king size bed sizes

Tim_Deegan

ormus wrote: »

as far as i know, its usually impossible to buy direct from a manufacturer. and the major retailers have a huge mark up. furniture trade generally works to an average 250% mark up.
some marks ups are enormous.

ebay is as good as any where else for a fairer price.

Very true that most bed manufacturers won't deal with the public. however there are independent sellers who do have very good relationships with manufacturers. We sell loads of special sizes.

The average mark up on beds is more like 400% to 500%. But you can get much better prices if you contact the sellers on ebay.

I know that many people are very wary about buying items like beds from ebay. However if you follow a few guidelines then you can save up to 75% on the shop prices:

1) most important of all make sure that the seller gives a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

2) check previous feedback for the seller, and even contact previous customers to ask them about the seller.

3) use a company who display their phone number, so that you can talk to someone about your requirements (they want you to make the righ choice because it will cost them if you return it).

4) check the sellers return policy. Many sellers charge for postage on returns.....can work out very expensive if you have unpacked a vacuum packed mattress, and you don't like it.

5) try to use a seller who delivers using their own transport. Couriers often damage or misplace goods (believe me I know from experience).

Obviously you can't try before you buy, but for the saving it is worth the risk if you follow the guidelines above.

vince123

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

Not true I'm afraid Vince.

There are ex pats all over Europe who are exporting beds from the UK simply because people are prepared to pay more than double the price you pay here just to get a decent bed. It would be a bit extreme to pay so much for a bed just to avoid buying new fitted sheets.

The truth is that most beds on the continent are poor quality, and very high price. Here is just one example http://www.bobthebed.com/

Admire your Brirish loyalty Tim.
So if beds are so much better quality AND value here, why are they only being sold to ex-pats?

There are another 200 Million Europeans waiting to hear about this best kept secret - time to get marketing and exporting!

- Vince

Tim_Deegan

vince123 wrote: »

Admire your Brirish loyalty Tim.
So if beds are so much better quality AND value here, why are they only being sold to ex-pats?

There are another 200 Million Europeans waiting to hear about this best kept secret - time to get marketing and exporting!

- Vince

They aren't only sold to ex pats, but it is the brits who tend to insist on beds from the UK as that's what they are used to. As the saying goes, 'you don't miss what you have never had'.

You only have to look at how poor the Ikea mattresses are to get an idea of the standard of European mattresses.

vince123

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

You only have to look at how poor the Ikea mattresses are to get an idea of the standard of European mattresses.

Sorry Tim, but sweeping statements like that are like waving a red flag to a bull for me.

It would imply that everything sold at Ikea (all furniture) is a fair comparison of what to expect in the other European countries.

I am more interested in your answer regarding the 'acid test', as per my second point.

Has any UK bed Business attempted to sell beds outside UK?
And hopefully not trying to force UK bed sizes - that would be like trying to sell cars with right-hand drive.

- Vince

Tim_Deegan

vince123 wrote: »

Sorry Tim, but sweeping statements like that are like waving a red flag to a bull for me.

It would imply that everything sold at Ikea (all furniture) is a fair comparison of what to expect in the other European countries.

I went to Ikea a few weeks ago with an open mind. I had heard many mixed reviews, so I thought I'd take a look for myself.

There wer some good quality items, there were some very good ideas (which is why I went back there today), but there are also some poor quality items. The one thing I do know about is beds and mattresses, so I had a look at them (with an open mind like I said before). To be honest I was appalled at the poor standard of the mattresses.

As for the rest of the EU, I take a lot of notice of what my customers tell me. On a regular basis I sell to people who are either moving abroad, or who have holiday homes abroad. We have also supplied British made mattresses made in continental sizes for customers to ship abroad. One common theme that these customers tell me is that they are buying in the UK because the beds on the continent are very expensiv and very low quality.

vince123 wrote: »

I am more interested in your answer regarding the 'acid test', as per my second point.

Has any UK bed Business attempted to sell beds outside UK?
And hopefully not trying to force UK bed sizes - that would be like trying to sell cars with right-hand drive.

- Vince

Yes loads of them do. In fact our main supplier sells them by the container load to Spain (UK sizes).


Now I came on here to give out good advice and facts, not to get into an argument with someone who chooses not to believe me.

wisewordsneeded

I need to buy a Euro King Size Mattress 160 x 200. I have seen various debates regarding these! Can anyone recomend a decent make? Thanks

becs

I'm afraid I'm with Tim. I'm the biggest Ikea fan going and have masses of their furniture in the house and it is really good quality. However 30 seconds of sitting on their mattresses told me all I need to know! I would never buy a mattress from them, they were absolutely awful.. The extra 4" on a kingsize makes it tempting and the frames are lovely. If we could get a reasonably priced european kingsize mattress then we may consider it next time we replace.

wisewordsneeded

I know ! I dont want a Ikea mattress but i have a Habitat bed & it needs a 160 x 200 mattress. There must be someone other that Ikea/Habitat(expensive) that stocks a decent one!

Tim_Deegan

wisewordsneeded wrote: »

I know ! I dont want a Ikea mattress but i have a Habitat bed & it needs a 160 x 200 mattress. There must be someone other that Ikea/Habitat(expensive) that stocks a decent one!

Most independent bed manufacturers will supply mattresses in continental sizes.