Where do returned beds go?
Jul 16, 2011 6:48 PM
Joined: Jul 14, 2011
Points: 15
I hate waste and find myself wondering where all those barely used comfort swap mattresses go as I know that its supposedly no longer legal to sell them once they've been used. 

I got kind of a vague answer when I asked the guy at US Mattress if they went to charity but it seemed more like he was not at liberty to say. 

Anyone know? 

 

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #3 Jul 17, 2011 2:57 PM
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Points: 163
numbernine wrote:

I hate waste and find myself wondering where all those barely used comfort swap mattresses go as I know that its supposedly no longer legal to sell them once they've been used. 

 

I got kind of a vague answer when I asked the guy at US Mattress if they went to charity but it seemed more like he was not at liberty to say. 

Anyone know? 

 


Numbernine, I'm glad to see you raise this question. It is a real issue, all right. The disposal of used mattresses is apparently regulated state-by-state. I know in my state, I've seen apparently used mattresses for sale at a local charity. They are wrapped in plastic. I don't know if they have to go some kind of clearning or refurbishing process or not prior to resale. Anyway, the mattress companies who take back exchanges or warrantied products have a big problem on their hands. The report at the website below says it is getting increasingly expensive to dispose of them at landfills. There is a sustainability project being developed by manufacturers to recycle mattress components. The report also says this:

Given that selling renovated mattresses as new products is illegal in many states, no
accurate statistics exist on how many units of used mattresses are renovated and resold in
this manner. Nevertheless, ISPA in 1995 estimated that this underground market could
equal up to 35% of annual new units sold.1 Based on these estimates, 2003 U.S. sales of
39.7 million units (representing $5 billion in sales) of mattresses and box-springs, the
renovated market could account for up to 13.9 million units worth up to $1.75 billion.2

 

The report this came from and more on the recycling initiative is at the website below. It says, in general, mattresses are not accepted for recycling from private parties.

http://www.sleepproducts.org/Sustainability/RecyclingFacilities.php

 

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #4 Jul 17, 2011 3:00 PM
Joined: Jun 16, 2011
Points: 171
Refurbished mattresses are being sold, and are supposed to be stripped to the springs and recovered. However due to unethical practices of some retailers of refurb. (such as merely putting a new cover on a filthy old mattress or just spraying it) more regulations are being enforced.

I would never consider buying a used or refurbuished mattress, but many people do take advantage of the rock bottom prices and get nasty surprises.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24226788/ns/dateline_nbc-dont_let_the_bed_bugs_bite/t/bed-bugs-living-new-or-refurbished-mattress/

 

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #5 Jul 17, 2011 4:27 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
As far as comfort exchange mattresses I can pretty much guarantee that all of them are re-sold.  Unless maybe sold in a state where comfort exchanges are illegal...I thought I heard something to that effect for New Jersey....  Comfort exchanges would be very expensive if the mattresses were disposed of.  Unless perhaps the retailer had some kind of insurance in place to cover them on replacement mattresses...but I doubt many of them do.  We certainly don't as we do not get many comfort exchanges.  The retailer should be telling the customer if they are getting a discount because the bed is slightly used, but we know this doesn't happen all the time.  

One of the biggest retailers in Canada called The Brick has clearance centres where they basically just sell damaged products, factory seconds and I believe comfort exchanged mattresses usually go there as well.  

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #6 Jul 17, 2011 5:33 PM
Joined: Jun 16, 2011
Points: 171
I've shopped at the Brick, but only for minor items as most of the furniture they sell is ......well, not to my liking. I don't know about used mattresses.

Apparently there are many places selling used, contaminated and bedbug infested mattresses as new. Since the consequences of doing this seem to be little more than a slight tap on the wrist, there is no motivation to discontinue the practice. Out and out lying/fraud is involved.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vfs7T1aRvw&feature=related

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #7 Jul 17, 2011 7:41 PM
Joined: Jul 7, 2011
Points: 35
I live in PA. Every store has told me it is illegal to sell used & they are destroyed. Once I do buy a new mattress, I think I will not let them take my current 6 year old Sealy Posturpedic mattress. I will either sell it on Craigslist or find a charitable organization to come pick it up.
Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #8 Jul 17, 2011 8:07 PM
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Points: 163
Thanks, DoreenA and Budgy. What an eye opener! I can see now a new benefit in buying component mattresses with a zippered cover, as opposed to sewed shut.
Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #9 Jul 18, 2011 9:14 AM
Joined: Apr 20, 2011
Points: 65
weewillywinky wrote:

Thanks, DoreenA and Budgy. What an eye opener! I can see now a new benefit in buying component mattresses with a zippered cover, as opposed to sewed shut.


What benefit are you referring to regarding component mattresses? Often these also have comfort exchanges on the components - I think thats why many people go for these. So isnt there just as much of a risk that these used components are being resold? I would think the risk is even greater since the regulations do not usually apply to mattress components, only the entire mattress.

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #10 Jul 18, 2011 9:50 AM
Joined: Jul 14, 2011
Points: 15
Wow - eye opener indeed. Seems like the notion that they might go to charity is just wishful thinking on my part. Thanks for all the info and links! 
Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #11 Jul 18, 2011 10:45 AM
Joined: Jun 16, 2011
Points: 171
I first became aware of this practice while watching a court show recently where the plaintiff complained about a mattress she bought containing bedbugs. She cut open the bottom and found a VERY used (and dirty and stained) frame and upholstery with bedbug eggs clinging. The only indication the mattress was used was that the salesman scrawled a very small "ref" on her bill and it had no large yellow tag as required by law. Apparently breaking that law results in tiny fines of something like $50.

weewillywinky, do you mean components like slabs of foam? At least with those you can more or less see what you're getting, unlike with traditional spring mattresses where a new cover can hide a horror scene. It's really despicable.

When I got my new mattress, I had the guys take away an old set (I kept the one I was using) that was being used as an animal bed. Dogs used it, ate messy bones on it and drooled on it, cats used and puked on it. Now I'm frightened it got recovered and sold.

For anyone with a sick sense of humour, you might get a chuckle (or shed a few tears) over this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvF3F9olA5Y

 

Re: Where do returned beds go?
Reply #12 Jul 22, 2011 5:17 PM
Joined: Jul 22, 2011
Points: 3
I have read on line that there are places you can buy returned matresses at much reduced prices.  It may depend on the laws of each state but if my IComfort matress has a stain, etc. they will not take it back within the 120 days.  If they disposed of them--why would they care?

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