I just found your website and have read several articles that have provided me with some great information on purchasing a new mattress. Thank you!!
However, before finding your website, my husband and I purchased three new innerspring mattresses since November and everyone has had the same issue. Within a few weeks or less, the mattresses formed an indentation under my husband’s hips and lower back. We have placed towels, washcloths etc. on the indentation in an attempt to “fill the hole” and alleviate the back pain he now experiences just about every morning. But that is not really working.
We had our previous traditional innerspring mattress that could be flipped for about nine years. As it was beginning to wear, we decided to purchase a new mattress and box spring. However, we now wish that we had kept the old set because it was much more comfortable than any of the three new mattresses that we have recently obtained to go with the new box spring.
We are located in the central Florida area and our zip code is 33825. So, my two questions for you are, where could we buy a traditional mattress in our area that would meet our needs and what should we look for so that we do not end up with another mattress that forms an indentation that ends up causing back pain.
Thank you.
Jean
Hi Jean,
Just in case you haven’t read it yet … the first place I would start your research is the tutorial post here which has all the basic information, steps, and guidelines that can help you make the best possible choices … and know how and why to avoid the worst ones.
While this is usually a symptom of lower quality materials in the comfort layers of a mattress that soften or break down prematurely … because this has happened 3 times in a very short space of time it could also be that you are choosing mattresses that have comfort layers that are too thick and/or soft so even the normal foam softening that happens in the first few weeks of ownership during the break in period for any new mattress may have taken you over the edge of the range of comfort and/or support that is suitable for you (see post #2 here). There are also some ideas in post #4 here that may be helpful (and I would check your foundation or support system to make sure that it’s not the issue) but if it’s the mattress there are really no great solutions for a mattress that is too soft or that has developed impressions or soft spots because it would normally require removing and replacing foam layers (vs a mattress that is too firm where you can add a topper).
There isn’t a forum list for your area but time permitting over the next few days, I’ll take a look at some of the options in the Avon Park area and list any of the better options or possibilities I can find in this thread.
In the meantime … the closest factory direct manufacturer is in Bartow, FL and you can see some comments about them in the Tampa/Clearwater/St Petersburg list here and in the Bradenton/Sarasota list here. There is also some feedback about them from one of the forum members in this thread.
The other forum lists that are closest to you are for the Orlando, FL area in post #2 here and the Melbourne, FL area in post #4 here.
I would make sure you know the quality of the materials inside any mattress you are considering and would look for higher quality materials. I would also make sure you do some careful and objective testing on any mattress so that you know it’s a good match for you in terms of PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences). If you follow the steps in the tutorial post one by one you will have the best chance of success so you won’t end up repeating your experience for a 4th time.
Phoenix
I think you are making a good decision by following your gut instincts and looking for a local manufacturer who can provide you with an (at least somewhat) custom made mattress.
This has made all the difference for me.
I wouldn’t buy an “S” brand it anything like it again. I’ve wasted too much money and time and it’s not worth the sleepless nights.
Bite the bullet and find someone local who can make you a good bed.
What I found here in Boston is a company who still hand-tufts mattresses. They make good old fashioned two-sided mattresses. Also, a good mattress like this will probably have a 15-year warranty. Their customer service and no-frills prices with little haggling should tell you it’s probably a good bet too.
I just had a bed made for myself that is pocket coils (if you are both concerned with motion transfer and want something harder you might consider offset coils (the old fashioned type) with whatever comfort layers you like on top of the coils. I chose to have my company tuft cotton and wool on top of my coils (it’ll be pretty firm but the pocket coils will move with my body after the break-in period). I am starting firm and will purchase a 1" or 2" topper if need be, perhaps play around with the comfort layer a bit.
Better to start firm and build your way “up” with softness.
Anyone who can’t tell you what’s in their mattresses I stay away from, although if I feel the company could be good I ask questions of at least one other sales rep who might have more knowledge.
Thank you both for your help. I have read the tutorial, a couple of times actually, and found that to be quite helpful. All of the three mattresses we purchased were firm or extra firm as that has been our preference for numerous years. But they all developed the same issue. I will continue to read over some of the many articles on this website and use this information to buy a mattress with better quality materials from someone local. I have also checked the website info provided by Mr. Fox for his shop in Holly Hill, FL and like what he has to say. Even though, it will be a 2 1/2 hour drive for us, I have a feeling that is where we will be heading soon to purchase our next mattress.
Thanks again.
Jean
Hi Jean,
While it would be a long drive and a day trip … for a purchase as important as a mattress that you will own for a very long time it would be well worth it IMO.
If you do decide to take the trip I would probably call Rick first to have some initial conversations on the phone about the criteria that are important to you and perhaps narrow things down a bit so you can spend your time there more efficiently. You will also get a good sense of their knowledge and approach to customer service.
Phoenix
ADDED:
I took a look at the Avon Park area within about 50 miles which included about 3 dozen stores or chains in my search and these are the stores that I would consider as a “possibility” on a mattress by mattress basis (depending on whether you can find out the specs of any mattress you are considering). You would need to confirm what they carry on their showroom floor because websites are often incomplete or incorrect but I’ve also listed the brands they mentioned on their websites that may be worth considering where the odds are higher that you will be able to find out what you need to know to make an informed choice.
http://www.orlandomattresscompany.com/ and http://atlasmattressfactory.com/ Lake Hamilton, FL. They are local manufacturers who are working in partnership and make a range of good quality mattresses. They generally make commercial mattresses for hotels and cruise liners but they also sell direct to customers at the Atlas Mattress showroom. They make traditional mattresses (innerspring/polyfoam using a wide range of foam densities depending on budget), latex, latex hybrids, and microcoils and are transparent about the type and quality of the materials that they use. Both Orlando Mattress and Atlas Mattress can provide information about the materials inside any of their mattresses. They can also custom build.
http://www.highpointfurniturepro.com/id74.html Sebring, FL. Body Rest, Symbol
Winter Haven's Furniture Store | Brooks Furniture & Mattress Store Winter Haven, FL. Sherwood Bedding
http://sleepworldwh.com/ Winter Haven, FL. Therapedic
Bartow Mattress & Upholstery 1720 N Park Ave, Bartow, FL 33830 - superpages.com Bartow, FL. Factory Direct Manufacturer. They have been making mattresses for over 100 years and make traditional two sided innerspring mattresses as well as 6" two sided latex mattresses on a working box spring. They are open about providing information about the quality/density of any of the materials or layers in their mattress. They will make memory foam mattresses but like many smaller manufacturers prefer more resilient materials so they tend to discourage it and may not have any memory foam on their floor.
http://discountfurnitureyard.com/View_our_Catalogs.html Lakeland, FL. Easy Rest, Sleepinc.
http://www.lakelandmattress.com/mattresses.html Lakeland, FL. Symbol.