My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Jan 31, 2010 1:48 PM
Joined: Jan 31, 2010
Points: 54
Hi guys,

I signed-up for this site because I conducted some research of the various types of beds out there.  Based on my research uncovering huge problems with each option, I have no idea what to buy.

I need to buy a new bed soon..

When I researched spring mattresses I found the following problems:

- They usually sag after a while and the sag is most often not covered under warranty because the warranty states that some level of sag is acceptable to them, the manufacturer, whilst the buyer remains stuck with a sagging mattress.

- they allow for dust mites etc. to accumulate

- it is impossible to comparison shop due to shady collusion between manufacturers and retailers obfuscating the features/specs of the products

- from my own personal experience with other spring mattresses, I don't like how they have thousands of tiny balls form on them, kind of like pilling in clothing...I presume that all spring mattresses do that?  I really hate that.

When I researched memory foam mattresses, I found the following problems:

- they tend to crap out after a few years

- they get infested with mold if they get wet and then they are health hazards and nothing can be done about that

- some of them emit toxins due to the glue used in their manufacturing or something

Ok, so now that I know about these problems, I will feel like a sucker for buying any kind of bed. Yet, I still need a bed so I will have to buy something.

Is there any kind of bed that doesn't have these problems?

I hope you guys can help give me some clarity as to how I should wade through these problems and determine  what I should buy.  What kind of bed can I buy that will give me the peace of mind of knowing such defects won't mess with me in the future?

I live in Toronto, Canada and my price range is about $1500-2000 CAD but I might be willing to go higher (maybe up to $3500 CAD max)  if I can find a bed that doesn't have any of the aforementioned type of problems.  I do not have a lot of money, so it is very important for me to buy a bed that will last for around 10 years at least.

This message was modified Jan 31, 2010 by confusedbedbuyer
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #23 Feb 3, 2010 7:35 PM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Well I have a Flobeds and I was terrified of buying a mattress I'd never tried online . .. but I have been really happy with the mattress and the customer service.  Not sure what to say about the shipping to Canada, except that it sounds like you'll be at the mercy of the shippers, which is really unfortunate.  I have one other idea.  Why don't you contact Latex International directly and find out if they supply latex to any mattress manufacturers in Canada?  If you could go directly to a Canadian source and order your latex there . . .I mean, as great as Flobeds is, basically they are selling you Latex International latex with a very nice cotton and wool zippered mattress cover.  If you can source the exact same latex in Canada, and a zippered latex cover, then you can probably save yourself a whack of money.  But use the mattress advisor on LI's site to figure out what ILDs to order your latex.
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #24 Feb 3, 2010 7:46 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
KimberlyH wrote:
I agree about the "I smell a fish."  I haven't ever seen a mattress made by an "S" company that was really 100% latex.  What I suggest you do, is take a very careful look at the label when the bed arrives.  You'll be able to read the entire content of the mattress and if you see any foam other than latex in the "ingredient list," send that puppy right back.  I hope you have a money back guarantee.

Another thing that makes me suspicious is the price.  $1800 for an all latex bed is at least $200-300 less than it "should" be.  Having extensively priced latex mattresses, in queen size, you can get a *quality* mattress for around $2000, but not less unless you're going to a discount place like . . . foambymail and doing a DIY project.


Yes, and $1800 is their listed price! We all know that S Co's always list one price and then sell it about 25-40% less than that. So that price for an all latex mattress just doesn't sound right.
I would try talking to someone else about it, see if they give you the same info... Maybe call the Serta Company and talk to someone there, or a dealer - whoever you have not talked with yet...

I'll say this, if it is as they are telling you , it is a pretty good deal.

If you are sure you get a 30 day trial, then give it a shot! But be very wary.
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #25 Feb 3, 2010 7:51 PM
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
Points: 18
KimberlyH wrote:
I agree about the "I smell a fish."  I haven't ever seen a mattress made by an "S" company that was really 100% latex.  What I suggest you do, is take a very careful look at the label when the bed arrives.  You'll be able to read the entire content of the mattress and if you see any foam other than latex in the "ingredient list," send that puppy right back.  I hope you have a money back guarantee.

Another thing that makes me suspicious is the price.  $1800 for an all latex bed is at least $200-300 less than it "should" be.  Having extensively priced latex mattresses, in queen size, you can get a *quality* mattress for around $2000, but not less unless you're going to a discount place like . . . foambymail and doing a DIY project.

I think the Costco Sleep Science latex mattress is the only *legitimate* first quality all latex mattress out there that might run under $2k, and although people have raved about it, I have my doubts about the quality of the latex in that.  I suspect fillers . . . though not having seen or tried it first hand, my suspicions are absolutely baseless.

I did provide a link for the product. It's a $2800 set but it's on sale now for $2499. I only purchased the mattress minus the boxspring. I asked for a few hundred dollars off and they agreed. Like I stated, the only non-latex padding is in the quilted covering. And that's the same quilted covering used in any mattress.

Here's the link. For some reason the "insert link" button isn't working in my browser.

http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta-Opulence-Plush-P43.aspx

This message was modified Feb 3, 2010 by london79
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #26 Feb 3, 2010 8:05 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
they *could* be using quiltable latex in the top quilted layer, however it is doubtful.  If the law label lists polyurethane then it is probably at least some polyurethane in the quilted layer (maybe an inch or so). 
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #27 Feb 3, 2010 8:10 PM
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
Points: 18
budgy wrote:
they *could* be using quiltable latex in the top quilted layer, however it is doubtful.  If the law label lists polyurethane then it is probably at least some polyurethane in the quilted layer (maybe an inch or so). 

I did test this bed out for a few minutes. It felt great. I'm not concerned so much with the quilted layer. I know that any other type of foam inside supporting me would be bad. And based on the specs given to me over the phone and what's on their site, there were no other types of foam mentioned or listed. I specifically asked was there any other type of foam present and the Serta rep told me there wasn't. If there is then that makes him a liar. But they give you 90 days to test it out.
This message was modified Feb 4, 2010 by london79
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #28 Feb 3, 2010 8:22 PM
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
Points: 18
jimsocal wrote:
Also, nowhere on the page you gave us, above, does it SAY "100% latex"!


Serious question. Is there some other Talalay out there I'm not aware of?? Product description says "Support Layer - 100% Talalay Core". The Serta rep said this layer is 8". Next 2.5" is "Convoluted Talalay Latex". Then the .5" "Cool Nature Latex" layer.

Also, this mattress is not the same as the Pure Response line of Sertas.

When it arrives and if there is a way to unzip it, I will take pics and post for any doubters. 
This message was modified Feb 3, 2010 by london79
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #29 Feb 3, 2010 9:55 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
im gonna go out on a limb and say much to my surprise that it sounds like there isn't any polyurethane foam used in it.  however, what I do trust more than specs on a website, or even from a dealer rep (most of them don't really know), is the law label itself.  If there isn't a zip off cover, just read the law label tag.  If there is polyurethane present it will be listed on the tag.
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #30 Feb 4, 2010 1:48 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
I have to admit, from what london says, it does sound like it's 100% latex. But very hard to believe. I hope it's true! Maybe this means that the Big S companies are going to finally make some quality mattresses for a change... !
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #31 Feb 4, 2010 2:13 AM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says.  If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label.  If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one :)
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #32 Feb 4, 2010 9:40 AM
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
Points: 18
KimberlyH wrote:
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says.  If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label.  If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one :)

I will gladly post pics. And like I stated, I had to negotiate that price for the mattress only. I don't think you would have that option ordering online.
This message was modified Feb 4, 2010 by london79

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