From here in Vancouver, after eliminating American sources based on dollar value and personal value e.g. “try-ability”, buying Canadian, etc., I decided to buy locally. I do have a US receiving service for stuff I just can’t source (reasonably) here, so convenience was less of an issue. Personally, I wanted:
- All or mostly latex – organic preferred, but not essential
- Ability to try the mattress and customize the configuration to us
- Layering options – the ability to change the set up further down the road
- Flip-ability
I decided to go with Snug Sleep at their factory in North Vancouver; I do hope you get a chance to speak with Don and get more information on his materials and service, which are, as you’ve taught us, a big part of any value equation. N.b. I just spoke with Don; he has a container of latex arriving next week and will be crazy busy for the next week or two – for interested folks, early February would be the best time to set something up with him. :woohoo: our mattress!
The latex is organic Dunlop (I read Arpico) and the included flexible foundation/box is of his own design – he sources the pine locally and makes it himself. He’s open Saturdays for people to drop in to check it out and when you’re ready to buy a mattress, you make an appointment with him for a private “fitting”.
He spent over two hours with us getting the layers just right; prices include the foundation, but one would likely still want a simple frame under it – which he can also make. We like that he offers standardized pricing – same for everyone. That said, while we were invoicing our purchase, I spotted another invoice on his desk (from upside down, even) that was lower in price; he explained that it was for a slightly different latex mold, called latex gold “AIR”, of which he has very little stock remaining.
Since it would save us around $600, we decided to use it for our layering, and settled on an 8.5 inch all latex set-up for under $2000 Canadian plus tax. Don then spent more time with us getting those layers just right, too!
One question for you – do you know anything about latex gold “AIR”? He said his source is not making it anymore due to the mold being damaged; he also pointed out that this product does use less latex material, which is reflected in the lower price. I looked it up on the net, but only found a Bulgarian company. It wasn’t a sales ploy, since I was the one who’d noticed it in the first place and brought it up, and we’d already decided to purchase from him at that point anyway.
On another note, the bedding products are fabulous, and a real deal at the factory with the purchase of mattress; we picked up an alpaca/ wool duvet and 2 wool “knop” pillows and love them.
Hope this is useful,
Skookum