Let me preface my question by stating I have done my homework on mattress buying guides here and on reddit. I know what specs to look for and how to find these specs. I also know if you cannot find these specs, the mattress is likely sub-par. I know what I SHOULD buy.
With the above information in mind here is my situation:
I am a 26 year old, broke college student living with my girlfriend and neither of us can afford a new mattress right now. My lower back is in pain and I am experiencing neck issues on and off for the past 4 months. So even though we really cannot afford a new mattress we are being forced to buy something so I am not miserable.
About 10 months ago we made the stupid decision (I was not as informed back then) to buy a Tulo mattress from Mattress Firm. I was in a rush to replace my full sized mattress so when we moved in together we did not have to sleep so close together. About 3 weeks later, I was so miserable on this mattress we did an exchange at Mattress Firm and ended up with a Sleepy’s Hush because it felt pretty damn nice in the showroom after testing a few models thoroughly. I knew this was not going to be a mattress that lasted 5-7 years but I was not asking that from an $800 mattress given I was limited to store credit and a budget of 0 additional dollars spent after trading in the Tulo. Well the Sleepy’s lasted a whole 9 months and now it has gotten to the point where I wake up every morning miserable and my lower back is SO sore. We have it on a metal platform and it provides plenty of support for the mattress. My hips are “hammocking” into the mattress and causing pressure on my lower back. So being that the mattress is already way beyond the initial 120 night trial and does not fall under a warranty claim, I felt I was out of luck and was going to need to eat the cost. Mattress Firm escalated the issue after chatting with someone and it turns out they will exchange the mattress and honor the original value so I can use store credit to get a new one. This still only leaves me with $800 to spend (minus restock fee and additional delivery fees for new mattress). My girlfriend and I really cannot be spending too much right now and have agreed we could each spend about $200 to upgrade ($400 total). If I REALLY have to, I would spend a little more and go for $1600 maximum.
I really like the feel of Beautyrest PressureSmart Lux Medium, but this seems like another quality issue waiting to happen. I am 5’11 and 160 lbs and my girlfriend is 5’7 and 125 lbs. I know the foams are lower quality in this bed but what else can I do? What I want the mattress to do is last a resonable period of time. Maybe 3-5 years. Is it wise to just walk away from Mattress Firm and start from scratch somewhere else? I really don’t want to lose $800 if I do not need to.