Consumer Reports' ratings shake things up

Just look back at consumer report history reread all the past testing, they never ever hit the nail on the head!! Comsumer Digest is the stuff use it to puit consumer digest in thier place #2 when it comes to testing Peace..

Consumer Reports has done a disservice to their subscribers when they let consumer rank something as subjective as mattresses. We know that Tempur and Sleep Number retail prices are way up over $1000----but the rest are probably not. And consumer say a lot of things in focus groups---but do they really do it. The real test of Tempur and Sleep Number is their peak saturation into the total population---and then will they buy the same again. Doubtful. It didn't happen to waterbeds--and it won't happen with foam or air either. Those are both near the ceiling. Now what if the innersprings had just focused on springs---like AIM that became ISA and that allowed the "Trojan Horses" or water, air, and foam to take over their body. One that apparently did do that well and stayed on focus---Original Mattress Factory---and viola! Maybe this is a crossroad to decide how innersprings will dominate the future. I see a lot of "alternative: bed owners coming back to basics some day soon. Don't let this distract you. Use this as a wake up call. Most big brand companies have branched down so many roads they have gotten lost.

The fact that Tempurpedic can market direct and sell in the retail store, while controlling the pricing is an amazing marketing feat. The consumer is asking for the product by name, which is something the big "S" companies have lost with the mattress constomer.

YO we sleep on 6 diff matresses in 2 homes and temperpedic is tops when it comes to simple sleeping and rest.consumer reports does a good job on most all rankings thye are the only real test re; consumer ???asked not as many believe payola and politix as usual

Once again, Consumer Reports "Ante's up" a report in a field that is totally subjective and relative.
As pointed out in earlier comments, a lot of consumer "Expectations" or the lack thereof, are based on the presentation given at the retail level!
So it appears that the retailers that "Undersold" did indeed "Over-deliver" and in all likelihood, vice versa...Does this really bode well as a template for best catering to the customer...I think not!
The answer, in my opinion, lies somewhere in the middle. Consumer reports will be looked at as a respected publication in the consumers eye especially in an area like Mattresses that are so confusing to them, so it can not be completely discounted, but Retailers and Manufacturers alike need to STILL do a better job of educating the customer on what a good mattress and a better nights sleep is and can be.
In that regard, ironically, Tempur scoring a #1 makes sense because that is exactly what they try to do.
This is where the future is for this industry and the recent ISPA initiatives in marketing appears to be right on track for what this industry needs.
As far as the comment that slams Sleepy's..hey, don't forget that in the end, sales are what makes the world go around. Without sales we would have nothing to manage!
So, once again, this report has set a sort of benchmark, which I do not believe is Ideal but rather a launching pad to find that perfect middle that appeals most to customers with Consumer Education, quality product, salesmanship and integrity in business and marketing practices.
Bowling balls and glasses of wine not spilling are concepts that resonate with consumers as to how those products will benefit them. What do cute little counting sheep (no matter how effective a branding campaign) have to do with demonstrable benefits to the consumer? Or whatever Sealy is doing for that matter...sure we need a better 6, but how are they going to give it to us?
The "Beducation" starts with the manufacturers and ISPA and there has to be some continuity at all levels of this category and soon the battered industry reputation will be a thing of the past!

It is interesting that the Top 4 Consumer Reports brands are easier for the consumer to to shop. Temperpedic uses common label names and MMAP pricing, while the other brands have their own retail stores. This gives the consumer greater confidence in their purchase. Might be time for the majors to stop the confusing label game that give our industry a bad name.

It is good to see that Original Mattress Factory got some recognition here. They approach their business with a lot of integerity and try to avoid the smoke and mirrors as much as possible. It would appear that consumers are showing some appreciation for that. For everyone, keep in mind that this survey is not representitive of the general population.

Great to see Sleepy's at the bottom. Guys in black suits beating on customers for the best commission, not the best night's sleep. Sure, Sleepy's "sells" a lot of mattresses, and just what we've always suspected would happen, this shows IS happening. Customers who bought will now never return. After the high pressure and the fact that some customers find out they purchased a mattress at a 3x markup and/or by a phony sale, THEY WILL NEVER RETURN. Gotta love it. Wish they would open stores here out west, I hear they are easy to compete against now.

I think that the high rankings of Costco and Sam's have to do with the consumer's perceived value when shopping there. We all know that consumers many times don't value their mattress, or their sleep like they should. That's where our job begins. However, if someone doesn't care about these things, and they have a membership to one of the clubs, then they go, buy a mattress cheap, and sleep a little better than they were for a couple years (because of all new components that they're sleeping on), and then go buy another. It never occurs to them that the mattress they purchased wasn't the right one for them, because a mattress is just something to sleep on TO THAT CONSUMER. Therefore, CR calls them up, asks, "are you satisfied" and all they think is, "Yeah, I got a great deal." Therefore they get high rankings.
For whatever reason, consumers tend to develop a bit of Stockholm Syndrome with these clubs. They pay for the privilege of shopping there, so you convince yourself that that's where you should buy everything. I don't get it, personally, but it seems to happen more often than not.

This article simply outlines the changing landscape that has been happening in the mattress industry over the past few years. Shame on any manufacturer that does not take product quality and consumer satisfaction seriously. Such companies will always find themselves at the bottom of any lists.

Dear Springypoo,
I disagree on your Denver Mattress assesment. They have a very solid products and good prices, and from what I have seen, good service. My guess would be that you are a competitor and they are handing it to you.

Consumer Report never ceases to amaze me with their data - thank god I know a thing or two about mattresses as it keeps me from valuing their opinion on all other consumer goods. It's shocking in todays environment that manufacturers can still afford to pay for good press and it's obvious year after year, who refuses to play that game.

I'm completely surprised with S.fan's comment about Simmons. Simmons product is the only innerspring out there that isn't "Smoke and mirrors" There are features and benefits to the product that can be demonstrated to the customer. So much so, that every other brand out there is trying to knock off the Pocketed Coil...Sterns, Kinsdown, IBC...just to name a few. Give me a break!

How did Simmons make the top ten? Is this a mistake?

Dear Springypoo: With all due respect, the Consumer Reports ratings are no joke. Consumer Reports doesn't play politics with those projects. They are asking mattress owners what they think of their own beds. That is useful feedback, I think. GeorgeD. has an interesting point about the retail side of the ratings. Anyone out there see any other reasons to question any of the Consumer Reports data?

Hey dave, how much did Tempurpedic pay consumer reports to give them a #1 top ranking? I wouldnt sell a tempurpedic if you paid me double commissions! Also, living in Denver I have no idea how Denver Mattress made it on the top 10 list? I get people every day complaining about there mattresses! Politics as usual in the old Mattress BIZ! WHAT A JOKE!

People have a hard time shopping mattress's,specific brands are showing higher as people know what they will get.

Tempur's choice as #1 shows that consumers are willing to pay for perceived better sleep. Maybe it's time to revist holiday discounts and sell mattresses based on better sleep rather than price.

Whoever is responsible for these rankings ...obviously did all there research either online...or by late night TV commercial.
Nothing against Costco or Sam's....but rarely do these retailers even have all of their bedding products accessible to customers let alone any knowledgeable staff to help with questions. Heck Tempurpedic is listed as a top 10 retailer...ironic since without other retailers flooring the product a consumer would never even have the opportunity to lie down on the bed before purchasing online or via phone.
Tempur makes a great unique product, and alot of people love it. But it also has a huge number of comfort returns (nothing wrong with that, the product doesn't suit everyone, but to rank it number one shows a true lack of dilligence on behalf of consumer reports)...
Make no mistake...consumers vote with their dollars...and given that fact...something doesn't quite make sence here.

Nice article, Consumer Reports has an unique impact on company incentives to make better products, the bottom line.