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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – We all sleep. And millions of us like the convenience of shopping online. But when it comes to our beds, is buying online a smart option? How can you know if it will be comfortable? Is the quality as good? How can you know the differences between brands? Will you be stuck with a bed you don’t like? “It is absolutely possible to buy a great bed online,” confirms respected bed expert Joe Alexander, founder of Nest Bedding, one of the only successful online mattress retailers to also have a network of showrooms. And whether he’s working with Hollywood and sports celebrities, or young adults buying beds for their first apartments, Alexander stresses the importance of knowing exactly what you’re buying and how it’s made.
In addition to the “sight unseen” concerns that most people have about buying beds online, there can also be worries about selection. Most companies offer just one option. And at a time when we’re all trying to buy locally, many online bed companies source from overseas.
Nest Bedding has distinguished itself by taking a more holistic approach. It is a family-owned, organic, natural and certified bedding and mattress company. Itsources and manufactures its own made-in-the-U.S. beds, using materials that are as local and non-toxic as possible.
Alexander points out that just as no one wants to walk into a mattress showroom that features just one bed, you should expect to have options from online retailers. “The same mattress is unlikely to work for both a 90-pound woman and a 350-pound guy,” he says, adding that there are also a lot of bedding manufacturers who cut corners on quality.
How to buy a bed online with confidence
Fear of the unknown may be stopping many people from buying their next mattress online. “I call this ‘paralysis by analysis’,” says Alexander, who has 20 years of bedding industry experience. “There is so much misinformation out there. Companies know that people aren’t mattress experts and many are banking on shoppers not knowing the right questions to ask.”
To help you learn how to choose the right mattress from an online retailer, Alexander provides the following advice:
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Speak up! “Some questions you should always ask include, Is it comfortable? Are you going to take care of me if there’s a problem? Do you have more than one bed to choose from? Beds are a lot of money and they affect your entire life. In addition to offering a variety, there should be a mattress selector on the website plus help to guide you through the selection process.”
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Try the mattress in your home . “Just as it is inadequate to go into a mattress store, lay on a bed for five minutes and make a decision, you shouldn’t be expected to make a commitment to a bed purchased online without sleeping on it. We work with people on-one-one to guide their selection, whether it is online or in one of our traditional showrooms. As a result, very few of our mattresses are returned. Those that are, are donated to nonprofit organizations.”
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How long has the company been in business? “A lot of the bed-in-a-box companies are new to the business. They are learning as they go and experimenting on the public. Some have quietly changed how they build their mattresses several times, still trying unsuccessfully to create one perfect mattress that suits all people. That’s unattainable.”
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Don’t buy into the myths. “One of the most pervasive myths all over the internet is that latex is dust mite-proof. Latex is more breathable than regular foam, so it can be somewhat mold resistant. But when you expose your bed to dead skin cells and moisture, as we all do, you’re going to have dust mites and mold.”
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Be cautious of green claims. “Not all of the claims are what they seem, which is something the FTC is beginning to regulate more. Most Nest Bedding beds either use organic or certified materials.”
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Consider what you’re currently sleeping on. “Are you a side or back sleeper? Do you prefer the feel of a foam or traditional coil bed? Do you like firm or soft? Do you have allergies? Let your preferences and needs factor into your purchase decision. For example, if you’re heavier and sleep on your side, you’ll go through a bed’s comfort material much more quickly than someone who is lighter. That’s the sort of thing a reputable retailer should be explaining to you.”
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Learn to spot the marketing gimmicks. “People think, for example, that spending more money is going to get them a better bed. That’s not necessarily true. Mattress companies either use good quality or poor quality materials, then try to distract you with marketing messages. A mattress is a commodity until you start shopping. Then it becomes emotional, which is what some companies play into. Focus on what you’ll be sleeping on and how it’s made, not the hype.”
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Listen to what others are saying. “When we shop for mattresses online, it’s human nature to look for reasons not to buy. Read the Yelp reviews. Does reality match the company’s marketing promises?
Biography: Joe Alexander
Joe Alexander is the founder of Nest Bedding, one of the leading online mattress and bedding brands. His beds can be found in the homes of some of the top athletes and celebrities and lauded in publications such as the Huffington Post, Men’s Fitness and Refinery 29. In 2012, he bootstrapped Nest Bedding and grew it into a $20 million dollar a year force in the mattress and bedding industry. Author of the book “Retail Relationships”, Joe credits Nest Bedding’s meteoric rise to legendary customer service and holding his company to an incredibly high standard of customer satisfaction. You can find Joe in one of his many stores in NY, SF or LA or online at www.NestBedding.com
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