Mattress Question

[Ref]

I'm looking to purchase a mattress and have conducted a lot of net and supplier research.

I am looking for a king size mattress and (possibly) box spring. Must be coils, I am not looking for water, air or latex memory foam.

Here are some of the feedback I have encountered/researched/received:

* There is not much difference between a cheaper brand and a more expensive brand (non-commissioned sales person)
* Mattress salespeople are worse than car salespeople (website source)
* Mattress companies sell the same model to different stores using different names (internet)
* A mattress will usually last 5 - 7 years (internet & sales people)
* Firm or plush, it's all in the feel of the customer (internet)
* A $500 mattress is the same as a $1000 mattress - It is all marketing (internet)
* A box spring is a sales ploy - If you need a strong foundation what is better than your floor? (internet)
* Plushtop is nothing more than a foam or memory latex layer to make it feel more comfortable (internet & salesperson)
* Coils
- Number: Not important because the gauge is what matters
- Pocket: Controls partner movement
- Continuous: Lower grade than pocket
- Bonnel: Hour glass shaped coils - As good as the others
* The padding is what breaks down, not the coils (internet)
* If you are purchasing a mattress, always negotiate with the salesperson, they are usually priced much higher than cost (internet)

Can anyone offer some tips, feedback or experiences?

 

[Asterix]

Interesting. I'm in the market for a new mattress myself, but haven't done near the research you seem to have. The only thing I would add as a question, are some mattresses made with less toxic materials than others? Afterall you've got your face pressed against this thing for 1/3 of the day.

 

[21pro]

I used to sell mattresses in university.. I have limited knowledge, though. I only lasted at the job 4 months... anyways- I understand your frustration.

1) price doesn't equate to quality, however the price range is huge $300 to +$4,000!
2) ads that have "Great Deals" often are misleading
3) salespeople are worse.
4) It is F-in hard to get any warranty work done so don't get caught up in warranties... unless you pay credit card... real credit card like MC, Visa, or AmeriExp.

some suggestions:
1) go to a mattress factory and see if they have one they can sell you out of the back! trust me, this works... have cash $$$, but know what you are willing to pay. just make sure it IS a new mattress from a well known factory. some smaller outfits have been known to 'recycle' old mattresses (usually throwaways) by stitching on new ulphostery .... that's just gross!
2) sometimes the best thing to do is avoid commissioned salespeople... try Costco, Wal-Mart type stores.
3) Avoid hotel mattresses.
4) shop around - the mattress that looks the same and has the same stats at $500 and at $1500 at another store IS THE SAME MATTRESS!
5) keep notes while you are shopping... compare to online sellers, too.
6) look for previous year models... oftentimes they have the exact same frame!

BTW- i have a 7 year old mattress that was bought at the back of the factory for King Coil (the factory you see along the 400- in the Weston/Sheppherd area)... I paid $700 /King Set (they initially wanted $1200, then $1000, then settled for $700cash)... it's well broken in now, but it's still ok to sleep on. I'll be upgrading to a new set in the next 3 years.

 

[21pro]

thanks to the generous one who PM'd me... King Koil has since moved and are now located in the Jane/Rutherford area ... 100 Locke Street in Vaughan (Maple).

i guess this goes along with saying how my mattress IS 7 years old..

 

[blackmoon69]

so just wanna know if where can i get a good deal on mattress coz im planning to buy one.

 

[tboy]

Well, as the info posted above is somewhat accurate, there IS a difference between cheap mattresses and expensive ones. You only have to lie or sleep on one to feel the difference.

The more coils IS better. believe me, I slept on one that had 50% less coils and I felt the difference....and it is major.

The cheaper mattresses' cover doesn't last. It isn't just the guts, but the covering. The better the cover, the longer the mattress' life will be.

Now I wouldn't go out and spend 4K on a mattress but if you look at one that sells for $1000.00 with box spring, and look at one for $400 with b/s you WILL feel a difference. But remember: you have to compare apples to apples. Don't lie on a firm cheap mattress and a soft expensive one. There will be a big difference.

Now I purchased a mismatched set a few years ago and saved about 50%. I wish I had the money for a pillow top because they are heaven. (I bought an obus forme pad from CTC for $100.00 and it is HEAVEN on earth).

My advice is: if you like a firm mattress, don't buy a pillow top but you WILL notice pressure points at your hips, shoulders etc.

As for whether or not you need a boxspring. A boxspring DOES add some give to the mattress. If you like it firm, just put a sheet of ply or particle board on your bed frame. But dude, putting a mattress alone on the floor is SO lame.....it might be ok when you're in college but invite some lady over and she won't be smiling when she sees you sleeping on the floor lol.

A $500.00 mattress is the same as a $1000.00 one. Well, ok, but are they both on sale? Are they both made by the same company? Are you comparing apples to oranges? For eg: you can easily find an $1800.00 mattress set for $1000.00 so to use that logic, you're saing a $500.00 mattress is the same quality as an $1800.00 set? Yeah, ok, RIGHT.....NOT.

I bought a set for $400.00 a while ago. It was SHIT. The springs poked me every which way, there weren't that many, the cover tore in about the first 10 months, it was shit. I replaced it with a better mismatched set that was selling for $1400.00 (paid $800.00) and I couldn't lift either the mattress or boxspring alone. I could easily lift the mattress AND box spring of the cheap set. (better construction). The cover on the better set is in perfect condition after 4 yrs and isn't even showing any signs of wear, sagging, or deterioration.

 

[TQM]

There are differences.

As an alternative - something you might want to check out - Westin Hotels have a reputation for having very comfortable beds - they've used this reputation to start selling them (new beds) to the public. I don't own one, but know people who ooooh and awwww about them.

I'd bet you could dig up some information about them on their website - alternatively call a Westin hotel.

 

[tboy]

As an alternative - something you might want to check out - Westin Hotels have a reputation for having very comfortable beds - they've used this reputation to start selling them (new beds) to the public. I don't own one, but know people who ooooh and awwww about them.

I'd bet you could dig up some information about them on their website - alternatively call a Westin hotel.

Yup, I agree 100%. I've stayed in hundreds of hotels and they do have awesome beds.......(if memory serves they are all pillow top).

 

[drlove]

I have a Simmons mattress (pillow top). I paid $1300 for it and can definitely notice a difference. I'm out like a light 10 seconds after my head hits the pillow.

 

[tboy]

I have a Simmons mattress (pillow top). I paid $1300 for it and can definitely notice a difference. I'm out like a light 10 seconds after my head hits the pillow.

Yeah, but didn't you know Dr L??? You could have gotten the same mattress for $29.95 at Bob's Mattress depot!!!!

 

[drlove]

Yeah, but didn't you know Dr L??? You could have gotten the same mattress for $29.95 at Bob's Mattress depot!!!!

Damn! Now, why didn't I think of that?? (As if!!!)

 

[basketcase]

I have a Simmons mattress (pillow top). I paid $1300 for it and can definitely notice a difference. I'm out like a light 10 seconds after my head hits the pillow.

I was out in the same time last Saturday for free on a friend's floor (ok, not free, $100 worth of booze)



I wonder if any stores let you bring in an SP to test the mattress.

 

[C Dick]

I bought a fancy mattress a few years ago ($2,000 or so), after 20 years on a $400 one, and the new one is much nicer. Though just getting off the 20 year old one probably accounts for much of that. My problem is that it squeaks during fucking. I removed the frame, and just have the box spring on the floor, but it still squeaks. But even cheap motel beds do not seem to squeak, I wish I understood what causes the squeaking and I could fix it.

 

[basketcase]

Are you fucking a rubber doll?

 

[tboy]

Are you fucking a rubber doll?

LMMFAO...dude, that was priceless.....

I was thinking more along the lines of:

Maybe he should stop fucking Mini Mouse though.....

 

[antaeus]

why do you want coils? I don't see much difference between sleeping on a bed of nails or sleeping on coiled nails. Nails will poke you in the ass, coils will screw you in the ass, although you may enjoy either.

'Memory' foam is a marketing term: all foam used for mattresses has the same 'memory' capacity that is being claimed. Foamed polyurethane is foamed polyurethane;: there are different grades of polyurethane and different foaming agents, but it's all the same used in the mattress and cushion industry.

Polyurethane foam mattresses are generally more hygeinic, other than your skin and assorted personal residue there's nothing for bugs and bacteria to feed on. Coil mattresses with cotton or cellulose coverings plus your personal residue are a never ending mandarin buffet for bugs and bacteria.

Coils make noise when you fuck, foam mattresses take a pounding and never complain. Closed cell polyurethane foam mattress can withstand a 'fluid' accident and just wipe off; try that with your expensive ass poking coils.

 

[Never Compromised]

why do you want coils? I don't see much difference between sleeping on a bed of nails or sleeping on coiled nails.

There are many sites on the Net that suggest that the foam mattresses "off gas" and can cause allergic reactions.

 

[tboy]

There are many sites on the Net that suggest that the foam mattresses "off gas" and can cause allergic reactions.

But the same can be said for any synthetic material......

But, where antaeous is not quite correct, is that not ALL foam is the same and not all foam is memory foam. Sure it has a lot to do with the foam density, but also the density of the air pockets, the size of the air pockets, etc. I know there is polyurethane foam used in building materials that is rigid (but still has air pockets) and the same thickness of foam that has NO air pockets and has no give.

But I digress, back to the original discussion, my advice to anyone buying a mattress is to try it out, look at how it is constructed, look at the materials used in it's construction, and if it is comfortable, and seems well built, buy it...whether it costs $1000.00 or $500.00. Like any other product, you only get what you pay for......

 

[Dani]

But even cheap motel beds do not seem to squeak, I wish I understood what causes the squeaking and I could fix it.

Have you thought of lubrication??

 

[KBear]

Just bought a mattress, and had to deal with the same confusion. The sales guys seem to know nothing, generally. One sales guy finally made sense, and told me you should lie on the mattress on your back, and you should be level, not curved and sinking in like you are in a hammock. The next thing is to check that the support under your back is even. So, the mattress should conform to your body’s curves evenly, but still keep your body level. It is a balance between the firmness of the mattress, and the pillow top. People with different weight densities and curves with need different mattresses.