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The mattress and topper finally arrived here from Michigan on Wed, Nov 26th. We could not set it up until Fri as that is when the old bed was going to be picked up by JCPenneys. So it took 9 days from order to delivery; Michigan to Oregon. FBM did send out a UPS tracking number as soon as it was sent. As you can see by the pictures, it was packed up very well and although the boxes look a little ragged, it was well packed inside with several layers of plastic. On Friday morning, I went and picked up the two king foundation pieces from the local furniture store and then waited for the shippers to come and pick the old bed up. They arrived just after noon, and took the so-called "green" Simmons mattress and foundation set away, so we were able to then go ahead and set up the new king size latex mattress set. To call that mattress "green" is really stretching the core of the English language, but I guess they have a right to do it.
This message was modified Dec 27, 2008 by BillB
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BillB wrote: I wanted to give an update after sleeping on the FBM latex mattress for one year. This is a 6" med ILD Latex with a 2" soft ILD Latex topper. Its on a normal foundation (no springs) and is covered with a Costco Cuddlebed mattress pad. The entire package cost right at $1000 for a king sized setup. I am a stomach and side sleeper, 5' 8", approx 155lbs and my wife is a side sleeper, 5' 3", approx 140lbs. We chose the medium support layer as a compromise, I would have preferred just a touch firmer and she a touch softer. This has worked out well though. The mattress when it came was firmer than you might imagine, and we bought the Costco Cuddlebed mattress pad both for the mattress protection, and the additional 1" of softness. Before I bought this mattress, I spent several months on this forum, reading and studying and asking questions and also did my best to go out and find some real latex to lay on, look at, touch, etc, so we knew what we might be getting into. This a is very important part of the process. Trying to digest what these mattresses are going to actually 'feel' like by just reading is likely to bring unsatisfactory results. We are both very satisfied with the mattress and it looks and feels exactly the same today as it did a year ago. I was never that hard to please before but this mattress is much more comfortable than what I used for the last several years. I have changed pillows, I used to like an old down/feather mix pillow and really couldn't sleep on anything else. Now I use two down-only pillows that I bought for $15 each at TJMaxx and they are much more comfortable for me. My wife likes the mattress alot. She had alot of trouble with the older bed being too hard for her, even though we had a 2" memory foam piece on it. All in all, we couldn't be happier. If I had one thing I would have done differently, it would have been to buy two XL twin pieces, one firm and one med for the base layer. I got exactly what I thought I was going to get from Foam by Mail, a decent latex mattress at an excellent price. I am well aware of the continual bashing that Foambymail gets on this forum. I represent them in no way other than being a very satisfied customer who would buy from them again. Hey Bill, thanks for the update! Maybe this will steer a few people towards FoamByMail. It's good to get a post from someone who actually likes their mattress after a year on it! Congrats! |
| Bill, Thanks for your follow-up. Great to hear the product is holding up. I might make a comment regarding the Euro slats. I recently purchased a LARGE ottoman as it had a fold out single bed for visitor's with a "euroslat" support system with a thin layer of synthetic foam. It is quite comfortable. My quest is to isolate the motion, and add one further layer of variation to the bed by considering to purchase the euroslats from Flobeds as they look like the best constructed and will offer individual support for my wife and I. I am 6'5" and 210 lbs and she is 5'4" and 130 lbs. While I am not heavy for my size, I am solid. Might private message you for some more thoughts. |
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Bill, Thanks for the update, and that is great to hear one year later. I loved seeing your little schnauzer looking on. Does the little cutie get to sleep in that nice comfy bed? Hope so :- ) |
| I am going to post pics of my 2 inch topper tomorrow! I am sold on latex but NOT overpriced latex......as well as Costco 8 inch latex, equal in pic and quality. Overstock was selling 8 inch latex for less than $600. SOLD OUT! Twin is all they have left. |
| Hey FantasticAlice, Did you ever buy the bed? Take pics? Post them? Would love to see them. |
| thanks for sharing your photos, it really helped me. I was hesitant about ordering from them after reading some bad online reviews, mainly about their acoustic sound proof foams. I need to get my daughters a topper for their too firm mattress. Your latex mattress looks great. I ordered the 3 thinner layered latex mattress from SleepEz. I keep thinking it would have been easier to just get a good solid 6" core, but then I couldn't adjust my pieces around like we can do now. Can you tell me if your latex is Dunlop or Talalay?. Because Dunlop is much firmer, that might be why your bed feels firmer on the core part. Mine is all Talalay, and we think ours is too soft. BTW you got a heck of a deal. Foambymail has everyone beat right now. They are even willing to give an extra 10% off after beating anyone else's price, because Overstock did have a lower price. But Foambymail is willing to match that if you bring it up to them. I was just leary also because they sent me out a sample of their latex, and it was covered in hairs, and it was dirty. It was gross. But again looks like your latex mattress looks fine. |
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what is in that costco pad?. I have read the memory foam is not good for your health, due to the offgasing. I read an interesting story, I believe it was called how my memory foam bed almost killed me. This guy goes indepth how sick it made him, and when he finally got rid of it, his health returned. anyways, I was told that if you do not sleep directly on the latex, you loose the feeling of it. Padding on interfers between you and the whole reason to get latex. I know this to be true from personal experience. Once I put the stiffer cover over ours, the marshmellow yummy effect was gone. Now our mattress feels stiff. The soft Terry cloth gave our bed a much nicer feel, without putting much between us and our latex. your pad does look heavenly though. |
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Dampier wrote: Thanks for this excellent roundup of the FBM bed configuration. I have had experience with the 2" latex topper from FBM before, having ordered it to get several additional months out of a 10 year old sagging mattress that is giving up the support it once offered. It made a significant and comforting difference. There has been a lot of complaining about FBM on some of the deal sites because it "routinely short-weights orders" and "doesn't tell you the source of the latex, which is probably China," and "may not have the quality of the higher priced competition." In my online journeys, I can say FBM does definitely have an issue with delivering true to weight products, which will drive some shoppers crazy. I can also say it could easily be true the latex originates in China and may not have the same qualities as more expensive competitors, but ultimately I have been extremely happy with my latex topper, don't care where it was made, and has held up under my weight since the spring with zero wear and tear, and I don't even have the protective cover. I am particularly interested in Bill's configuration because I can take my existing 2" topper to the new design, reducing costs. But I have some questions I hope others with more experience might be able to answer: 1) I am a big and heavy guy. My weight has shown no consequence on the latex topper at all - no valleys or compression visible whatsoever. Will the same be likely with a 6" core? 2) As I am a larger person, should I be considering additional layers and/or a firmness adjustment to prevent any bottoming out issues? 3) I actually prefer a higher sleeping position - I do not like lower beds. Our existing box spring seems to be in reasonable condition (no detectable valleys or dips, nothing poking through, etc.). Could I adopt this design to my existing metal frame bed by either placing thin plywood between the foundation and the mattress to guarantee even support, or is it preferable to switch to something akin to a slotted drop-in wooden foundation (like the one BedInABox sells) and use that instead? 4) The total weight of the latex is going to add to the weight on the existing bed frame. Anyone have any experience with a heavier latex/foam mattress on an existing bed frame's durability? 5) While I don't mind the latex topper's feel just beneath the fitted sheet, I can definitely say the type of sheet used does make a difference in what you feel. I have a Martha Stewart sateen sheet set which I like for its crispness and cool feeling (it's especially nice in the warmer months), but it really transmits the springiness of the topper and it's very noticeable. Additionally, the snugger the fit, the more you will feel (and this one's fitted sheet is very snug). The Costco mattress topper idea is probably a great suggestion, although I've heard some others remark it tends to be a bit warm for some people. Experiences welcomed. I appreciate the input and experiences from those who know far more about these things than I.  If it keeps me from playing the obnoxious "let's rip you off at the bed store" game for traditional mattresses, I'm all for it! The box spring will have more give to it, but again I think the slat bed is what is suited best for the mattress. I read it keeps it from growing mold underneath it. the slats must be no more than 3 inches apart. I like the look of the NOMAD Bed, check it out, it's only $149 |
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mycakebed wrote: what is in that costco pad?. I have read the memory foam is not good for your health, due to the offgasing. I read an interesting story, I believe it was called how my memory foam bed almost killed me. This guy goes indepth how sick it made him, and when he finally got rid of it, his health returned. anyways, I was told that if you do not sleep directly on the latex, you loose the feeling of it. Padding on interfers between you and the whole reason to get latex. I know this to be true from personal experience. Once I put the stiffer cover over ours, the marshmellow yummy effect was gone. Now our mattress feels stiff. The soft Terry cloth gave our bed a much nicer feel, without putting much between us and our latex. your pad does look heavenly though. I, for one, at times find that sleeping right on the latex is better and other times it's better with a wool pad. I haven't decided yet. But the point is, it's not a cut and dried "fact" - it's a preference. Some even like memory foam on top, or a pu foam topper, etc.. Just depends. |
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mycakebed wrote: .................. I like the look of the NOMAD Bed, check it out, it's only $149 |