Thanks for the leads and the helpful advice.
We drove all over SoCal, to do more mattress shopping and were impressed by several beds. Of all the mattresses we demoed, the two we liked most, on the basis of 10 min tests (how much can you really learn in 10 min?), were the Copia and the Tempur-Pedic Rhapsody Breeze. Which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise since they’re designed in a similar way to do the same things.
The Copia and Tempur-Pedic felt about the same in the sense of balancing softness and support, luxuriously soft over fairly firm, with the edge in both luxuriousness and sense of support to the Tempflow; we’ll take it on faith that Tempur-Pedic’s “Breeze” system works as well at keeping a mattress from getting too hot as the Tempflow system; build quality for both mattresses appears excellent; overall Tempflow mattresses seem to be significantly greener than Tempur-Pedics; Tempflows are made in the USA from American foam; and the Copia is roughly half the price of the Rhapsody.
To be clear, price aside, we both liked the Copia better than the Rhapsody.
Another consideration – one which made us leery of buying online from a company without local representation – was that we’re close enough to Relief Mart that, if we need to, replacing the mattress under warranty won’t be a problem. It’s an issue with us because our current memory foam mattresses (plural because split Cal king) gave up the ghost after only four years, and because they came from Florida it’s more trouble to deal with the warranty than to simply spend the money for new and better.
All in all, the Copia seemed to make the most sense. As a “shopping experience” Tempflow was laid back, low pressure, and compelling. We talked a little business with Brian, the salesman, when we visited Relief-mart and a little more when I called to make the purchase. After a little negotiation, Brian put together an attractive deal for us with a few extra discounts beyond the usual. I enjoyed doing business with him. .
We ordered it on November 6,along with two pillows (our first memory foam pillows), the “organic” mattress pads, and delivery which included installation as well as hauling away our old (split Cal-king) mattresses…
As Tempflow mattresses are made to order, there is a slight wait. We received a delivery estimate of “about two weeks.” No doubt it will be ready on the 20th when we’re out of town, because of the innate perversity of the universe. :huh:
Unless there’s something more to say about the bed sooner, I’ll check back in here after we’ve had long enough to form an opinion – probably early December.
Here’s hoping this helps someone,
Rich