Mattress shopping is quite complicated and stressful to many people as there are several different brands, comfort levels, and types of mattresses from memory foam mattresses, gel, innerspring, or latex mattresses. The price of a new mattress varies from the material used, size of the bed, and mattress retailer, however, one of the most important things to consider when purchasing a new mattress is understanding your mattress warranty. We spend a lot of time each day lounging or sleeping in bed, and often spend a lot of money on a durable mattress, so why not ensure it is properly covered?
What is a Mattress Warranty?
A mattress warranty is essentially a guarantee from the manufacturing company that they will provide a replacement mattress within the warranty period for a defective mattress. Mattress warranties, from the length of the warranty to what is actually covered, vary by manufacturing company, mattress retailer, and model. It is important to take the time to carefully read over your mattress warranty, and understand what the mattress warranty covers as well as the terms used.
Written Warranty
A written warranty is a commonly referred to term within mattress warranties, and common with most product purchases; however, it is important to know that written warranties are not legally required. Written warranties are essentially a promise from the seller to replace a defective mattress within a specified time frame. Written warranties provide coverage often between 5 to 20 years.
Implied Warranty
Implied warranties are warranties protected legally in all 50 states, and come with just about every mattress purchased. Implied warranties include two important parts: a warranty of merchantability, and a warranty of fitness.
A Warranty of Merchantability
Written warranties with a warranty of merchantability is a promise from the seller that the product benign purchased will do what it is advertised to do. For example, if you purchase a blender, a warranty of merchantability ensures this product will successfully blend.
A Warranty of Fitness
Written warranties with a warranty of fitness ensure the product being purchased for a specific reason is deemed suitable for all causes agreed upon by the seller and buyer. For example, if you purchase a tent that the seller states can withstand 50 mph winds, the tent will sustain winds up to 50 mph.
Spoken Warranty
A spoken warranty is an oral agreement between buyer and seller; however, this form of mattress warranty is not legally binding, and cannot be upheld.
Why Should You Understand Your Mattress Warranty?
Mattress companies have implemented mattress warranties, whether it be a prorated warranty, non-prorated warranty, or combination warranty, to give consumers peace of mind that the memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses, or other mattresses sold to the original purchaser will arrive as described. It is also extremely important that you carefully read over your mattress warranty to ensure that you do not accidentally void a mattress warranty.
If you have made a recent mattress purchase, and received a defective mattress, you can make a mattress warranty claim to the mattress manufacturers within the warranty period to receive a mattress replacement, or have your mattress repaired.
What are the Different Types of Mattress Warranties?
Mattress warranties vary depending on the mattress company or mattress materials. To understand what type of mattress warranty you have, and the length of the warranty, you must know the difference in mattress warranties as there are several different types including:
Prorated Mattress Warranty
Purchasing a new mattress with a prorated warranty means that you could be held responsible for partial replacement and repair costs, based on what this type of mattress warranty covers. For example, when you purchase a mattress with a 10 year prorated warranty, but the mattress fails after 2 years, you will only be reimbursed for 80% of the repair or replacement costs, while the mattress warranty covers 20% of the total costs.
Non-Prorated Warranty
A non-prorated warranty is a type of mattress warranty in which the mattress warranties cover 100% of the total replacement costs, or the total costs to have a mattress repaired as a result of manufacturing defects throughout the length of the warranty.
Combination Mattress Warranty
A combination warranty is one of the most common types of mattress warranties to date. Combination warranties combine non-prorated mattress warranties and prorated warranty coverage, meaning the mattress companies will fully cover manufacturing defects for a specified amount of time, and then will provide partial coverage for the remainder of the length of the warranty.
For example, a combination mattress warranty of 20 years total may provide non-prorated warranty coverage for the first ten years with the remaining ten years of prorated warranty coverage.
How do Prorated Charges Work?
Prorated warranty charges work by the original purchaser making a warranty claim for mattress concerns resulting from manufacturing defects to the mattress company. If the company approved the warranty claim, the mattress owner will receive reimbursement for a certain amount.
For example, if you purchase a mattress with a 10-year mattress warranty, but it experiences failure after 3 years through no fault of your own, you will receive payment for a partial amount of up to 70%.
What is Covered in a Mattress Warranty?
Mattress warranties cover a wide variety of things including:
Physical Defects
Most mattress warranties cover physical defects or damage that are not caused by normal wear and tear, including mattress sagging, coil damage on innerspring mattresses, torn mattress fabric, ripped seams, or torn handles.
Sagging
A standard mattress warranty covers mattress sagging of more than 1.5” that is not the direct result of normal wear and tear, or user error, such as children jumping on the bed, or using an improper bed frame as most mattresses need a specific amount of mattress support.
A Broken Box Spring
Some companies provide users with a box spring with the purchase of a new mattress - meaning this box spring is covered under the mattress warranty terms. A warranty claim for a broken box spring that was purchased with the mattress will often be covered if the damage was due to a manufacturing defect.
What is NOT Typically Covered in a Mattress Warranty?
Mattress warranties have specific outlines for what is covered versus what is not covered within the policy. A warranty claim may not be might not be approved for the following reasons:
Sagging
Sagging of your mattress that is not at least the minimum required depth, often 1.5”, will not be covered by most mattress warranties.
Damaged Caused by the Owner
Warranty claims for damage that is not the result of a manufacturing defect, such as using an improper bed frame, are typically not covered by most mattress warranties.
Discomfort
Once you have surpassed the standard trial period, or have decided to keep your mattress, feeling discomfort while laying in your mattress is no longer an acceptable claim by most mattress warranties.
What can Void a Mattress Warranty?
Mattress warranties can become null and void for many different reasons. Understanding your mattress warranty will help you to better understand what specific things can void a mattress warranty.
Failure to Adequately Support the Mattress
Each mattress warranty has set forth the minimum recommended support needed for the mattress. Without using the proper bed frame for the recommended support, your mattress is subject to damage that will ultimately void a mattress warranty long before it is set to expire, leaving you responsible for purchasing a new mattress on your own.
Removal of the Law Tag
Each mattress is manufactured with a law tag attached that is not to be removed. If this law tag is removed, more so by the retailer than the consumer after purchase, the warranty will no longer be effective.
Staining
Spilling drinks, food, or other liquids onto the mattress directly can result in damage to the foam used to manufacture the mattress. Consumers can help to protect their mattress by using a mattress cover that provides a waterproof barrier to protect the materials that make up the mattress.
Second-Hand Purchases
If a mattress is sold second-hand, purchased as a gift in the name of someone that is not the intended user, or given to another person, the warranty is no longer active or usable.
Failing to Rotate the Mattress as Instructed
Many mattresses are required to be flipped or rotated a certain amount of times each year. Failing to do so can result in excessive wear from being laid in for too long without rotation, leaving your warranty to become void. Not all mattresses are required to be flipped; however, your mattress warranty will specify if your mattress requires this.
Is There a Difference Between a Mattress Sleep Trial and a Mattress Warranty?
In short, yes.
A mattress sleep trial is a specified amount of time, usually anywhere from 90 to 365 nights, for a consumer to bring a mattress home and test it out to determine if the mattress is the right fit for them. During the sleep trial period, if a user has decided that the mattress does not meet their needs, they can return the mattress to the retailer to receive a full refund. Retailers will often cover shipping costs, or may have a team member come directly to your home to remove the mattress for you, though the latter isn’t always the case.
However, a mattress warranty is only designed to protect consumers from manufacturing defects. The warranty begins either once you have decided to keep the mattress you have been testing, or once the trial period ends and you have not returned the mattress. Warranty coverage does not provide consumers with a refund if they are unsatisfied with their purchase after the trial has ended.
How do I Make a Mattress Warranty Claim?
A warranty claim can seem daunting for many consumers to initiate as they often do not fully understand what the warranty covers. Follow the steps listed below to better help you in making a warranty claim.
Review Your Mattress Warranty
Carefully review your mattress warranty to ensure the problems you are experiencing or concerns you may have are in fact covered by the warranty. If you have read the warranty entirely and are still unsure, reach out to customer service for help. If you still have the original receipt of purchase for your mattress, now would be the time to locate it, and keep it with your warranty information.
Contact Customer Support
To initiate a warranty claim, contact the retailer in which you purchased your mattress, and speak to a customer support representative. He/she will ask you some questions, gather demographic information, and may even set an appointment to have someone come to your home and inspect the mattress.
Once the inspector has provided their evaluation to customer support, the claim will either be approved or denied. If your claim has been approved by the inspector and customer support, please move to the next step. If your claim was denied, you can challenge it, however, this will take much longer, and you will likely be responsible for the cost of a re-inspection.
Each mattress retailer is different in their return policies and procedures, however.
Ship Your Mattress
With most mattress warranties, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, the consumer will be responsible for covering the cost of shipping to return the mattress for repairs or replacement.
How Long do Mattresses Last?
The length of time in which a mattress will last depends on many factors, such as upkeep or maintenance of the mattress, the type of mattress, and the type of mattress material to name a few.
Some mattress experts have said that you can determine how long a mattress should last based upon the length of the warranty coverage. For example, if a mattress warranty is 5 years, consumers can expect to get approximately 4 years of use from the mattress. Experts also estimate that a mattress warranty of 10 years will hold approximately an 8-year mattress lifespan.
Many high-end mattresses, made of higher quality material, can last upwards of 20 years. These mattresses typically cost more, but if you are only spending the money one time every 20 years — it is often worth the investment as a lot of time is spent in the bed.
How can I Extend the Life of My Mattress?
Mattresses require routine maintenance and upkeep in order to get the most life out of them. There are many things that can be done to extend the life of a mattress, regardless of what the estimated lifespan may be including:
Using a Mattress Protector
Accidents happen. A mattress protector, or mattress cover, is designed to provide a waterproof barrier between the consumer and the mattress itself. Mattress covers help to protect the mattress from stains, spills, discoloration, and dust.
Proper Support
Many mattresses require a certain type of bed frame or foundation that provides enough support to hold the weight of the mattress and those sleeping on the mattress. A supportive mattress foundation can help to prevent excessive or premature sagging which will, in turn, extend the life of your mattress significantly.
Avoid Jumping
Children love to jump on the bed, and adults often find enjoyment in the happiness it brings. However, jumping on the bed can result in premature sagging, damage to the springs of an innerspring mattress, or even a broken box spring, resulting in a lack of adequate support. Damage as a result of jumping or bouncing heavily on the bed is not covered by your mattress warranty, and avoiding this activity can help your mattress last longer.
Maintain Proper Upkeep
Similar to maintenance on a vehicle, your mattress needs routine maintenance to extend its life expectancy. It’s recommended that most mattresses be vacuumed at least two times per year. If you experience a small spill or notice a small stain on your mattress, spot treatment can help to reduce the risk of damage to the materials that are within the mattress. Some mattresses should be flipped and/or rotated, whereas others need not be, so check with the mattress manufacturer.
About Latex For Less Mattress Warranty
Latex For Less works tirelessly to provide customers with the best available mattress warranty, as we want you to feel comfortable in your mattress purchase. We offer a limited 20-year, non-prorated warranty on your Latex For Less latex mattress purchases. If your mattress experienced damage as a result of a manufacturing error, we will happily repair or replace the mattress once a warranty claim has been submitted, evaluated, and approved.
Warranty
As a consumer, to maintain your mattress warranty you must follow all recommended maintenance and care instructions, as well as be the original purchaser of the mattress. The 20-year limited warranty goes into effect on day one of your purchase, and will remain in effect as long as nothing has been done by the consumer to void the warranty, such as removing the white law tag, bending or jumping on the mattress, or failing to provide adequate support to the mattress while it is being used.
Sleep Trial
At Latex For Less, we want to give you every opportunity to determine if a certain mattress fits your needs or not, which is why we are happy to be able to provide customers with a 120-night, risk-free trial period. Within this trial period, we will ship the requested mattress to your home at no cost to you, and you will test it out for up to 120 nights.
If you decide the mattress is not right for you within the specified time limit, we will cover all shipping costs to return the mattress, or will pick it up for you. Simply contact customer support where you will be provided a return authorization number, and instructions on how to package your mattress. Once this step has been completed, a member of our team will come to you to remove the mattress.
Flexible Payments
Afraid to take the plunge and purchase a more expensive, more durable mattress? We offer easy financing options with flexible monthly payments, so you can shop now and pay later! Through our easy financing, subject to credit approval, you can receive zero percent interest if your total balance is paid in full within 6 months.
Quality, Non-Toxic Latex Mattress
Our exceptional Latex For Less latex mattress is made with a double-sided design, meaning that it does not require being flipped or rotated as a part of routine maintenance. What it does offer as a flippable mattress though, is one side that is firm, and one side that is medium! Simply provide the recommended support, avoid spills, and avoid damaging the mattress to keep your warranty valid.
You spend countless hours sleeping on your mattress throughout your lifetime, so why not ensure you are sleeping on safe, non-toxic materials?
At Latex For Less, we strive to provide each and every customer a safe, healthy sleep space,which is why our mattress is made using plant-derived latex, rather than synthetic materials found in other mattresses. Our latex is harvested from the sap of the Hevea Brasiliensis rubber tree, and contains no added chemicals or toxins providing you with a soft, supportive, and safe sleep environment.
