[quote=“Phoenix” post=40790]Hi dzignr_tastz,
This in and of itself wouldn’t be a concern for me and there are many manufacturers that have multiple brands that are sold through different channels. It’s a fairly normal marketing practice that is designed to attract different target markets.[/quote]
Yeah… I could see that, given that there actually are “different channels” or “target markets”. In this particular scenario with SleepShop, however, it seems they are trying to simply create the impression of competition where, in reality, there actually is none, and they (directly or indirectly) control and manufacture every different brand sold in their Amazon store.
On that same subject of “marketing”, however… while some companies might be more ‘forthcoming’ with specifics of the materials than others, how does the consumer really know that’s what they’re getting in the end, or if the manufacturer is even being truthful in their specifications (unless it’s simply a big time manufacturer with a good reputation and some sort of regulation)? Someone that purchased this very same mattress said the company quoted the densities as “Gel: 4 lbs, Core: 5.4” (which are only 2 of the 5 layers, so again, and incomplete - and somewhat misleading - answer), but I won’t begin to proclaim to know what different densities of foams feel like. All I know is the one time I emailed them after feeling the initial (and still) firmness of it they replied with “Our 13 inch mattress is the softest feel we currently offer (apparently, across all their models) and is made to have a plush ‘sinking in’ feeling”, yet in my opinion, aside from the top 3 inches of memory foam compressing (which I can feel ‘molding’ to my body), it is extremely firm from there down, with very little give (which might be good for longevity, but not much for comfort). In fact, I had no idea a memory foam product of any sort could be this firm, which I guess was my primary misconception after randomly testing a VERY comfortable gel foam Serta in Big Lots one day while picking up a few things during a 20% off store-wide sale. Had they offered that one in a king-size (but didn’t… queen only, period), I would have bought it on the spot, but that is what gave me the itch and I guess I jumped in too quickly looking for something else in a semi-comparable price range. Lesson learned… 
(My - lengthy, if you hadn’t guessed - Amazon review, under the same name, kind of explains how all this came to be if you have some - more - time to waste - LOL!)
I guess that part of the knowledge equation just comes from actually testing well-known mattresses of different materials in-store (not that I would feel great about wasting someone’s time to ‘edumacate’ me and then turn around and buy from someone else based on comparison)?
[quote=“Phoenix” post=40790]The only way to assess the quality and potential durability of a mattress relative to any particular person would be by knowing the specific type and quality of all the materials and components inside it (see this article). Without this information there is no way to make any meaningful comments about a mattress or make meaningful comparisons with other mattresses because you can’t “feel” or “see” the quality/durability of the materials. I personally wouldn’t buy a mattress where reliable information that a consumer would need to make an informed choice wasn’t available and I would consider it to be a “high risk” purchase with a much higher chance of buyers remorse.
For me I would treat “unknown quality” and “low quality” in the same way (high risk). IMO … there are too many reliable, knowledgeable, and experienced manufacturers and retailers that are completely transparent about the mattresses they make or sell and that sell good quality/value mattresses relative to their price range for a consumer to spend much time trying to “pull teeth” to find out information that should be easily available.
Phoenix[/quote]
Totally understandable. However, since I apparently jumped the gun on this endeavor and didn’t put in the time, in advance, to thoroughly research what I was buying (shame on me), I don’t mind putting in a little after the fact to get to the bottom of what I actually received… and quite frankly, don’t mind ‘pulling a few teeth’ (not mine, mind you) in the process if deemed necessary to get the answers I’m looking for.
Anyway - thanks again, and sorry for taking up so much of your undoubtedly valuable weekend!