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Hi All, First post here! I just discovered this forum and it's nice to see a group of knowledgable people helping each other out with something as difficult as mattress shopping! We've been looking at all types of mattresses and found we don't like Tempurpedic, like the Sleep Doctor - Dr. Breus all latex bed (know anything about this bed - type of latex, will it get body impressions, etc.?), and like the Sealy / Simmons innerspring with latex topper beds. But, I like the idea of an all-latex bed, yet they're pricey, I don't know what type / quality of latex is used in these and whether it will hold up, and I hear horror stories (user reviews) of the mattresses developing cavities / body impressions that lead to people sleeping in a valley... I want to avoid that! Anyway, I'm intrigued with the comments here about things like SleepEZ 10,000 beds where you can customize the latex layers and adjust as needed (but still kind of pricey) as well as the idea of building our own bed as many have done (again, to customize our bed to fit our needs, make sure we're getting good quality latex that will last, and also hopefully save some money). But, I have no idea what I'm doing and would need a lot of help. Can you guide me in this process? We'd like to stay below $2,000, but can go up a bit if necessary. I think I'd like my mattress right in the middle for firmness / softness, and my wife would probably like a bit more soft (I'm 5' 11" and weigh 150). I have some low back pain and not the greatest posture. Little pain with my wife, but she doesn't sleep well.
As an alternative, are there good, reasonably priced talalay latex mattresses we could consider that won't have the cavity issues? Unfortunately, no IKEA, no Original Mattress Factory, and it seems like a lot of the others are online only so we can't try them out. I'd be nervous to try it (and people seem to think they're too firm in user reviews), but there's these E.C.O. Natural Latex mattresses for cheap at Overstock - $750 - but no returns accepted. We have a 14 year old innerspring queen mattress (Serta - medium-firm) that's due to be upgraded and we're getting a king bed this week (no mattress yet!), so anything should be an upgrade. Thanks in advance for any help! Take care, --Kyle This message was modified Sep 20, 2010 by kyley
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What I don't care for about mine is the three sections thing. That was not what I was expecting when I ordered. It was probably too much money for what it is and I would probably have done better by waiting for a good platform bed or something. Plus I also got a lousy metal frame to put it on, which is part of my problems with it. That metal frame has been mentioned by people on this forum (myself included), and there are some who do not recommend it. |
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Hi All, I'm close to making a decision (at least, I *need* to make a decision)... Can you help with that decision? First of all, which would you suggest - 9" of higher quality latex or 11" with more than half of that being from FBM?:
Price is about the same either way. With the first option I get everything from the same source, but would 9" be enough? Next, I have to decide the firmness of the layers... My wife will want it a little softer than I will. I'd like it fairly soft at least on top. What should we go with for the layers (we're side sleepers, I weigh about 150, my wife a bit more)?
What do you all think? Sorry for so many questions. Thanks for your help, --Kyle This message was modified Sep 24, 2010 by kyley
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As others have posted and in my personal experience FBM has some questionable latex. They are by no means a bad company. My experience in ordering with them was very positive except for the latex quality. They have the cheapest price by far. Shipping was free and only took a week. Customer service (lauren through email ) was very helpful in talking about the problem i was having and returning one of the items (within 30 day return policy). Funds were back in my account 2 days after I shipped it back. The main issue and the most important is the latex quality. I ordered 3- 1 inch pieces of latex. The latex is not of even consistency. It is more dense in certain areas then others. A dime sized piece would be firm to touch when you squeezed it then right next to it you could squeeze the whole inch of latex with barely any pressure and your fingers would touch. This was throughout the whole latex piece. If more soft dime sized pieces were in one area then that whole area was much softer then say the outer edges which I noticed were much firmer and more consistent. I wonder if the problem was because it was only a 1 inch thick piece of latex. But I believe the 1 inch pieces are slices of a larger 6 inch piece. It would be less noticeable in a 6 inch piece but I assume it would have similar problems. Also consider I could of received a bad batch of latex. You are just taking a bigger risk by ordering with FBM in my opinion. After sleeping the past month with only 2 inches of latex I've concluded I would like the additional inch of latex that i returned. Lauren (FBM employee) checked the whole warehouse for a 1 inch piece that was more uniform and did not have the problems I mentioned but could not find a piece. She said to try back in a couple months to see if the new lot was better. For there prices and only the 1 extra inch I need I will still order from them. If I had to do it all over again I'd get one 3 inch topper from one of the more expensive companies mentioned on this site. If you do order from FBM i suggest you call them and ask them to look around the lot for the best piece they can find. Tell them you'd do not want to go through the process of returning it if it is in horrible condition. Tell them you have seen pictures of very poor pieces of latex on this site. Good Luck |
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Thanks for sharing your experience, jasesun23. If I buy from FBM, I'm only buying the lowest level. But if it isn't uniform and part of my back sinks in more than others, I'd imagine it won't be too comfortable? Anyway, my bigger concern is whether this foam would end up sagging more or not lasting as long as a quality foam from Latex International? I guess the real question though, is whether I should get the FBM to get 11" of latex or get it all from SleepLikeABear (Talatech) to get 9" of foam for about the same price (in other words, is 9" enough?) Although I have to admit, I'd save about $450 if I went with FBM entirely for the mattress - and have 12" of foam (3" soft top, 3" medium middle, and 6" firm base). The questionable quality has mostly scared me away - particularly from the top layers. What do you guys think about the ILD ratings for us that I mentioned? The numbers just don't mean much to me :( Would 14 / 28 / 36 be soft enough for my wife? Would 24 / 28 / 36 be firm enough for me (I want it somewhat soft too)? Take care, --Kyle |
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I'd say go with sleep like a bear. I have no experience with them but if money is the main issue of picking one of the other, what is 450 over the lifetime of the bed. Say minimum the bed last 10 years. Thats 45 extra a year. Which equals one inexpensive dinner a year or in NYC 3 drinks. I honestly think FBM with it imperfections will break down more quickly. And right away if you have alot of those soft spots you will sink lower then other areas. This is my logical opinion but I have no proof. I could tell right away that on the edges of my bed were more supportive then the middle. I removed the 1 inch soft layer soft layer of latex and it improved. I though it might be the springs but after testing out the spring I concluded it was the latex. The two 1 inch layers of medium I have are not as bad but still have those inconsistencies I spoke of.
As far as which IDLs to get and layers that is a whole different game. You could decide on exactly what you want from sleep like a bear and after sleeping it be miserable. Then buyers remorse will set in and you'll kick yourself for not getting FBM and saving money. The more you read the more you see how expensive this process can get. |
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Also where ever you buy from I'd get the pieces one at a time. I wouldn't get 1" pieces like I did. but why not try the base by itself for a week. I'm sure that won't work but just try it you never know. Then get a 2 or 3 inch piece for on top of the base and try that for a week or two. Then add another 2 or 3 inch piece and see if that works. My logic is get the least amount necessary for a good nights sleep. I decided I wanted a new bed so I started doing some research and found this site. Read about mattress surgery and it seem like fun and worth a try. Cut my mattress apart and found what appeared to be decent springs. I knew I couldn't sleep on springs so I ordered a 1 inch piece of latex and 1/4 inch of cheap foam so I wouldn't dirty or rip the latex on the springs. tried it out and could easily feel the springs. Then I got another 1 inch. felt the springs a lot less but still not that soft. Got a third of soft IDL latex and was happy until I realized i was sinking more in the middle then the edges. I'm going to purchase another 1 inch piece soon but I'm also going to video myself with a webcam to see my sleep at night. I don't have any back problems I just wake up tired every morning. I want to see if I'm tossing and turning though the night. Once I see that I'll go from there. |
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jasesun23 wrote: I'm also going to video myself with a webcam to see my sleep at night. I don't have any back problems I just wake up tired every morning. I want to see if I'm tossing and turning though the night. On your other message, I wasn't planning on going with *all* FBM (just noting it was tempting). All I was trying to decide was whether I wanted to use FBM as the base (to get twice as much base for the same money). I think I'll go with it all from SleepLikeABear Talatech... I like your idea of getting just a couple layers to start, see how the firmness feels, etc. Since shipping is free, I guess I don't have to order it all at once. Now convincing my wife to try it like that may be another matter altogether! She wants our mattress now! ;) I'll call SleepLikeABear and see what they suggest on the ILD... Take care, --Kyle |
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Hi All, It's decision time! I'll probably order tomorrow. I have two configurations / stores to consider. I'd welcome your thoughts on them both! SleepLikeABear is more customizable, but their poor return policy still requires I pay their shipping to me, and a handling charge for every layer exchange (or return) - and only for 30 days. SleepEZ has 90 day returns with no fees (only $15 shipping each way for the first layer exchange), costs a bit more, and includes a nice cover 1" think wool cover, but there are only 4 ILDs to choose from and only 3" (they won't build with 2" and 1" for the top 3" layer for example). Same Talatech Latex from either store. So, here's what I'd get with SleepLikeABear:
Here's what I'd get with SleepEZ:
What do you think? Which would you get? Oh, I plan to get the St. Dormier woold pad / protector, so I'm not sure how necessary the nicer cover from SleepEZ is? Thanks, --Kyle |
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I would get the upper two layers from SLAB since it will be a little softer for you and your wife as side sleepers. This provides a little more flexibility if you need to change out the top two layers. Just a hunch based on my personal experience that I think your wife will find the top layer of the Sleepez bed to be a little hard ( and you might too). Good luck and let us know how it works out. |
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Thanks Sall. Heh, I was just starting to lean towards going with SleepEZ for that nicer 1" cover and better return policy. Then if I find we need a softer layer on top, I might get another 1" from SleepEZ... Still not sure on that decision yet though. Take care, --Kyle |