Comparing Prices
Feb 13, 2010 10:47 PM
Joined: Feb 5, 2010
Points: 62

Since I'm considering replacing my mattress with a latex one, I did price comparisons between a few different companies who sell IL Talalay Latex, which I thought I'd share for those of you who are interested.


Comparison Prices for a Queen size mattress configuration, 100% natural IL Talalay Latex, approx. 8": 


SleepEZ


10000 model, consists of 3 layers (your ILD preference) x 2.8" each, for a total thickness of 8.4".

Cover: Includes a Cotton Damask zipper Cover Quilted to lambs wool.

Shipping: Free delivery via FedEx

Return policy: 90 day layer switch out policy on latex mattresses. Return any one of the layers in your mattress in exchange for a layer of different firmness. We pay shipping of new layer to you, and you pay shipping back. Shipping is approximately $30 depending on location.

Cost: $1645 


Flobeds

 

Posture Select model. Consists of a 2" convoluted topper, and 2 x 2-3/4" layers for a total thickness of 8-1/2".

Cover: Includes a cotton damask wool backed cover.

Shipping: If we don't ship when indicated, we pay the freight. Shipping from CA to NY $99.

Return policy: If you are not 100% satisfied with the firmness you select, we will help you re-select. Or we will give your money back. Either way you will only pay the freight.

Cost: $1799 + shipping

 

Sleeplikeabear

 

Configure your own from their selection of toppers from 14 - 36 ILD, additional $15 for 40 & 44 ILD. 2 x 3" = $882 + 1 x 2" + $314, total thickness 8".

Cover: Not included.

Shipping: Free, via UPS Ground.

Return policy: Typically a 30 day guarantee, depending on item purchased. You may receive a refund of your purchase less the total of what we paid for shipping and a reasonable fee for processing or handling your order. If you paid for shipping, you may receive a refund of your purchase less only the processing or handling fee. Must request RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization), include original invoice, and in most cases repack items in original shipping cartons. Return shipping is paid by the customer.

Cost: $1196

 

RockyMountainMattress

 

Offers only Medium Plush (16-18 ILD, 2" $210, 3" $295) and Medium Firm (32 ILD, 2" $230, 3" 320) toppers. Configured with 2 x 3" Medium Firm and 1 x 2" Medium Plush, total thickness 8".

Cover: Not included.

Shipping: Toppers shipped free.

Return policy: 30-night trial on all mattresses, return policy on toppers not stated.

Cancellation policy: Orders that are cancelled within 24 of being placed are not subject to a cancellation fee. Orders cancelled after that time are subject to a fee - see website for specifics.

 

Cost: $850

 

FOAMSWEETFOAM

 

Natural Plus Special.  Three layers of full 3" (9" total). Choose from 4 firmness levels of your choice. 

Cover: Cotton, bamboo, and wool quilted cover.

Shipping: Free.

Return policy: Within 30 days of the invoice date, you may exchange one latex layer of the mattress - one time. We will pay for the freight charges of the exchanged layer. The customer is responsible for packaging and paying for freight charges of the returned item back to Foam Sweet Foam. Within 60 days of the invoice date, you may return the purchase. There is an 18% return fee for any returned item. The customer is responsible for packaging and shipping charges.

Cost: $1599

 

Arizona Premium Mattress Co.

 

Queen 6" 100% All Natural Talalay Latex Core. Your choice of firmness, #22 super soft, #28 soft, #36 medium and #42 firm; 2" topper #22 ILD $229

Cover: Not included.

Shipping: FedEx Ground - $129 from AZ to NY.

Return policy: Core - 30 day satisfaction guarantee less all shipping costs; Topper - not returnable.

 

Cost: Core - $995, current sale price: $795; Topper $229 = $1149 + shipping.

This message was modified Feb 17, 2010 by narnia
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #1 Feb 13, 2010 10:57 PM
Joined: Jan 9, 2010
Points: 128
terrific post! I am going to try one of the Costco compostites...... at least I can return it!

Alice

Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #2 Feb 13, 2010 11:39 PM
Joined: Oct 13, 2009
Points: 156
In the interest of completeness, I would like to add one company:

FOAMSWEETFOAM

Natural Plus Special.  Three layers of full 3 inch ( 9 inches) plus cotton and wool cover for a total of 10 inches.   100% Natural talalay, 30 year warranty.   Choose from 4 firmness levels of your choice.  Cost = $1599.

This message was modified Feb 13, 2010 by markbnh1
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #3 Feb 14, 2010 10:55 AM
Joined: Feb 5, 2010
Points: 62
markbnh1 thanks for your addition, and if anyone else has another vendor please post their info as well!

I'm tying to keep my list as uniform as possible, with vendors using natural Talalay and building a mattress of about 8" thick for comparison purposes.
Keep in mind these vendors have different return policies, which has to be taken into consideration in deciding where to make your purchase.

As you can see, it really does pay to be an educated consumer, as Rocky Mountain is about half the cost SleepEZ charges for a similar item.
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #4 Feb 14, 2010 12:25 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
You have to look a the cost of the mattress cover and the return policy as well.  The cost of the wool filled covers are pretty expensive, I believe around $250-350 (depending in part if you want organic).   100% naturual will cost more than blended talalay or dunlop.

Flobeds has a great exchange and return policy, and more options in firmness to choose from.   It comes with a nice cover too.  Sleepez, foamsweetfoam, and sleeplikeabear have various return and exchange policies as well.   Sleepez and foamsweetfoam will come with a nice cover.

Having said that, rockymountainmattress is a good deal for the 2 and 3" pieces, but you cannot return them.  I have purchased from them and the quality is good.  My pieces are actually slightly thicker than they were suppose to be.  They don't have many options for firmness, but it is possible if you call them you can get some different firmness levels.    I am not 100% sure that it is 100% natural talalay, since there are not labels, but they claim it is and most likely it is.  I assume the dunlop is 100% natural.

Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #5 Feb 14, 2010 10:03 PM
Joined: Feb 14, 2010
Points: 7
Not all latex are created equally!  Check out makers and how they create their latex & what chemicals they use.

For example:

Sleep EZ...   100% natural latex made by LatexGreen:
http://www.latexgreen.com/fr.html

"Fire Retardant Cores / Sheets

Latex Green has designed and manufactured a Flame Retardant mattress, which conforms to BS and EU Standards. On the tests carried out by SATRA Technology Centre, it was confirmed that FR mattress meet the requirements of Schedule I part III of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, (amended 1989 & 1993).

In the first application during the test it was observed that there were NO flames after the removal of the flaming source and smouldering ceased after 21 seconds .In the second application, flames self-extinguished 4 seconds after the removal of the flaming source and smouldering ceased 24 seconds later. According to BS standards the time should be less than 60 seconds."

 
Doesn't seem so natural.  Trying to find more info on Savvy Rest's Coco-latex supplier.  So far, Savvy Rest has a report on their site done by an independent company in California that shows ND - none-detected chemicals for those listed. 
Looking for more info as to the process/chemicals used in these 100% natural items to find that truly is.

Conclusion:  There is a reason why a mattress costs $1000 vs $2000, just have to dig up info that you are not paying more for same product.
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #6 Feb 14, 2010 10:48 PM
Joined: Feb 5, 2010
Points: 62
They do sell different types of latex, but the 10000 mattress from SleepEZ priced at $1645 uses the 100% Natural Talalay Process.
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #7 Feb 15, 2010 1:41 AM
Joined: Aug 17, 2009
Points: 542
This is one of those "Gotcha" questions!

When you're comparing prices you need to consider the total cost to you of purchasing a latex bed online if for any reason you do not like your original configuration, or ultimately decide that you want to return it and get your money back.

You need to consider what the cost will be for transportation costs, and how many exchanges will be allowed. The chance that you will not want to exchange at least one layer are mighty slim. The best regarding exchanges and return policy is FloBeds, by a wide margin.

Instead of just looking at the initial cost for the mattress, do a price comparison for exchanges, and what is their policy on returns if you don't like the mattress. How much time will they give you to make up your mind? How much will the shipping cost be?

Once you have done this calculation, and only after you have done this calculation, consider the initial price of the mattress. I exchanged 4 different layers on my FloBeds before I was completely satisfied. At the end of their 90 day "sleep test" had I not like my mattress I could have gotten the full refund of my money, less shipping charges back to California.

Deal with a company that has a excellent BBB rating, and when they say they're selling you latex, whether that is 100% natural, or a blended latex, make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer and that it is ( in the case of all natural) botanically grown natural latex. Latex International is the company that I would want to produce my latex.
This message was modified Feb 15, 2010 by eagle2
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #8 Feb 15, 2010 7:19 AM
Joined: Feb 14, 2010
Points: 7
Yes....yes....to all the suggestions. 

We purchased organic & 100% natural Dunlap latex beds for our kids a year ago from Savvy Rest and didn't do any exchanges.  Everyone has been happy.  Now, we are trying to decide what to do for us since our sleep number bed has failed up after using for few years.  (Luckily, we sold it well since it looked brand new/clean/etc.)

I like that Savvy Rest has all the ECO certifications plus a chemical analysis available right on their website to back the products that they are selling.  They have 90 day window for exchanges but no refunds.  (This I didn't like but have been pleased with quality of the products.)  I do like that the replacement layers are at only $75 if you purchase directly from them.

We have been also looking at SleepEZ, much less expensive, 90 day exchanges & refund!  Minus shipping of course.  BUT replacement cost for layers shows to be at least DOUBLE of that from Savvy Rest.

We are looking at the BIG picture.  We don't want to fork out so much money when our backs start hurting again in couple of years, nice to know you can just replace the layers at a fraction of the cost & the 100% natural latex is biodegradable, so that makes me feel good about the environment that we are leaving for our kids.
Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #9 Feb 15, 2010 2:01 PM
Joined: Aug 30, 2007
Points: 464
eagle2 wrote:
You need to consider what the cost will be for transportation

An example is <a href="http://www.latexmattresscompany.com/">Latex Mattress Company</a> which offers BOTH sewn and zipper cover mattresses.  The sewn cover models require motor freight shipping.  The zipper model components can be shipped via less expensive UPS.  BBB <a href="http://www.bbb.org/central-northern-western-arizona/business-reviews/mattresses/mattress-liquidation-specialists-in-phoenix-az-87001307/">report</a>.

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Re: Comparing Prices
Reply #10 Feb 15, 2010 2:52 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
eagle2 wrote:
This is one of those "Gotcha" questions!

When you're comparing prices you need to consider the total cost to you of purchasing a latex bed online if for any reason you do not like your original configuration, or ultimately decide that you want to return it and get your money back.

You need to consider what the cost will be for transportation costs, and how many exchanges will be allowed. The chance that you will not want to exchange at least one layer are mighty slim. The best regarding exchanges and return policy is FloBeds, by a wide margin.

Instead of just looking at the initial cost for the mattress, do a price comparison for exchanges, and what is their policy on returns if you don't like the mattress. How much time will they give you to make up your mind? How much will the shipping cost be?

Once you have done this calculation, and only after you have done this calculation, consider the initial price of the mattress. I exchanged 4 different layers on my FloBeds before I was completely satisfied. At the end of their 90 day "sleep test" had I not like my mattress I could have gotten the full refund of my money, less shipping charges back to California.

Deal with a company that has a excellent BBB rating, and when they say they're selling you latex, whether that is 100% natural, or a blended latex, make sure it is from a reputable manufacturer and that it is ( in the case of all natural) botanically grown natural latex. Latex International is the company that I would want to produce my latex.

Eagle2 is right. You have to consider shipping costs and the return warranty/ sleep trial and any shipping cost involved in that as well. And of course quality of the latex and reliability and customer service of the store/company.