Which mattress? (merged threads)

randm

reading all the threads (pages) , i am wondering if there was a basic guide on here as to buying a mattress. I know not to get an unturnable mattress and that for a kingsize mattress i need between 1000 and 1800 springs- is that per mattress?And what is a good depth to buy, on a pocket sprung non foam mattress. I suppose what i should ask is what criteria should a mattress meet to make it a good quality mattress?!!!!! mandy

bryanb

witney123 wrote: »

[
In a word no, I am falling into a schoolboy error I know after spending a small fortune on bedroom furniture, I am trying to cut corners I guess and save some money, where I live in oxfordshire the lack of independant dealers selling anything decent at a reasonable cost only leaves me dreams, bensons sleep depot, furniture village with their over inflated mark ups so they can offer 50% off to a nearer true value if that, so I was going to wing it as anything would be an improvement..

Have you tried Minty in Botley or Abingdon beds, guess where?

witney123

Yes your right and called Abingdon today, very helpful, I am popping over next week, I think buying something like this over the internet may save a few quid, however it can become an expensive mistake.

I will see what info I can yield from them, having been in retail in the past I guess your independent is worth it's wait in gold oposed to the poorly scripted salesman of the big guys out there,they usualy point to the info card next to the product as that is there only product knowledge.

They mentioned a number of big companies that were not worth touching, as for an independant bed maker they suggested shakespere beds represent good value for money, I think it is a breakaway from Relyon when they got bought up....anyone heard of them or bought from this company?

markp1960

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

Very true, but as you will probably know there is no benefit from this, so it is just a gimmick to get people to part with more money by saying the mattress has a higher spring count.

Agree too a point, but a mattress is recipie of ingredients that are put
together to create a certain feel. There are many reasons why some models cost more than others and it doesn't just revolve around the spring count. When trying mattreses customers will first, foremost and ultimately make a decision on it's comfort/support and suitability for them. Mattresses are highly personal. You could argue the '2500 Widget Supreme' may have more springs than perhaps is really neccessary but if, together with it's other ingredients creates a feel that certain customers like over and above all others they have tried then they are making a choice that is right for them.


I actually talk to many people in a non salesman type way in order to find out exactly what would be most suitable for them. I ask them what their previous mattress was, and why they are replacing it. From this strong patterns start to appear, and they all point towards higher spring counts being less reliable.

The first sentence I wholeheartedly agree with & the customer will thank you for it but the last sentence........mmmmmmm........


If the fillings protect the springs too well then they will actually stop the springs contouring to your body. The springs need to be able to work independently in order to work properly, so too much protection from the quilting will prevent them working as they are designed to.

Some sense here but I still cannot accept it makes the spring unit unreliable.


Now come on, I thought you could see above all the hype and gimmicks in the bed industry. It's the same as asking why Silentnight still make the miracoil system...........because due to the power of advertising they convince people that it is actually a good spring system.

Silentnight is a volume producer aimed at the mass market and I agree their Miracoil system is probably a triumph of marketing over content (I don't sell them so I'm spared) We are talking about products at the other end of the market here and I am questioning the unreliable & 'gimmick' aspect you point to. Most of these companies don't market to the same extent as Silentnight and many don't just concentrate on spring count.

You know as well as I do that both retailers and manufacturers will tell people many things to get them to part with more money. For example "the more memory foam the better", or "this mattress has been made non turn for your convenience", etc..........

...but there are plenty of canny customers who will see through this kind of thing and seek sensible alternative advice.


Most sales reps are told what to tell people by the manufacturers, although they may tell you a little of the truth so that you don't think you are being too dishonest. It's how big industries work.

Tim much of what you say on here is sound but to suggest that this industry is full of 'gimmicks and hype' is somewhat overblown and too generalistic.

"They may tell you a little of the truth so that you don't think you are being too dishonest" ???????????? Never underestimate peoples ability to think for themselves Tim.

Like all trades there are questionable practices sometimes and it exists to some extent both with high street and internet retailers alike and it annoys me too.

As previously declared I'm in the independant retail trade. My work colleague of over 10 years is 53, I'm 48 and I can assure you that for seasoned mattress purveyors like us we don't need to rely on hype or gimmicks when talking to customers. And we are certainly not told what to say.

Any issues regarding problems with mattresses/beds end up on my desk, but in my experience I just genuinely don't recognise this particular problem regarding pocket spring mattresses.

I sold my first pocket spring mattress in 1979....what a frightening thought.

Tim_Deegan

markp1960 wrote: »

Tim much of what you say on here is sound but to suggest that this industry is full of 'gimmicks and hype' is somewhat overblown and too generalistic.

"They may tell you a little of the truth so that you don't think you are being too dishonest" ???????????? Never underestimate peoples ability to think for themselves Tim.

Like all trades there are questionable practices sometimes and it exists to some extent both with high street and internet retailers alike and it annoys me too.

As previously declared I'm in the independant retail trade. My work colleague of over 10 years is 53, I'm 48 and I can assure you that for seasoned mattress purveyors like us we don't need to rely on hype or gimmicks when talking to customers. And we are certainly not told what to say.

Any issues regarding problems with mattresses/beds end up on my desk, but in my experience I just genuinely don't recognise this particular problem regarding pocket spring mattresses.

I sold my first pocket spring mattress in 1979....what a frightening thought.

I'm not going to get into an argument about it, as many MSE members have actually backed up the fact that the bed industry (probably like any other retail industry) is full of hype and gimmicks. It is only when people know the truth that they begin to realise all the rubbish that they are often told.

At no point have I questioned your integrity or honesty, and it is good to see someone else on here who isn't trying to misslead the general public who find bed buying a minefield. However I have seen the evidence of lower reliability for higher spring counts. I'm sure you will even admit that very expensive mattresses with very high spring counts aren't worth the extra money.

markp1960

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

markp1960 wrote: »

I'm not going to get into an argument about it, as many MSE members have actually backed up the fact that the bed industry (probably like any other retail industry) is full of hype and gimmicks. It is only when people know the truth that they begin to realise all the rubbish that they are often told.

At no point have I questioned your integrity or honesty, and it is good to see someone else on here who isn't trying to misslead the general public who find bed buying a minefield. However I have seen the evidence of lower reliability for higher spring counts. I'm sure you will even admit that very expensive mattresses with very high spring counts aren't worth the extra money.

It was the specific comment you made that caught my attention as it was an issue that I am not familiar with hence my challenging it. Your opininon is based on 'evidence' but what in what form does the evidence become apparent? Does the wire actually break, become distorted, causes sagging and excess settlement or is it case of the mattress life not being as long as the higher price would suggest?

Mattresses of any quality will occassionally have issues and sometimes with more expensive products it can be difficult to assertain. I haven't had any issues with high count ps matts recently (fingers crossed) but one will come about at some stage no doubt.

I am not a defender of expensive ps matts/beds (my most expensive is £1500 - so i'm no where near the really expensive) If your referring to the £3000 - £4000 market then yes they are overpriced but some people will buy them.

EnaSharples

EnaSharples wrote: »

I have been reading my way through the posts here for a few weeks now and have come to the conclusion that mattresses are mostly individual choice, but I definitely need some help making that decision.

I want a double mattress to go on a metal bed with wide spaced slats (I will buy a board to put on top of these)

My mattress now is way to hard for me. Great for my husband as he is built like a pole, but I need a bit of give! I don't want anything too soft as I also need support and am used to the plank mattress we now have!

I will be sharing the bed with my daughter who is 18 months, to get her used to sleeping in a bed in the right room, but will be bed hopping from there to my own room!

I spent the day in John Lewis laying on various mattresses but they all felt too soft and cosy. Our Mattress is cold and firm and I like the coolness of it (no memory foam for me!) All of these were warm and soft and bouncy.

I have looked at a few and I wonder if could tell me if they are good brands, too soft/hard and which you think is best?

Kozeesleep Caversham
Simmons Bedstead 1000 Mattress (one site says firm, another medium?)
Pocketmaster 1000


Is there another manufacturer anyone can recommend. I don't really know any small independent manufacturers. I don't want to spend more than £350 as It will eventually be my daughter's bed.

Can anyone help?

Lorraine

Have just found the Kozeesleep Regency for £240 for a double. This looks like a great deal to me, but is it?

markp1960

witney123 wrote: »

Yes your right and called Abingdon today, very helpful, I am popping over next week, I think buying something like this over the internet may save a few quid, however it can become an expensive mistake.

I will see what info I can yield from them, having been in retail in the past I guess your independent is worth it's wait in gold oposed to the poorly scripted salesman of the big guys out there,they usualy point to the info card next to the product as that is there only product knowledge.

They mentioned a number of big companies that were not worth touching, as for an independant bed maker they suggested shakespere beds represent good value for money, I think it is a breakaway from Relyon when they got bought up....anyone heard of them or bought from this company?

Shakespeare beds are part of Kozee Sleep (Midlands) and are made in Birmingham. Although I don't sell this make I was in their factory showroom last year and I thought they had some very nice stuff at sensible prices. Hopefully the place your going to will have a good choice and some people that know their business.

witney123

Thanks markp1960

Yes basicly that is what they said too, the Shakespere range represented good value, ok not the best mattress out but at the price point very good, they seem to sell some more expensive stuff there like Millbrook and Somnus, but obviously guided me within my budget of £350 - £500.

The chap that spoke on the phone listened first to my requirements first and spoke afterwards...always a good start with a sale.

I already have the Kozeesleep ( leeds ) supremo deluxe guest bed and this has proved to be better than any other at the price.

markp1960

witney123 wrote: »

Thanks markp1960

Yes basicly that is what they said too, the Shakespere range represented good value, ok not the best mattress out but at the price point very good, they seem to sell some more expensive stuff there like Millbrook and Somnus, but obviously guided me within my budget of £350 - £500.

The chap that spoke on the phone listened first to my requirements first and spoke afterwards...always a good start with a sale.

I already have the Kozeesleep ( leeds ) supremo deluxe guest bed and this has proved to be better than any other at the price.

Cheers. Let us know how you get on.