Westminster Mattresses?

Pinkypants

I have already said that double deckered springs counts are not necessary. But sometimes the little changes in feel of the mattress, make it just right for the individual.

The OP HAS tried this mattress, LIKED this mattress and it's in Budget. So in my mind it has a lot going for it.

Not doubt the OP could keep searching and trying hundreds of mattresses. But just how much time and energy should they invest.

The OP has found a Pocket sprung mattress with 2 inch of memory for £299 regardless of spring count, that's a good buy!

The most important thing is that they have tried the mattress, so no concerns about DSR or it turning up via the internet and being a bag of crap and having problems sending it back.

I have looked at so many online retailers that fail in terms of DSR's. Mainly they charge either a re stocking fee or charge the initial delivery. Both of which are illegal.

Pinkypants

d.ross wrote: »

The main reason for double layered springs is to push the spring count up, and actually has a very minimal effect on feel or support. In short it is more of a gimmick.

That's not that helpful really is it.

Do you have any other suggestions for a mattress?

That the OP can try in a store?

Just saying that A's no good or B's a gimmick, doesn't really help the OP, suggestions suggestions are needed.

Pinkypants

d.ross wrote: »

Well I used to work in a store that sold many of the big names, and I wouldn't really suggest any of them.

To be honest I think that the OP is on the right line by looking for smaller brands.

Trying them out in the store won't really get them anywhere, and just gives you a false sense of security. So I'd say they should make up a list of the types of mattress that they like, and then contact an on line retailer.

Surley trying them out in store is the best way to go about things! As mattresses especially if you have a bad back are all about comfort.

Recommending expensive brands isn't really very helpful on a money saving site either is it?

Kaymed and Healthbeds do make a great product, I have yet to see a smaller company make a product to match their specs. Also Kaymed have reduced their prices by quite a lot lately, they are no longer expensive, top end yes, but sure are value for money.

Haffiana

I am going to wade in and say that it is never money saving to buy cheap and have to replace quickly. We spent what seemed a fortune on a Vi-spring mattress, and it is still in as perfect condition and as utterly comfortable as it was when we purchased it over 10 years ago. No sags, no depressions, it is perfect. There is no reason why it won't go at least another 10 years. It is simply a very good mattress, made carefully, made with proper pocket springs and properly upholstered, doesn't need foam layers or any gimmick like that, and it just does the job very well.

You spend a third of your life in bed. It is worth spending money on a decent mattress, and worth spending it once. It is *not* money saving to buy cheap, spend 1 year sort of OK, 2-3 years with increasing back ache, and then replace.

bifold

d.ross wrote: »

The main reason for double layered springs is to push the spring count up, and actually has a very minimal effect on feel or support. In short it is more of a gimmick.

I worked with pocketed springs for over thirtyfive years and double or triple layered springs are no gimmick,by being able to change the gauge of spring in each level allows greater choice of surport and comfort.
If you want to just increase the spring count then a standard pocket spring with a smaller pocket inserted inside,doubles the spring count.
I have been lucky to work mainly in the top end/bespoke trade .

Pinkypants

d.ross wrote: »

No it's not all about comfort for a short time in a shop. It's about support and comfort, which you can only test by sleeping on the mattress.

You know as well as I do that there are many big brands who make mattresses that are very comfortable when new, but simply don't last or give support.

But that's not reason alone NOT to try the mattress, there are many smaller brands in store to try!!!

Very very few companies will offer a returns policy. Even a famous person on here offered that very service and look at the argument that followed on here. So much so, that, he had his posts and service removed.

Very few customers if they even DO find somewhere that offers the chance to sleep on the mattress and return, will bother. It's just too much hard work for 99% of people.

That will be waiting in for 2 deliveries, dragging the mattresses up stairs twice, dragging other mattresses downstairs twice. All because the description of the mattress says Medium/Firm and the customer who weighs 9 stone finds it too firm.

Everyone is different shapes, sizes and weights. Everyone's perception of what is firm or soft is different, likewise for support what supports one will not support all. How it feels to the individual is how it feels, it's a personal preference.

So the best way is to try in store and if it's that important take your time, lie on the bed for 20 minutes or so, if not longer if needed. I had a guy try a mattress for well over an hour before.

All mattresses feel different when new, compared to the old mattress, because the body has got used to the old one. It can take weeks getting used to a new mattress and most T+C's say 14 days for exchange, which is not enough time either.

For the record I sell both Brand names and the smaller companies as well. The brand names are there because we get ask for them all the time, people like the fake security that the name gives. Yes I tell them why they have heard of them, because of the advertising, that the end consumer pays for etc etc....



The other side of the coin is that the brand names are all over the internet. Just find a make and model and put it into Google, it becomes a bum fight over price! Nothing more nothing less a price war. The internet retailers can't make a healthy profit from the brands.

So I would suggest that many online retailers push the unknown brands for two reasons,

1. some are made better, that's for sure.

2. They can make a bigger Profit ££££££££
Because they are not flooded all over the internet. If the products where really that good, everyone would be selling them.

This is part reason the brand names get such a kicking. Some are still very very good.

Pinkypants

d.ross wrote: »

No it's not all about comfort for a short time in a shop. It's about support and comfort, which you can only test by sleeping on the mattress.

You know as well as I do that there are many big brands who make mattresses that are very comfortable when new, but simply don't last or give support.






Yes they are good quality, but they are both very very expensive (especially Kaymed). As for the specs, well many British made memory foam mattresses actually contain Kaymed foam. And many of those are just as high specification, and often far higher.

So the smaller companies buy the memory foam from Kaymed at the same price that Kaymed make it for?? Or do Kaymed put a margin on it, I'm sure they do.

Kaymed sell there own memory foam in their own products, so to me that would mean better value for money.


Many smaller companies DO NOT make anything, they just buy in all the individual parts and put them together. The springs, the tick, the fillings most don't even do there own Fire Testing. They just prey, that all the upholstery says fire retardant, so buy logic it should all past the test if put together. But does it?

Once they have a product assembled, there is very little testing done of any description, because they just don't have the facilities.

Pinkypants

We have always stocked smaller suppliers, I have never given their names as I don't wish to give out my location. That way no one can say that I'm benefiting from the advice I give out.

bifold

d.ross wrote: »

I presume from some of your previous posts that you have/had some connection to Harrison Spinks? Well They were always a very high quality manufacturer until recently, when they started using gimmicks to try and boost sales.

What you have actually said sounds like the sort of sales hype that a retailer would hope to baffle a customer with, in order to get them to part with loads of rubbish. When in fact multiple layers and springs within springs are just sales gimmicks, it's as simple as that. I mean think about it, three 2" springs on top of each other = the same as one 6" springs. Except that it doesn't does it, because each spring will bottom out, so there is actually les travel in three springs than there is in one.

No I have never worked for Harrison Spinks,But I have purchased springs from Spinks Springs.Sales hype I leave to salesmen I am a craftsman with city&guilds and served a five year apprentership and been in the trade for over thirty five years.
Using a smaller spring within spring gives you a damping effect to reduce bottom out.
In triple layer units I tend to use 4" firm gauge springs in the middle layer with 2" softer gauge springs on the outer layers.As I said I am at the top end of the trade and know of beds I made twenty years ago still in regular use.
My best advice is to buy from a small established family bed retailer with a bricks and morter showroom and try the beds.

bifold

Pinkypants wrote: »

So the smaller companies buy the memory foam from Kaymed at the same price that Kaymed make it for?? Or do Kaymed put a margin on it, I'm sure they do.

Kaymed sell there own memory foam in their own products, so to me that would mean better value for money.


Many smaller companies DO NOT make anything, they just buy in all the individual parts and put them together. The springs, the tick, the fillings most don't even do there own Fire Testing. They just prey, that all the upholstery says fire retardant, so buy logic it should all past the test if put together. But does it?

Once they have a product assembled, there is very little testing done of any description, because they just don't have the facilities.

I have worked to fire regs using certified materials to a predicted menu,(But I only buy materials from reputed companys,my memory foam comes from Carpenters,I have a huge file of test certs and can cross link every purchase to every sale to the relevent test certs,Its a lot of paperwork:eek:)
I have had items tested in the past at Fira and its expensive,So I can see that some of the smaller makers take chances.