Okay, so you want to buy a mattress and like you read online, you do your due diligence; you go to a retail store and irrespective of the sales person’s advice, you pick the mattress your  research says would be best suited to you. Two nights later, you  realize something isn’t right, you are not just as comfortable as you  thought on your new mattress, you change sleep positions and it  doesn’t get any better. Your research says that it takes 2 weeks for  you to finally break-in a new mattress but two weeks later, you  realize your sleep quality has greatly dwindled and you have no other  option but to return the mattress but unfortunately the retail shop  will not let you return it! Now you are stuck with a mattress you  cannot sleep in or return!

So what is a Return Policy? Return policies are the rules a retailer creates to manage how customers return and exchange unwanted merchandise they purchased. A return policy tells customers what items can be returned and for what reasons, and the timeframe over which returns are accepted. The stipulated length of time differs from manufacturer to manufacturer with the least being 72 hours after delivery and the longest being 365 days!!

In Nigeria, you get as low as five working days after delivery and as  high as a 14-night trial after delivery.

It is worthy of note that most return policies understandably come with terms and conditions, thus many manufacturers will not accept a mattress if it is either damaged or returned after the stipulated time. Many manufacturers may also choose to not return your money but will allow you to choose another mattress or foam products of equal value.

Some policies are more beneficial than others. Here are the details you need to know before you settle on the purchase itself:

•        How long can you keep the bed before notifying the seller if you’re dissatisfied?
•        How long after that do you have to arrange a return or exchange?
•        Can I return the mattress for a refund, or just an exchange (or store credit)?
•        Do you need to repackage the mattress in the case of a return  or exchange (many foam beds, for instance, are machine-folded into a  box)?
•        Who pays shipping for a returned mattress—and can you return  it yourself?

So what happens when you cannot return your mattress?

Whether you unknowingly damaged your new mattress or simply let the trial period elapse, there are times when you cannot return your  mattress. In that case, what do you do, throw it out, just pack it up and let it collect dust in the spare room? There are ways you can get value for your unwanted mattress.

1.        Swap it (recycle): Many manufacturers now collect old or unwanted mattresses for the sole purpose of recycling them. These  manufacturers may choose to pay cash for these mattresses or offer  you a chance to pick other foam products based on their value of your  mattress.
2.        Sell it: You might not get a full retail price but a barely used mattress can be sold on popular e-commerce platforms for as much as 50,000 naira.
3.        Donate it: You could always donate it.

Let this not deter you from doing your due diligence before going to buy a mattress, return policies were put in place to protect  customers, their comfort and their investment.

See also: 
https://www.wincofoam.com/the-perks-of-buying-a-mattress-online/

https://www.wincofoam.com/how-to-know-original-winco-foam/

https://www.wincofoam.com/mattress-warranty-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.wincofoam.com/what-to-consider-when-buying-a-mattress-for-an-elderly-person/