foambymail latex - who owns it?
Sep 30, 2007 2:44 PM
Joined: Sep 28, 2007
Points: 28
I am hoping to order a latex mattress in the near future and am strongly leaning towards foambymail as their prices fit my budget best.  I know about the ongoing debate over where foambymail gets their latex from, but I'm willing to accept that. 

Any feedback from users who have ordered a latex mattress or topper from foambymail would be much appreciated.
This message was modified Sep 30, 2007 by jiffy524
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #19 Oct 7, 2007 1:04 AM
Foam Nerd
Location: USA
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 605
kbell wrote:
Note that we are getting off topic here.

Did we ever.
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #20 Oct 10, 2007 4:36 PM
Foam Nerd
Location: USA
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 605
Back on topic.

I received my 2" latex topper from FoamByMail today. It arrived as an amazingly small bundle, just 2' long by 16" in diameter, weighing 40.6 lbs according to my bathroom scale. The density calculates to 5.8 lb (per cubic foot).

As expected, this is not Latex International Talatech. I don't know who the manufacturer is, but there is the bottom of a "B" molded into one end. I called Shawn at SleepEZ because I know he carries talalay latex from all three manufacturers. He doesn't ever remember seeing a B molded into the end of a core, so I'm not sure where that leaves me in terms of figuring out who makes it.

The cell structure is very consistant, but is rather coarse in comparison to LI Talatech. The color is close to the same as my Talatech, perhaps just a bit more yellow. My 2" slice (a full 2") came out of the middle of a core so both sides are cut, so I can't compare the surface textures. There is one "factory edge" with a "skin" that's more similar to a sample of dunlop latex I have than what I see on the surface of my Talatech. None of the sides of my Talatech are skinned over. The holes are the same size as the Talatech, but with a bit wider spacing - 3/4" on center for the mystery latex vs. 2/3" for the Talatech. 1 sq foot of Talatech has 18x18 holes vs. 16x16 for the FoamByMail latex.

Smell? I don't smell anything from either the Talatech or the FoamByMail latex, but my sense of smell is not acute.

I'd call the quality a small step down from LI Talatech, but very good for the price - I paid just more than half what FoamSource wants for Talatech.
This message was modified Oct 10, 2007 by haysdb
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #21 Oct 11, 2007 9:18 PM
Joined: Oct 1, 2007
Points: 10
When I received my mattress (6" of firm latex) from foambymail, it came in a fairly small box itself, I could not believe how big it blew up to be when I opened it up (can't imagine trying to ship the thing back if I wanted to).  The box weighed about 120 lbs or so, had to roll it into the house.  Much cheaper than anywhere else.  They only have a10yr warranty though.
This message was modified Oct 11, 2007 by schippec
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #22 Oct 15, 2007 10:44 AM
Foam Nerd
Location: USA
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 605
I have researched 8 other companies (listed in an earlier post) that sell latex, and FoamByMail has the best price along with good selection (1",2",3" in ILD 20 or 32, all standard sizes available). It still bugs me that I don't know who manufactures the latex, but it's of perfectly reasonable quality so I'm trying not to get hung up on it.

In fact, of these 8 companies, only 2 sell Latex International Talatech. One of these has it only in 3" thicknesses and does not have it in king sizes, the other has it in just 2" and 3", and both companies are ridiculously expensive.
This message was modified Oct 15, 2007 by haysdb
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #23 Oct 16, 2007 12:16 AM
Joined: Oct 1, 2007
Points: 10
For the price, I do not think that you can beat foambymail.  Granted, I have not dealt with any other brand of latex , so someone else could do a comparison of firmness etc but it seems ok to me.
This message was modified Oct 16, 2007 by schippec
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #24 Oct 16, 2007 2:59 PM
Joined: Sep 28, 2007
Points: 28
I'm very glad to hear some positive feedback about the foambymail latex, despite the ambiguity over where it originates from.  I received a sample of the medium latex, although I had nothing to compare it to nor anything to base my opinion on, I thought it felt nice.
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #25 Oct 17, 2007 4:32 AM
Foam Nerd
Location: USA
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 605
I have two more layers coming, so will be able to speak a bit more confidently about the quality of their latex.
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #26 Oct 18, 2007 10:42 PM
Joined: Oct 6, 2007
Points: 13
hayes ~ Thank you so much for finally getting to the bottom of the foambymail latex - I mean that it's not Talatech.  Very useful info you've provided. 
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #27 Oct 19, 2007 2:16 AM
Foam Nerd
Location: USA
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 605
I know what it ISN'T, but I don't know what it IS. I've stopped obsessing over it though because the quality is acceptable and the price is right.

I need to call them and get a tracking number for my most recent order. They don't send out any notifications and there is no way to check status online. For an Internet company they aren't very sophisticated.

Update: My order has not been shipped yet. The order was placed on Monday. I was given no indication that what I had ordered was not available in stock. In fairness, such a small order (two 1" toppers) isn't going to be a very high priority - this company sells a lot more than latex toppers. The CSR said an email would be sent with tracking information once my order has shipped.

I really haven't been sleeping very well. I hope it's just because my mattress is too firm and I'm changing positions a lot. So I was hoping they would get my order out within a couple of days.
This message was modified Oct 19, 2007 by haysdb
Re: foambymail latex - who owns it?
Reply #28 Oct 25, 2007 2:49 PM
Joined: Sep 28, 2007
Points: 28
Looks like I might be ordering everything sooner than expected, getting the furniture as early as tomorrow.

Foundation question:
Ikea appears to be out of stock, at all stores near me, of the adjustable flexible slat foundation.  That leaves me with the options of 1. waiting to see if it comes in stock in the next couple weeks, or 2 getting a flexible slat foundation which is NOT adjustable.

I'm looking for opinions on what you would do.

Also, any other reviews of foambymail latex would be appreciated.

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