“Do you want the mattress warranty?”

There it is. The big question. There’s nothing quite as overwhelming as making a huge purchase just to have the salesperson—your credit card still warm in their hand—ask you to make yet another decision, and probably spend another chunk of cash.

You freeze as a rush of questions flood your mind.

Wait, do I want the extended warranty? What even is it extending? Does it cost even more than I’ve already paid? What’s the limit on that card again? Maybe I should just risk it, I guess I could call my dad and ask? Oh, I should probably answer now…

Warranties, in general, can feel a little scary, but there are a few things you can study up on to feel more than prepared to make the right choice while shopping for a new mattress. Let’s break the basics down and try to clarify one of the mattress industry’s favorite ways to confuse customers.

Hey, maybe you can even teach your dad a thing or two when we’re done. We promise we’ll try to make this more fun than actually reading through warranties.

What even is a warranty, really? Generally speaking, a warranty is a manufacturer’s promise to replace or repair an item within a certain timeframe after purchase. When it comes to mattresses, a warranty typically addresses what the manufacturer will do if a mattress sags over a specific measurable amount, or develops any other structural issues.

When you’re shopping for a mattress, you want to make sure that you do your research and know what to expect in the years following your purchase.

Why does just hearing the word make me feel weird? Warranties can be tricky to understand for any product, but mattresses in particular can come with a lot of fine print. You shouldn’t have to worry about what companies are trying to get away with, but paying close attention will prevent headaches later on. The mattress industry seems to like to make big claims backed by teeny, tiny print that can come back to bite you later, so always read everything carefully before you hand over that card.

What should I be asking about the warranty when I’m shopping for mattresses?

• How long is my mattress covered for? From 3 years to “lifetime”, it’s important to know just how long your warranty extends.
• What voids the warranty? Watch out for that fine print we talked about—if you use another brand’s base or have a tear, a spill, or some other superficial damage or stain on the cover, you may not be eligible for a warranty claim if the mattress breaks down within the warranty period. You also want to take note of any required maintenance like flipping or rotating the mattress.
• How do I use the warranty? Some retailers require you to schedule — and pay for! — an “inspection” before they will authorize a mattress return, depending on what sort of claim you’re filing. Make sure to ask before you buy if there are any fees or restrictions for returns. For our customers, we have a photo submission process so we can diagnose the issue without sending someone into your home, and we’ve never even considered making our you pay for using our warranty!
• Does the warranty cover just the structure of the mattress or the cover as well? If the zipper on your cover breaks or the handles on the side of the mattress rip, does your warranty cover the damage?
• Do I get a replacement or is the warranty pro-rated over time? This is an important question. If you do have to use the warranty, you don’t want to find out after it’s too late that you’re only entitled to a credit for what your mattress is worth 5 years later.
• Do I need to do anything to get the warranty or does it come with my purchase? Some warranties require you to register your product within a certain period of time after purchase. If you miss this date, you may miss out on warranty protection altogether, and not be able to file any claims in the future. You may also be required to purchase a protector or other accessories in order to use your warranty.
• What is considered “normal wear and tear?” This differs from mattress to mattress; the required degradation before your warranty coverage kicks in could be anywhere from half an inch to 3 inches, depending on the manufacturer. It should be clear what the company means by “normal” so that there are no surprises.

These questions should ensure you know exactly what you’re getting out of your mattress purchase. To read up on the warranty that comes with the T&N Mattress, you can click here. While we’ve worked to create a transparent and clear warranty, our Customer Experience team is always here to answer any questions!

For some examples of typical mattress warranties, you can check out Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, and Stearns & Foster to get an idea of what to expect while comparing warranties.

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