Let me apologize up front if this is not where I should post my question but I attempted to ask this under the General Mattress category. I have read and researched on TMU since 2016. I am afraid to make an online purchase of a mattress because of the problems people have had with getting refunds/returns. It makes me want to just go to a store in my area where I can talk face to face with someone, and more importantly, find the store manager, if I need to return a purchased mattress and start to have issues. None of the trusted partners have stores in my area of the country. So I am going to have to settle for a mattress from a retailer in my area. The closest city to me is Little Rock, Arkansas. There are Sleep Number stores, Denver Mattress, and of course all of the “S” mattress retailers in my area. I have been searching for 6 years and I am sick of the hunt. All of the information is just too confusing, and I am now hurting nightly and every morning. I have to get a mattress! I have a Sterns and Foster pillowtop that is 22 years old! It is way past time!! The firm support was great 22 years ago, but I am 61 years old now and I need shoulder and hip/back support. I want to feel like I am sleeping on a cloud. My boyfriend needs firmer support. I would like a hybrid mattress in a split king. I prefer a mattress that I can flip. I tend to sleep hot. I think I need a Talalay support layer with a layer of quality memory foam or another latex layer underneath. My boyfriend prefers a medium support mattress. Is there a retail store in my area that will work with me to get close to what I need? I’m willing to drive 2-3 hours if I have to to get a mattress–the problem is I really wanted it delivered and my old mattress taken away. I have had trouble with sales people being able to answer my questions regarding the materials that make up mattresses that they show me. Are there any knowledgeable people in my area??
hearn_g:
I’m sorry, but I don’t have any relationships with knowledgeable retailers in your part of the country. I’ve asked the site admin to place your post in the General Forum where someone might be from your area and have better information for you.
One thing I would caution you about is making assumptions on what you might need, such as a “hybrid” mattress (the term is so diluted these days that it really has no meaning), or very specific combinations of materials (such as latex and memory foam like you mentioned). You certainly might be curious to test out some items like these in a showroom, but I’d also strongly consider the guidance of a knowledgeable professional to help you find appropriate componentry.
Until that time, be sure to familiarize yourself with the information presented in the Mattress Shopping Tutorials on the website here. Nothing that you need to memorize - just review these so that you know enough to have an idea what makes a quality mattress, and to know if you’re speaking with an individual who is educated about mattresses and componentry and has your best interests at heart.
I did a forum search and back in 2012 Phoenix did put together a few thoughts about the Little Rock area. This information may be outdated. and by no means is a detailed analysis of the market, but it could serve as a place to start:
[i]There are a couple of “Little Rock” posts but no “Little Rock” thread so I’ll amalgamate the information here and perhaps add a little bit as well. Some of these may be outside of your budget (such as the all latex options) but I’ll include them for others in the area who may be looking at different choices.
www.jordanmattress.com/ Local factory direct manufacturer in Hot Springs. They make a range of mattresses including latex, innersprings, and memory foam and other high quality materials. Have been making mattresses for over 50 years. I talked with a salesperson there who had been working there for 18 years but I haven’t had a chance to talk with the owner who is the “materials” expert. I would certainly include them in my research.
Denver Mattress® - The Easiest Way to Get the Right Mattress North Little Rock, Conway, AR. Regional factory direct manufacturer that makes a wide range of mattresses including latex, memory foam, and innersprings that use higher quality materials. They are open and transparent about the materials they use but I would focus only on the mattresses they make and not the major brands they also carry.
www.dreamlinebedding.com/ Wholesale manufacturer in Cabot which makes a range of mattresses including memory foam and a latex/memory foam hybrid which use some high quality materials and look interesting. They are wholesale only so it would take a phone call to find out which retail outlets may carry them in Little Rock.
www.yellowpages.com/cabot-ar/mip/north-little-rock-mattress-co-14360601 Retail store in Cabot which carries some of the Dreamline mattresses on their floor (and can order what he doesn’t have). While he doesn’t know the densities of the memory foam or polyfoam used … he is more than happy to call and find out for those who ask (and everyone should ask to know the quality of the materials used). NOTE: their website is currently down so I would call first to make sure they are still in business.
Redirecting... Retail store in North Little Rock. They carry Sleeptronic which makes a wide range of mattresses but they carry mostly innerspring/polyfoam promotional mattresses and memory foam specialty bedding and don’t carry latex on their floor. They do understand the importance of knowing the materials in their mattresses and are happy to provide the specs they know about or can find out from their factory. NOTE: their website is currently down so I would call first to make sure they are still in business.
Once again … bear in mind that the only way to know the different quality/durability of foams that are used in a mattress is to know the density of any memory foam and polyfoam used. Lower density layers should be kept to an absolute minimum to avoid premature softening … especially as the budget range increases. The easiest way to know this is to deal with someone who is knowledgeable about the different types of foams and mattress materials and also how to fit a mattress to a customer’s needs and preferences instead of just saying “find the one that’s the most comfortable”. The more they know the less research you will need to do on your own.
This article may help you to know some of the qualities of better outlets and how to do some foam research before you go there.
Phoenix[/i]
Good luck!
Thank you so much for your time and giving me this information. I will use this to guide me toward a retailer that can help me.