When Did Bed Sheets Get So Expensive

Updated on October 27, 2011
T.K. asks from Grand Prairie, TX
43 answers

I'm pricing King sheets and am just floored. I've gone to Linens n Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Annas Linens, Kohls, and even Walmart websites. Prices $49-$179 for basic sets. Not Ralph Lauren desginer sets, just the basic solid color white sheets. Over $200 for Egyptian cotton or really high thread count. For a set of sheets? Absoutley ridiculous. Where do you buy sheets that aren't outrageous, or do you spend $200 for a set of sheets. I'm going to try Ross when I get off work today, but if I don't find a decent price there, where else should I look?

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Try Marshalls or TJ Maxx. They have NICE sheets for a LOT less.

I would never spend $200 for a set of sheets!

4 moms found this helpful
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S.T.

answers from New York on

EVERYTHING has gotten so expensive in the last year. Personally I don't really care about how my sheets look as long as they're 100% cotton. Once the bed is made you don't see them and when you're in bed you're not looking at them either. I was at Home Goods the other day and saw 100% cotton king sheets for $39 - I was tempted to buy them even though we don't need them right now... But didn't have $39 extra. The also had a 100% cotton duvet for about the same and was so tempted to buy it... but again - it's not essential so I couldn't do it.

Beautiful bedding is for newlyweds who got it at their shower or used giftcards - or for those who have the money. The rest of us - they're only sheets...

3 moms found this helpful
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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

I bought my king size sheets from a store called Fallas for fifteen dollars! It included two pillow cases, a fitted and a flat sheet. The tag on the sheets said JCPenny cotton collection. And they are 100% cotton and are great sheets. Most of the colors were a pale pink or funky yellow so I did have some digging to do but well worth it.

* the set i got was striped with navys tan and red pen striped and my hubby really likes them/

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

I'd check Home Goods

The price of cotton rose dramatically in the past year or so, so all cotton-based textiles are more expensive. Some of the costs have been hidden because clothing manufacturers have been making the cotton garments much thinner, and then adding extra details like stitching, buttons, zippers, or bedazzling, which has made many consumers think they were paying more for the fashionable adornments, but really it is paying for more expensive raw materials.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Dallas on

We have Kings and California Kings...I feel your pain! Every once in a while I will find a great sale at Kohl's or JCPenneys. My best price has been on Overstock.com. The sheets are never quite the color that I want, but close enough for the price. I buy only 400 and above...no pilling and no ironing!

4 moms found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Detroit on

Check Elder Beerman online.
And believe it or not, JCPenney usually has better deals than Walmart.

BUT.... I've never spent less than $50 on a set of sheets. Especially for a King. Even 10 yrs ago.

ETA- I'm a 'bed snob'. I prefer 300-400 thread count, 100% cotton sateen sheets. I HATE Egyptian Cotton!

4 moms found this helpful
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B.Z.

answers from Detroit on

Try Tuesday Morning if there is one by you or even online!

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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

If you have a Tuesday Morning - hit em up! They also have email notice of really good deals - Peacock Alley monogrammed sheets for a flat rate of $129 a set - any size.
this was something they emailed out last year after the holidays - awesome!!
I also like Target sheets, but I go for the higher thread counts.
Also, if you have the luxury or hitting up San Marcos - those outlets are pretty fantastic.
Side note - I have been extremely unimpressed with Annas and HomeGoods when I have gone in there - but maybe an off day for them.
good luck!

4 moms found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

I go to TJ Maxx or Marshalls! They have a lot of great deals on sheet sets. You might pay $49, but its for nice ones! I couldnt believe it the other day I was at Target just looking for an extra pillow case, and they wanted $25 for one! I was like, where the heck am I , Bloomingdales? sheesh!

TJ Maxx or Marshalls all the way! If you can find one of their homestores, they'll have a better selection too! Oh and sometimes, I can find a good deal on sheet sets at Costco too. But thats hit or miss and you'd need the membership.

Good luck!!

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I, too, like TJ Maxx and Marshall's. You could also try Penney's. Look for sales! I know that Penney's has white sales in January. Their web site has sales, sometimes, that their stores don't. I imagine that's true with other stores also.

Like anything else these days, you have to hunt like crazy for the good deals. I've used Walmart sheets just because I could afford those, but I don't care for them. Last year just after Christmas I found a set of really good Penney's sheets for 50 per cent off. They were still a little pricier than I like, but they're much better quality and I expect them to last much longer than the cheap sets will, so I'm hoping they will turn out to be a better value in the long run. However, it was an online-only sale. (I don't have a King bed, but sheets are expensive no matter what the size.)

So press on, keep hunting, and don't give up.

4 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Oh hon, buy your sheets from Overstock.com!
I've bough ###-###-#### thread count sheets for $60 (queen size).

There are ALWAYS good deals like that on Overstock.

4 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Ross is a great place to check, Also Tuesday Mornings.

Remember to ever use fabric softners on anything. It coats the fabrics and makes them less soft.

Also each time you change the fitted sheets, change the direction.. Your feet and heels wear out the fabrics..

4 moms found this helpful

I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know its crazy. I myself have a love of high thread count sheets. My solution to the delema is to pay though the nose and own a winter set and a summer set. I have to launder and change on the same day. I wait for costco to carry something. I know that it will be money well spent for the quality. So far my $100 bamboo fiber sheets are going strong on their third year. I expect I won't have to buy another set in quite a few more years. Thats better to me than 3 sets of $40 sheets with rough cotton.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

I'm big into sheets, BUT I always buy them at HomeGoods or TJMaxx and pay between $49 - $69 for a king set. That's a fair/ really good price.

I read an article a few years ago that said the thread count doesn't need to be above 300 and I know from personal experience that Egyptian Cotton actually gets those little balls all over them - so I would stay away from that! The thing is if you stay w/ in reason (under $100) it's better to spend a bit more b/c they will last.

3 moms found this helpful
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A.F.

answers from Houston on

Ditto Molly. I buy my sheets at Target - they're 350 or 400 count. They have sales probably about once a quarter and you can get a king set for about 48 bucks around here.

If we didn't have two dogs that like to jump on the bed and put holes in the sheets, we'd be good to go!

3 moms found this helpful

A.W.

answers from Kalamazoo on

Stores here - JC Penny's, Marshalls, etc all have really good sales on this stuff in the winter, so if you can wait you might find a much better deal.

3 moms found this helpful

ღ..

answers from Detroit on

Lol. They always have been unfortunately. I really like Target's organic, and their wrinkle free sheets. They are very pretty, comfortable and hold up well. I think a King set might run you $60?

3 moms found this helpful

G.R.

answers from Dallas on

marshalls ,jc penney ,khols and macy's and t.j. maxx

3 moms found this helpful

E.S.

answers from Dayton on

Last time I bought sheets was not quite 3 yrs. ago...$40 for King 400 thread count at Marshalls.
I remember this trip because it was one of the few times DD had a potty accident. ;)

3 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with the others. I always buy great sheets at Tuesday Mornings!

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M.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Marshall's, Costco, I even like Target's sheets.

3 moms found this helpful
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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

If you're not in a hurry than I got a great deal on a high thread count set at Kmart (of all places) on Black Friday. And it's not like you're going to get trampled over a set of sheets.

If you like flannel sheets, wait until the end of the season. I found sets clearanced at Sears any size for $5 last year.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

Last year (I actually think it was a "Black Friday" sale) we bought amazing sheets from Target. Yes, they were a bit pricey ~$60, but they are probably the best set of sheets we've ever had! I always buy the most thread count I can find that is in a "reasonable" price range (I think these are 600 or 750). Slide your hand in the package between the sheets to see how they feel to you. These are very soft, but not so soft that they snag hubby's callouses (he hates satiny sheets). I say, if we can get a solid year out of these sheets (we wash them every 2 weeks and put right back on the bed), it's worth the "investment!" I also don't buy white sheets--my hubby is a night sweater and they always look gross by day 2!
Good luck!

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Target's wrinkle free 100% cotton sheets are great and run big. That's all I'll buy any more, they're soft and fall in the middle of thread counts at 325. By the way the higher you go in thread count generally means inflated prices, there is no physical way to get those crazy numbers like 800+ threads in 1 square inch of fabric.

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

First, I'll comment on the pricing. Over the past 5 years, cotton has gone from ~$60 a pound to ~$120 per lb, topping out in March of this year at $230 per lb, thus driving up the price of everything made of cotton (you might notice your underpants and jeans have gone up in price a bit, too?) However, unlike the jeans and underpants manufacturers, who normally have commodity traders bidding out long term cotton contracts that keep the prices lower, most manufacturers of good sheets are smaller companies without the benefit of those contracts. Once you add a businesses markup (at the seller and retailer level), you see the sheet prices today.

3 years ago I would have told you to go to TJ Maxx, Marshalls and the likes, but their stocks are dwindling (I'm a high threadcount snob) thanks to the businesses that manufacture getting smarter about production volumes. Now, I recommend overstock.com.

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K.L.

answers from Savannah on

If you can wait a little while longer, I would wait until Christmas. There are always good sales on items like that at all of the stores.

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E.M.

answers from Honolulu on

I always buy at back to school time or from the clearance rack. I bought a really nasty pink color. Rit dye fixed that!

2 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I know! This is why we only have 1 sheet set for our bed. THe kids have 2, but for us, I just wash it and put it right back on. I keep it until it's falling apart and then I buy a new one then

2 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

The best ones are pricey....but i totally find them on sale. We have a california king and i rotate 2 sets of sheets.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

T.:

I know what you mean!!! I was floored at the prices myself.

I just cleaned out my linen closet and donated all our extras to Goodwill. I bought sheets (350 thread count) at Macy's on clearance for $25 a few weeks ago - they were their floor sample - so I took them home and washed - like I normally would - it was a complete set.

Kohls also can have some great sales..

K-Mart has the Martha Stewart collection....and you can do layaway if it's not an emergency!!

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B.C.

answers from Tampa on

The higher count the better, there is a huge difference between satin, silk feel comparing to exfoliation feel :) Sheets are the items I splurge on and it's worth every penny. I still like a good deal, but $200 sounds like steal.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

Bed Bath sets price at full retail expecting their customers to have a 20% off coupon which can be found in just about any Sunday paper. Tuesday Morning stores might be a good option. I like Bed Bath because you can actually feel the sheets before you buy them.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I was so glad to see this. I have been looking for queen sheets for the last 2 weeks. I've been to Walmart, Target, Marshall's, Home Goods, Kohl's and JCPenney. The cheapest I found for cotton was $39.99 at JCPenney (on sale) but I'm going to wait for a coupon. I'm also searching for a waterproof matress pad that's reasonable.

1 mom found this helpful

A.T.

answers from Boston on

I got a set at the fair (they have them at the malls too) it was like $20 for a set with 2 pillow cases they are like a fake satin material. i was not going to get them because being so cheap i knew id get pills on them after the first wash but its been over a year and they are still great! So look at the fairs, flea markets, and mall kiosks!

1 mom found this helpful
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B.F.

answers from Dallas on

Aren't they ridiculous! I got some at Marshall's for about $40. You may have to keep checking back for them.

1 mom found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Iowa City on

I recently got a new set of sheets at Younkers. I waited for them to go on sale. They are 610 thread count, I believe, and I think they were around $50. Try their website.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

I buy mine at JC Penney. I have signed up for their coupons and sale circulars and I wait to get the best deal. I also use the website coupon cabin for coupons at other stores and jc penney. I also have a king size bed so I know how you feel.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Dallas on

Marshall's has amazing sheets at super low prices. DD's discount stores have great prices and if you pick thru the selection you can often find high thread count in the mix.

But the best thing to do this time of the year is to wait for the Day after Thanksgiving sales and order online.... I got some amazing sheets last year from Sears online... best I've ever owned and I'm a sheet SNOB... love the high end/high thread count.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

Overstock.com is the best place to go for sheets. I have ordered 3 sets from there for our King bed and have been pleased with all of them. Do look at the reviews, they seem to be pretty accurate!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Washington DC on

IKEA. Not only are they wonderfully priced, but incredibly soft... quite the same feel compared to the super-expensive ones. As far as I'm concerned, there's no reason to get them anywhere else: they are less expensive than the cheap sheets elsewhere and are just as nice as the expensive ones:)

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R.W.

answers from Dallas on

I just bought the most amazing sheets believe it or not at the State Fair of Texas. A complete set, any size, 8 colors to choose from and 800 thread count, they were only $25 a set or 2 for $40.

K.A.

answers from San Diego on

We've gotten some gorgeous sheets at Costco. They are expensive still but not nearly as much as you'd pay for the same ones elsewhere and they're the good quality ones. We have a California King with deep pockets(18") so it's hard to find sheets as it is and when we do they are insanely expensive. The only other place we've been happy with the sheets we've bought was Target. Their prices are reasonable, especially if you can catch them on sale.

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A.K.

answers from Houston on

I was thinking that the other day, I needed a new twin sheet, just a cheap and cheerful one, $12 at walmart, I was disgusted - last year I paid $5 for the same thing. I would never in a trillion years pay more that $20 for bedding.

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