Hi SueS,
I spent some time today updating the San Francisco list in post #2 here to include all the better options and possibilities I’m aware of in the Santa Rosa area as well.
Hope that helps…
Phoenix
Thanks so much for your thorough post! I feel better knowing I have more options to choose from. I appreciate the work/research you put into this. I’ll explore some of the listings, and get back to you with my findings. Bless you for having this great website!
Hi!
Checking in after my mattress purchase. I actually purchased it from one of the retailers in your San Francisco area postings. I used Sleep City Mattresses in Santa Rosa. I worked with a guy named Scott, and he was incredibly helpful. He really listened to my needs, and suggested a Spring Air back supporter mattress. It was a softer mattress, better for me being a moderate sized female and a side sleeper with sore hips and shoulders. Went back 3 times to be sure it was “the one”. It was a “Destiny Plush”. I thought about driving around the bay area to check other retailers, buy did not have the time or energy to do that. Plus, was not interested in a memory foam or latex bed.
Scott was very knowledgeable, and seemed to know his stuff. No pressure to buy other products. Came away with a queen bed for $850, tax included. The posted retail price was $1699.
I was happy with all that until the delivery today. They gave me a delivery window of 10:30am - 12:30pm. I spoke with the warehouse to confirm. At 12:45, I called the store who connected me to the warehouse. They said they would get to me in 20 minutes. Finally arrived 45 minutes later. They nearly destroyed my bed and apartment getting old mattress out, new one in. Have not slept in the bed yet to see how it is. Will post that later. I am also pursuing a Yelp posting, Facebook posting and call to the owners to discuss the delivery debacle.
So far, I can recommend this store, and the assessment about the bed is pending. Beware the delivery though!
Hi SueS,
I’m glad you were able to find a mattress you liked although the delivery doesn’t sound like it went too well at all :ohmy: .
I hope you made sure too that you were given the details of every layer of your mattress (including all the foam densities) so that you know the quality of all the materials that are in it and could make sure it didn’t have any “weak links”. This is one of the most important parts of any mattress purchase because it can give you a much better sense of the potential durability of the mattress and you can’t feel the quality of the materials when you test the mattress.
Phoenix
Hello, my name is Jerry and my wife and I have been trying to read as much info as possible on your wonderful site. She was all set to purchase a split king Tempurpedic but now after reading through your site I have convinced her that we may be able to purchase a similar type mattress for far less. Wondering if you could answer these questions.
-
We live on the California Central Coast (Nipomo, CA 93444) between Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo - just wondering if you have a recommendation for visiting a store in this area (if not, we can get down to Santa Barbara which is about 70 minutes away - should there be a store down there). There are a few large Mattress stores in the area - just wondering what your recommendation would be.
-
How do you find a mattress when you are dealing over the internet? Do you go into a mattress store - try out the 25 or so mattresses and then tell a store on your list that this is the type of mattress you like?
-
It appears that natural latex is at the top of everyone’s list these days. We are interested in a firm mattress (if 10 is the firmest out there and 5 is medium firm - then we’re probably looking at an 8) - based on that - are there various mattresses we should concentrate on?
Thank you
Hi palermo22,
The better possibilities I’m aware of in your area are listed in post #2 here. These are possibilities because like all the lists on the forum you need to make sure that any retailer or manufacturer you are dealing with can provide you with the details of all the layers of any mattress you are looking at so you can know the quality of the mattress, identify any weak links, and make meaningful comparisons with other mattresses. The Santa Barbara list is in post #2 here but there are no factory direct manufacturers there except one that would not be one of my first choices.
As you mention … the first step is always to test mattresses locally because this is the “safest” choice because you can test the mattresses in person. If there are better online options available in terms of quality or value than any of your"finalists" locally … then I would talk with some of the better online retailers or manufacturers you are considering and if they have good knowledge and experience you can use your testing as a guideline to help them help you make the best choice. Again though … this depends on knowing the details of the layers in the local mattresses that are your “finalists”.
I would follow the steps in post #1 here and the information it links to (this is the most important post on the forum) because it’s probably a little too early early in the process to begin concentrating on any specific mattresses until you have read some of the basic information and done some testing to clearly identify your preferences. If latex is your preference then I would call each retailer or manufacturer before you visit them and make sure they have latex mattress on their floor that you want to test. I would also test some other types of mattress initially as well just to make sure that latex really is your preference because it’s very different from memory foam.
Hope this helps.
Phoenix
Phoenix - thank you for the information. Today (actually the past few hours) we went looking at mattresses at a couple of local stores near us - the biggest being “Get-a-Mattress”. We first looked at the Tempurpedic - if we were to get that (which I don’t believe we will - because we liked the latex mattresses better) - we liked the Rhapsody the best. We then looked at about ten different Latex Mattresses and we liked Pure Latex Bliss the best. Within PLB - my wife liked the Nature 10" and I liked the Nutrition 11" - but it was so close that I don’t believe it would matter. I read a couple of other posts where some people also liked the PLB a lot but wound up with different mattresses from some of the sites on your site.
My questions:
-
Since my wife is so afraid to buy a mattress sight unseen (she has a bad back) - would I be able to find this exact mattress from one of the companies on your site?
-
Is there a reason why we shouldn’t get this mattress?
-
Is there another similar (very similar - almost exact) mattress that you would steer us to?
Thank you
Jerry
Hi palermo22,
Just as a matter of interest … you can see the specs of the PLB line (assuming that it is the new active fusion line with the blue cover) in post #2 here. As you can see the Nutritioin is a little different from the rest because it uses what is called a dominant layer of firmer latex over softer latex while the rest use soft latex on top with increasingly firm layers as you go deeper. this means that even though it’s thicker than the Nature … it’s actually a little firmer on the surface and the “softness” is more underneath. This creates a different “feel”.
There are only 3 ways to “match” another mattress which you can read about in post #2 here.
The first of these involves side by side testing in “real time” which of course wouldn’t be possible here. It’s quite possible that two mattresses with completely different layering could feel and perform the same for some people because of the “net effect” of all the layers combined … even if they were different … but you could only know this with personal side by side testing.
The second would be two mattresses that used identical layers and components. This would include foam type, layer thickness, layer softness (ILD) and the cover. This also wouldn’t normally be possible (unless you purchases all the layers and a similar cover separately) because while many mattress manufacturers use the same type of latex … the exact same layer thicknesses and ILD (softness) of the PLB mattresses may not be available with online manufacturers in the exact same combinations with the same type of cover.
This leaves the third option which means that you would need to use a combination of materials that were available that in theory would “approximate” the net effect of the layering of the PLB mattress you were trying to match. Because the feel of a mattress can be quite subjective, and different people may be more or less sensitive to smaller changes, some people would say a different combination was an exact “match” while others may say it was quite different. Because subjective memory is not particularly accurate … and a mattress that you test one day can feel very different from the same mattress that you test the next day (or even later in the same day as many people who test mattresses have discovered) … it’s usually better to think in the more objective terms of how well a mattress relieves pressure and keeps you in alignment rather than trying to “match” one mattress to another in more subjective terms.
If for example you were to buy a mattress online that used four 3" layers and one of these was was 24 ILD (soft) and one was 32 ILD (medium firm) and two were 36 ILD (firm) then if you used a stretch knit cover and put them in the order M/S/F/F you would have a mattress that many people would think was very similar to the Nutrition even though the ILD’s were different and the layer thicknesses of one of the layers was different as well. Thicker layers will act softer than thinner layers so the extra thickness of the second layer could make up for the greater firmness. Some people would be more sensitive to the differences however based on their body type, sleeping positions, or sensitivities and which layers were most noticeable to them even though both may be fine in terms of PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences). Many online choices also allow you to re-arrange the layers and to even exchange layers so you can do some fine tuning that you can’t with the PLB and your final choice may end up being a better match than the PLB even though none of the combinations of layers would be exactly the same. You could even use less latex (three layers) that in certain combinations would feel very similar to one of the PLB mattresses. Even a two layer mattress could have a very similar feel depending on the layers and how they interacted together.
The goal is always to have the combination of PPP that is the best match for you and there are often different pathways to a similar outcome. Being “exact” is not normally necessary for the majority of people who will do well on a range of layering combinations that have similar PPP. In the end though … it would depend on your level of confidence that any mattress you buy will be suitable for your needs and preferences in the long term and this confidence can be based on your personal testing, more detailed conversations with other manufacturers or retailers you are considering (which I would encourage no matter which direction you choose to go), or exchange options you have available after your purchase.
From a quality point of view no. It uses high quality materials and there are no weak links in the mattress so from this perspective there is no reason not to. Whether or not you should buy any mattress though and its “value” to you depends on what I call your “personal value equation” and all the tradeoffs that are involved in any mattress purchase that are most important to you (including the mattress, what goes with it, your confidence that it is right for you, any options you have after the purchase, any “risk” involved, the price, and any other objective, subjective, and intangible considerations that are all part of what you are buying). Post #12 here from yesterday has more of my thoughts about online vs a local purchase and the pros and cons of each.
In terms of exact construction, not that I know of off the top of my head no (unless you were to purchase all the layers and components separately and put them together yourself which is certainly possible and would be very close). Similar to my previous comments though there are many that could be suitable in terms of PPP that have differences in layering but this may be outside of your “risk tolerance” and local purchases are “safer”, especially if you have tested the mattress specifically and objectively for PPP (and not just it’s “showroom feel” which is not a particularly accurate way to assess your needs and preferences). Everything depends on the tradeoffs that are most important to you and each of us may have a different definition of “value”. There is no right or wrong in any of this once you have eliminated your worst options and are focusing on better ones (and the PLB would be among the better ones compared to most mainstream choices).
Phoenix
Thank you again, Phoenix.
In my research yesterday, I was in touch with Santa Barbara Mattress - I told them that we had seen the Pure Latex Bliss Nature and Nutrition mattresses that we really liked. They told me that they actually had a manufacturing plant in Ventura (about 1 1/2 hours south from where we live) that goes by two different names: Churchill and Smith - and Spencers Ventura Mattress/Pacific Design Center. They told me that they can produce a better mattress at a lesser price. Just wondering if you or anyone else has heard of this company or better yet - if anyone has purchased from them.
Thanks
Hi palermo22,
You can see my earlier thoughts about them in post #2 here. Churchill & Smith, Santa Barbara Mattress and Ventura Mattress and others are all part of the same “family”.
When I talked with them for over an hour a few months ago, Karen at Santa Barbara Mattress told me they were “dabbling” with manufacturing their own mattresses so I thought I’d call again today and ended up spending over an hour talking with Churchill & Smith and even longer with Spencer (the owner) at Ventura Mattress and it’s clear that they are doing more than “dabbling” now. They are making a broad range of very high quality mattresses and doing things right. They are clearly “mattress people” with over 30 years experience in the industry and I think it would be well worth a trip to Ventura where they carry the whole line (which they don’t in Santa Barbara). They are certainly knowledgeable about the mattresses they make and the materials that they use inside them.
Phoenix
Phoenix - we are edging towards the PLB Nature mattress. But I am confused again: PLB has a natural latex and an all natural latex - do you know what the difference is and, if so, which one should be chosen - and why.
Thanks
Hi palermo22,
The “natural” talalay is blended and the “all natural” talalay is 100% natural. It’s confusing and I think their names are misleading (and many retailers don’t know the difference or which one they have). As you can see on their site … the “natural” (which is the blended) has a 20 year warranty and the “all natural” (which is the 100% natural) has a 10 year warranty because the all natural isn’t quite as durable in the lower ILD’s (softer). The blended is also less expensive. They also talk about the difference here.
You can read more about the two different types of Talalay in post #2 here and about all the different types of latex in post #6 here.
So the choice is a preference but hopefully this will help you decide which one is best for you.
Phoenix
Phoenix
We have decided to go ahead and purchase the PLB Nature mattress.
Just wondering if you are familiar with “The Mattress Expert” Store. They have the best prices but I don’t know how reputable they are. Together with saving on sales tax - it would amount to a $610 savings over the local stores here on the California Central Coast. What I won’t get for this savings is the company taking away our old mattress and no type of program that guarantees a trade-up program should we not like the mattress.
Any advice would be welcomed
Hi palermo22,
You can see my thoughts about The mattress Expert in post #11 here.
As far as which direction to go it really comes down to your confidence that you are making the best choice and on your personal value equation and which of the tradeoffs involved are most important to you. I tend to lean towards a local purchase vs online until the difference is about 20% or so at which point I would give more serious consideration to an online purchase. Of course each person may have their own number depending on the relative benefits and tradeoffs involved in purchasing from each retailer. I would certainly let the local merchant know that you are looking online so that they have the chance to give you their best price and service.
Phoenix
Any recommendations for Columbia SC 29229?
Hi SamR,
I think post #438 here should be helpful and also includes a link to the “read first” post which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines you will need to make the best possible choices.
Phoenix
Great site Phoenix! It looks like I’ll probably order a 3" latex topper from Brooklyn Bedding to replace the worn out high density foam layer that came on my Natural Form bed. After reading through some of the posts I definitely feel better about ordering from them online as they sound like a great company to do business with.
Thanks again and I’ll post how the topper works out for me.
Hi lookin4sleep,
Brooklyn bedding is certainly a good choice and they also have a good exchange policy if you need it
I hope you have the chance to give us your feedback when you receive it. You are certainly replacing your HD polyfoam with a higher quality replacement.
Phoenix
The only thing that concerns me is that the new latex topper might be to big. If it’s much bigger than 58 x 78 the wool cover won’t be able to zip around the mattress and the cover seems a little bulky. I’ll have to call Chuck next week to find out if the cover has a zipper so I can take it off if necessary. Even though BB has an excellent exchange policy I’m concerned about the cost of shipping it back if it doesn’t fit. That’s really the only thing delaying my purchase.
Do you know of any stores in the Des Moines, IA area that carry a similar product?
Thanks
Hi lookin4sleep,
As far as I know their queen toppers are 60" x 80" (standard) and the covers don’t have a zipper but they have been known to make alterations to their standard sizing so it may be worth asking. You could also ask them to ship it without the cover and it would be easy to cut to size if it was a little too big (using an electric knife is the easiest).
Some of your options I’m aware of in Des Moines that would be worth calling are in post #6 here (I don’t know the individual products or toppers they carry other than what is on their website).
Phoenix