How to Avoid Being Scammed When Buying a New Bed – Scams Awareness Month 2022

With the rising cost of living, it’s tempting to pick up a bargain wherever you can, whether that’s heading to the reduced area in the supermarket or getting a deal on a mattress that appears to be too good to be true.

But this Scams Awareness Month, we’re warning shoppers to be wary of rogue traders and sharing how to avoid being scammed when buying a new bed. When you invest in “big buy” household items such as beds, you’re also investing in your health and wellbeing.

Unfortunately, mattress scams have been around for a while, and rogue traders are getting savvier at passing off old products as something new. Fraudulent dealers are pivoting from the traditional white van scam to dodgy online deals.

How to spot a fake mattress

At best, a mattress sold by a rogue dealer will contain a new, basic spring unit with a polyester fibre pad or a layer of cheap foam over it, all covered in a cheap outer covering material. At worst, the mattress may contain an old, used spring unit with dirty fillings. Some of the worst cases we’ve come across are where the rogue trader has placed an old mattress inside a brand-new cover and passed off the product as new!

Unless you’re buying from an established retailer – in-store or online – that has genuine contracts with bed manufacturers, you can’t really be sure you’re getting a genuine mattress, unless you’re cutting it open! You can look at the stitching around the sides as a starter, but most people are unaware of shoddy, old or dirty fillings. 

It almost certainly hasn’t been tested to see whether it meets the UK mattress flammability regulations. Plus, fake flammability labels are easy to buy.

How to buy a legitimate mattress

Always look for the National Bed Federation-approved (NBF) label for added reassurance. Or, check if the brand appears on our list. The NBF independently audits its members to ensure they meet all the requirements for hygiene, fire-safety and trade descriptions. It also means they can use this label on their products. Plus, the NBF carries out random testing of member products to ensure compliance. Use our Bed Buyers’ Guide to stay on track.

Signs to avoid being scammed when buying a new bed:

• Dodgy dealers often drive a white or silver van with a company name sign written on it. The traders often wear a convincing-looking company polo shirt. 
• Some even have company names that are very similar to well-known mattress brands or bed retailers. 
• They may provide you with a written receipt and give you their business card, all fake but deceptively look credible. You will probably find that the phone numbers provided ring out when you try calling them.
• Remember: A reputable trader would never try to sell door-to-door or from the back of a van.

If someone in a van selling mattresses approaches you, politely decline and try to take note of any details. This includes the company name, phone number and registration plate number. Then, report to Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 and Action Fraud UK.

Find your nearest NBF Retail Champion that stocks reputable NBF-approved member brands.