Mattress Stores/Factories in the San Luis Obispo, Ca Area

[phoenix]

Hi joy.cheri,

Saleswoman totally pressured us to buy something because the company was ending their mattresses, so if we wanted it we had to order today. Turns out they were just changing the outer “ticking”. This was after I pressed her about it. Then she totally lied to me about what was in a mattress. I told her I was looking for a mattress without polyfoam, and she said a mattress (that I had to order today) had only a 1/4 inch of memory foam. I looked at the spec sheet, and there was some other kind of foam. She said she didn’t know if it was polyfoam. Whatever. If it was latex, you’d be telling me. She also didn’t know any of the foam densities. Bah!

I’m glad that you were “armed” so that you knew not to give in to the sales tactics and pressure. If the mattresses that were changing were the Pure Latex Bliss (now called Pure Talalay Bliss) mattresses then you can see the differences in the new models in post #2 here but as you mentioned for the most part it’s only the covers that have changed.

The good thing was that we tested out an all latex mattress and just didn’t like the bouncy feel of it. Bummer.

I’m glad you had a chance to test some Talalay latex mattresses. Dunlop latex is less bouncy so it’s possible that you may prefer Dunlop latex. There is more about the general differences between Talalay and Dunlop in post #7 here.

So now I am looking for innerspring/latex mattress, which doesn’t seem to be available in our area.

There are many people who prefer latex/innerspring hybrids (see post #13 here) and outside of any other local options that may be available in your area … some of the better innerspring/latex options I’m aware of are listed in post #2 here and the post it links to but if you wish to test any of them in person rather than ordering online you would need to check their websites or call them to see if any of them have a dealer close to you.

The mattress we did like was an Aireloom Maribel. I liked the luxury firm (assuming that is medium-firm), while my husband liked the Firm.

It’s unlikely that you will be able to find out the type and quality of all the layers and components in an Aireloom mattress at any retailer that carries them (see this article) which means that it generally isn’t worth the time to even test them (see this article) and I would avoid them (along with any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the specifics of what’s inside them).

Any advice on how to proceed apart from driving to Ventura or Salinas to check out a local mattress maker? I’m nervous about buying a mattress without trying it, but making the drive to those places with our kids seems impossible.

If you want to test innerspring latex hybrids then the next step would be to find out for certain whether there are any available in your area by calling the retailers on the list. If there aren’t any available then you would need to decide on whether to consider other types of mattresses that are available locally or to purchase an innerspring/latex hybrid (or any other mattress) online.

If you do decide to consider online options and when you can’t test a mattress in person then the most reliable source of guidance is always a more detailed phone conversation with a knowledgeable and experienced retailer or manufacturer that has your best interests at heart and who can help “talk you through” the specifics of their mattresses and the properties and “feel” of the materials they are using (fast or slow response, resilience, firmness etc) and the options they have available that may be the best “match” for you based on the information you provide them, any local testing you have done or mattresses you have slept on and liked or other mattresses you are considering that they are familiar with, and the “averages” of other customers that are similar to you. They will know more about “matching” their specific mattress designs and firmness levels to different body types, sleeping positions, and preferences (or to other mattresses that they are familiar with) than anyone else and their guidance will give you the best chance of success.

If you aren’t confident that an online mattress will be a suitable choice in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and your own Personal preferences) then I would also make sure that you are comfortable with the options you have available after a purchase to exchange or return a mattress (and any cost involved) to reduce the risk just in case the choice you make doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for.

Phoenix