NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Oct 15, 2011 6:52 PM
Joined: Aug 16, 2011
Points: 26
We suffered through high end (S&F) pillowtops for years (yeah, I now know, don't buy a pillowtop).

 

So after reading plenty of reviews on foam and laying on, but deciding not to spend $5K on a King size Tempurpedic or $2500+ on the "S" brand new age foams, we decided to try the NovaForm Gel 12" foam mattress from Costco both due to the price and the liberal return policy.

Well, all was good.................. for a while.

Purchased King size Novaform Gel Memory about 1 1/2 months ago. Let it air out for 2 days and complaints about the smell were non-existent.

There is however a huge issue with the mattress.

It took a few nights for myself and my wife (both average size) to become accustomed to the mattress. No problem, as that is to be expected.

After the initial adjustment period, we both loved the mattress, or so we thought. After a couple of weeks, the weather started getting cooler, and I would wake up with lower back pain every morning. (never an issue before) and that escalated into leg/foot pain. My wife still sort of liked it.

Now that the weather is cool every night, both my wife and myself get no sleep (tossing and turning) and we both wake up with aches and pains.

Problem? The mattress is as hard as a rock in cool weather. What will happen when it actually gets cold? Might as well sleep on a board.

Sleep Innovations specifically states NOT to use a common box spring type foundation. The mattress therfore is on a custom built platform (2x4 frame with OSB top & bottom, with quilted moving blankets on top of the platform) and is no different than laying it on a floor, so it gets the full support they call for. Bed frame itself also has side to side & center supports

Can't wait to bring this back to the store. Maybe then we can get a decent nights sleep.

I would like to stay with Costco as in my state, mattress returns are not legal (though Costco allows it, probably because they can ship out of state)

So now the big question is , where do we go from here?

This message was modified Oct 15, 2011 by robertwhite
Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #6 Oct 15, 2011 9:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
Are you saying when you lay on mattress on a cool night, there is very little give, or it becomes like an ultra firm mattress?

Is it plush when it's warm and ultra firm when it's cool? 

Are you using a mattress pad on the mattress? 

Not supposed to use any kind of fiber filled mattress pad on memory foam mattresses. 

Just use a super thin Protect a Bed type of mattress pad.

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #7 Oct 16, 2011 5:19 AM
Joined: Oct 2, 2009
Points: 30
robertwhite wrote:

Basically, I don't believe anyones hype anymore. I'm back to the thinking of "buy a $500 mattress and throw it away in 2 yrs when it gets crappy" school of thought.

Then you are  left with buying crap that will need to be thrown away way before two years.

NovaForm Gel redux.

I have seen many complaints about TP,about 15% of customers, but don't recall one saying that they bought direct from TP or a major retailer and refused to honor the 90 try it /return it if you don't like it guarantee.

I think the minimum is IComfort or $1200 or so on a DIY/generic latex bed or $1000 or so on a DIY memory foam bed.

$500 buys a POS mattress in 2011.

 

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #8 Oct 16, 2011 10:15 AM
Joined: Aug 16, 2011
Points: 26
slpngoc wrote:

One more thing about the Sleep Innovations Novaform gel memory foam topper from Costco I tried for 1 night .....

 

it did basically nothing the package said it would do

* package said it would be supportive - I sank so far into that 2.5" gel foam topper, it was ridiculous.  Granted it was on top of a latex bed, but I sank far into the foam too.

* Package said it wouldn't sleep hot - I was cooking hot that night.  Where is the air supposed to go anyway?  Was there any airflow channel? No

* Pack said it would have great pressure relief - oh nooo it didn't

 

So, the Sleep Innovations topper got returned the next day.


OK, this is not a topper, it is a 12" mattress as stated above. Kind of hard to compare the two.

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #9 Oct 16, 2011 10:19 AM
Joined: Aug 16, 2011
Points: 26
slpngoc wrote:

Are you saying when you lay on mattress on a cool night, there is very little give, or it becomes like an ultra firm mattress?

 

Is it plush when it's warm and ultra firm when it's cool? 

Are you using a mattress pad on the mattress? 

Not supposed to use any kind of fiber filled mattress pad on memory foam mattresses. 

Just use a super thin Protect a Bed type of mattress pad.


No, there is very little give at all times, it just gets like a rock in cooler weather. Basically, it goes from firm to extra firm. Not exactly how it is described or was designed as far as I am concerned.

When I lay in it, I barely sink, even after several minutes, and I am 185lbs.

We just have a protect a bed. NO mattress pad.

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #10 Oct 16, 2011 10:27 AM
Joined: Aug 16, 2011
Points: 26
DeeAgeaux wrote:

 

Then you are  left with buying crap that will need to be thrown away way before two years.

NovaForm Gel redux.

I have seen many complaints about TP,about 15% of customers, but don't recall one saying that they bought direct from TP or a major retailer and refused to honor the 90 try it /return it if you don't like it guarantee.

I think the minimum is IComfort or $1200 or so on a DIY/generic latex bed or $1000 or so on a DIY memory foam bed.

$500 buys a POS mattress in 2011.

 


As I said, there is no major retailer anywhere near me, much less a TP factory store. I might have to take the 2 hr ride (each way) to a major city and find a TP factory store or reputable chain type store. I will be calling Tempurpedic directly tomorrow and getting straight facts about their return policy. There is no way I am laying out $2500-3000 just to "try" a bed for <90 days and then when it doesn't work out, and we have to return it, we lose 10% + tax. I can't afford to just throw away $400 to try out a bed.

As for the iComfort, you do realize it is made by Sleep Innovations, the same company that makes the Novaform, right? And BTW, if you can find an iComfort Revolution or whatever they call it for $1200 in a King size, please let me know, as I will buy it just to try it out. A King size is WELL into the $2K range without an adjustable base.

DIY foam is not going to happen. Why would I take the chance on an unknown feel if we are having trouble with a known memory feel? That makes zero sense.

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #11 Oct 16, 2011 10:47 AM
Joined: Aug 16, 2011
Points: 26

 

Sooooooo, I decided to check out Tempurpedics "warranty" and guess what? Just as suspected.

Here is why, copied right from their website. Highlights I found in bold.

90 Day Tryout

Here’s how it works:

  • Buy a Tempur-Pedic® mattress from us, on our website or by phone.
  • We'll deliver your mattress and set it up in your home.
  • Sleep on our new mattress for 30 nights to get used to the amazing comfort and support it offers.
  • If you're not happy in the first 90 days after your purchase, call us. Our Customer Service staff will work with you to answer your questions and resolve your concerns.
  • If we can't find a way to make you happy, we'll take the mattress back and reimburse your purchase price, less the initial shipping costs.

This tells me that you have to buy directly from them and if you don't like it, call them and their staff will try and convince you to keep the mattress. If you refuse, they will take it back as long as you pay them the "shipping and handling" fees. You lose the tax, no matter what.

 

So, in further reading, there is this..........

90 Night Tryout details

  • Our 90 Night Tryout is exclusive to Tempur-Pedic, and covers mattresses purchased direct from us, on our website or by phone. Tempur-Pedic mattresses purchased from retail stores are not covered by the Tempur-Pedic 90 Night Tryout.
  • The 90 Night Tryout covers the mattress plus foundation. Ergo adjustable bases, bed frames, pillows, cushions, linens and accessories do not qualify.
  • Return shipping fees may apply if you took advantage of a free shipping offer. Shipping fees are based on mattress weight, and generally range from $200 to $325.

Pretty cut and dry. If you buy from ANY retail store, there is NO 90 day trial, period. No matter how much BS a store tells you. If a store "offers" it they are full of sh!t and you are at their mercy to honor what they tell you.

If you buy it from TP directly, you can return it for a cost "generally" in the $200-$325 range. King size of course is more, probably much more. Oh, and if you purchased an adjustable foundation, or pillows, etc, you are stuck with them, period. NO returns.
 

I had a feeling it was all hype and obviously, their 90 day trial is just that. Unless of course you want to pay full retail (without all the extra stuff a store would throw in) AND you want to throw away upwards of $400 if you don't like it before the trial period ends. And be stuck with an adjustable base (if you bought one) that is now useless without a foam bed.

This message was modified Oct 16, 2011 by robertwhite
Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #12 Oct 16, 2011 11:34 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
robertwhite wrote:

 


OK, this is not a topper, it is a 12" mattress as stated above. Kind of hard to compare the two.


I know that, I'm just saying I had a real good sampling of the touted Sleep Innovation gel memory foam in the form of a topper.  I'm assuming the latex was doing its job acting as  a core foam.

I would think in your 12" mattress, the gel memory foam is at the surface and is about 2" or so thick.

But, yeah, there not identical.  Costco does not make a twin XL, so I never considered them.
 

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #13 Oct 16, 2011 11:39 AM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
robertwhite wrote:

 

 No, there is very little give at all times, it just gets like a rock in cooler weather. Basically, it goes from firm to extra firm. Not exactly how it is described or was designed as far as I am concerned.

When I lay in it, I barely sink, even after several minutes, and I am 185lbs.

We just have a protect a bed. NO mattress pad.

Here's a description of the Costco deluxe 12" Novaform mattress -

'The top layer is our 2.5" premium memory foam, for a balanced combination of cradling comfort and gentle support – with the revolutionary addition of NutraFresh™ treatment, for lasting freshness and no "new foam smell."  The 2.5" middle layer is made of deeply sculpted premium foam, for dramatically improved air circulation and firm support. And the 7"  bottom layer is made of premium base foam which adds stability and therapeutic support.'

 

Ok, so there's only 2.5" of memory foam, total in the mattress.  That's not much.  And it's Sleep Innovations memory foam which is NOT Tempurpedic memory foam.

Then there's a 2.5" layer of regular foam that provides 'firm support'.  I think that's the problem.  Just a bit of memory foam, then a firm support layer just underneath.  Sounds like an iComfort genius which always felt too firm to me in the store.   Don't think I'd like this Novaform mattress either.

 

This message was modified Oct 16, 2011 by slpngoc
Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #14 Oct 16, 2011 11:51 AM
Joined: Aug 1, 2009
Points: 175
robertwhite wrote:

Now that the weather is cool every night, both my wife and myself get no sleep (tossing and turning) and we both wake up with aches and pains.

Problem? The mattress is as hard as a rock in cool weather. What will happen when it actually gets cold? Might as well sleep on a board.


I have no experience with that mattress (or with memory foam), but before buying a different mattress, would you want to try adding either a soft topper -- soft latex, soft memory foam, featherbed, or polyfill (like the Cuddlebed) -- or an electric heated mattress pad? (Or both?) 

Costco offers a variety of toppers, and I see on their Web site that they have a heated mattress pad on sale now.

Some sort of wool topper or pad might also help you retain heat.

 

 

 

Re: NovaForm Gel (Costco) Major Issues...............
Reply #15 Oct 16, 2011 12:06 PM
Joined: Jun 2, 2011
Points: 481
robertwhite wrote:

 


As I said, there is no major retailer anywhere near me, much less a TP factory store. I might have to take the 2 hr ride (each way) to a major city and find a TP factory store or reputable chain type store. I will be calling Tempurpedic directly tomorrow and getting straight facts about their return policy. There is no way I am laying out $2500-3000 just to "try" a bed for <90 days and then when it doesn't work out, and we have to return it, we lose 10% + tax. I can't afford to just throw away $400 to try out a bed.

As for the iComfort, you do realize it is made by Sleep Innovations, the same company that makes the Novaform, right? And BTW, if you can find an iComfort Revolution or whatever they call it for $1200 in a King size, please let me know, as I will buy it just to try it out. A King size is WELL into the $2K range without an adjustable base.

DIY foam is not going to happen. Why would I take the chance on an unknown feel if we are having trouble with a known memory feel? That makes zero sense.

Robert,

iComforts are assembled by Serta.  I had a Revolution for 4 weeks and yes the tag says Serta, Moreno Valley, CA.   However, I'm darn sure the gel memory foam is sourced form Sleep Innovations.

Hear me out - like said, I had a brand new iComfort Revolution for 4 weeks.  I don't care how one slices it, that mattress, IMO, qualifies as an ultra plush.  I slept on it for 4 weeks, had other family members try it .... it causes a body to sink a lot into it.  Sounds good, but this led to neck pains, and scraping sound.  My neck does not do that!   And now it is fine again.

People don't like to hear that Revolution is so plush.  I found some bad things about the iComfort.  I've been saying this over and over.  First, the box spring was very cheesy.  the surface rods permanently bent a good 1/4" and deformed guaranteeing some sagging in the middle.

Also, the ad board stated, in Sears - 2.75" gel foam and 2" Koolcomfort memory foam, for 4.75" total.

They couldn't even get that right.  I measured carefully to find 5.75" memory foam total ... tooo much IMO.   The core is 6", all iComforts are, the mattress 11.75" high, so 5.75" memory foam total.  They couldn't even put in what they say in the mattress.  To me that reeks of low quality.

Sounds harsh, but that was my experience.  And when I had to sell it private.  it wasn't worth squat at 4 weeks old pawned off a $1500 twin XL for $175.

i saw used Tempurpedic Queen asking $1000.