'Better Off Selling': Connecticut Couple Rents U-Haul to Donate Nectar Mattress to Goodwill. Then a Worker Intervenes
A woman went viral on TikTok after sharing how her attempt to return a Nectar mattress she didn’t like turned into a costly headache.
In a story-time video, Eileen Rodriguez (@eileen_rodriguez) says she and her partner rented a U-Haul to bring the mattress to Goodwill. The problem was that she never checked with the store ahead of time. So, when the couple got there, they learned Goodwill doesn’t accept mattresses. That meant wasted money on the truck and a wasted trip.
“The time we rented a whole [expletive] U-Haul to return our king mattress so we can get a full refund, but Goodwill doesn’t accept mattresses, so we just wasted our time and rented a U-Haul for no reason,” she wrote in an on-screen caption. As of this writing, the clip has garnered over 778,900 views.
Wait ‘Return’ A Mattress… to Goodwill?
After the first video went viral, Rodriguez posted follow-ups to clarify things. In one clip, she said she wasn’t actually trying to “return” the mattress to Goodwill—she meant to donate it.
She explained that she had bought the mattress from Nectar but ended up hating it. When she went through the return process, Nectar agreed to take it back and informed her that a third-party company would contact her to schedule a pickup. But the company didn’t service her area.
The next option, Nectar says, was to donate the mattress and provide a donation receipt to get her refund.
“That’s where U-Haul and Goodwill came in,” Rodriguez explains.
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In another video, she pushed back on the idea that no thrift stores accept mattresses, but admitted she should’ve called first.
“I know I should’ve called,” she says. “Yes, I know that Goodwill doesn’t accept mattresses—now.”
In the end, though, she didn’t get her money back at all. In the comments section, Rodriguez revealed that she ultimately listed the mattress on Facebook Marketplace and gave it away for free.
Does Goodwill Accept Mattress Donations?
For the most part, no, though each location has different guidelines. Goodwill usually won’t take mattresses, mostly because of hygiene and storage issues. They can carry mold, mildew, dust mites, or even pests—and no thrift store wants to risk passing that along. Plus, mattresses are bulky, a pain to store, and expensive to get rid of if they can’t be resold.
That said, there are exceptions. Some Goodwill locations—like in Silicon Valley—have mattress recycling programs. Since policies vary, it’s always best to call your local store before loading one into a truck.
If Goodwill isn’t an option, there are other routes. Some charities, like the Salvation Army, will take mattresses depending on condition and local rules. And if your mattress is still in good shape, selling it online through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or similar sites can be another option.
The bottom line is that mattress donations are tricky, which is exactly how Rodriguez ended up with a U-Haul bill and no refund. A quick call ahead of time could’ve saved her the hassle.
Viewers Share Other Places to Donate
Commenters who watched Rodriguez’s video—after getting past her mix-up about “returning” versus “donating” a mattress—jumped in with suggestions on what to do if you need to get rid of one.
“I called a women’s shelter in my area and asked if they needed a newish mattress, and they came and picked it up from my house,” one person shared.
“Rule of thumb for donating any large items / furniture, always call ahead of time!” another wrote. “Also, check your local shelters, they might accept it!”
Others, though, pushed back on Rodriguez’s claims and insisted that Goodwill or similar thrift stores almost never take used mattresses.
“No places take that due to bed bugs,” said one. “One bad mattress will infect the whole store.”
“Why would Goodwill take mattresses?” another person asked. “They’re literally a hotbed of insects and disease.”
Gallery: U-Haul CT13 Fiberglass Camper Trailer For Sale
Can You Get a Refund from U-Haul for Unused Time?
According to a Quora thread, if you return an in-town truck rental early, you are only responsible for the amount of time you used it. However, if you return a one-way truck early, you are beholden to the number of days you rented the truck for.
Motor1 has reached out to Rodriguez via a direct message on TikTok. It reached out to U-Haul and Nectar via email. This story will be updated should any party reply.
