I’m in a tight spot and would like any input the forum users can have for this situation.
I bought a Serta iCollection Hopedale Plush King mattress but I have reasons to beleive I was given a used mattress due to the fact it has body location sagging over 1.5" after only a couple of weeks using it. unfortunately, I can’t pin the store for it so I have one shot to pick a replacement mattress from them. After this one “Comfort Guarantee” replacement, I have no other recourse than warranty claims on the replacement mattress.
I’m limited to any mattress in the Brick’s current selection and was leaning towards the:
Simmons Beautyrest Hotel Diamond 6.0 (my wife liked the softness of it but I am leary of both the name and the innerspring construction.
or,
Serta iComfort Visionary (until I searched this site and saw negative comments regarding the quality of the construction of the Serta Visionary)
My question is, given the limited current selection from The Brick, What are the best value mattresses they currently have?
Also, if we use a memory foam mattress topper and go with a firm matress, will that increase the longevity of the actual mattress (assuming they use higher density foams in firm mattresses)?
I’m sorry you’re having issues with your new Serta mattress. I don’t have any advice on how to determine if you’ve received a mattress that was a “comfort exchange”, except the obvious signs of wear and also looking at the production date on the law tag and seeing if it is quite old as a potential indicator. The mattress you purchase uses quite a few layers of very plush materials in lower density ranges, and it certainly would be possible for this to impress quite a bit in early use and not be an indicator that is was used… Also, in the assembly, it is possible for the top quilt panel to be a bit too large or not be joined properly (tightly enough) to the pillowtop gusset, and this can also contribute to this problem. At a distance, this would be a few things that initially come to mind. I would also make sure that whatever foundations you’re using (if they’re not new ones that came with your mattress) are firm and non-flexing, and supported by a proper bed frame.
As I think you’re already aware, the major brands such as Sealy/Stearns & Foster, Simmons, and Serta all tend to use lower quality and less durable materials in their mattresses than most of their smaller competitors that will tend to soften or break down prematurely relative to the price you pay which is why I would generally suggest avoiding all of them completely (along with the major retailers that focus on them as well) regardless of how they may feel in a showroom along with any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the type and quality/durability of the materials inside it (see the guidelines here along with post #3 here and post #12 here and post #404 here).
However, in situations like yours when your credit lies with a store selling these types of items, my general recommendation is to choose a mattress that is on the firmer end of the spectrum and uses the least amount of these lower-density foams, and your idea of using some sort of a high-quality topper is a good one, as this can help to best extend the life of a mattress that you have available to you with your store credit. I’m not familiar with the complete lineup at the Brick, but I agree that you are helping set yourself up for a better comfort life for your new mattress with your idea of a firmer mattress with a topper.
One note: a “firmer” poly foam doesn’t necessarily mean that it is higher in density. The firmness is the IFD/ILD, and this is independent from the density, which is the best correlation to durability. It would be very unlikely that you’ll find any polyfoam in the products you’re considering that will use higher-density foams, which is why I recommend to minimize the foams as much as possible within the mattresses you’re looking at.
Thanks for your input. I wish i had found this forum before getting tied up in this.
After reading some posts here and checking out their inventory today, Would you be able to shed some light on the mattresses i’m looking at now?
Serta iComfort Aura, Intellectual, or Visionary models in Firm or Plush
Tempur Flex Tahoe or Brighton models
the difference between iComfort vs. Tempur Flex is $1000. i’m having a hard time justifying that price difference but I’m not able to find any information regarding the materials used.
Unfortunately, without specifications, I can’t provide any useful information for you.
The iComfort mattresses are “traditional” memory foam products and tend to use lower density foams. The Tempur-Flex are the “newer” Tempurpedic mattresses using innersprings. In the USA, the upper memory foam layers tend to be 4 lb, the next memory foam layer tends to be 5.3 lb, and the poly foam beneath that tends to be 1.6 lb. I don’t know if those numbers are accurate to what you have in Canada in your models.
The Tempurpedic will tend to use more durable materials than the iComfort, but I agree that the prices for both are in ranges I would consider difficult to justify.
If you’re able to find actual specifications, let me know and I’ll do my best to comment upon them.
