Bunk bed: Argos v. M&S?

Bella56

Anyone got a view on this? We're looking at a bunk bed plus trundle on Argos, £399 including mattresses: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7382398/Trail/searchtext%3EBUNK+BED.htm

versus

M&S bunk, £399 not including mattresses, they will build upon delivery:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Marks-and-Spencer-Bunkbed/dp/B004D350MI?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=121043031&sr=1-1&qid=1321556293&pf_rd_r=1BYSSGNKK3T0MDGMQFAG&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=121043031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

I'm wondering how different they can actually be, and whether the M&S will outlast the Argos bed... I want furniture that will last, so sick of cheap furniture that wears quickly or breaks within a year or 2! But both are solid pine.

Any thoughts?

TIA

Bella56

Also, has anyone used the Kura from Ikea as a bunk, with the bottom bunk being a mattress on the floor????
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10123996/

Pinkypants

The M&S ones will be stronger then the Argos bunk that's for sure. Look at the Argos ones again, you'll see a bolt going widthwards, which means the "ends" will be totally self assembly. In my opinon not very strong either. The M&S ones the ends will be factory built and the side rails added in the room.

Also we can't see just how thick the "fillet rail" but I'm guessing it's stronger on the M&S one again. Fillet rail is the rail that is stuck to the side rail and the slats attach onto.

Any mattresses that come complete with a "package" will always be the cheapest on the market to help keep the cost down.

beaker141

I once bought cheap pine bunk beds, the side rail actually snapped and several of the slats also broke. It claimed to be solid pine but just didnt feel the right weigth, far too lightweight.

After that I bought items from the Thuka Maxi range from ebay - the maxi is very strong. I liked the maxi as it was very flexible, you can get bunk kits, mid sleepers and high sleepers.

I've just bought 2 new Thuka Trendy bed frames, they replace the Maxi and are not as thick but still look quite strong.

The Thuka trendy end panels were self assembly, but Ive used wood glue on all the dowel holes and on the joints and they are now rock solid.

SpikyHedgehog

I've bought 2 beds from Argos, not this one though the high sleeper was similar - their delivery service has put me off ever using them again. I appreciate I was specific about only a Saturday delivery but I had to keep phoning up to ask if they had a date. Also, the quality wasn't the best... I'd go with the M&S bed if I had a choice of the 2. The reviews are positive and I've seen plenty of M&S ones that weren't, so it's not a matter that they only post he good ones!

Bella56

Thanks everyone, that is just the kind of info I was after! I HATE buying things cheaply that fall apart...makes me feel a right fool.
We've got a Thuka showroom right down the road, so thanks so much Beaker. We'll go and see if they look sturdy. That's the downside of buying online, you don't know if its going to be flimsy until it has been constructed at home!
Thanks all

savingmonkey

Hi there,

I asked for recommendations for bunk beds recently on the I wanna buy it board, thought the replies might help you too

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3580877

someone did recommend the M&S one and I think we may go for that one

daveyjp

Our daughter has the 'sleep station' version of the M&S link - it is a very solid piece of furniture. M&S will deliver, put it together and take away all the packaging.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

If you bought the Argos bunks, you may as well throw away the mattresses still in their packaging and buy £400 worth of new ones, as they are hideous, uncomfortable and less supportive than a carrier bag on the floor.

Whatever you choose, just don't bother with the Argos ones.

Bella56

Thanks everyone. We went to a store today and got to see lots of choices. The salesman showed me the difference between cheap and expensive bunks, and it was shocking! The soft pine beds can be easily dented with a fingernail, whereas Scandinavian pine was hard as a rock. Also looking up from the bottom bunk was good as you could see how flimsy the cheap bunks were, and how the expensive ones had long, unbroken pieces of wood for their construction.

Anyhow we are now considering Stompa versus Scallywag versus M&S and yeah we'll go for decent mattresses.

Pinkypants

Be wary Stompa I think, are 6ft6 long! not the usual 6ft3.

Scallywag are very nice indeed and very robust.

Sorry don't have any dealings with M&S beds.

It's the old saying you get what you pay for. £99 min spend on the mattresses I suggest.