1800mattress.com to sell direct in Southern California
Mattress Gallery, in Chapter 11, had held franchise
David Perry -- Furniture Today, November 14, 2007
LOS ANGELES — 1800mattress.com has resumed direct sales to consumers in Southern California in the wake of the recent Chapter 11 filing of its local franchisee, Mattress Gallery.
Consumers who place orders through 1800mattress.com’s telephone call center or Web site will get their delivery and service as planned, the company said.
“There are contingencies in place for this scenario and we will make sure that all 1800mattress.com customers will receive the same high level of customer service they have come to expect from us in Southern California, despite the filing by Mattress Gallery,” said Bill Johnson, chief operating officer of 1800mattress.com.
Mattress Gallery’s 52 showrooms in Southern California, spread from Los Angeles to San Diego, joined the 1800mattress.com franchise network in January of 2006. The company had been a distributor for the national tele-retailer for a few months before upgrading to franchise status.
1800mattress.com said it will serve customers from its San Francisco distribution center, and also will use local bedding retailers until a longer-term solution is finalized. The company has begun discussions with other retailers about possible franchise relationships.
“Los Angeles has always been a strong market for us, and we will act aggressively to assure we can continue to provide outstanding service and value to our customers in the market,” said Joe Vicens, executive vice president of national and international operations.
1800mattress.com previously operated a warehouse and delivery operation in Los Angeles, but that operation was absorbed by Mattress Gallery when the franchise agreement took effect.
