Hi mb,
I’m not sure if you are being allowed to return your mattress for credit towards another mattress or are able to return your mattress for a full refund. I am assuming it is the first.
There are some comments about City Mattress in this thread and also in this thread.
You can find the layering and construction many of the Prana line here. While their latex mattresses are good quality … they are also significantly overpriced IMO.
I’m not sure what “2 asay” means but I’m guessing this is a mattress which uses a 2"comfort layer over a polyurethane support core? If you have a link to the specific mattress you mean it would help to find out its actual construction and the materials that are in it. Being able to tell how good it is and how long it will last depends on being able to know the actual type and quality of foam that they use in each layer. A mattress is only as good as its weakest link and knowing what this is is only possible if you know what is in each layer. The highest quality foam and the most durable is latex but it is also the most expensive material. Even a high quality mattress though that is really good quality may not be “good for you” as each person’s best choice depends on their height and weight, body shape, sleeping positions, and preferences. The goal is to find a mattress that not only uses good quality materials and construction but is also suitable for each individual.
Other than that … I would spend enough time in the store actually testing for pressure relief and spinal alignment and would spend at least 15 minutes on each mattress you are considering in all your sleeping positions and making sure that you are on each mattress long enough to allow your muscles to completely relax. Testing a mattress with tense muscles (not taking enough time for your muscles to completely relax) or only for it’s overall “feel” rather than specifically for pressure relief and alignment will often not translate well into your actual experience when you sleep on a mattress at home.
So overall … while I suspect you are somewhat “trapped” into buying a replacement mattress from the same outlet, you can at least make the best of the options you have available by carefully testing each mattress (for suitability) and making sure you know the materials they use in every layer (for quality and durability). This will put you in a much better position to make meaningful comparisons between your different options and which may have better value than another.
If you are actually getting a refund and you are looking at other outlets … I’d be happy to let you know of any factory direct outlets I know of that may offer better value if you let me know the city you live in. If not, if you can link to a specific mattress you are considering I’d be happy to let you know my thoughts about the quality of the materials they use or suggest some questions you could ask if they don’t list the “ingredients”.
Good luck and feel free to post any other question you may have.
Phoenix