Real Story Behind Free Trial or 100 Nights Trial Mattresses in India

Shop for mattresses and all personal care items, for that matter. The mattress you buy has a high chance of being one you're not satisfied with, and in that case, this chain of events could be a bad experience. However, there's more to this story than just customer satisfaction and the trial periods offered by companies.

What happens to the mattress once you return it?
Have you ever wondered what happens to the mattresses that people may return because of various reasons? Personal care items shouldn't be cycled because of sanitation issues, and there is more than one reason to back this fact. But have you wondered how manufacturers, in general, can offer a 100-night trial period in the first place? In a country as large as India, many people may prefer to shop for a mattress online for various reasons.

And if you buy a matter

If it's from a manufacturer that doesn't recycle the mattress properly, there is a range of issues you wouldn't prefer to have. Here is what happens to a mattress you may return in its trial period:

1. Discarded: In case of a valid reason, like a manufacturer's defect or following the manufacturer's policies, a mattress may be discarded. Either because of a promise of sanitation or to prevent the error from affecting other customers, a manufacturer may have to toss a mattress. While some may recycle it, most manufacturers throw away the mattress unless it is in good shape. This causes issues for the manufacturer, even if the mattress was in good shape to begin with, and leads to waste. As a result, they end up in a dump, which leads to environmental issues. Such a mattress may also be recycled, but it depends on the manufacturer and location.
    
2. Resell as a used product: If you've ever bought a mattress from e-commerce giants like Amazon, you might be familiar with used or refurbished products in the listing. Most manufacturers offering a 100-day trial may have to sell it as a used or refurbished item to avoid losses after ensuring sanitation standards. To cut costs and prevent losses, a manufacturer may sell used mattresses on e-commerce sites. This isn't the best idea for a mattress that was rejected once for any issue.
    
3. Refurbish and repack: While most manufacturers may list a mattress as refurbished to ensure customer satisfaction, not all do. After cleaning, sending it back to the quality analysis team, and making the mattress as good as new (at least superficially), they may repack it. Such a mattress may look as good as new but might have sanitary risks or quality lapses. Moreover, some manufacturers may not even list a new product as refurbished, and you end up buying a second-hand product at full cost. There would be no way of telling such a mattress apart until it starts giving issues and odors. By then, it would be too late for the customer, and the manufacturer's policy may prevent you from getting a refund or exchange.
    
4. Remodeling: Like a refurbished product, a mattress may need to be remodeled/reconstructed to ensure quality and original form. If a mattress didn't suit an individual for any reason, it might have sanitation issues, especially in the comfort layer. The best way to ensure its original form factor and quality would be to replace its topmost layer or cut off a few inches of it. A person buying such a mattress wouldn't find any issues with it, but wear and tear could cause it to separate over the years. While this may be a rare occurrence, it is always beneficial to know what to do if something similar happens to you. Alternatively, one may also add a foam layer, but this would be inconsiderate since the mattress experience wouldn't be the same.

All these issues may cause dissatisfaction, mistrust, and problems on the customer's side, too. Not to mention the environmental waste and business losses, or financial losses to the customer, it is a terrible experience. A mattress no longer eligible for return and facing issues repeatedly may end up in a dump or become "that spare mattress" in your house.

Why should you not buy a free trial mattress?
Given the reasons why a mattress may be recycled or a manufacturer may offer a trial, there's more to the story. Irrespective of whether a mattress is discarded or recycled, it is a wasteful practice. The financial and environmental impact of logistics, wastage, and general dissatisfaction on either side isn't something to look forward to. Now, especially in the pandemic, personal safety and sanitation concerns are at an all-time high.

When we sleep at night, our bodies sweat, and this is truer in the Indian humidity and environment. The number of people who share the mattress could be more, and ultimately, an attempt to maintain sanitation would be futile. So, selling or recycling your mattress isn't a good practice, especially in the current pandemic. Despite the issues on either side of the mattress buying experience, here are the reasons why a free-trial mattress isn't a good idea:

1. Wastefulness: In an age when industrialism is already causing massive environmental wastage, we should avoid it consciously. When you buy a mattress from a company that claims to recycle used mattresses, it would be better. But ironically, this conscious wastage would harm the environment, if not anyone else's sleep or health, when people buy the used item. If you're mindful of how wasteful such a practice is, you would be reluctant to buy into a trial-based personal care item. Discarding or throwing away mattresses is a bad practice, but even worse, recycling them when the customer who purchases the recycled ones would also return them. This cycle's ultimate price is a burden on logistics, finances, the environment, and mistrust in the manufacturer.
    
2. Shady practices: Some manufacturers may refurbish or remodel your mattress and sell it as new, as mentioned above. If you suspect a manufacturer of such a practice based on online reviews, it is best to avoid their products. Customers are wise, and there is no use in making a profit or selling old/used refurbished mattresses masked as new ones. There might be other practices at play that one cannot detect, and it is always best to go with someone you can trust. An international or nationally acclaimed mattress manufacturer that follows proper business and sanitation ethics is always a better choice.
    
3. Sweat and moisture: Body sweat, odor, and general vapors or environmental factors are common, especially in a hot and humid country like India. Sweat, moisture, and other external agents that enter a mattress are there to stay. There are no proven or satisfactory refurbishing practices that eliminate these issues, and you end up buying a health hazard. In times like the current pandemic, it is best to stay safe and buy from a manufacturer that isn't dealing with shady practices. Environmentally conscious businesses that offer the best have international standards of living up to and are the safest choice. You don't want to put your money where someone else's sweat and odor have sunk in, mixing with the off-gassing.
    
4. Body incompatibility: The most significant disadvantage of buying a trial mattress is its lack of compatibility with your body. They may be of low quality in the first place, justifying the return. Alternatively, even in a high-quality mattress, someone who bought and returned it had a bad experience or body pains with it. There is no way to confirm any of these issues, especially when the mattress is made of memory foam or falls within the affordable range. People return anything they don't like, and a mattress is not something you want used or have a bad experience with that impacts your sleep. Body pains and sleep disorders would take out more money from your pocket than what you're trying to save with a trial mattress. Manufacturers that offer brand-new mattresses and have a reputation for maximum customer satisfaction are the best options to choose from.

These reasons are not suitable for either the seller or the buyer to pay the price due to health issues and dissatisfaction. When purchasing a personal care item, such as a mattress or pillow, it's generally better to opt for a new one. Although the 100-day trial policy seems like it is customer-friendly and helps elevate consumer trust, the reality is the complete opposite. You should aim for a mattress that suits your body and health instead of one that offers temporary satisfaction or looks to be pocket-friendly.

Advantages of a 100-day trial period when buying a mattress:
There are two sides to everything, and for some people, the 100-day trial might be the right choice. Youngsters on a budget or someone looking to buy an inexpensive mattress for their guest bedroom might find it useful. Moreover, this policy can be helpful at times, but not always. Most people who go for a 100-day trial want to try it before buying, and care more about a value-for-money, affordable mattress. That doesn't always mean it is a suitable mattress, but this is the complete picture:

1. Trial satisfaction: Sometimes, people who prefer to try new items may not find any other preferred method for their buying choices. Irrespective of the disadvantages, as long as the mattress offers comfort, a trial helps solidify that belief. In case of pain or quality issues, they can always return a mattress within the trial period. 30-60 nights of sound sleep without pain can help them find more credibility in their mattress purchasing decision. Any other buying experience wouldn't work since customer satisfaction relies more on long-term use. Some manufacturers may also have a break-in period after which they claim the mattress works best. This marketing approach and the customer preference go hand in hand, and neither side would choose any other way.
    
2. Warranty issues: While not all mattress manufacturers may offer a complete or robust warranty period, trial mattresses may have a no-questions-asked return. While these companies are hard to come by, they may still engage in wasteful practices, as mentioned, but offer customer satisfaction. In such cases, customer satisfaction lies in the mattress comfort during the trial period rather than long-term use. However, after the trial period expires, manufacturers may offer to fix or replace the mattress under their policy at best. Warranty protection may provide more customer satisfaction than the mattress itself. Customers and businesses that prefer this approach wouldn't choose any other way, and it is a win-win for the customer, but not so much for the company.
    
3. Protection against new businesses: Sometimes, companies entering the industry may follow trends of offering a 100-day trial. And customers may want protection against a manufacturer they're willing to give a chance. The trial policy may benefit the business, but it is more helpful for the customer. If they're not satisfied for any reason, they can return the mattress in the trial period. Although this wouldn't help the business in the long run, a customer might prefer this in some cases.

Disadvantages of buying a 100-night trial mattress in India:
Some Indian industry-centric disadvantages show why buying a trial-centered mattress wouldn't be a good idea:

1. Shipping fees: Before we talk about the problems one faces with returning a packed mattress, shipping the mattress back is an even bigger issue. That is, customers who want to return their mattress to a seller living in another city may have to bear shipping costs. And returning an open mattress or taking out time to ship a huge item is costly and not feasible. This makes the 100-day trial as good as a scheme that gives false belief to customers willing to go the extra mile.
    
2. Packing issues: Since most manufacturers offering a 100-night trial are online sellers, they need to ship mattresses efficiently. Shipping inter-city and through eCommerce logistics may require the mattress to be vacuum-packed. Packing the mattress with a vacuum is beneficial for logistics and shipping the mattress in a relatively small box. But this also implies that the mattress is low quality or not dense enough. A high-density mattress wouldn't fit in a small box to ship to another state. And if anyone wants to return their mattress, they would be at the mercy of the seller or the e-commerce vendor. Sending a huge, fluffed-up mattress is not possible financially or logistically. All the money one tries to save with such a mattress would be doubled in shipping the mattress, or wouldn't be possible at all. The seller wouldn't accept a mattress that is opened from the vacuumed state, and it would be too late to do anything. And no surprise, the seller or the manufacturer would be within their rights and policies to not accept a used mattress.
    
3. Location issues: As blessed India is with diversity and vast land, not all businesses have a physical presence across the country. If you buy a mattress online, and the 100-day trial period allows you to return it, you may find it challenging to ship it back. In other words, since shipping a mattress back wouldn't be possible via logistics partners, the seller may ask you to bring it to a nearby store for return/exchange as per policy. And in some cases, you may not find their store even in metro cities, leading to bad returns or sleeping experiences. The return process would have limitations related to store presence, logistics, and return policies, and these might be just the tip of the iceberg. To avoid this much hassle, it is best to buy a mattress in person and check if you get a trial period for the same.
    
4. Payment issues: Some people would buy a mattress online, on EMIs, or through third-party creditors. Often, this is a result of impulsive buying during sales. It would lead to a bad experience with getting a refund or exchange, resulting in mental stress. Buying in eCommerce sales or other festive times might void the return period because of lower prices, but it depends on the manufacturer. The best way to buy a mattress is to rely on your local or international reputable mattress dealers. Returning a mattress would cost you financially, and the company offering a 100-day trial period would rarely be willing to pick it up.

Tips to follow when buying mattresses online under a 100-day trial period:
The 100-day trial period is attractive because it seems harmless and financially appealing. If you don't like the mattress, you can return it, but there may be additional requirements beyond a simple return request. When you're shopping for a mattress, choosing the right type and the proper manufacturer is essential. Sometimes, they could have hidden fees, shady policies, and bad customer experience ratings. Here is how to look out for and buy a 100-day trial mattress safely:

1. Review seller policies: Go through the manufacturer's return and exchange policies in the shop or online. If it says anything similar to no return or exchange or small or inconsiderate/hidden reasons, it's a red flag. Seller policies could make it difficult to return your mattress in a trial period, even in clear cases like opening and unpacking the mattress. Most of these reasons may be because the mattress is vacuum-packed or due to the e-commerce vendor's policies. You should always take a good look at both the eCommerce and seller policies before buying a 100-day trial mattress.
    
2. Please choose the right mattress: Most online sellers offer a 100-day trial period to get better ratings, but it comes with a catch. The buyer might have to take up the hassle of returning it in person or not being able to return it at all after it's unpacked. This is especially true when you buy from eCommerce vendors in the nation. Most people hear from their connections about orthopedic or memory foam mattresses and choose either without much thought or research.
   
   Following online reviews and trusting the 100-day trial policy, most people would find buying a mattress a safe and trustworthy experience. This case may be suitable for a minority of people who buy online, but most have mattress compatibility issues. Memory foam may be good in reviews, but it doesn't mean it would suit you in the long term. The same case applies to orthopedic mattresses and other mattresses, and you should always choose them with research or a prescription. And once you buy them, getting a return or exchange isn't feasible or possible under company policies. Choosing the right mattress is difficult online when you do not know the frame, weight, or preferences of the people writing reviews. You should always buy a mattress in person after checking, and if the store offers a 100-day trial with good return/exchange or mattress repair policies, you have struck gold.
    
3. Hidden return fees: Although the cost you pay is upfront on both the manufacturer's and the e-commerce vendor's sites, they may have hidden return fees. Returning the mattress after opening may not leave you with the option to exchange or return it. And if you decide to do so, the seller or the logistics partner could charge enormous fees for restocking or exchanging an opened mattress. As mentioned earlier, it is better to buy a mattress in person or online from a business with a presence in your city. This makes things easier for you and the seller, but there is still the possibility of returning the mattress to be discarded later.

Red flags and side effects of choosing a bad 100-day trial mattress:
There are several ways to test your mattress quality in the short term (the same day or within the trial or breaking-in period). If you get a used or refurbished mattress, these things could be side effects. It is also important to note that some of them may be the side effects of your body weight or mattress incompatibility. But some of the reasons mentioned are distinct and things to look out for:

1. Body impressions and sagging: If a mattress is sold as a refurbished mattress, even if it is labeled as new or used, it will likely have body impressions. Look out for body impressions on both mattress sides, deformed edges (in wireframe mattresses), and other usage signs. Moreover, mattresses that are used would be prone to sagging within the trial period since the refurbishing procedure isn't as good as new. Mattress manufacturers would fix only issues with the top layers instead, leading to sagging since the layers are now different. You could even see signs of top-layer displacement or edge disturbance when you try to move in bed or get up. The mattress could also sag within a month, and by then, it could be out of the trial (some manufacturers might offer a 30 to 60-day trial, too).
    
2. Heating issues: This is one issue that can occur if you opt for memory foam and have a heavier body weight, which may disturb your sleep. However, there are ways to determine if a mattress heats up without cause, such as the manufacturer's assurance and material properties. Materials like PU Foam, cotton quilting in the comfort layer, and latex foam are generally good at temperature regulation. If your mattress has a PU Foam or latex foam, it shouldn't heat up or act as an insulator. You can also tell if a mattress is sagging and heating excessively within the first 15 days, and it could be proof of it being old (with average body weight). Another reason that contributes to mattress overheating is issues like moisture accumulation or mold, both of which are signs of previous usage.
    
3. Odor and unnatural off-gassing: You can usually tell if a mattress, pillow, or anything you buy is new by smelling it. If it smells of moisture, body odor, or strong synthetic chemicals (such as a spirit), it would be sufficient proof that your mattress is used/refurbished. Refurbishing procedures might use chemicals to treat any signs of body odor, but they would lead to additional off-gassing in the mattress. Your mattress could smell foul right out of the box and continue to smell bad or chemical-like for more than four or five days. New mattresses smell fresh and don't have off-gassing issues unless they're made with low-quality materials that need to be treated with PU or other foams chemically.
    
4. Inadequate sleep: Bad sleep is a symptom of different scenarios, but it is primarily due to incompatibility or quality when it comes to the mattress. When we talk of sleep quality and mattress quality, the correlation is real. Your mattress should suit your body, help you fall asleep quickly, wake up fresh, and carry that trend for years. However, when you buy a mattress online under a 100-day trial with quality, return, or use issues, the issue is different. Your mattress could overheat your body, lead to pains, and make it unable to fall asleep in the first place because of odors and off-gassing. These issues are more prevalent in 100-day trial mattresses than in new mattresses or those purchased in-store. Manufacturers who care about your health avoid environmental and health risks and aim for quality and customer satisfaction. However, some mattresses face the wrong side of this trial scheme, and the consumer is left with sleepless nights and a dent in their finances. Sleeping on a non-sanitized mattress or one with other issues isn't a good idea, especially in the current pandemic.

How to buy a 100-day trial mattress safely in India:
Buying a 100-day trial mattress can be a risky business for both the seller and buyer. However, there are a few ways to ensure that buying a mattress doesn't leave you sleepless financially and health-wise:

1. Find a mattress that suits you: It is easy to buy a mattress online, but an educated buyer is in for a better experience. Sure, you should trust other buyers' reviews in terms of stitching and construction, but not other factors. This is because a mattress is designed for a particular body frame and requirement, and relying on random word of mouth wouldn't help your health. Select a mattress that suits your needs and body type. Trusting reviews unquestioningly would land you in a sleep, and financial troubles, and they are easily avoidable. It would help if you looked into our SleepID algorithm to see the range of mattresses that suit your body.
    
2. Buy from an online local or in-store: Irrespective of how comfortable online shopping is, you should always look into buying personal care items like mattresses in person. This not only saves you time and money in case of a mismatch but also offers better value. If a store offers a 100-day trial policy, you should use the tips mentioned to judge and check the mattress. Most stores offer a warranty and assist in resolving any issues, as well as replacing or exchanging the mattress for defects. The same would be a big hassle online because of logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturer policies. Trying out your mattress in-store is always better to get an idea of how the mattress feels. And if any issue arises, you can always contact us and get your mattress fixed or replaced as per policy.
    
3. Look for quality: Quality is more than what manufacturers suggest, and the best way to check is the density of the fabric and foam. Higher density ensures material longevity and other advantages, and is always a better choice. High-GSM fabrics are also a good indicator, and a 200+ GSM measurement is always better. This helps protect the mattress from easy wear and tear, offers better comfort, and provides additional material benefits. If you're buying online, it is challenging to find a vendor or manufacturer that checks all the boxes. And if you buy in person, you always get what you investigate and feel. The policies, material densities, and other factors are always transparent and indicate a good manufacturer.

What is SleepID, and how to choose the right mattress?
At KingKoil, we look out for the customer by ensuring excellent quality and service. Words aren't enough when you can check everything in-store and be more confident in your purchase. All our luxury mattresses are designed with the utmost care and quality materials following years of scientific research and construction tuning.

SleepID is an algorithm that ensures that you get the best mattress that suits your body. That is a mattress that helps you sleep for years without any sleep issues and maximizes sleep quality. By taking into account your sleeping position, body weight, body frame (BMI), age, gender, and the people using the mattress, we recommend the most compatible mattresses for you. As a result, customers report a 94% satisfaction level with SleepID compatibility, which we attribute to years of research and development.

It would help if you always looked for mattresses with the proper comfort and support levels, and anything else can harm your body. An incompatible or low-quality mattress would make it difficult to sleep, harder to fall asleep, and wake up feeling fresh, in addition to causing health issues. You need a mattress that comforts your body, so you sleep like a baby, and understanding your body and its requirements is the first step to perfect sleep.

SleepID took years of research and development worldwide, and scientific and biometric data analysis to conceive it. And when it comes to India, we ensure the same by utilizing our research and development efforts to understand the Indian body's lifestyle and environment, creating the perfect mattress. This helps ensure that any mattress you buy offers you the best sleep and lasts for years without any issues.

Conclusion:
The 100-day trial period is a hit-or-miss scheme and can be as beneficial as it is harmful. There would be countless online reviews complaining about mattress sizing, pains, quality, and other factors. But when you buy an essential commodity like a mattress to sleep soundly, it is best not to compromise and experiment. Purchasing a mattress in-store and ensuring it meets international standards is the best way to sleep soundly and safely.

You could get a mattress that has all the green flags and checks all the boxes in terms of quality, but are you willing to spend the time and effort on returns and research? That is why it is best to consult a doctor for your orthopedics or aim for a manufacturer that offers luxury mattresses with quality and science to back the facts. SleepID is the ultimate solution to this issue and ensures you choose a mattress that suits your comfort and sleep before anything else.