31 replies to this topic Post Order

[Christopher Brunsdon]

riaanb, on 07 February 2012 - 11:29 , said:

I need to buy a good quality bed (matress and base) in a hurry and I have no idea where to start so I've come to ask the all-knowing Hub for help.

What are the brands to look at?
Where are the best places to get value in JHB?
Any contacts or connections?


Thanks in advance.

Whenever I help friends buy mattresses I always tell them to look at the Serta range. The best priced mattress on the market (price vs quality). Now only you can decide on what comfort layer you want to sleep on but I will gladly dispell the myths that the sales guys are going to spin on you.

#1 You sleep ontop of the comfort layers, not the springs - pocket coil ad comes to mind Comfort layers give you the comfort you prefer.

#2 Its the spring system, not the comfort layers that give you the support you need so a good quality spring system is important.

#3 Bigger is better! Large sleeping surface improves undisturbed sleep. Many manufacturers include innovative methods to achieve this by adding in extra support on the edges to increase sleeping surface area.

#4 Foam is hot! Foam is hot! Foam is hot! Yet all mattresses use foam just the amount varies.


That said, go for extra length. Your anyway going to need new sheets as newer mattresses are deeper so get the length - its not suppose to cost you more. Go for at least a queen 152cm wide unless you sleep in a passage.

Do-not turn mattresses are hot as they have a thick layer of foam. They offer the lazy convienance of not having to care for your mattress with required 1 month rotation. Expensive brands like Simmons include a date tag that assists you with rotating the mattress (which side up) but also used by reps to void your warranty when they see the wrong tag is showing this side up.

Inner spring technology is only 50% of the mattress and once you go over a certain price threshold, they (springs) are all good. Just be cautious of pocket coil/spring mattresses as they all have a weight threshold. Keep in mind your warranty is voided if your too heavy for the mattress (the heavest partner determines the threshold required). Pocket coil also require religous rotation of mattress and why they are not used in do-no-turn.

Religous mattress rotation is why hotel mattresses sleep so well, not because they are better products, actually they are often cheaper products (entry level) but with fire retardent ticking.

The industry is white labelled and this makes it hard to shop around - each outlet is allowed to choice own model name and ticking (material covering). That is why you need to shop instore and not on the phone.

I don't like solid foam mattresses and don't care what the South African Chiropractic Association endorsement says as its bought, yes bought. They are rock solid and will hurt your back. Unless you have a medical condition and have been prescribed a foam mattress, don't waste your money or sleepless nights on one.

Look after your mattress so get a cotton mattress protector and take fabric protection if offered (yes, the salesman is earning commission but it keeps your mattress clean for years). Also go for normal fabric mattress and not cotton - you are anyway going to sleep on sheets. Cotton can ad a couple of K to the mattress, my previous one was cotton and RRP was R4K more than non-cotton (I got it as a shop soiled so payed less than normal mattress).

If you need a base ask for a mismatch, this way you save on the set, your anyway going to cover the base so who care what colour it is.
If your on a budget, ask for a shop soiled mattress and then have it professionally cleaned, you can save a small fortune.

Now on how to buy: Go in to at least 3 stores, look at no more than 5 mattresses in each store and take notes. If your not too embarresed then take your own pillow with as a pillow will also influence how you feel a mattress (old trick of mine was to give the comfortable pillows to the mattresses I wanted to sell and the uncomfortable ones I did not want to sell, worked every time).

Now do not buy on day 1, go home and check the list and identify what you like. Now go back the next day in the morning and try them out again - you will be surprised at how much more different they feel.

Make sure the mattress is also in stock when you decide to purchase. If you want to save some cash, then phone other branches and play the guys against each other.

Do not forget to get cost of delivery when getting quotes, and how the delivery works.

Hope this helps.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

geecee, on 07 February 2012 - 08:03 , said:

http://www.plushbeds...ess-complaints/


out of curiosity
i have slept on a standard foam mattress all my life. i dont paticulary like sprung mattress, what are the options here.
sorry for the hijack

You live in Toti and sleep on a foam mattress, you must be well done by now .

A lot of companies use cost effective techniques to stiffen up the springs using foam wedges and/or using a thicker foam layer for the comfort layer to give you the comfort of foam but the benefits of inner spring. Depending on your budget, Serta has a mattress for each comfort preference (we have a do-not turn firm that is as hard as cloud-9 but still comfortable).

If your on a budget then look at Restonic (another favourite brand). They reinforce the middle of the mattress to firm it up by the hips and lower back.

[geecee]

thanks!

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Edge_Design, on 07 February 2012 - 07:42 , said:

I went to Dial-a-bed (into the store, not online) and the guy nearly sold a Serta to me... Decided to ask around and Tafelberg Furnished (Cape Town) told me they could sell me the exact same "R8k" bed for R5k... I would not recommend Dial-a-bed! I got a Spring Air for about R8k with base which is extremely nice (a friend also bought one on my recommendation 2 weeks later and also loves it). I always say buy extra length if you can, soooo much nicer than standard length beds.

Actually its not the same as the spring system is what separates Serta from other brands. They have the toughest units on the market and I was never afraid to sell them to the heavy guys. But that does not mean your Spring Air is any way inferior (I do not know the brand though).

Basically I use to work on the following guidelines to assist clients.

* If you weigh less than 80kg then any traditional spring (bonell) system is 100% perfect and most pocket coils.

* If you weigh less than 100kg then either a reinforced traditional spring system or an entry level slumberland, sealy (posture premier) or any other alternate spring system is perfect.

* If you weigh more than 100kg but less than 120kg then a top of range Simmons (Diamond/Saphire), a mid priced Serta or Slumberland, or a firm Selay posturepeadic is perfect.

* 120kg then you go for top end Slumberland (4000+) or top end Serta.


With the exception of a pocket coil mattress, you can always go for a "heavier" weight mattress. Pocket coil are very sensitive to weight and you need to get the correct advice on buying them.

Please note that often the comfort layers will collapse when someone is too heavy and that is why its important to rotate your mattress the heavier you are.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

I would like to add that the most comfortable mattress I've owned in the last 11 yrs (owned 5 so far) has been the cheapest one that we use for our spare bed ... and the second cheapest I ever use to sell.

(If your buying for kids then often cheaper mattresses are also better as they have less tolerance to adult weight and actually give correct support, too stiff a spring unit will not have any give or support - its like sleeping on a blank for your child).

[jagwil]

Look at a SIMMONS.

http://www.simmons.c...ite/default.asp

[cervelo]

King-coil and Sealy.

[Reg Lizard]

I bought a Cloud Nine last year (for just under R4k I think) and must say I haven't slept this well in ages You should just be mindfull that their range has different weight limits.

[DirtyFrank]

riaanb, on 07 February 2012 - 11:41 , said:

Who makes these? and where can I get more info? thanks

Be very careful. I bought one about 2 years ago.....top of the range Simmonds.....R10k+, It is the most comfortable bed ever and the missus loves it but the memory foam makes it very warm and it feels like the bed literally sucks you in. If you tend to have a high skin temperature I`d recommend against it. Women in general have a lower skin temperature( cold feet and hands are a clue ) so they will love it but for us blokes who like to sleep with nothing but a sheet....stay away i.m.o.

[cruiser]

Memory foam is good, serta do a bed that has a layer of this magic on top, i wanted a serta wife convinced me to buy tempur. Good luck with buying a bed. Dont rush as this cant be an exspensive mistake. Research and then go test.

[riaanb]

Christopher Brunsdon, on 07 February 2012 - 08:18 , said:

Whenever I help friends buy mattresses I always tell them to look at the Serta range. The best priced mattress on the market (price vs quality). Now only you can decide on what comfort layer you want to sleep on but I will gladly dispell the myths that the sales guys are going to spin on you.

#1 You sleep ontop of the comfort layers, not the springs - pocket coil ad comes to mind Comfort layers give you the comfort you prefer.

#2 Its the spring system, not the comfort layers that give you the support you need so a good quality spring system is important.

#3 Bigger is better! Large sleeping surface improves undisturbed sleep. Many manufacturers include innovative methods to achieve this by adding in extra support on the edges to increase sleeping surface area.

#4 Foam is hot! Foam is hot! Foam is hot! Yet all mattresses use foam just the amount varies.


That said, go for extra length. Your anyway going to need new sheets as newer mattresses are deeper so get the length - its not suppose to cost you more. Go for at least a queen 152cm wide unless you sleep in a passage.

Do-not turn mattresses are hot as they have a thick layer of foam. They offer the lazy convienance of not having to care for your mattress with required 1 month rotation. Expensive brands like Simmons include a date tag that assists you with rotating the mattress (which side up) but also used by reps to void your warranty when they see the wrong tag is showing this side up.

Inner spring technology is only 50% of the mattress and once you go over a certain price threshold, they (springs) are all good. Just be cautious of pocket coil/spring mattresses as they all have a weight threshold. Keep in mind your warranty is voided if your too heavy for the mattress (the heavest partner determines the threshold required). Pocket coil also require religous rotation of mattress and why they are not used in do-no-turn.

Religous mattress rotation is why hotel mattresses sleep so well, not because they are better products, actually they are often cheaper products (entry level) but with fire retardent ticking.

The industry is white labelled and this makes it hard to shop around - each outlet is allowed to choice own model name and ticking (material covering). That is why you need to shop instore and not on the phone.

I don't like solid foam mattresses and don't care what the South African Chiropractic Association endorsement says as its bought, yes bought. They are rock solid and will hurt your back. Unless you have a medical condition and have been prescribed a foam mattress, don't waste your money or sleepless nights on one.

Look after your mattress so get a cotton mattress protector and take fabric protection if offered (yes, the salesman is earning commission but it keeps your mattress clean for years). Also go for normal fabric mattress and not cotton - you are anyway going to sleep on sheets. Cotton can ad a couple of K to the mattress, my previous one was cotton and RRP was R4K more than non-cotton (I got it as a shop soiled so payed less than normal mattress).

If you need a base ask for a mismatch, this way you save on the set, your anyway going to cover the base so who care what colour it is.
If your on a budget, ask for a shop soiled mattress and then have it professionally cleaned, you can save a small fortune.

Now on how to buy: Go in to at least 3 stores, look at no more than 5 mattresses in each store and take notes. If your not too embarresed then take your own pillow with as a pillow will also influence how you feel a mattress (old trick of mine was to give the comfortable pillows to the mattresses I wanted to sell and the uncomfortable ones I did not want to sell, worked every time).

Now do not buy on day 1, go home and check the list and identify what you like. Now go back the next day in the morning and try them out again - you will be surprised at how much more different they feel.

Make sure the mattress is also in stock when you decide to purchase. If you want to save some cash, then phone other branches and play the guys against each other.

Do not forget to get cost of delivery when getting quotes, and how the delivery works.

Hope this helps.

Wow, I knew somebody on the hub would be an expert. Thanks!

Thanks for all the other feedback as well.

Ordered a top-end Serta with no memory foam as I get very hot when I sleep. After testing out many beds yesterday, I went home to compare and realised that anything will feel great as our old bed is really inferior.

Let's hope my days of waking up with lower back pain are over.

[smerds]

Christopher,

What do you think about these ...... http://www.green-coil.com/

[Christopher Brunsdon]

smerds, on 08 February 2012 - 11:19 , said:

Christopher,

What do you think about these ...... http://www.green-coil.com/

They look like an interesting brand but be cautious of tree hugging claims. As mentioned before, you sleep on sheets or should be so don't give a flying toss on what hippie material they use to cover the mattress.

I see they use natural latex (well all latex is natural as its a trademark as well) ... but it stinks like used condoms. I have a Dunlopillo latex pillow and could not sleep on it for two years due to the smell. But latex is just awesome but hot. If you have a medical condition and need a mattress that does not put pressure on your body (like a hip issue or your spending 99% of your life in bed).

But as mentioned before the brand looks interesting and I guess if you could price it against other similar products then you could decide if it is worth it.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

cervelo, on 08 February 2012 - 07:00 , said:

King-coil and Sealy.

I use to be the #1 King Koil salesman in my branch and I would gladly recommend them for kids, teenagers, spare bedrooms, new couples and mother in-laws.

On Sealy, well its the hardest brand to buy as they use 4 different spring systems and two different types of bases - was always a very difficult brand to sell and I often sold clients over to other brands that offered the same comfort & support for less.

BTW: Both King Koil and Sealy are made by edblo in South Africa.

[Christopher Brunsdon]

riaanb, on 08 February 2012 - 08:38 , said:

Wow, I knew somebody on the hub would be an expert. Thanks!

Thanks for all the other feedback as well.

Ordered a top-end Serta with no memory foam as I get very hot when I sleep. After testing out many beds yesterday, I went home to compare and realised that anything will feel great as our old bed is really inferior.

Let's hope my days of waking up with lower back pain are over.

Glad to be of assistance and you cannot go wrong with Serta

[MorewoodMad]

cruiser, on 08 February 2012 - 08:15 , said:

Memory foam is good, serta do a bed that has a layer of this magic on top, i wanted a serta wife convinced me to buy tempur. Good luck with buying a bed. Dont rush as this cant be an exspensive mistake. Research and then go test.

We also have a Tempur bed. Best R20k I've spent EVER.