There’s nothing more satisfying than bagging a bargain. Whether it’s nabbing a used Sodastream on Gumtree for $20 or snagging a refurbished console at EB Games for a third of the price, it’s a satisfying feeling because a) you’re getting what you want, and b) you’re saving money in the process. When it comes to second hand goods, mattresses can be a sticky situation - especially when you're not sure of their history.
Here’s why.
- Your mattress hasn’t been faithful.
You know that second-hand mattress you just found on Facebook marketplace? This ain’t its first rodeo. In fact, there’s a good chance this is its fourth or fifth rodeo. One of the scariest parts about going to bed with a used mattress is you’re probably never going to know just how many people it’s slept with. And because you’re in the dark about who’s shared a bed with your mattress, there’s no way of knowing the places it’s been and things it’s touched…
It’s best to buy second hand furniture when you know where it’s been. On official sites, such as Eva’s Reloved program, there’s transparency on where they’ve been, certainty in their near-new quality and a guarantee that they’ve been cleaned thoroughly. It’s second hand furniture, done the right way.
- You don’t know where it’s been.
One of the biggest risks you take when you buy a used mattress is that you have no idea where it’s been. Unlike when you purchase a used car, you don’t receive a service history logbook of every time someone spilt coffee (or worse) on the mattress.
It probably hasn’t been dumpster diving in a McDonald's carpark or moshing at a sweaty dive bar, but that doesn’t mean the second-hand mattress you just bought isn’t filthy. We recommend buying from official second hand programs such as Reloved for this reason. We clean every mattress and ensure that it’s good as new. Plus, every mattress has been returned within its 100 day trial, so you know it’s only been with the previous owner for less than a year.
- Your time together is limited.
Even the best mattresses don’t last forever. Typically they remain in good condition for an average of seven to ten years when given a little TLC. So, when you buy a second-hand mattress, not only are you accepting its ambiguous bedroom history, it also means you’re accepting the fact that you’ll have to fork out for a newer one sooner.
It's best to buy a second-hand mattress that you know is near-new, such as a mattress returned in a trial period. This way, you've still got time with it, and you know where it's been.
- You’re missing out on the best in mattress technology.
As is the case with cars and phones, mattress technology is forever changing and evolving. If, for example, you were to purchase a three-year-old spring mattress from Gumtree, there’s a good chance you’re foregoing countless hours of uninterrupted sleep because you’re prioritising price over comfort.
- It doesn’t come with a warranty.
A used mattress won’t come with a guarantee of quality, or a warranty that protects it for the years to come. Any defects you discover down the road, you’re stuck with.
At Eva, we’re confident in the quality of our products, and we want you to be, too. So our warranty covers your mattress for 10 years. And unlike most second hand mattresses in Australia, our Reloved mattresses come with a 2 year warranty for your peace of mind.
- You can’t return it.
Wasn’t what it looked like online? Have a change of mind? With second hand there’s often no way of returning it if you and your mattress simply don’t click. With something as important as your sleep, you can’t really afford to take that risk. Eva has a 100 day trial for mattresses, meaning you can live with your mattress for a year and have the option to return it, for free, at any time. With a trial period like that, you can be certain that your mattress is the perfect fit for you.
- You can’t try before you decide.
With no returns comes no trial period. Buying a mattress without having a trial period means you’ve got a lot of risk attached to your purchase. There’s no room for change of mind or for testing it before making up your mind. You just have to trust the pictures and the person you’re buying from. Read more about our 365 day trial here.
- You don’t get the fun of unwrapping a rolled mattress.
Okay, this one’s pretty specific. But it’s true, unrolling your mattress-in-a-box is one of the most satisfying feelings. And you just don’t get that with a second hand mattress.
Second hand mattresses can be a bargain, but if you aren’t the risk-taking type, it’s always best to opt for a new one. These days, award-winning products like the Eva Mattress exist to ensure you get the cleanest and best night’s sleep possible. For only $900, you’ll be sleeping on cooling memory foam, latex-foam, high-density support, five zone pocket springs every single time your head hits the pillow. So, while a second-hand Xbox might be a bargain, a bed with a mystery history isn’t.
[Updated for 2022]
