2. misc-audio
  3. 152342-20253

Mattresses, not stereos is where the money is

On my way to Macy’s, to buy a bed, which is about 6 blocks from my office, I passed by literally 6 different mattress stores. 3 of them practically on the same block.

The competition is fierce, and it seems almost all of them were selling Tempurpedic and Sealy (which I think are owned by the same company.) They even had at least one paid sign holder with a sign directing you 1 block away to another store.

Think of that. 6 stores selling $500-$4500 goods, in a Los Angeles suburb. They are all paying rent, and staying open.

I know the average retail markup for stereo gear is around 45%. What must the mark up be for mattress stores to stay open with this much competition? 90%?

I still went to Macy’s. :) Two simultaneous discounts + a modular bed system with replaceable coils sang to my geek heart.

By comparison, the nearest high end audio store is about 30 minutes away.
erik_squires
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,601 posts
 
...just be concerned about proper 'fail safes' being in place...

Unlike Uber....who discovered their self-driving cars don't 'see' jaywalkers....or 'brake late' when approaching an existing accident...

....and jetliners diving out of the sky...

....close-approach asteroids, unseen until....*POW*....

The Future.  Live It...or Live With It.
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,601 posts
 
I'm going to return to my snug little office and lock the doors.
winnardt
173 posts
 
We have the Original Mattress Factory in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and I believe they have stores in North Carolina and Georgia too. By far the highest quality for reasonable price that I've ever seen in a mattress. No, I do not work for them. They make two sided mattresses that you have to occasionally flip, but they are very heavy and extremely well made and will last 20 years. You can buy an $800 queen mattress that easily compares to a Stearns and Foster mattress costing $2200. My point is that the Original Mattress Factory cannot be marking up prices very much but they are winning due to high quality and word of mouth.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"...you have to occasionally flip, but they are very heavy..."
This does not seem like an advertisement, for sure.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
When push comes to shove I prefer a Futon on a super stiff frame. Maybe not as good for isolating stuff but much better on the back. 8” wool center cotton Futon. Cannot beat with stick.
More to discover