The Unofficial Memory Foam/Visco Elastic/NASA Pillow Thread

[Slacktron]

Having gone through a few pillows and finally settled on the (expensive) TempurPedic originals, I moving on to the matress itself. Rather than go through the same upgrade process, I'm starting at the high end this time.

Has anyone found a place that sells *real* tempurpedic mattresses at a good discount? I'm not looking for a knockoff or mattress pad, but the real thing. I know the TempurPedic guys show up at HomeExpo shows and whatnot with discounts over retail, but I can't find any place online that sells them direct at a savings. Even saving sales tax would be an achievement.

 

[whovous]

I assume that Mark's Bedding is memoryfoam.com. I found onlyl one pillow there, and it does not look at all like you described it.
It looks like I can no longer cut and paste URLs, but when I went to his page, I clicked on Pillows, and found only one item that even looked like a pillow. It was "visco-elastic" but had ridges and seemed to have a contoured shape instead of a traditional shape as well.

I do have Bed Bath and Beyond in the area. Aside from their 20% off coupon, what is the best discount I can hope for from their inflated prices? Linens and Things just opened here as well, so I am hoping they will eventually start to compete on price.

 

[Atrac]

Originally posted by: whovous
I assume that Mark's Bedding is memoryfoam.com. I found onlyl one pillow there, and it does not look at all like you described it.
It looks like I can no longer cut and paste URLs, but when I went to his page, I clicked on Pillows, and found only one item that even looked like a pillow. It was "visco-elastic" but had ridges and seemed to have a contoured shape instead of a traditional shape as well.

I do have Bed Bath and Beyond in the area. Aside from their 20% off coupon, what is the best discount I can hope for from their inflated prices? Linens and Things just opened here as well, so I am hoping they will eventually start to compete on price.

This is a quote from Mark's post earlier in this thread:

"Hey everyone!!

This is Mark D. Reigle owner of Mark's 1/2 Price Bedding & memoryfoam.com. I have been getting a lot of great traffic from this thread and I want to thank the Anandtech community for their support.


I have a special buy for readers of this thread. I have 36 Carpenter Perfect pillows on order that I am selling to Anandtech members for $45 including shipping to your home. They should be in the week of the 21st of April. To place your order you may call 800-540-4757 8-8 eastern Mon-Fri and 10-4 on Saturday.

Thank you once again for your overwhelming support.

Sincerely,

Mark D. Reigle"

So you'll need to call and get this special deal. Good luck!

 

[Dari]

I read a few posts in this thread, but I want a recommendation for the best pillows out there in five words or less.

 

[SpotDancer]

Hey, Atrac........I am not as bad as you in ordering these pillows, but I just got in my 4th set today from SmartBargains - the Carpenter Comfort Zone Contoured Pillow which you recommended in one of your most recent posts.

You did mention that these pillows were a bit too firm for you, but damn I really like them. With all of the other pillows I bought none were really all that supportive, they just sort of softly squished under my head. They were all a little too soft for me. With some I used a Sobakawa pillow as a base which worked ok, and with others I would either double them up or tuck my arm under them.

The Comfort Zone pillows are definitely supportive - no need for any additional pillows, and I can keep my arm from under them. I also noticed that these pillows really conformed to the countour of my head, and didnt just squish down in the middle like the others. I dont doubt that over a period of time these pillows will probably soften up a bit, but I suspect that the 3 year warranty for these pillows is a legitimate period of time before they wear out. I also like the size of them: 20x15 with one end 4" high, and the other end 5" high. I like both heights, but I am sure I will probably settle on one end more than the other. And, I really like the cover on the pillow. It feels like a satiny, stretchy, cotton pillow........very nice. And, as you said the price was right - $24.99 each, with $6.95 shipping.

If those Swedish pillows you just bought were a little less expensive, I might try a couple of them too!!

By the way, this thread will never die or go to sleep.........it may take a nap, but it is definitely like the Energizer Bunny - it keeps going and going!! It truly is amazing how many people seem interested in these products.

And for the person who just asked for a recommendation in five words or less? Either read just this page, or go stick it in your ear. Whattaya want.........to be waited on or what???

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: SpotDancer
Hey, Atrac........I am not as bad as you in ordering these pillows, but I just got in my 4th set today from SmartBargains - the Carpenter Comfort Zone Contoured Pillow which you recommended in one of your most recent posts.

You did mention that these pillows were a bit too firm for you, but damn I really like them. With all of the other pillows I bought none were really all that supportive, they just sort of softly squished under my head. They were all a little too soft for me. With some I used a Sobakawa pillow as a base which worked ok, and with others I would either double them up or tuck my arm under them.

The Comfort Zone pillows are definitely supportive - no need for any additional pillows, and I can keep my arm from under them. I also noticed that these pillows really conformed to the countour of my head, and didnt just squish down in the middle like the others. I dont doubt that over a period of time these pillows will probably soften up a bit, but I suspect that the 3 year warranty for these pillows is a legitimate period of time before they wear out. I also like the size of them: 20x15 with one end 4" high, and the other end 5" high. I like both heights, but I am sure I will probably settle on one end more than the other. And, I really like the cover on the pillow. It feels like a satiny, stretchy, cotton pillow........very nice. And, as you said the price was right - $24.99 each, with $6.95 shipping.

If those Swedish pillows you just bought were a little less expensive, I might try a couple of them too!!

By the way, this thread will never die or go to sleep.........it may take a nap, but it is definitely like the Energizer Bunny - it keeps going and going!! It truly is amazing how many people seem interested in these products.

And for the person who just asked for a recommendation in five words or less? Either read just this page, or go stick it in your ear. Whattaya want.........to be waited on or what???

Damn, I never knew people were that passionate about pillows until I tripped upon this thread. Now I have more respect for them (the pillows). Thanks for the insight, guys. I'll hit a few of the mentioned B&M stores within the next couple of weeks to see which pillow is right for me.


And yes, I do want to be waited on.

 

[Atrac]

Originally posted by: Dari


And yes, I do want to be waited on.

B&M Stores are definately the best place to go. Especially at Brookstone...go there and show some interest in the Tempur-Pedic stuff and they'll fall all over you.

 

[SpotDancer]

Originally posted by: Dari

And yes, I do want to be waited on.

It must be very, very "interesting" to be in a relationship with you!! Do you expect to have your underwear ironed too? :Q

 

[clarkmo]

Originally posted by: Dari
I read a few posts in this thread, but I want a recommendation for the best pillows out there in five words or less.

Sam's Tempsoma thick/firm $29.95


At Smartbargains with a different name.

 

[cressida]

okay ... I dunno which one to get, I just want a soft one!

 

[imported_Tomato]

A lady I've been talking to wants to sell me her Brookstone Tempurpedic pillow (apparently it's brand new, etc.) for $45. She says she paid $100 plus tax for it new, but she just doesn't like it... do you think it's a bargain?

 

[Noirish]

If she really hasn't used it at all, YES.

 

[clarkmo]

Originally posted by: Synergy
okay ... I dunno which one to get, I just want a soft one!

Isotonic by Carpenter from Bed Bath & Beyond B&M, may need some breaking in though, mine did.

 

[GregANDTCH]

Hello,
I just noticed a Stein Mart insert in the local newspaper
that has a "Perfect" pillow for $29.99.

Perfect pillow conforms to your head and
neck to provide support. Includes pillow cover.
29.99 standard elsewhere $45

There's also a 20% off (any one item) coupon on the back page.
Should make the pillow about $23.99 plus tax.
YMMV

I haven't gone by the store yet to check it out.

(WOW this thread's about to have a birthday!)

 

[Atrac]

Wow GregANDTCH, you've found the MOTHERLOAD of Memory Foam Deals at this Stein Mart (which I've never even heard of):

(I tried to link to the current ad but it doesn't work!) Their website is here.

They've got the Comfort Zone pillow for $19.99!!! Memory Foam Pads (all sizes) for $29.99!!!! Interestingly enough, they also list the "Structure" pillow for $39.99 (this one is yet *another* Carpenter Co. clone...I suspect it is even closer to the "Isotonic" pillow sold at Bed Bath & Beyond...apparently there really is a difference in terms of softness).

And as you point out, "The Perfect Pillow" is $29.99.

I'd love to get a coupon for them....I wonder if they accept competitor coupons like the other Bed/Bath Stores do?

Yes, I vote this the HOTTEST find yet for this thread. It's an early birthday present for it.

Good job!

 

[mastergunnera8]

I tried the Tempur brand and it was not thick enough for me (even the thick version)and too hard. I went to Linens and Things and traded them in on this "Sleep Innovations Novaform Naturals"

Linked

It has a goose down outer, on each side and has the memory foam on the inside. Excellent pillow! my wife is in her third trimester and she is loving it!!! BTW the tempur pillows we had were the millenium type.

I bought the 10" tempur mattress from these people when they were listing on ebay for cheap!! They do not have the prices listed on the website, call them. I paid 1600 for a 10" king size with foundation and two pillows, all tempur-pedic brandname...delivered. They are in Va with warehouse delivery from NC...so no tax for me in Va. Saved me $1000 over "The Back Store" here.


Linked

 

[GregANDTCH]

I didn't know they had a site.

Here's a couple links to the AD page's that I am talking about:
Pillow page

Back Page

That empty spot in the lower left corner is where they printed the coupons.

I guess they don't want anybody printing them out!

Here's you some address's Atrac:
345 South Lake Avenue #112
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 395-7740

1936 North Placentia Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 223-0019

1375 Foothill Boulevard
La Verne, CA 91750
(909) 392-8882

20535 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 695-9533

13031 Peyton Drive
Chino Hills, CA 91709
(909) 465-9221

51-B Peninsula Center
Rolling Hills Estate, CA 90274
(310) 541-4114

10801 Zelzah Avenue
Granada Hills, CA 91344
(818) 832-7800

19041 Beach Boulevard
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 596-5009

10930 Foothill Boulevard
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 481-0400

 

[SpotDancer]

Boo-hoo!!.........no on-line sales

 

[Ph34rful]

Originally posted by: Atrac

Originally posted by: SpotDancer

Originally posted by: Atrac
I got my "Mör by Somnigbjorn" Swedish Memory Foam memory foam pillow today. It's great, especially if you like The Sharper Image Pillow. It's the *exact* same pillow. They must use the same manfacturer. So it's a better value than buying it at Sharper Image ($29.99 versus $59.99).

I tried finding this vendor on eBay, Atrac, and could not find them. Where did you find them? Under what heading?

Text (being as subtle as possible)

I think I've finally decided what pillow to get! Thanks again for all this wonderful research.

 

[Atrac]

Thanks for the info, GregANDTCH. I went to that Pasadena store since it's very close to me. Unfortunately, it's a "Honey, I Shrunk The Store" place. It's a very tiny version of the real store. Even more unfortunate, they didn't have any of the memory foam products.

All of the other stores are way to far out for me to visit.

Stein Mart seems to take the same approach as Wal*Mart...staying away from the big city!

 

[grinwell]

Atrac,

Someone is posting "Tempur Pillow Scam notice" auctions on eBay, claiming that most Tempur pillows sold on eBay may be genuine, but of lesser quality (ie, similar to Factory Outlet quality), that their true retail value is only $50 and they have much less foam.

Your thoughts, experiences? Or anyone else who had bought on eBay? I was considering getting an eBay pillow but 1) the price seems to have gone up in recent weeks and 2) it sounds like these pillows may suck

 

[MontyBurns]

So, do people have reviews of the Novaform memory foam pillow from SmartBargains?

http://www.smartbargains.com/prod.asp?deptId=3&catId=116&prodId=3030119050&page=1&searchob=ja

I've seen a couple links to it on here... Do people really like it? Seems so much cheaper than the others, I'm skeptical.

 

[Atrac]

Originally posted by: grinwell
Atrac,

Someone is posting "Tempur Pillow Scam notice" auctions on eBay, claiming that most Tempur pillows sold on eBay may be genuine, but of lesser quality (ie, similar to Factory Outlet quality), that their true retail value is only $50 and they have much less foam.

Your thoughts, experiences? Or anyone else who had bought on eBay? I was considering getting an eBay pillow but 1) the price seems to have gone up in recent weeks and 2) it sounds like these pillows may suck

I don't know what to think of that guy. A few weeks ago he was selling pillows that sound a lot like what he is describing as "bogus" pillows:

"Space Pillow"

Either he is a part of the scam, or he bought a bunch of those pillows, realized they were fakes, sold them off, then decided to tell everyone that they are fakes.

I do know that there is no "new line" of Tempur-Pedic Pillows that are less dense.

It's amazing to me all of the fuss over a pillow. Wait, I'm the one that started it on here! heh heh

 

[Cleaner]

I would like to state for the record that your all crazy! How is possible that a thread concerning foam pillows can get 13 PAGES OF COMMENTS!?!?! INSANE!! In regards to the pillow I'll stick with my arm or my wife's. Thanks!

 

[Atrac]

Originally posted by: Cleaner
I would like to state for the record that your all crazy! How is possible that a thread concerning foam pillows can get 13 PAGES OF COMMENTS!?!?! INSANE!! In regards to the pillow I'll stick with my arm or my wife's. Thanks!

Ummmm......yeah.

Anyway, I did try yet *another* pillow and wanted to pass on the info. I saw this seller on eBay but ended up ordering directly from their website.


Pillow Pedic

I went with them because, as always, I was curious and wanted a squeese! And WOW, it was a risk that paid off. It's a very nice, thick, dense pillow. I've said that before, but I mean it! It's pretty dang close to Tempur-Pedic, maybe a little less dense. It's somewhere between Tempur-Pedic and The Sharper Image pillow. It's got a nice, soft cover. The cover is a little different because it's less "terry cloth" and more smooth (kind of silk like). The most notable part is that it costs $46.00 "out the door" with shipping included for a KING sized one. It's a great value! They also didn't charge me tax, even though we are both in Southern California.

They adverstise on their page that these same pillows MADE OF THE SAME MATERIAL sell for $125 by a national retailer! I don't know which retailer they refer to, since it doesn't feel quite the same as Tempur-Pedic, but it's a pretty damn good imitation, especially for the price. I mean a KING sized memory foam pillow with cover for $46.00 is insane!

The unfortunate part about this place is they only take PayPal. They only provide a link to PayPal, so I had to create my own "invoice" and send it to them (including what pillow I wanted). I then didn't really hear back from them until I emailed them and requested an order status. I'm guessing they don't get a lot of business or are new to e-sales, since there were several hoops for me to jump through. I ordered on Thursday, they shipped it Monday, and I got it yesterday (since I am so close to them). Overall pretty painless, but I was worried since there are so many frauds on the Internet. But as I said it was a very worthwhile risk in the end!

Anyway, I just wanted to pass this on. This is probably the *last* pillow I am going to buy for a while...there are only so many gifts I can give out of Memory Foam pillows.