Mattress questions

[Slickone]

Trying to decide on a queen mattress, hopefully for no more than $600.

What about (coil mattresses with) Euro tops? I saw a $600 Corsicana that had 2" of Visco foam on one side.
Is Corsicana good? How do they compare to the others? I thought it was strange that nowhere on the mattress did it say Corsicana.
http://www.corsicanabedding.com/

Someone said the pillowtops can form indentations in the pillowtop after awhile. Anyone else experience this? My GF's is a Sealy PT (queen) and we haven't noticed this. I lik eit. Can the Euro/foam top's do this?

I was told the mattresses that are two sided (ie. pillowtop on both sides), and even some that say they don't have to be flipped are, are not as good as the one sided ones since the two sided ones have to be made the same from the center out to each edge, whereas the one sided can have different types of layers from the bottom up to the top. Is this true?


Last year, I looked at some nice Sealy pillowtop mattresses at the Mattress Firm here in TN, and the decent, thicker pillowtops started at I think $550 and up. Seems like one was the Prestigious Plush. They also had a new nice Sealy model that I think was a foam top (Euro?), for about $800-$900.
http://mattressfirm.com/

Most mattress salesmen tell you they can't take any more off the price, and tell you they can use such and such 'sale' they are having, or were recently. Can you get them to take more off? Especially, what if you know they had the mattress in the past for quite a bit cheaper, either because the price has gone up since then, or it was a better sale back then.
Seems like one guy was gonna throw in the foundation for free.

Are Sealy and Serta about the same?

Sams has a Serta Northstar Indulgence pillowtop queen for $470. It has a 532 coil count. Are these good enough? I've heard the arguements that Sams doesn't know mattresses, so this can't be good, but it seems their ~$500 mattress would be comparable to a mattress store's more expensive mattress (with their markup). I think Sams also has a Pillowsoft (non-pillowtop) for about $380. At least they used to.

I don't have a Costco membership since it's about 45min away, but for just 5% more, I could still get a good deal on thiers, if their Sealy's are good. They occasionally have one mentioned a few times on AT for $489 - $100.

There seems to be some useful info here, which I plan to read what I can.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-topic-How_to_Buy_a_Mattress

 

[Saulbadguy]

I'm also interested in this. I want a matress that doesn't "sink" to the middle.

 

[alkemyst]

Seriously a mattress is like buying a used car, they are all about the story....

I like Therapedic, I have had Sealy and Serta's too. They all are about the same and each price point. Pillowtops are great if you like them....all mattresses should be flipped and rotated monthly for the most life....the bigger the mattress the harder this is of course.

Box fountations are cheaper than box spring. Some stores have end of year mix and match sales...I was able to get a $1000 bed for around $100...they almost didn't honor the price as I was not supposed to be able to find a complete set (King...the mattress and two box springs matched ).

Now as many here probably know in the mall you will pay a premium, at a mattress only store you can usually negotiate by as much as 70% (I got a bed really cheap when my ex-wife went in a sort of flirted around on top of it....as soon as she got the best price, I came in and paid for it :evil: the guy I think wanted to cry ehhhe).

My brother once got a Queen for like $200 off a 'truck' on the side of the road. I thought the bed would be crappy but it's now one of the guest beds at my parent's house. Many comment on it as a good bed which is odd.

My current bed I hate...I want to get a new one especially now that the fountation creaks. It was not a cheap bed and is by Sealy I think.

I'd say get the bed that feels best to you. Then shop it down in price. Get the best deal, then go to the next shop with that number to beat. If they can, go back to the first shop and at least give them one last crack at it.

Å

 

[amnesiac]

I just got a queen size plush Sealy Posturepedic from Costco for $389

 

[ThePresence]

You forgot to leave off the last "S" for savings.

 

[Kelemvor]

www.selectcomfort.com
These are the ones wher eyou choose your "Sleep Number" Sounds cheesey but they are incredibly comfortable. Highly recommend them. They aren't cheap, but it's the only mattress you'll buy for the next 15 years or more...

 

[Slickone]

That's the thing, you can't negotiate between two different stores, because none of them sell the same mattress.

You forgot to leave off the last "S" for savings.

I don't get it.

 

[Garion]

Originally posted by: Slickone
That's the thing, you can't negotiate between two different stores, because none of them sell the same mattress.

Actually, that's not true. My sister just bought one from one of those "mattress superstores". She ended up getting a queen mattress marked for $1,000+ for $415. We got the specs (coil count, etc.) on the super Costco mattress deal last month (Nice queen for $400) and she took them in to this place. She found the one that she liked on their showroom with roughly comparable specs and told them she'd buy it if they matched the Costco price, and they did. We did the exact same thing with a King about three years ago (different store).

If I had to buy a mattress again, I'd do the EXACT same thing - Find the cheapest price for a good mattress that you like, even if it's not the right firmness or feel for you, then take it to a mattress superstore. Find the one you like and see if they will make a deal - Chances are, they will and you'll save a ton of money. Might even be able to get them to throw in some of their extras, too - Free frame, pillows, delivery, etc. Just be sure to have a printout of the cheaper one's specs to take with you, so they can compare and validate you're doing an apples-to-apples deal.

Obviously, this won't work at the department stores, but who buys mattresses there anyhow?

- G

 

[KarenMarie]

stern's & foster

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Slickone
That's the thing, you can't negotiate between two different stores, because none of them sell the same mattress.

You forgot to leave off the last "S" for savings.

I don't get it.

They do, there are cross references available...either way if a store doesn't want to deal it's because they see one as an easy sale.

This is the same as A/V gear used to be....Sony would have a different model number for the same unit for Sears, JC Penney, etc...consumers caught on.

Å

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: Garion

Originally posted by: Slickone
That's the thing, you can't negotiate between two different stores, because none of them sell the same mattress.

Actually, that's not true. My sister just bought one from one of those "mattress superstores". She ended up getting a queen mattress marked for $1,000+ for $415. We got the specs (coil count, etc.) on the super Costco mattress deal last month (Nice queen for $400) and she took them in to this place. She found the one that she liked on their showroom with roughly comparable specs and told them she'd buy it if they matched the Costco price, and they did. We did the exact same thing with a King about three years ago (different store).

If I had to buy a mattress again, I'd do the EXACT same thing - Find the cheapest price for a good mattress that you like, even if it's not the right firmness or feel for you, then take it to a mattress superstore. Find the one you like and see if they will make a deal - Chances are, they will and you'll save a ton of money. Might even be able to get them to throw in some of their extras, too - Free frame, pillows, delivery, etc. Just be sure to have a printout of the cheaper one's specs to take with you, so they can compare and validate you're doing an apples-to-apples deal.

OK, but the reason I said that is because every guide I've read on how to buy mattresses, people on here, and different sales people have said this. I've asked a couple different sales people about matching to Sam's, but they won't. Although, I've never brought in a printout showing specs to match up and ask for a price match.

Originally posted by: alkemyst
They do, there are cross references available...either way if a store doesn't want to deal it's because they see one as an easy sale.

This is the same as A/V gear used to be....Sony would have a different model number for the same unit for Sears, JC Penney, etc...consumers caught on.

Where are these cross references?
They still have different models of A/V gear for Sam's, Wal Mart, etc.


Hoping to get some input on my questions.

 

[Ornery]

During your shopping, ask what the deal is about these monster thick mattresses sold today. We bought one, which meant we had to buy bigger sheets to fit it, but worse, it was too high for our canon ball bed. We had to buy a special, low height box spring for it. It all seems stupid to me.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Slickone

OK, but the reason I said that is because every guide I've read on how to buy mattresses, people on here, and different sales people have said this. I've asked a couple different sales people about matching to Sam's, but they won't have it. I've never brought in a printout showing specs and tried to match up and ask for a price match.

I don't know where you are getting this info, and as far as people on 'here' we are them , what sales people? Sams/Costco/etc are usually not going to negotiate. You need to head over to a mattress only store. Again though like a car...some people think that MSRP is the best you can get because they are clueless negotiators.

I have never brought in invoices...usually the most I will get is a business card with the model and price on the back. Again it's up to them what they want as proof and proof is never needed in order for them to give you the best price off the bat. It's up to you to walk if the deal isn't what you want.

Where are these cross references?
They still have different models of A/V gear for Sam's, Wal Mart, etc.

Hoping to get some input on my questions.

[/quote]

The cross references need to be hunted down. Most mattress companies (not Sams/Costco/etc) will have the cross references....calling the manufacturers you can get the list of the model names a certain bed goes under and who carries which.

I never said different model designations aren't still used for different stores...however, many will price match if they are the same units....again though it all depends on negotiation.

Å

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Slickone

OK, but the reason I said that is because every guide I've read on how to buy mattresses, people on here, and different sales people have said this. I've asked a couple different sales people about matching to Sam's, but they won't. Although, I've never brought in a printout showing specs to match up and ask for a price match.

I don't know where you are getting this info, and as far as people on 'here' we are them , what sales people? Sams/Costco/etc are usually not going to negotiate. You need to head over to a mattress only store. Again though like a car...some people think that MSRP is the best you can get because they are clueless negotiators.

Well it was other people on here. It's been awhile, and there are lots of people on here. Sales people - no, of course not the ones at Sams, etc, but the ones at the different mattress stores I've been to. Also there's a mattress FAQ & forum type webpage that said this, but I forget the address.

I have never brought in invoices...usually the most I will get is a business card with the model and price on the back. Again it's up to them what they want as proof and proof is never needed in order for them to give you the best price off the bat. It's up to you to walk if the deal isn't what you want.

I didn't mentioned invoices, but what proof could you get from Sams showing the price and specs? The same mattress in the Sams B&M is $470, and $550 online because it includes shipping (also doesn't include frame, which I think the mattress stores usually will for free). Whereas Costco shows the same price in B&M and online. I will try again to get a price match somewhere, but as I said, I've tried to PM in the past just by word (no proof on paper), and they've said that the mattresses at Sams, etc aren't as good of quality. Are they not?

Where are these cross references?

Hoping to get some input on my questions.

The cross references need to be hunted down. Most mattress companies (not Sams/Costco/etc) will have the cross references....calling the manufacturers you can get the list of the model names a certain bed goes under and who carries which.

Mattress companies as in manufactures? Or were you saying mattress stores, and manufactures? I was thinking I contacted Sealy a last year and was told they couldn't match up models, but I could be mistaken.


Since this has become a Sams/Costo thread, feel free to see my other questions here.
Also any input on my other questions in the OP are welcome.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Slickone
Mattress companies as in manufactures? Or where you saying mattress stores, and manufactures? I was thinking I contacted Sealy a last year and was told they couldn't match up models, but I could be mistaken.

If you think about this, there is no way Sealy would not be able to identify all the models it sells under different numbers...they make them.

I have seen a store listing of all other 'comparables' for there own mattresses vs the other stores.

Å

 

[Garion]

The guys at the chain mattress stores are in it for a sale. And their prices are always incredibly marked up - Probably everyone gets a "deal" and nobody but the most extreme suckers buy at full list.

You just need to be polite and firm. Tell them that you're willing to buy something from them and spend your money in their store, but you want to make sure that they are being competitive. Show them a printout of EXACTLY what you can get a Sam's or Costco (I use Costco, since they have it on-line to print out). If they aren't willing to make a deal, don't be afraid to tell them that you ARE going to buy a mattress today, and if they can't meet the price, you're not afraid to go somewhere else.

I always like to throw in a bit of human interest.. "I can get THIS (show printout from Costco.com) from them, but I hate doing business with these big companies. I'd rather support smaller, independant/local companies whenever possible, but I only have a budget of X, and this is what I want to buy." 90% of the time, they will bite.

- G

 

[TitanDiddly]

Hammocks > *

 

[alkemyst]

If you happen to have a tall, big breasted, blonde, blue eyed dancer girlfriend send her in to play on the mattress you want...setup the sale and then as the punchline you come in and pay for it

Å

 

[kage69]

www.selectcomfort.com

Damn straight. I picked up a king pillow top about 6 months ago, and haven't regretted it. My neck and lower back stopped hurting in the mornings almost immediately after I put the bed together. I'm 210lbs, my fiance is about 120lbs. (she won't tell me for sure, that's my estimate from picking her up) so the dual chambers inside really work well.. The only drawback is the price, but I still consider it an excellent value, especially seeing as these things last forever. Go test one out, you will probably never go back to a spring-based mattress.

 

[mdcrab]

Read about mattress salesman at Monday, September 08, 2003 & Wednesday, September 10, 2003

 

[Slickone]

Hoping to get some answers to questions in OP.
Sealy vs. Serta?
One sided no flip vs. Two sided don't have to flip, but can if want to?
Pillowtop - yes/no?
Euro top w/ top 2" visco foam) - yes/no?
Pillowtop w/ visco foam in pillow - yes/no?
Corsicana - yes/no?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Slickone
Hoping to get some answers to questions in OP.
Sealy vs. Serta?
One sided no flip vs. Two sided don't have to flip, but can if want to?
Pillowtop - yes/no?
Euro top w/ top 2" visco foam) - yes/no?
Pillowtop w/ visco foam in pillow - yes/no?
Corsicana - yes/no?

Most of the above is akin to asking us what should you have for dinner pizza or seafood.

You will have to decide what type of bed and budget you have.

The manufacturers is not so important.

2sided no flips will be more expensive for equal features.

Pillow top/euro top/etc are all similar, you either like the pillow top or not.

good luck.