My new Serta extra-firm St. Charles Ltd mattress is killing me. Return it or add a topper? What to d

[jazzguy]

Just bought a Serta Extra-Firm St. Charles from Macy's and the first two nights have been murder on my hips, shoulders and arms, almost like sleeping on a board, although I have no pad whatsoever on it as of now, just mattress. I was just about to go back and exchange it for something a little softer but decided to read up a bit.... [AFTER purchasing, duh]
I'm a 6' 1, 260 lb. side sleeper and I think I may have bought the wrong firmness for a side sleeper like me. It was Macy's last day of their 'closeout sale' and my 25 year old Sealy [yes, 25] was beyond shot so I foolishly impulse-bought the extra-firm Serta. I obviously didn't do my homework which is unlike me when making a puchase.
About 90% of Macy's mattresses were pillowtops/memory-foam tops and I just wanted a regular firm mattress, but I may have overcompensated for my saggy old Sealy by buying the extra-firm Serta, as I don't really like to sink in too deep to a mattress and am concerned about developing sag spots.
Since I already purchased, I'm now stuck w/Macy's poor selection of non-pillowtops, though I do have 30 days to exchange it @ a 10% loss plus $70 delivery/exchange fee.
Macy's only stocks a couple firm non-pillowtop/non-memory foam models by Sealy, Serta and Simmons. My initial thought at this point was to just exchange the extra-firm and buy a regular firm non-pillowtop Serta or Sealy. Or should I just keep the extra-firm Serta and add a topper as recommended in this forum?
here's a link to the model I purchased...the other Serta St Charles model they offer is a cushion firm, which was a little soft for me.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=368949&CategoryID=25961

I realize everyone is different and trying out a mattress is the only true way to find what is best for me, but does anyone see anything else from Macy's selection that might be a good solution, or just go w/a topper to soften up what I already have?
And is one brand from the big 3 'S' manufacturers typically better than the other as far as durability, or are Sertas, Sealys and Simmons all poor in the durability dept? I tried to search online but found very conflicting opinions.
p.s. I didn't really like the Tempurpedic.....thanks in advance

 

[eagle2]

Well JazzGuy, it looks like you found a good deal in the mattress as far as the price goes, but if you're unhappy you're unhappy.

I can not understand why they call it extra firm when it uses 14.5 gauge coils. I would think that would be pretty soft. But you need to talk to somebody like jimsocal who is a spring person. After 20 years with waterbed mattresses I recently purchased a latex mattress from FlowBeds, with which I am very happy.

Possibly somebody will come along who has a lot more experience with inner springs than I do. Good luck.

 

[fantasticalice]

I sure love my 2 inch latex from Overstock. $140 for a Queen, THREE DOLLAR shipping. I love my new topper, it's exactly what I was looking for. 4 nights off my air bed, 20 years I spent on that Areo bed! I bought a top-of-the-line FUTON mattress, slapped latex on top and sleep like a baby! Not even I can believe it. I weigh 30 lbs more than you, I may get another topper, it's a GREAT price. No smell, looks like it's suppose to, I can find no fault. Then again, I'm no expert.
I'd keep that mattress!

 

[jimsocal]

I think Extra firm is good because it means you have less cheap foam on top that will just wear out quickly anyway.

The only difference usually these days between a FIRM and a MEDIUM is that the softer it gets the more cheap lousy foam you get that will break down and give you no support.

So I would stick with what you have.

I would try to buy a 1 and 1/2" or not much more than that layer of latex to put on top and see if that helps. If you can get a good medium piece of latex that might solve your problem. If you can only get 2 and 1/2 " that might work for you since you are a big guy, but if you can get 2 x 1" layers instead of a 2" layer that is better because it gives you more options for reversing them, using only one, etc. A 1" medium (say, 32ILD) and a 1" soft, say 24-28ILD would be ideal I think.

The reason I would keep the bed you have is because all the S company beds are basically the same in terms of quality so why trade one for another?

If the latex does not fix your problem, then you should give great consideration to becoming a mattress surgeon! It's fun, easy, and can solve your problem and give you a long-lasting mattress for very little extra money. Probably $200 extra would solve your problem. You could try OVerstock and see if you are lucky and get the right ILD's for you. If not, buy a couple one inch layers from SleepEZ or Rockymountainmattress or ?

Meanwhile. look into mattress surgery:

MATTRESS SURGERY: performing a "foam-ectomy" on my Englander mattress - w/ photos

Guess what? Englander is no better than the S brands (imho)... As you may know, I bought the Englander (Malibu Firm) only for the springs. I PLANNED to give it a "foam-ectomy", getting rid of the junky cheap foam. But I wanted to see how long it might be comfortable before I did surgery on it...

www.whatsthebest-mattress.com

Make sure you click ALL to see each post including links to other surgeons' projects.

 

[jazzguy]

thanks for the replies, maybe I'll go w/the Overstock latex. $180 for a king size and no shipping cost since I'm a 1st time buyer.
it'll cost me $170 to exchange the mattress I have anyway, so what do I have to lose? maybe I'll even buy 2 toppers and sell one if I can't use it...
But I may have to return the boxspring and get the low profile instead of the standard. I'm 6' 1" and I can't even touch the floor w/my feet hanging over the side of the bed as it is and the topper will make it even taller. Plus I'm running out of headboard, this thing is so tall!
Mattresses sure have gotten a lot thicker since I bought my last one 25 yrs ago.