Trial and warranty 

Always check that the free trial periods and warranties are similar to the polices offered on the brands’ direct websites. If the policies differ, always abide by the retailer’s trial and warranty.

Shipping and returns 

Retailers like Costco, Target and Amazon may have different shipping and return methods than traditional mattress brands. Make sure to double-check with the retailer before you buy. While the mattress may be shipped to your house in a box, the retailer might require you to return the mattress to the store. Some online bed-in-a-box brands have return policies where a worker will remove the mattress from your home for you; however, most retailers won’t offer this.

Deals

When deciding between online brands or in-store retailers, it’s important to compare deals during holiday sales. For example, while Casper’s website may not honor Amazon Prime Day, you can get a Casper mattress on Amazon during that time for a better price. However, I have found that mattress brands typically have better Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Memorial Day sales than Costco, Amazon or Target during these holidays.

Discontinued and exclusive beds 

Whether online or in-store, your favorite retailer might be one of the best places to buy a mattress. Many carry discontinued models or exclusive beds made just for them. I used to sleep on the Casper Select from Costco, and while it isn’t my favorite mattress, I got it for an incredibly low price. And Costco is the only retailer that sells this mattress; you can’t even get it directly from Casper, one of the top online mattress manufacturers. Retailers may also sell discontinued mattresses that brands no longer offer. For example, Target carries the Casper Original, a bed that’s no longer available on Casper’s website.