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Mattress 101

Pitfalls of Purchasing a Used Mattress

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7 min read

The internet has brought the physical marketplace or thrift shop to the palm of your hand. Online marketplaces work exactly like they sound. Individual users sell their products through sites like Amazon and Ebay. There are product categories, listing fees and dedicated customer bases.

Like brick and mortar stores used to be, buying online from Facebook Marketplace, Ebay or Amazon Marketplace is now commonplace. Global ecommerce is so saturated with retail options that marketplace offerings may even show up in your search engine results. But that doesn't mean that these items are high quality.

You should think twice before buying a mattress from an online marketplace. It may seem convenient or perhaps cheaper, but there are reasons to be cautious.

1. Hygiene and Health Concerns:

If you're buying a used mattress online, like on Facebook Marketplace, think about how clean it may be. You don't know the true length of its usage or whose basement it has been sitting in. I mean, nobody wants a mattress that's seen better days, right? Your mattress is kind of a big deal for your comfort and health, so it's worth thinking it through.

Used mattresses can have unknown history, like pets, kids, bed bugs, or mold. There may also be unfriendly fluids and allergens present, creating an environment for bacteria to grow and other harmful substances. Yikes! 

2. Lack of Warranty or Guarantee:

When you snag a fresh mattress in a box from legit online retailers (like bigfigmattress.com), you get the comfort and sweet security of the warranty. It's like a safety net that covers any funky manufacturing glitches or other hiccups that may occur along the way.

In the case of Big Fig Mattress, you get a 20-year warranty against dips, sags or material breakdowns. We stand by our product. If something goes wrong, our customer service team is ready and waiting to help fix it.

But if you score a Big Fig mattress from a random seller on Facebook Marketplace, you're riding solo - without any warranty or safety net for issues that may arise. If you have any issues with your mattress after buying it, you'll need to fix them yourself. This could result in costly unexpected expenses, and who wants to deal with that?

3. Unknown Mattress Age and Wear:

It can be a real puzzle to figure out how old and comfy a used mattress is. Even if a seller tells you its brand new, that may not be the full story.

What's it's firmness level? Is it a foam mattress, an innerspring mattress or a hybrid mattress? Each type of mattress will age differently. You see, average mattresses usually hang in there for about 7-10 years, keeping you all cozy and comfy - two decades if you get a Big Fig fresh out of the box.

But if you're in the dark about a mattress's past, you might just land on a snooze spot that's seen better days, leaving you tossing and turning. 

4. Comfort and Support Preferences:

Hey, we're all unique, right? So, what feels like a dreamy mattress to one person might just be a total snooze-fest for someone else. You want the right amount of pressure relief, edge support and temperature regulation (all of which Big Fig provides, btw).

Looking for a mattress on Facebook Marketplace is like playing mattress roulette. You never know if it will be a good fit for you. Figuring out if that mattress is gonna be your comfy oasis, tailored to your body type, sleep style, and specific preferences? It's a bit of a head-scratcher, and involves a lot of risk.

That's why Big Fig offers a 120-night sleep trial when you buy directly from us. This way you get to make sure you love us before it turns into a long-term relationship. We doubt you'll get that kind of option with your second hand purchase.

5. Difficulty in Returning or Exchanging:

Most physical or online mattress stores will work with you if you want to make a return. If your mattress doesn't live up to your dreams, you can usually swap it or get your money back, no sweat. Again, Big Fig offers you 120-nights to try it out or get your money back if it's not a match.

But, when you're buying a mattress from a site like Facebook Marketplace or Ebay, things get a bit trickier. There's usually no easy-peasy return or exchange system in place. So, if that mattress ends up being a dud, you're likely stuck with it, unless you want to get into a not-so-fun back-and-forth with the seller. 

6. Potential for Scams:

Facebook Marketplace, like other online marketplaces, is not immune to scams and fraudulent listings. Unfortunately, some folks might not be totally honest about what they're selling, like the condition, age, or brand of a mattress. So, without really checking things out and doing your homework, you could end up in a bit of a pickle and lose some of your hard-earned cash.

We recommend you just do the smart thing and buy directly from the manufacturer's website. 

7. Incomplete or Misleading Information:

Private sellers on Facebook Marketplace might not provide all the necessary information about the mattress in their listings. You may encounter vague information or insufficient details regarding the mattress, like its composition, hardness, or dimensions. For example, we know that Big Fig Mattress can support up to 1,100 lbs or 550lbs per sleeper, has THERMOGEL COOLING ® technology infused into the top panel and is warrantied for 20-years, but you may miss out on learning that important info in a secondhand listing.

8. Time-Consuming and Inconvenient:

Searching for the right mattress on an online marketplace can be a time-consuming and frustrating shopping experience. You may have to sift through numerous listings, coordinate with multiple sellers, and arrange for transportation to pick up the mattress. This can be a pain and probably isn't worth any savings you think you're getting.

In a nutshell, when it comes to Facebook Marketplace, it's a cool place to find all sorts of deals, but when it's time to get yourself a new mattress, take a breather and really think it through. Be cautious about potential issues, warranty concerns, and uncertainty regarding the comfort of the mattress.

So, to make sure you're snoozing like a champ and your money's well spent, the smart move is to snag a fresh mattress from a store or online shop that's known for top-notch quality and happy customers. Your well-being, coziness, and peace of mind are definitely worth it when it comes to scoring a reliable mattress. 

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