# Bedbugs!! Piss on the matress store guy!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 22, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341 "2009-03-22T15:29:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/1 "2009-03-22T15:29:32Z")
BURN IN HELL, MATTRESS STORE GUY! I thought I was doing a **favor** for a small businessman, by buying from him, instead of a chain. I thought I was getting a **bargain**. WRONG! I misidentified the bites on Saturday morning, but on Sunday morning, the classic “breakfast/lunch/dinner” pattern of bites in a row clued me in. My new box spring now rests in the garage. I hope that liberal applications of bug spray, & laundering of my linens will free me from my “new friends”. If that guy does not refund my money willingly, I’ll get hold of my credit card company, & put the payment on hold. No-good-bastard-sunnava-bitch!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/2 "2009-03-22T15:33:56Z")
Having been bitten by a bedbug exactly once, I nonetheless emphasize proportionality, mustn’t let the punishment exceed the crime. In this instance, auguring the salesman an auxiliary rectum with a 3/4" Black and Decker drill seems about right. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/3 "2009-03-22T16:02:26Z")
Why are bedbugs the sales guy’s fault? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/4 "2009-03-22T16:07:52Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Why are bedbugs the sales guy’s fault? Shouldn’t a new mattress be vermin free? and if it’s a used mattress, same thing squared. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/5 "2009-03-22T16:14:29Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Shouldn’t a new mattress be vermin free? and if it’s a used mattress, same thing squared. Well, yeah, but it’s not like the sales guy delivered it. He should be pitting the actual store, or the stockroom staff. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/6 "2009-03-22T16:15:42Z")
Most states have very strict laws about sanitation of mattresses. I imagine he’ll be climbing over himself to refund your money, because otherwise, he’s opening himself up to automatic strict liability in an ensuing lawsuit. (_See_ Tenn Code Ann §68-15-201). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/7 "2009-03-22T16:20:46Z")
> [@Randy\_Seltzer](#): > > (_See_ Tenn Code Ann 68-15-201). Wrong statute. §201 is just definitions. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/8 "2009-03-22T16:25:11Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Well, yeah, but it’s not like the sales guy delivered it. He should be pitting the actual store, or the stockroom staff. The OP said he was buying from a small businessman, sounds like the salesman is the owner. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/9 "2009-03-22T16:27:51Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Wrong statute. §201 is just definitions. The mattress section goes from 201-208. 201 points out that box springs count. I point to this section because it’s under the “sanitation” chapter. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/10 "2009-03-22T17:40:19Z")
The code info is very helpful. I just left a call on his voice mail. And suggestions on who to contact if he gives me a hard time? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/11 "2009-03-22T17:42:19Z")
I opened this thread thinking there was both bed bugs _and_ piss in the bed. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/12 "2009-03-22T17:48:11Z")
If you haven’t already, do a major clean-up. Vacuum everywhere (and dispose of the bags), run everything that might have come into contact with the couch through the dryer for ten minutes. Bug spray is pretty useless against bugs, but can provide some peace of mind. Seriously, nip this in the bud. Then put something on Craig’s List to warn residents in your area against buying from this place. That’s foul. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/13 "2009-03-22T17:48:35Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > I opened this thread thinking there was both bed bugs _and_ piss in the bed. I’ll bet you 5 to 1 there’s a website tailed for your fetish, **Tao**. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/14 "2009-03-22T17:53:37Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > If you haven’t already, do a major clean-up. Vacuum everywhere (and dispose of the bags), run everything that might have come into contact with the couch through the dryer for ten minutes. Bug spray is pretty useless against bugs, but can provide some peace of mind. Seriously, nip this in the bud. Then put something on Craig’s List to warn residents in your area against buying from this place. That’s foul. Been doing that since 4AM. I just stopped to get a glass of milk. First food I’ve had all day. I’m upset. BTW–re-inspecting the box spring in the clear daylight of my garage suggests that the damn thing is used! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/15 "2009-03-22T18:05:01Z")
Is there a consumer reports organization in your area? If so, alert them. And did he tell you it was brand new? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/16 "2009-03-22T18:18:07Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Is there a consumer reports organization in your area? If so, alert them. And did he tell you it was brand new? I asked him, & he said “yes”. No consumer news…if anything, the local paper buries stories about advertisers. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/17 "2009-03-22T18:31:44Z")
Selling a dirty mattress violates the spirit of the already-cited code. Selling a used mattress while claiming it’s new violates the letter of the code, which is mostly about the tags they need to attach to it. If it is clearly used, and it is labeled as new, you should contact your state AG. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/18 "2009-03-22T18:37:58Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > I’ll bet you 5 to 1 there’s a website tailed for your fetish, **Tao**. I’ll have you know I’d never be into anything so perverse. I’ll stick to vegiophile lesbians, and transformers porn thank you. Oh and this: http:// [www.ectomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/dragoncarsex.jpg](http://www.ectomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/dragoncarsex.jpg) (warning NSFW) ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/19 "2009-03-22T18:47:28Z")
Is your garage attached to your house? If so, get it out _now_. (If you put it on the curb, put a knife through it so that scavengers don’t take it.) Otherwise, you are just spreading the infestation. Any bug spray you can buy legally without an exterminator’s license (and most of those you can buy _with_ one) will not harm them at all. Throw away your mattress and box spring, and put down a perimeter of [Diatomaceous\_earth]([Diatomaceous earth - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous) earth) around where you will be sleeping tonight. Put all your clothes through the dryer on high heat for 60 minutes. Your household dryer may not be hot enough. You should probably take everything (by everything, I mean every piece of cloth in your house) to a laundromat. Also, don’t just pile the clothes in your car. You need to buy a shitload of those 22-gallon ziploc bags. But get the ones with the actual zippers, the other ones just pop open all the time. (I think you actually want Hefty brand) I’m not exaggerating. We had B-Bugs twice last year. The second time was because the first exterminator was not a licensed exterminator, and only used 2 kinds of poison instead of 3. Also, not all professional exterminators know how to get rid of bedbugs. Make sure you get a specialist. Bill everything to the asshole that sold you the mattress. Prepare yourself now emotionally. We were literally traumatized. Every itch I get gives me flashbacks. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341/20 "2009-03-22T19:16:28Z")
After you’re done canceling this sale, and are shopping for the next mattress, don’t be so leery of buying it from a chain store. First, in my experience, most mattress store chains are locally owned and operated. Second, even if the store is a big national chain, it still employs local people in the store and delivery truck. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bedbugs-piss-on-the-matress-store-guy/490341.md?page=2)