Which mattress? (merged threads)

andyfr_2

We would be happy to buy online but obviously want to try some first. Still not sure how to find out the independent mattress manufacturers.

e102gamma

I've found this a problem as well. Even when you find them, how do you know if they're any good?

Tim_Deegan

e102gamma wrote: »

I've found this a problem as well. Even when you find them, how do you know if they're any good?

The best way if you were to buy through ebay is to actually contact previous buyers.

The thing is you don't know if a bed is any good by trying it in a shop either. Just 10 mins on a mattress is no way of telling how it will be to sleep on, or how long it will last.

e102gamma

Most people say a good bed should last around 10 years if well looked after. Previous buyers are unlikely to have had the bed long enough to know whether it will reach that - I'm assuming most Ebay shops haven't been running for 5+ years and I'm not sure manufacturers keep the same models going for that long anyway (at least not the exact same spec).

Even if you were to contact people who've had beds for 5-6-7 years, the company could have changed in that time. It seems manufacturers are often merging, cutting costs, changing hands etc. The only way to truly know is from people with an overall view of the industry, but then they may have their own biases.

If I thought trying a bed in a shop gave a true indication of quality I may well have ended up with a SilentNight Miracoil! :eek:

I guess I'm looking for too definitive an answer. That doesn't seem to be out there. (I'm sure I'm repeating myself >.<)

Tim_Deegan

e102gamma wrote: »

Most people say a good bed should last around 10 years if well looked after. Previous buyers are unlikely to have had the bed long enough to know whether it will reach that - I'm assuming most Ebay shops haven't been running for 5+ years and I'm not sure manufacturers keep the same models going for that long anyway (at least not the exact same spec).

Even if you were to contact people who've had beds for 5-6-7 years, the company could have changed in that time. It seems manufacturers are often merging, cutting costs, changing hands etc. The only way to truly know is from people with an overall view of the industry, but then they may have their own biasses.

If I thought trying a bed in a shop gave a true indication of quality I may well have ended up with a SilentNight Miracoil! :eek:

I guess I'm looking for too definitive an answer. That doesn't seem to be out there.

You have summed it up quite well. Even brands thatmight have been good quality 10 years ago may have now lowered their quality in an attempt to cut production costs.

e102gamma

I just read something interesting. Does it really only take 10-60 minutes to make a mattress? That's pretty quick. Manufactures must be making out like bandits. :O

What kind of mark-up do mattress sellers make? I'm wondering how much room there is for negotiation. :money:

Tim_Deegan

e102gamma wrote: »

I just read something interesting. Does it really only take 10-60 minutes to make a mattress? That's pretty quick. Manufactures must be making out like bandits.

What kind of mark-up do mattress sellers make? I'm wondering how much room there is for negotiation. :money:

Yes that's right (depending on the quality and build of the mattress). However the components of a quality mattress can be very expensive.

Some retailers have up to 500% mark up, but other run on a much lower profit margin. So it would depend on who you are buying from. How do you think some stores can afford to offer 50% off in sales?

e102gamma

How much does each part of a quality mattress cost (roughly)? Just curious.

Sealy, Pocket Spring Bed Company etc. are made in different factories, correct? Does that mean the quality varies greatly between the different SilentNight brands (not that I'd get one anyway)?

I keep reading that thick fillings are a bad idea because they tend to sag, go lumpy etc. Is that right?

markp1960

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

Yes that's right (depending on the quality and build of the mattress). However the components of a quality mattress can be very expensive.

Some retailers have up to 500% mark up, but other run on a much lower profit margin. So it would depend on who you are buying from. How do you think some stores can afford to offer 50% off in sales?

500% mark up! I need to get a job with one these retailers, I could earn a fortune.

Tim_Deegan

e102gamma wrote: »

How much does each part of a quality mattress cost (roughly)? Just curious.

That depends on the quality.

e102gamma wrote: »

Sealy, Pocket Spring Bed Company etc. are made in different factories, correct? Does that mean the quality varies greatly between the different SilentNight brands (not that I'd get one anyway)?

I don't really know to be honest, but it wouldn't make good business sense to make the springs in a few different factories. So I should think that individual components for the whole group are probably made in the same factory. The whole group are in the Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria area, so they aren't exactly far apart.

e102gamma wrote: »

I keep reading that thick fillings are a bad idea because they tend to sag, go lumpy etc. Is that right?

A good quality mattress will have layers of fillings, but a cheap one may have fewer layers that are individually deeper, and can go lumpy...........who told you that anyway?