frustrating experience they have with large mattress stores and furniture stores is their inability to answer even the simplest of questions. Good training, positive and negative customer feedback, along with hands on delivery, service and repair experience makes it worth the drive from anywhere to visit a small retail store like The Water Works.

The little things make the difference

• 45 years of experience on the job training
• Our sales people speak in complete sentences
• We know what the different types of dovetail joints are and can explain them
• The person that buys also sells and does installation and service if needed
• Timed delivery and setup or service by some who cares the owner
• Our sales people can answer your questions

Honesty is the best policy

Doug has told customers on numerous occasions, “I do not mind being asked out to your house. I just don’t want it to be for the reason of having to fix a problem that dad and I could of prevented. I want it to be for beer and BBQ.” How’s that for an honest salesman?

Just a few more reasons why people drive from St. Charles, Fairview Heights, and Baldwin to buy quality furniture and mattresses from The Water Works Sleep Center.

In Summary:
When you add the highest Oil prices ever …
Plus the highest steel prices ever…
Plus the highest foam prices ever…

You get a high priced mattress.

What do you think about current mattress prices?