I have been in contact with Costco.ca several times over the past few days trying to inform them of the incorrect specifications of the talalay topper that they are selling. Apparently they were in touch with the vendor who admitted to making a mistake however the correction on the website still indicated incorrect specification’s. I contacted Costco.ca again and they assured me that the specs. were correct and in a polite way told me to take a walk. I asked to speak to a senior manager and discussed the issue with him although I’m not to sure whether or not he was really listening. He did say that he would be contacting the buying department in regards to this issue.
I decided to call Latex International and I had a very productive discussion with a representative who offered to give Costco.ca a courtesy email regarding the specifications of Latex International’s latex, and specifically the one that Costco.ca sells.
I’m not to sure when this will reflect the information on Costco.ca website?
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Literie Laurier also called me back and told me they were tracking down the source of the mistake and had talked to Costco. It may take a while to show up on Costco because I don’t think they move that quickly but at least they know about it (along with everyone else who is involved directly or indirectly :))
I received a call from Costco this morning apologizing for the situation.
This is exactly the reason many people don’t shop online and it is unfortunate that vendors who have been in business for decades don’t know what they are selling. It is also unfortunate that there are vendors who will say anything to make a sale regardless if it is true or false.There should be stricter regulations in the bedding industry when it comes to labeling. Perhaps a stamp on the item as well as stricter guidelines when it comes to listing the specifications so that the average consumer knows exactly what he or she actually received for there money. The big S brands should have to document the specifications of there beds just as a maker of a jar of jam must.
Thanks again for the excellent site
I certainly agree with this and it’s especially true with some of the big box stores who tend to know little about what they are selling but of course it can happen anywhere in a supply chain either through mistakes, carelessness, or intent. I’ve seen quite a few listings on the big box stores where based on the shipping weights the foam densities were clearly wrong for example.
I agree with this in concept but I think the problem is that the regulations already exist and most mattresses or bedding materials already include information about the “ingredients” on the law label (just like a jar of jam). What they are missing is the quality or specifics of those ingredients and many food items are missing this type of information as well (such as not listing whether the food is GMO or other quality information or few details other than the actual type of ingredients or additives (which are often missing or generic as well).
Most governments also have regulations in place about mislisting products or misleading advetising but these are not well enforced in many cases and there are often “grey areas” where it’s difficult to know if something is a mistake or done with intent.
My personal thoughts are that if consumers stop buying “blind” items then the businesses that sell them will be forced to change more effectively than with more regulations that always include exceptions or grey areas and have many “hidden” costs involved.
Either way … the industry as it stands is not nearly as transparent as is “should” or could be.
I only have a minute to respond, unusual for me :lol: I have followed this thread with interest, and sympathy for Phoenix, who I thought showed extraordinary patience with what I thought was an over-reaction by jege41. Marketing hype has always been ubiquitous in our culture (watch a season of Mad Men). Costco, though generally a company with higher than normal ethics, still has ad writers who seldom know their products well. Even in small companies the copywriters often take these liberties and in large companies there is a complete disconnect.
TBS, I do find that even the higher quality vendors that Phoenix recommends are full of claims like “all natural Talalay” when they mean a blend. I see “organic” used for products that are probably a blend of synthetic and natural, but unlikely organic, rubber. I see terms like eco-foam for foams that have a small part of soy or other natural foams. There is BS everywhere, even from vendors who know better…
I applaud Phoenix for his efforts to have some effect on this, but more importantly, informing us so we can ask these questions. His effort to get Costco be truthful in advertising is above and beyond. I just hope he can manage to support himself and his family doing this for the consumer. My two cents! Lew
[quote=“LEW” post=15810]I only have a minute to respond, unusual for me :lol: I have followed this thread with interest, and sympathy for Phoenix, who I thought showed extraordinary patience with what I thought was an over-reaction by jege41. Marketing hype has always been ubiquitous in our culture (watch a season of Mad Men). Costco, though generally a company with higher than normal ethics, still has ad writers who seldom know their products well. Even in small companies the copywriters often take these liberties and in large companies there is a complete disconnect.
[b]I have watched Mad Men and personally that type of business practice IMO is slimy. If anyone wants to except being ripped off and take it with a smile that’s fine with me, but if you f*** with me I’m going to find a way to make things right…
False advertising is just that and it is against the law in both the USA and Canada, and misleading advertising is unethical and in some cases illegal.
[/b]TBS, I do find that even the higher quality vendors that Phoenix recommends are full of claims like “all natural Talalay” when they mean a blend. I see “organic” used for products that are probably a blend of synthetic and natural, but unlikely organic, rubber. I see terms like eco-foam for foams that have a small part of soy or other natural foams. There is BS everywhere, even from vendors who know better…
A claim by a vendor in this case said that his product was 85% natural and 15 % synthetic although it was 30% natural and 70% synthetic and you think that is ok and is no reason to be outraged, well not in my books.
I applaud Phoenix for his efforts to have some effect on this, but more importantly, informing us so we can ask these questions. His effort to get Costco be truthful in advertising is above and beyond. I just hope he can manage to support himself and his family doing this for the consumer. My two cents! Lew[/quote]
[b]I too think that Phoenix has proven that this site is an invaluable tool for shoppers buying a new mattress and I applaud him for being patient with me and others who come here to educate themselves.
In the end I won and the other’s that might have been sucked into buying something that was not as advertised. :P[/b]
“This topper sags and IMO the best way to measure the indentation is through the natural holes of the latex with a pencil ruler. I’m almost rolling back into the indentation when I move over, and yes after 5 or 10 minutes it puffs back up but crush’s easily when I move back to my preferred spot”
The “soft spot” issue is one we’ve run across all the time with EVERY foam mattress we’ve tried, regardless of material (latex, polyurethane, or memory foam). Warranties usually don’t apply unless there is measurable sag. The real problem is the softening! Just because the foam doesn’t sag under the weight of air (with nothing on it), means nothing about how it performs with a body on it!
That said, the latex cores in our best mattress did last about 8 years before this sag was unbearable. Fortunately, as far as the warranty terms were written, the sag was measurable & the manufacturer was good about replacing them.
If our latest foam experiment fails, we’re going to try air or go back to coil springs - both with a minimal high density foam pad. We have a custom coil spring mattress (that is too small for our main bed) that was slept on daily for 10 years until it became a guest room bed & it’s still like new & cost less than half what these fancy foam beds costs!
Hi Phoenix
I had a lengthy talk with Ken at Arizona mattresses and I have decided to give Talalay another shot.
I have ordered a Radium 3" talalay blend in an ILD of 28 and Ken assures me that this baby ain’t gonna sag anytime soon.
I am looking forward to receiving this item and will most definitely let you know how it goes.
I mentioned TMU and he was great about giving me a discount.
Thank you