My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please hel

[london79]

jimsocal wrote:
I'm sorry but I ain't buying that this is 100% latex. If it was, why would they not state for example what kind of latex it is and what ILD's are involved?
If they told you the base was 8" of Talalay then why would they not have told you what the other 5 and 1/2" are on top of it?
It makes no sense to advertise a "100% latex" mattress and then not describe the entire contents.
Also, nowhere on the page you gave us, above, does it SAY "100% latex"!

No, I smell a fish.

Add to that, that Serta is known to be the bottom of the barrel of the Big S companies... Even Sealy's latex mattresses are not all latex... The whole thing makes no sense.

I will apologize and admit I am wrong if it is shown that I am.

You have to be VERY CAREFUL when asking questions of some mattress sales people. If you ask "Is it 100% latex" they will say "yes, it is" meaning that yes, the 2" piece that is included in the mattress is "100% latex". What you have to ask is, "Are there any other foams included in the mattress that are not 100% latex?" And "So what are the other layers besides the 8" of Talalay? There are 5½" more - what are they made of?

And I would also ask, "Who makes the Talalay processed latex? Is it Latex International or who? Is it U.S. made or ?

Actually, he didn't say there were 5 1/2 other inches on top. 8" of Talalay, 2.5" of "convoluted" latex, .5 inches of some kind of latex that stays cool, and the rest being the quilted covering. The rep did reassure me there was no other foam besides talalay present in the mattress. Now, whether or not he was being honest, I can't tell you that. I have 90 days to try it out. I should know by then whether or not the product will perform. Especially since I sleep in the middle when it's just me.

 

[KimberlyH]

I agree about the "I smell a fish." I haven't ever seen a mattress made by an "S" company that was really 100% latex. What I suggest you do, is take a very careful look at the label when the bed arrives. You'll be able to read the entire content of the mattress and if you see any foam other than latex in the "ingredient list," send that puppy right back. I hope you have a money back guarantee.

Another thing that makes me suspicious is the price. $1800 for an all latex bed is at least $200-300 less than it "should" be. Having extensively priced latex mattresses, in queen size, you can get a *quality* mattress for around $2000, but not less unless you're going to a discount place like . . . foambymail and doing a DIY project.

I think the Costco Sleep Science latex mattress is the only *legitimate* first quality all latex mattress out there that might run under $2k, and although people have raved about it, I have my doubts about the quality of the latex in that. I suspect fillers . . . though not having seen or tried it first hand, my suspicions are absolutely baseless.

 

[confusedbedbuyer]

shelli2k wrote:
Greetings fellow Torontonian! I've been researching mattresses for countless hours and I'm ready to buy. Problem is I can't find a Canadian retailer who sells Sleep Science or comparable brand. Did you make a decision? Care to share? Your input would be greatly appreciated.
After much reasoning, I'm inclined to go with FloBeds. I called them up the other day and they seemed very friendly and knowledgable and they didn't try to pressure me at all.
I am not sure there is a Canadian equivalent to FloBeds. If there is, then I don't have the time to expend in finding it. I feel like I could spend dozens of more hours searching, and it would probably be in vain, when perhaps I already have the answer right in front of me: FloBeds.
When I called FloBeds they told me that they do ship to Canada and I got the impression that they have fulfilled quite a few Canadian orders already.
However, I am loathe to order from them simply because they ship via courier companies, who always try to charge bogus, undisclosed 'brokerage' charges at the last minute and/or after delivery, on cross-border shipments. I asked FloBeds if they could ship to me via United States Postal Service instead so I could avoid that, and he said that they are willing to, however they would have to ship the bed in 9 boxes instead of the 6 it would normally ship in (I may be misremembering the exact numbers, but it was something like that).
They also said that if I ordered a bed frame from them as well, then they couldn't ship via U.S.P.S. because the package would be too large for U.S.P.S. to accept.
When I told them about my concern, I think the FloBed guys didn't understand that courier companies charge bogus 'brokerage' charges on cross-border shipments. They told me that they didn't know how much the brokerage charge would be and referred me to the CBSA to find out...which was nice of them from a customer service perspective - they did everything in their power to help resolve my concern. But it wasn't much use. I don't think they understand that 'brokerage' charges are not a fair, uniform rate that everyone charges equally based on a legal standard (which I would accept, if that were the case), but rather courier companies have a habit of pulling their bogus, hidden 'brokerage' charge amounts out of places that it would be impolite to mention.
In other words, I have nothing bad to say about FloBeds itself-they seem like a great company- but it is unfortunate that buying from them creates big shipping problems due to the IMO nefarious shipping entities that they must outsource the delivery to in order to get the bed to me.
Even so, I think that I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy a FloBed one way or another. On the whole, I'd rather get scammed by bogus courier company charges than get scammed by buying a bed with awful polyurethane foam in it that is definitely going to break down in a few months.

 

[KimberlyH]

Well I have a Flobeds and I was terrified of buying a mattress I'd never tried online . .. but I have been really happy with the mattress and the customer service. Not sure what to say about the shipping to Canada, except that it sounds like you'll be at the mercy of the shippers, which is really unfortunate. I have one other idea. Why don't you contact Latex International directly and find out if they supply latex to any mattress manufacturers in Canada? If you could go directly to a Canadian source and order your latex there . . .I mean, as great as Flobeds is, basically they are selling you Latex International latex with a very nice cotton and wool zippered mattress cover. If you can source the exact same latex in Canada, and a zippered latex cover, then you can probably save yourself a whack of money. But use the mattress advisor on LI's site to figure out what ILDs to order your latex.

 

[jimsocal]

KimberlyH wrote:
I agree about the "I smell a fish." I haven't ever seen a mattress made by an "S" company that was really 100% latex. What I suggest you do, is take a very careful look at the label when the bed arrives. You'll be able to read the entire content of the mattress and if you see any foam other than latex in the "ingredient list," send that puppy right back. I hope you have a money back guarantee.

Another thing that makes me suspicious is the price. $1800 for an all latex bed is at least $200-300 less than it "should" be. Having extensively priced latex mattresses, in queen size, you can get a *quality* mattress for around $2000, but not less unless you're going to a discount place like . . . foambymail and doing a DIY project.

Yes, and $1800 is their listed price! We all know that S Co's always list one price and then sell it about 25-40% less than that. So that price for an all latex mattress just doesn't sound right.
I would try talking to someone else about it, see if they give you the same info... Maybe call the Serta Company and talk to someone there, or a dealer - whoever you have not talked with yet...

I'll say this, if it is as they are telling you , it is a pretty good deal.

If you are sure you get a 30 day trial, then give it a shot! But be very wary.

 

[london79]

KimberlyH wrote:
I agree about the "I smell a fish." I haven't ever seen a mattress made by an "S" company that was really 100% latex. What I suggest you do, is take a very careful look at the label when the bed arrives. You'll be able to read the entire content of the mattress and if you see any foam other than latex in the "ingredient list," send that puppy right back. I hope you have a money back guarantee.

Another thing that makes me suspicious is the price. $1800 for an all latex bed is at least $200-300 less than it "should" be. Having extensively priced latex mattresses, in queen size, you can get a *quality* mattress for around $2000, but not less unless you're going to a discount place like . . . foambymail and doing a DIY project.

I think the Costco Sleep Science latex mattress is the only *legitimate* first quality all latex mattress out there that might run under $2k, and although people have raved about it, I have my doubts about the quality of the latex in that. I suspect fillers . . . though not having seen or tried it first hand, my suspicions are absolutely baseless.
I did provide a link for the product. It's a $2800 set but it's on sale now for $2499. I only purchased the mattress minus the boxspring. I asked for a few hundred dollars off and they agreed. Like I stated, the only non-latex padding is in the quilted covering. And that's the same quilted covering used in any mattress.
Here's the link. For some reason the "insert link" button isn't working in my browser.

http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta-Opulence-Plush-P43.aspx

 

[budgy]

they *could* be using quiltable latex in the top quilted layer, however it is doubtful. If the law label lists polyurethane then it is probably at least some polyurethane in the quilted layer (maybe an inch or so).

 

[london79]

budgy wrote:
they *could* be using quiltable latex in the top quilted layer, however it is doubtful. If the law label lists polyurethane then it is probably at least some polyurethane in the quilted layer (maybe an inch or so).

I did test this bed out for a few minutes. It felt great. I'm not concerned so much with the quilted layer. I know that any other type of foam inside supporting me would be bad. And based on the specs given to me over the phone and what's on their site, there were no other types of foam mentioned or listed. I specifically asked was there any other type of foam present and the Serta rep told me there wasn't. If there is then that makes him a liar. But they give you 90 days to test it out.

 

[london79]

jimsocal wrote:
Also, nowhere on the page you gave us, above, does it SAY "100% latex"!

Serious question. Is there some other Talalay out there I'm not aware of?? Product description says "Support Layer - 100% Talalay Core". The Serta rep said this layer is 8". Next 2.5" is "Convoluted Talalay Latex". Then the .5" "Cool Nature Latex" layer.

Also, this mattress is not the same as the Pure Response line of Sertas.

When it arrives and if there is a way to unzip it, I will take pics and post for any doubters.

 

[budgy]

im gonna go out on a limb and say much to my surprise that it sounds like there isn't any polyurethane foam used in it. however, what I do trust more than specs on a website, or even from a dealer rep (most of them don't really know), is the law label itself. If there isn't a zip off cover, just read the law label tag. If there is polyurethane present it will be listed on the tag.

 

[jimsocal]

I have to admit, from what london says, it does sound like it's 100% latex. But very hard to believe. I hope it's true! Maybe this means that the Big S companies are going to finally make some quality mattresses for a change... !

 

[KimberlyH]

I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says. If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label. If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one

 

[london79]

KimberlyH wrote:
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says. If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label. If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one

I will gladly post pics. And like I stated, I had to negotiate that price for the mattress only. I don't think you would have that option ordering online.

 

[london79]

KimberlyH wrote:
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says. If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label. If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one

I don't think Sealy makes an all latex mattress. They all seem to have multiple layers of 3 or 4 different types of proprietary foams mixed with latex layers. Funny how this Serta model isn't on their website. It may be exclusive to the Mattress Firm only.

Also, for anyone concerned with the price being too good to be true, buying this queen mattress alone on the Mattress Firm's website will set you back $2730.

 

[budgy]

i know in my neck of the woods Sealy has had a "100% Latex" mattress for years. It still has polyurethane quilted into the cover and the latex is 100% synthetic content. So there isn't any 'real' latex in it whatsoever.

 

[jimsocal]

budgy wrote:
i know in my neck of the woods Sealy has had a "100% Latex" mattress for years. It still has polyurethane quilted into the cover and the latex is 100% synthetic content. So there isn't any 'real' latex in it whatsoever.

What does that mean, that it has 100% synthetic content? That means it has no actual rubber from the rubber tree?? Then how could they call it latex? I'm confused... I thought synthetic latex meant it was a blend of rubber from the rubber tree and -whatever they add to it.
By the way, when you buy a "blended Talalay" for example, from LI, what is the non-natural-rubber part of the blend? ((I have probably read this before but cannot for the life of me remember right now.)

But yeah, this mattress Serta has could be "100% latex" but 100% synthetic latex, then, couldn't it? Even though processed using the Talalay method?

 

[budgy]

its still 'latex'. synthetic latex means 100% synthetic. blended latex means a blend of synthetic and natural (most latex sold is a blend of the two). 100% natural would mean the absence of synthetic rubber.

 

[jimsocal]

budgy wrote:
its still 'latex'. synthetic latex means 100% synthetic. blended latex means a blend of synthetic and natural (most latex sold is a blend of the two). 100% natural would mean the absence of synthetic rubber.

But what IS synthetic latex?? I mean, is it pure chemicals? What chemicals? Link ?
Is it any good at all?

 

[Pete]

See my thread, "I made my own Hybrid mattress" It may shed some light.

 

[budgy]

jimsocal wrote:
But what IS synthetic latex?? I mean, is it pure chemicals? What chemicals? Link ?
Is it any good at all?

Yes, Synthetic Latex IS SBR Rubber (Styrene Butadiene). It is made from petro chemical derivatives.

It's bouncy and supportive, but it has absolutely none of the hypoallergenic properties of NR (natural rubber), and it lacks the elasticity.

Styrene-butadiene - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Most latex sold in North America is Styrene Butadiene, (actually most is a blend of natural and synthetic rubber, but with more of the latter)