Are you being fleeced when mattress shopping? Watchdog finds people are paying up to $2600 MORE than they need to for a bed - as they reveal how to negotiate a good deal

  • Australian consumer watchdog, Choice Australia, took a look at mattresses
  • The organisation found retailers are swindling shoppers with inflated prices
  • Choice's pro managed to negotiate discounts of 43 per cent on average 
  • The outlet found that you might be paying up to $2600 more than you need to 
  • Choice Australia also revealed how to make sure you negotiate a good bargain 

By Sophie Haslett For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

They might say you can't put a price on a good night's sleep, but what if we told you you might be paying $2600 more than you need to for a mattress?

It's true. Australian consumer watchdog, Choice, took a look at the padded pricing that comes with mattress shopping - and found that retailers are swindling shoppers with inflated prices.

So just what did Choice's professional buyer learn?

Australian consumer watchdog, Choice, took a look at the padded pricing associated with mattresses - and found that retailers are swindling shoppers with inflated prices (pictured)

Australian consumer watchdog, Choice, took a look at the padded pricing associated with mattresses - and found that retailers are swindling shoppers with inflated prices (pictured)

Choice's undercover buyer managed to negotiate discounts of 43 per cent on average - with eleven of the 22 mattresses bought purchased for at least half price (stock image)

Choice's undercover buyer managed to negotiate discounts of 43 per cent on average - with eleven of the 22 mattresses bought purchased for at least half price (stock image)

The buyer, who was aware of the sales practices used in the mattress industry, approached seven big-brand retailers to buy 22 mattresses.

In order to make it seem credible, she posed as someone who was renovating her home.

Having worked on Choice's report from earlier this year - which found that cheap bed-in-a-box style mattresses are often just as effective as those which retail for eye-watering sums - she had a fair idea that people were paying more than they should for mattresses.

And the outlet was right.

A SleepMaker Miracoil Armadale (pictured), which was priced at $2099, was negotiated down to $850

A SleepMaker Miracoil Armadale (pictured), which was priced at $2099, was negotiated down to $850

According to Choice, in order to get the right mattress for your money, you need to be aware of retailers' tricks - shop in person and become aware of model numbers (stock image)

According to Choice, in order to get the right mattress for your money, you need to be aware of retailers' tricks - shop in person and become aware of model numbers (stock image)

Incredibly, Choice's pro managed to negotiate discounts of 43 per cent on average - with eleven of the 22 mattresses bought being purchased for at least half price.

Some examples of what the buyer bought included a Sealy Metro Series Loft, which was advertised for $1399 but was bought for $450 – or 68 per cent less than the recommended retail price.

A SleepMaker Miracoil Armadale, which was priced at $2099, was negotiated down to $850, while a $6000 Tempur Lucerne Hybrid was discounted by $2399 or 43 per cent less than advertised.

Another Sealy mattress - the Posturepedic Aspire Revive - was originally priced at $2799, but bought for $1149. 

Choice's top mattress findings

* A Sealy Metro Series Loft was advertised for $1399, but bought for $450. This gave Choice Australia a saving of $949.

* A SleepMaker Miracoil Armadale was priced at $2099, but negotiated down to $850, with a saving of $1249.

* A Sealy Posturepedic Aspire Revive was originally priced at $2799, but bought for $1149. This meant a saving of $1650.

* A Whitehaven Bondi model should have cost $2399, but the undercover buyer actually paid $999. This meant a saving of $1400. 

* A SleepMaker Miracoil Bright mattress had an RRP of $1399, but the buyer actually paid $599 - with a saving of $800. 

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A Whitehaven Bondi model (pictured) should have cost $2399, but the undercover buyer actually paid $999 - this meant a saving of $1400

A Whitehaven Bondi model (pictured) should have cost $2399, but the undercover buyer actually paid $999 - this meant a saving of $1400

A Sealy Metro Series Loft model (pictured) was advertised for $1399 but was bought for $450 ¿ or 68 per cent less than the recommended retail price

A Sealy Metro Series Loft model (pictured) was advertised for $1399 but was bought for $450 – or 68 per cent less than the recommended retail price

So what should you be doing in order to avoid paying the sticker price for your bed?

How often should you replace a mattress?

* The longevity of a mattress depends on several factors, including how well it's made and how much you use it, according to The Better Sleep Council.

* The council says to consider replacing your mattress if you wake up with stiffness, aches and pains, if you had a much better night's sleep somewhere else, or if your mattress shows visible signs of overuse such as sagging, stains and rips.

* Choice Australia advises replacing your mattress every ten years, on average. 

Source: Choice Australia and The Better Sleep Council 

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According to Choice, first of all you need to be aware of retailers' tricks. 

The investigation earlier this year found that manufacturers often sell the same mattress branded as an exclusive to that retailer in a move to undermine competition by making it difficult to price compare.

The same Sealy Aspire mattress, for instance, is sold by Snooze as the 'Sealy Posturepedic Swan', by Harvey Norman as the 'Sealy Posturepedic Aspire Vogue Deluxe Queen Mattress' and by David Jones as the 'Sealy Aberdeen Firm Plush Mattress'. 

Unsuspecting customers wouldn't be able to tell the difference - or lack thereof - between these products.

The watchdog explained that you need to buy in store, because you are able to negotiate greater discounts there.

You also need to learn the model of each mattress from manufacturer websites so you can identify the same mattress in different shops and get them to price match each other.

Finally, shop around and compare various products. Haggle to get the best price.

Then, sleep easy knowing you've got the best and best value mattress for your money. 

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