Certain items come in standard sizes, whether it is mattresses or gallons of milk. At Costco, however, one particular brand of “king size” bed pillows is significantly smaller than standard size.
In the bedding industry, a “king size” pillow is typically 36 inches long by 20 inches wide. And that is exactly what most consumers would expect when buying this twin pack of king pillows, particularly since the bag is labeled KING KING KING and the exact dimensions are right there on the package:
Upon taking the pillows home from Costco, MrConsumer noticed that these king size pillows seemed noticeably smaller than the old ones they were replacing. And checking the manufacturer’s “do not remove on penalty of death” Tyvek tag that was sewn onto the pillow itself confirmed the observation and revealed a surprise:
*MOUSE PRINT:
The pillow was indeed two inches shorter than standard king size length and two inches shorter in width. Worse, when actually measuring the length of the pillow, it wasn’t even the 34 inches represented on the legal tag, it was even shorter — 33 inches (and that was stretching the material as taut as physically possible):
Mouse Print* contacted Costco’s PR department for an explanation. Shortly thereafter, a representative from the pillow’s manufacturer responded, in part:
The pillows you are referencing are not sub standard size but rather the top of the line and one of the best values in the market. The law tag you are referring to should have stated the size as 18â€x34â€x2â€. The 2†refers to the size of the gusset on this pillow and as is our industries practice included in the total dimensions. As a company we felt it would be more confusing to the customer stating the dimensions as 18â€x34â€x2†on the polybag. This type of pillow has been sold by us for years and this is the first complaint we have ever received regarding the size.
The fact that the pillow had a side gusset didn’t seem relevant to the issue of the pillow’s shorter length and width, so further inquiry was made of the manufacturer. The representative responded:
In order for the pillows to fit in standardized pillow cases, US manufacturers have to use the total square inches of a pillow in order to size the shell. Once the pillow is placed in a case and the product is compressed (while sleeping), the pillow will expand to the proper dimensions. If not, the product will be too large to fit properly. The US government has also regulated that the actual shell dimensions are to be used on the law tag (a legal document) for compliance. I understand the confusion of conflicting information and maybe we will need to correct the bag moving forward. When measuring the dimensions, they equal, what you are calling a standard size pillow when you include the gusset.
So if you add in the extra height of the pillow, that makes up for the shorter length and width? I don’t think so. Not satisfied that Costco had said nothing about what it was going to do about pillows on its shelves that were in bags marked with dimensions larger than the actual pillows they contained, Mouse Print* prompted the company again for a comment. Their assistant buyer in home textiles responded:
We appreciate your feedback and are indeed reviewing our packaging verbiage addressing the dimensions of our gusseted pillows. Once approved, the revised packaging will be utilized as the current inventory of bags is depleted by our supplier.
One would have expected them to say that in the meantime, they were at least going to put up a sign notifying customers of the discrepancy. Nope.
Now to be fair to Costco and Hollander (the manufacturer), king pillows on the market with gussets are all over the place on sizes. Some say 20 inches by 36 inches on the package and on the sewn-in label. Others put no dimensions on the package and only the word “king”, then show dimensions smaller than 20 x 36 on the label. Still others put 20 x 36 on the package, and a variety of smaller sizes on the label, including 20 x 34 and 18.5 x 34.5.
The best advice if you want a full length king size pillow is to take a tape measure to the store with you because you cannot always trust what the product says.
I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. Really, in the grand scheme of things (or even in the insignificant scheme of things) what difference does that 2 or so inches make? Get a grip and don’t sweat the small stuff, okay?
Good job, Mouse Print. I commend you twice: once for pursuing this with Costco and Hollander through 3 differen e-mail exchanges, and second for the “Now to be fair…” paragraph. It looks like you exposed a widespread industry practice, and kudos to Costco and Hollander for treating you with respect and responding substntively to your e-mails. Costco says they will change their package labeling. (Let’s see if they really do, but for now I’ll assume that they will.) It’s not often that one person can get a big company to change anything. Once again, good job.
I agree, good job! Someone has to “sweat the small stuff” because if you don’t stop it there it just keeps getting bigger. As a consumer I do expect for packages to be labeled accurately.
Here we go again! A company out to either cheat or misrepresent their product(s). It gets worse and worse. It is a shame though that COSTCO cannot step up to the plate and at least put a declaminer sign on this pillow.
Oh, PS-That little bit of difference DOES make a difference because if nothing happens, that pillow will shrink and shrink in time. Same thing that the cereal manufacturers do with the cereal boxes. Someone has to really say- HEY, THAT’S NOT RIGHT!
If it fits the pillowcase (and your head) adequately, what’s the problem? This is truly a miniscule problem to spend so much time on! What a waste.
I’m glad it’s not a problem for some, but when I purchase what is advertised as a king size pillow, is supposed to be a king size pillow, and is priced as a king size pillow but get what amounts to a travel pillow there’s a problem.
Good work mouseprint. Now I know to double check the stinkin’ size of everthing now, not just groceries.
To be fair, you should really measure from the middle of the gusset on one side to the middle of the gusset on the other. That way you are measuring the total surface area of the pillow. Also, please post a picture of the pillow inside a standard king size pillow case.
I enjoy reading your blog, but this is the worst mouse print article I have read to date.
Keep up the good work!
To be fair . . . gusseted pillows contain MORE STUFF on the inside! Do the math. So really you are getting more cushion for the same amount of pushin’!
This really does seem like a small issue, and honestly I wouldn’t care if I had bought one. However, I do agree with those who say this was an important issue to address, just to keep the companies honest. The fact that they clearly gave dimensions on the packaging that didn’t fit the product (or that needed to be justified by technical mumbo-jumbo) made this a worthwhile topic.
I won’t get fired up and start boycotting either company. This is another drop in the bucket, though, for educating us as consumer and showing companies that they’re being watched.
When I read Costco’s comment, “…this is the first complaint we have ever received regarding the size.”, I assume that they are lying. This is a standard practice of many people and, therefore, businesses when confronted with its/her/his lie.
One reason the USA governments have and enforce standards is to keep this type of deception from occurring.
Thanks for the article: “Buyer Beware!”
Costco is a warehouse store with an excellent reputation. I’ve been shopping there for over 15 years. If someone is unhappy with a purchase, they’ll happily refund your money if you return the mdse. However, I prefer to buy my linens at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
What ever happened to truth in advertising. King size should mean king size. We all know what size king size pillows should be. It is a shame we have to read the small print to find the truth. Bad on you Costco for selling this.