That’s certainly true for the major brands but there are still dozens of smaller manufacturers around the country that are still making very high quality innerspring mattresses including two sided versions (see post #404 here and post #3 here). In the case of the mainstream industry though that most people are exposed to through their advertising … it’s certainly true that they “don’t make them like they used to”.
In my search for a new innerspring mattress, we first tried a “S” model mattress, we slept on it one night and after making it in the morning, we noticed body impressions and a raised ridge running down the center. After investigation, they had ordered and delivered the wrong mattress, but after that experience we decided we did not want another “S” model. So the store told us about a small manufacturer and we decided to try one of their mattresses…they gave us information on the unit materials…ranging from the quilt (Natural FR Rayon Fiber, comfort foam, comfort foam) then the mattress:
1" soft memory foam
1" soft memory foam
HD comfort foam 1.95
HD Support foam 2.5
Cooling gel lumbar memory foam
HD support lid 2.5
Foam encased 6 turn 475 zoned 12 1/2 guage
High density base foam
Then the 16 slat zoned foundation
The day they came to pick up the “S” model, they delivered the mattress described above. When they removed the plastic there was a large lump from one edge sloping to the center of the mattress…so the company sent another and we thought we were in business. They suggested rotating it every two weeks for the first 3 months and then monthly. At the two week mark (this week), we rotated it and the side that I don’t normally see as I walk through the room had a bow, making the side rounded and at the same time we noticed it was happening on one end. It’s like the foam inside is shifting…so I took pictures and emailed to the store. At this point, I am frustrated and that’s when I decided that innerspring was probably out of the picture. The store is coming to pick up this mattress and I really don’t see the need to try another. Also, after sleeping on this mattress I have low back pain which I thought might get better since they say you need to sleep on it at least 30 days for your body to adjust to it. If I hadn’t gotten rid of my old mattress, I would probably be willing to just sleep on it another 12 years!
So long story to tell you what has brought me to investigate latex. The store we had been dealing with was an hour away and belongs to friend who has been great to deal with. The Lady Lark is from the store I purchased our S&F from (local) as I mentioned before…since I loved the mattress I purchased years ago, I thought I might have the same success this time around. I feel the owner will be as truthful as he has the knowledge to be and he has been telling me for several months that he has not found an innerspring mattress that he’s just thrilled with and to be prepared that any new one will not last as long as my old one, due to the way they are making them.
Thanks for pointing out that the information I received regarding the Jamison Lady Lark unit was not the same as what was listed on their website…I have contacted the store about this and the owner is going to call me back.
As far as the latex in the Lady Lark, you say it is blended…so it’s not 100% Talalay latex? I’ve read that blended is 70/30, is that correct? If it is blended, it seems the price is steep for the product?
All that being said, I totally agree that I need to lay on the mattress at least 15 minutes and plan on doing that…I always take my pillow so I can get a true reading since I had cervical disc fusion several years ago and if the pillow is wrong, then I can’t evaluate the mattress.
BTW, I have no idea if I did the “quote” right when I tried to copy it from your post…if I did not…sorry!
Thanks again,
Terre