People Are Taking Purple Mattress “Squishies” From Costco And the Internet Can’t Agree If It’s Harmless or Just Stealing
A small mattress sample at Costco has unexpectedly sparked a huge online debate after shoppers began taking the little “squishy” pieces that come attached to Purple mattress boxes.
The mini samples, designed to show customers what the brand’s unique gel grid mattress feels like, have become so popular that many shoppers are reportedly pulling them out of display boxes and keeping them. Now, the trend is spreading on social media, and people can’t seem to agree whether it’s harmless fun or outright theft.
The Purple Squishy Craze Is Going Viral
Purple mattresses have recently started appearing in some Costco stores, and each mattress box includes a small sample piece of the brand’s signature flexible grid material. The little sample looks like a mini version of the mattress surface and is meant to let shoppers squeeze and feel the material before buying.
But shoppers quickly noticed something: those samples are incredibly satisfying to squish.
Videos started appearing on TikTok showing people squeezing the gel grid pieces, calling them “squishies” and joking that Costco should give them away as stress toys. As the videos spread, more shoppers began noticing that the samples were disappearing from boxes on display in stores.
That means customers who are actually trying to test the mattress sometimes find the sample missing entirely.
Some People Say It’s Basically Stealing
As the trend grew, other social media users started speaking out, saying people shouldn’t be taking the samples at all.
One TikTok user pointed out that the samples aren’t meant to be free giveaways.
“The free samples at Costco are at the tables where someone hands them out,” the creator said in a video, explaining that pulling the squishy sample from a mattress box means the person who eventually buys that mattress won’t get to see or feel it.
Many commenters agreed, saying that removing the sample from the packaging is essentially taking something that belongs with the product.
Others weren’t convinced.
Some people argued that the small pieces are just marketing samples and didn’t see a problem with grabbing one.
The disagreement quickly turned into a larger debate online about where the line falls between a harmless souvenir and something that could be considered stealing.
There’s Actually a Much Easier Way to Get One
In a twist that made the debate even more surprising, the Purple brand itself eventually chimed in on the discussion.
According to comments shared on social media, the company pointed out that the mini mattress squishies are actually available for purchase directly from their website, and they only cost about $3 each.
For many people online, that raised an obvious question: if the squishy is so easy and inexpensive to buy, why risk taking one from a mattress display in a store?
Why the Debate Is Getting So Much Attention
Part of what’s making the story spread so quickly online is how relatable it feels.
Many shoppers have experienced the temptation of grabbing a small display item or promotional sample, especially when it seems like something minor.
But others say the situation highlights how small actions in stores can add up, especially when the items are meant to stay attached to products for future customers.
For now, the viral squishy debate continues to divide shoppers, with some laughing about the trend and others urging people to leave the samples where they belong.
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