Sweet Sleep

The economy is shaky. Unemployment is on the rise. More than ever, people are concerned about one thing this holiday season: getting a good bargain. Dave Smith is the owner of Mattress Depot USA. He knows the economic climate may bring customers through his door.

“We’ve seen it in the past,” Smith said. “In these tough times, people celebrate Christmas with practical gifts. There is nothing more practical than a new mattress that can give your loved ones a great night’s sleep.” And people tend to buy those mattresses from places like Mattress Depot USA.

Unlike traditional mattress stores, Mattress Depot USA specializes in high quality close-outs, clearance, mismatched sets and factory seconds. The store carries leading name manufacturers, but at a fraction of the cost.

Smith gave an example: “Typically, if you shop for a high-end luxury queen mattress set, you’re looking somewhere in the $1,500 to $3,000 price range at most other retailers. But at Mattress Depot you can get away with spending $500 to $800 and get the same high quality.”

Some sets cost even less. How Smith does this and the reaction it generates from his competition was actually the subject of an article in Seattle Business Monthly magazine. His biggest secret is to keep the overhead low. When you walk into Mattress Depot, you won’t find any fancy frills or displays.

Many of the mattresses are factory seconds, but that doesn’t mean they are bad mattresses. That simply means they don’t meet manufacturer guidelines in some way. Products may be scuffed or have a fabric flaw. After passing a 10-point certification to make sure the product is sound, these factory seconds are sent to Mattress Depot, where they are then sold to consumers at much lower prices.

At this time of year especially, such savings are appreciated. Whether customers want a cushy pillow-top, something with extra support or a name brand product in memory foam, they can find a large selection of products in stock at Mattress Depot.

Sometimes customers come in shopping for themselves, but during the holiday season they often are looking for gifts for someone else, usually older children or spouses.

“We see a lot of parents coming in to buy for children who have just moved out,” Smith said. “The kids have to spend their paycheck on rent. Parents buy them a good quality mattress set without breaking the bank.”

A lot of people also like to start off the New Year with a new mattress. You spend over a third of your life in bed, and most people are aware of how important a good night’s sleep is to their well being. A new mattress is a natural adjunct to a New Year’s health and fitness regimen.

One thing Smith doesn’t cut back on is good customer service. Mattress Depot employees also serve as sleep consultants. They can help customers select the correct mattress for their age and body type.

There are 11 Mattress Depot USA locations, including stores near both the Everett and Alderwood Malls. For more information go to www.mattressdepotusa.com.