I wasn’t sure where to post this, so Phoenix, feel free to move it if necessary.
Just thought I’d put in my two cents. I wanted a latex bed for the longest time. I’d decided to kind of “build my own” because latex mattresses are so heavy and I thought if I layered toppers I’d get to the same result. I started with someone local and bought a 31 ILD on their suggestion. I then found this site and eventually Brooklyn Bedding. At this point, I wondered if I should continue with “building my mattress” or just start over with a mattress from them. I talked to Chuck and he suggested since I have a 31, to get both a 36 & 28 because that would give me a good bed. I placed the order and looked forward to getting it. In the following days I had the opportunity to lay on a friend’s bed who had a 24 on top. That felt pretty good. I wondered if I should change it so called to talk with Chuck and he wasn’t available so got Mario.
Mario’s energy is quite different from Chuck (more like a car salesman) and he told me I should be looking at gel memory foam beds, since regular memory foam is too hot for me. I was pretty confused by the end of the conversation so asked him to cancel the order so I can think things through.
I did go to the big box mattress stores (on Mario’s suggestion) and laid on the gel memory foam beds. I decided I preferred the bit of springiness latex offers more than the feeling of the memory foam. I called to reorder and got Jacob. He thought I should have a 24 instead of a 28… and I was willing to try it.
When I got my toppers, they’d sent a 28 instead. The order clearly said 24, but someone crossed that out and hand wrote 28, plus the writing on the plastic wrap said 28. I called and told Jacob and he said that can’t be, he’s sure they sent a 24. Well, many phone calls later and supposed checking on their end and they agreed they sent me the 28, not the 24.
They were willing to swap it out, but we decided to wait and see how it was before swapping, in case it worked fine. He told me returning was easy – they’d send me a big box (because the toppers are super compressed to fit in the small boxes they come in), and a return label. Oh, also during this time, Mario got into the picture again and told me I should just talk to Chuck again since he set the order up in the first place. I said I’d like to, but he’s not been available. Mario said he was going to talk with him and have him call me within the half hour. I’ve never heard from Chuck.
It’s been about a week now and my hips are still sinking lower than the rest of me (I’m 120lbs) plus I’m sleeping way too hot. I wake up several times in the night just hot. I was surprised because I’d read and have been told that latex doesn’t sleep hot. I did an internet search and actually did find others who also slept too hot on latex. It’s the only thing different about my sleep set up, so I tend to think that’s what’s causing it.
I called Jacob today to explain all this and find out about returning them. They have a 120 day return policy. After refreshing his memory regarding who I am and which order I had, I expressed the problems of sinking in too far and sleeping too hot. He started in with how it isn’t possible for me to sleep hot on latex. Their latex is the coolest and doesn’t sleep hot and it must be something else causing it. He asked about my setup, what sheets do I have etc.
My setup hasn’t changed for years. I use 100% cotton sheets over my 7 year old organic wool topper (Snuggle Mate from Shepherd’s Dream), and a down comforter I’ve had for an enormous amount of years. I’ve never, ever slept hot. I actually feel heat under me.
I tried just laying on the latex, not my wool topper, and within an hour felt heat plus it just wasn’t as soft as with my topper.
Jacob told me I should stop using my wool topper and that must be the problem. Then told me it’s my comforter and I should get rid of that. And he even said “You know that 28 ILD is softer than 24, right?” Uh, no it isn’t.
Ok. Everyone has off days yet I’ve felt that these guys don’t really know that much about anything. Maybe Chuck is the brains and it’s too bad he can’t clone himself… 
So the returning part. Now, since I don’t want to “exchange” the toppers – just return them, I’m on my own. I have to get my own boxes that will fit them and of course pay return shipping. I do feel they should pay for the 28 since it was their mistake sending it, but it’s all so confusing when talking to them I’m thinking I’ll try selling them on Craigslist first. I’d even talked to both Mario & Jacob when the boxes first came and I saw the mistake on the packing slip. I wanted to return it before opening it. They told me to just open it because returning it was so easy… whatever.
I’m disappointed latex doesn’t seem to work for me. I love the feeling of it and I really like my latex pillow. I don’t feel hot with that at all. Is that odd? And I’m bummed that this setup doesn’t seem to give me the support I need in my hips. If I wasn’t sleeping hot, I’d try different firmness levels to get the support and softness I need for pressure points.
What’s next for me I just don’t know. Maybe a spring/coil mattress with another wool topper. Any thoughts on how to cool off the latex? Is that even possible?
I envy everyone who’s having a dreamy time on their latex. You’re all very fortunate!!!