My story with Mattress Warehouse concerns some questionable salesmanship, incredibly restrictive return policies, dreadful customer service and an inexplicable management philosophy. I would strongly recommend not buying from them. After a $300 loss, I went to Mattress Discounters nearby and had a very positive experience.
Summary: I stopped into Mattress Warehouse in Cockeysville, MD to buy a twin pillowtop mattress. I looked at one for $1,000 and quickly requested a lower-priced model. The next one I saw was comfortable and had a soft top, or so it seemed. I didnt think to confirm it was a pillowtop. I bought it, missing the sign on the wall that said no returns. When I got home, my wife and daughter said it wasnt a pillowtop, so I returned 19 hours later with the mattress in its original packaging. The assistant manager said no returns but he assumed an exchange was OK. Thats what I was planning to do anyway, so that was fine. But when I finally spoke w/the manager who sold me the piece, BTW he said absolutely no exchanges either (what business outside of fresh food does this, when they can immediately resell the product AND still make the sale?). He said it was corporate policy and gave me their number. I called and finally got the district managers voice mail. He didnt return the call, so I sent the CEO a letter (see below), saying I needed a resolution w/in a week or Id have to buy another mattress. No call from him or anyone else. Case closed, at least from their standpoint.
Not from mine, however. I may be out the money, but I hope I can save others from a similar fate.
Here is the letter to the CEO of Mattress Warehouse - http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd9g28wk_9hkv5qngk . After the dreadful experience, I shouldnt have been surprised by anything but still - what company wouldnt at least have a middle mgt lackey call and pay lip service after getting this?
I was so frustrated by their rigid return rules, stubborn refusal to talk to the customer and lack of business acumen, I wrote a poem based on the fateful trip of the castaways to Gilligans Isle - http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd9g28wk_8fw67bchp.
Person of Interest
United States of America#2UPDATE Employee
Wed, July 28, 2010
Customer Service
Frederick,#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, April 28, 2010
Mattress Warehouse has a clear "no refunds" policy. We pride ourselves on not selling bedding that has already been delivered (or taken into, in this case) any customer's home. This way, we can guarantee all our customers receive the highest-quality factory-sealed mattresses. Our no returns policy is CLEARLY shown within the store, and resides on a very, very, very large sign that frankly, should not be missed.