So annoyed with Mr CC

Surely if they fail UK safety standards, you need to inform the relevant authority, as these ‘white van’ sellers need stopping?

Is there the remotest chance that somebody in your road might have doorbell footage of the man in van.

I agree with Calendargirl that you should report it as these scumbags need to be stopped.

I think it might be Trading Standards who deal with this sort of thing but Citizens Advice should be able to point you in the right direction.

Inform your local Police (NOT 999!). Also there should be a number in your telephone directory where you can report scams, or just Google the Report Fraud Website.
I would think that any of these would have advice on how to get rid of the mattresses - you don't want to pass on the safety problems to anyone else by giving them away, or you could be in legal trouble yourself. Your local council will collect big items for a fee (it was £30 the last time I used the service).
Not wishing to be negative or insulting, but are you sure your DH is fully compos mentis? It can creep up very slowly, so it might be a good idea to get him tested by your GP if you can.
After his strokes, my DH went through a period of buying useless stuff from doorstep salesmen (mostly people wearing ID badges who carry bags loaded with low-end household goods. They can be quite aggressive which frightened him. That habit passed as quickly as it came - unfortunately, I can't tell you why, otherwise I'd pass the secret on.

I reported scammers selling fish from a van door to door.
It was inedible.
We had doorbell footage of the man trying to sell me fish, the van registration number, the company name everything!

There were warrants out for the guys arrest and he was barred from setting up a company.

Trading standards and the Police said there was insufficient evidence for a prosecution.

My husband would have done much the same, it’s infuriating and such a waste of money. Even more annoying he probably said he ‘did it for you’. Mine always said this.

As I see it, the problem is not so much what to do with the mattresses, but what to do with the DH!

Might I suggest, ClickieyClick, that you sit your DH down and agree with him on the sort of things he, or you, just buy, and which things are only bought after you have discussed with each other why one of you feels the item is needed?

We had too, a price limit - anything that cost more than a certain amount, had to be discussed between us before purchasing.

With regard to husband having too much time on his hands, could you interest him in online puzzles?

There seem to be an infinite variety of free online games which don't involve financial outlay or gambling. I could waste no end of time on them when I should be doing other things.

You need to confiscate his credit card.

That's a very good idea Magenta8 which I will check with the neighbours before reporting it tomorrow. 🤞a camera will show the van registration. I had every intention of reporting but offices were closed by the time I got home on Friday. I'd prefer to actually speak to someone rather than do an online report. I don't know what, if anything, the relevant authorities could do with little to no info on the seller other than post a warning on their websites and I assume they move from around the country doing this. I've looked at Report Fraud UK website which says they don't investigate but info is passed to the national intelligence bureau for assessing, matching to any wider crime patterns. I expect this sort of scam is not reported much. Probably due to the embarrassment of being caught out and the general assumption that's there's no point as they won't be caught and prosecuted. If everyone takes that attitude then nothing ever changes but I'll still report. That will be my Monday morning sorted - calls to police, Trading Standards etc and the council disposal team to arrange for them to collect. It's just so galling because the money he's handed over was our emergency cash fund.
Thank you all for your suggestions. MrCC spends all his time either on tiktok or the TV and he's not into any games other than giving me the run around 🤬😀

Perhaps if he’s fit enough, you can get your DH to do a lot more jobs round the house or garden?

Sounds bored if all he does is watch tv or tictok.

It’s if my consolation to your DH , a few friends of mine got caught by these scammers about 10 years . Same reason , a hotel chain , can’t remember which one had over ordered . They were doing the rounds in the next village to me . The mattresses were poor quality and no fire regs mark . My DH had a van and kindly took them to the local tip.
I agree with the idea of asking neighbours cameras or doorbells if they have footage of the van .

I’m afraid to say there’s more chance of draining the north sea than the police or trading standards doing anything about these door to door shysters.
I think the shops selling illegal baccy and ciggies are given a higher priority.

Many years ago I came home to find my highly intelligent OH had paid some passing guys to tarmac our steep drive ... they "had a bit left over from another job." ... hmm.
We spent the next few months watching it slide into the lane.

I think CarrotTop makes valid point. This is not the first time your DH has bought unnecessary items.