Business Spotlight: Mattress Direct cuts the high price out of a good night's sleep
Sleep shouldn't be expensive.
That's one reason Nila Gerlett decided to open her own mattress store in Carson City.
After working more than 17 years for other furniture and mattress retailers, Gerlett started Mattress Direct at 3160 Deer Run Road in east Carson City.
Gerlett opened her business in June of this year, operating out of a 900 square-foot business park space. The products she carries are least half off usual retail pricing and reduced by as much as 80 percent, she said.
Queen and king sets, for instance, start at $150 and $300, respectively, Gerlett said, while luxury mattress models can be purchased for under $1,000.
Mattress Direct carries all sizes of sleep surfaces, including California king.
Comfort levels vary, too, including pillow top, plush, ultra plush, firm and memory foam, she said.
"There are many choices in between these prices too, so we offer something to fit everyone's budget," she said. "We also have bed frames and will soon be carrying adjustable bases."
The savings to consumers are made possible by keeping inventory and operating costs low while also cutting out any middle man, Gerlett said.
"Low overhead and factory-direct pricing allows us to offer our products at 50-80 percent off retail store prices," she said, "a huge savings for our customers."
Gerlett said because she is part of the manufacturer's distributorship, there is no distributor between herself and the factory.
Mattress Direct products are made of the same high quality materials as other comparable mattresses sold elsewhere, she said, but at much lower prices to consumers.
"They feature the gel-infused foam plush layers over the coils, and a Tencel cover for an ultimate luxurious, cool night's sleep," she said. "We also carry the all-memory foam mattresses. These are the same high quality mattresses sold in retail stores."
Top layer gel-infused foam technology offers sleepers pressure relief and more comfort, Gerlett said. This means less pressure in the shoulders and hips for side sleepers, and reduced stress on the low back for back or belly sleepers.
"Pressure relief is important to reduce the tossing and turning that interrupts the deep sleep cycle which is necessary for a good restorative night's sleep," she said.
The gel-infusion also helps sleepers to stay cool on the mattress, she said, an advance in memory foam technology.
"Tencel fibers in the covers allow the materials in the mattress to breathe," Gerlett said, "and also promotes cooler sleep."
The products sold at Mattress Direct are also name brands manufactured domestically in the United States using all-new materials, Gerlett said, an important consideration when selecting a new sleep surface.
"Consumers shopping for a good quality mattress, and especially at the lower price levels, should be aware that its important to be sure that the mattress is made here in the USA," she said. "Mattresses imported from other countries can be made of recycled, poor quality materials and you can never be sure what's in them is safe to be sleeping on. Mattresses made at USA manufacturers use all new materials and pass federal regulations for fire safety."
There is no sales staff besides herself to deal with, Gerlett said, and this makes for a better buying experience.
"Besides our super low pprices, shoppers at my store benefit from the personal attention I give to every customer," she said.
This includes her expertise in the industry and the detailed product knowledge she has.
"They truly appreciate my extensive knowledge about mattresses and my recommendations based on their sleeping position preference," Gerlett said. "With all of my years of experience matching customers with the right mattress for their needs, I am able to assist them with making the right choice to solve their sleeping problems."
Mattress Direct is open by appointment. Gerlett said the store does not keep regular business hours, so customers are encouraged to call 775-997-8211 for their own personal shopping experience.
For more information, visit Mattress Direct on Facebook here.