Jan 18, 2008 2:44 pm US/Pacific
Free Bed Frame Voids Mattress Warranty
(CBS 5)
Just a few years after Dave Hartman and his wife bought their Sealy queen-size pillow top mattress, it started to sag.
"Eventually got to a point earlier this year where you couldn't sleep on the bed, you had to sleep on the edges to get support from the mattress," said Hartman.
But since it had a ten year warranty, Hartman figured he was covered. A third party inspector made a house call to check things out.
"They said, your sagging is caused by insufficient support, that's outlined in your warranty, you're out of luck," recalls Hartman.
Insufficient support, from the bed frame they used. But it wasn't just any frame.
It was the metal frame they got free from mattress discounters when they bought the bed.
"The frame itself voided the mattress's warranty. None of this was pointed out when we bought the mattress, that we had to apply specific terms and conditions in order for the warranty to be valid," said Hartman.
According to the Sealy warranty, a metal frame must have 3 slats, plus a floor support. And a wooden bed must have 5 slats. It's a common warranty requirement among manufacturers.
After David got in touch with us, mattress discounters gave him a new set.
They told us:
"Mattress Discounters values all of our customers and we're glad we were able to assist Mr. Hartman with his dispute with the manufacturer."
"People in the marketplace for a mattress in whatever price range not only look at the warranty length but the terms very closely to make sure the frame you're putting on, meets the requirements," said Hartman.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
