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Mattress Shopping - Looking for advice

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Sr. Member
Jun 25, 2001
605 posts
140 upvotes
Kitchener, ON

Mattress Shopping - Looking for advice

So my partner and I are in the market for a new bed. She likes plusher bed, I like slightly firmer beds.

We've narrowed down our search to two prospective beds.
1) The Brick has the Simmons Diamond Spectra on for $1350. This seems like a standard sale price according to this thread http://forums.redflagdeals.com/brick-mattress-833062/. Here are some specs:
  • About 1300 coils for king
  • 13.75 gauge wire
  • Memory foam AND Latex layers
  • Silk ticking (I've heard this really does not matter)
  • Cotton blended fabrics
  • Triton Foundation
  • Feels (subjective) slightly firmer
2) Sleep Country has the Simmons World Class Essence on for $2742, but we negotiated it down to $1280. Here are some specs:
  • About 1300 coils for king
  • Unknown guage wire
  • Only memory foam (no latex)
  • Silk and wool ticking (I've heard this really does not matter)
  • Synthetic fabrics
  • Unknown foundation
  • Feels (subjective) slightly softer
The beds seem to be similar in many regards, and both feel comfortable. At this point I feel like price is the only factor left to look at (and may be to some extent comfort).

My question is, are the beds in fact similar?
17 replies
Member
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Jul 16, 2003
301 posts
17 upvotes
After a lot of shopping, searching and reading, I decided not to buy a mattress from any of the big 4 "S" companies ever again (Serta, Simmons, Sealy, Stern & Foster...) and decided to look at independent mattress makers instead. I did not regret my choice!

That being said, you must know that all of the big 4 "S" companies uses the same coil springs made by one single manufacturer (Leggett and Platt). The rest of the mattress is just layers for durability, comfort and support - this is where your money is going... and marketing. Then good luck comparing your mattress from a place to another or trying to find the exact specs of the materials used in each of the different layers, like the density of the foam for example. Forget about the brand names, they are just there to confuse you more!

If you have time to read and have not made your purchase yet, you should read the following pages to understand why shopping for an 'S' mattress IS confusing... :confused:

A good mattress set should cost you around 1000-1200$ before taxes and will last you 8-10 years. Paying more, unless you have very specific bedding needs, is throwing your money out the window.

http://www.slate.com/id/93956/
http://www.mattressscam.com/
8-mattress-mysteries Consumer Reports

My 2¢
Member
User avatar
Jul 2, 2007
246 posts
GTA, ON
Hey Gasket,

We're looking into purchasing a new mattress set and I'm concerned like any RFD'er about best bang for my buck. What independent manufacturers have you looked at? What stores would you recommend going to for the best service?

Regards,

Rorius
Member
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Jul 16, 2003
301 posts
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Rorius wrote: Hey Gasket,

We're looking into purchasing a new mattress set and I'm concerned like any RFD'er about best bang for my buck. What independent manufacturers have you looked at? What stores would you recommend going to for the best service?

Regards,

Rorius

I found quite a few mattress manufacturers in Quebec simply by using Google and the Yellow Pages (I don't know about GTA) so I actually had to narrow it down to 3 that have a showroom in my area:

http://www.matelasrene.com/
http://www.matelasdauphin.com/
http://www.matelaslapensee.ca/

I decided to go with Matelas Lapensée mainly because the factory is just behind their showroom and I was able to peek in :) It helped, but the real reason I purchased there is because they were able to produce the exact mattress my wife and I were looking for, at the price we wanted, and the salesperson (Pascal, the owner's son) was just amazing to deal with. My mattress is fully flippable which means it has the same layers on each side (very difficult to find nowadays). It goes like this: You pick the mattress you like from the showroom and then you can add/change/remove layers to your licking if necessary - the price may vary with the materials you choose. Then, you have 90 days to try your mattress and have it modified if need be (without charge). I must specify that Matelas Lapensée do not bargain their prices nor do they have any promotional sales at any time. I was not sure about this approach at first but then I started comparing prices, and I realized that they were very competitive while being able to offer customization and customer service.

This is my original list of independent mattress manufacturers in Quebec (might still be helpful to you to gather more info) and some of them might have branches in Ontario?

Hope this helps.

http://www.fabricantdematelas.com/en/home/historia.html (Matelas Houde)
http://www.matelasbourck.qc.ca/matelas_intro.html
http://www.matelasalhorizontal.com/en/index.php
http://www.matelasavanti.com/
http://www.matelasrene.com/
http://www.matelas-personnel.com/
http://www.matelasorthopedique.com/en/index.html#
http://www.mirabelmat.com/
http://www.matelasconfort.com/
http://www.literielaurier.com/
http://www.zedbed.com/mattress.html
http://www.matelasdauphin.com/
http://www.matelaslapensee.ca/en/produits/produits.php
http://www.myessentia.com/
http://www.primointernational.com/
Jr. Member
User avatar
Dec 24, 2008
153 posts
12 upvotes
very helpful info, thanks!
When I bought my mattress 13 yrs ago, the brands and materials confused me too. The final decision though was squeezing the edges of the mattress to see how much they compacted. It is still holding up pretty good and Im happy with it, not sagging or poking coils, but that took a few weeks of shopping around.
Member
User avatar
Jul 16, 2003
301 posts
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miztia wrote: very helpful info, thanks!
When I bought my mattress 13 yrs ago, the brands and materials confused me too. The final decision though was squeezing the edges of the mattress to see how much they compacted. It is still holding up pretty good and Im happy with it, not sagging or poking coils, but that took a few weeks of shopping around.
You wouldn't be able to do that with my Lapensée mattress, it doesn't even squeeze when I sit on the edge LOL!

I think it's definitely worth the time and effort to shop for a good mattress as we spend so much time on it...
Jr. Member
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Dec 24, 2008
153 posts
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[quote="Gasket" post_id="12448774" time="1297985308" user_id="5608"]You wouldn't be able to do that with my Lapensée mattress, it doesn't even squeeze when I sit on the edge LOL!

QUOTE]

ohhh how much was it if you dont mind me asking?..and where did you get it from. Mine is still pretty good, but could possibly be looking in the next year or so. Nothing beats a comfy sleep!
Jr. Member
User avatar
Feb 20, 2008
182 posts
21 upvotes
Can anyone recommend good stores to SHOP for a mattress in Montreal?

I already know (from a Protegez Vous article and other findings) that Matelas Bonheur is the only chain that does not resort to shady sales technique and I might go there this week-end.

Thanks
Jr. Member
Mar 4, 2008
118 posts
3 upvotes
Watch for those mattress crooks. They can do one for you but is not the same size like the bed-frame. In 95 I bought a mattress from Sears which was perfect. In 97 I bought a mattress from an unknown company. I realize that mattress was moving on the bed frame. The dimensions of the mattress were smaller 1.5 by 2 inches. After I moved to the new home and bought a new expensive bed ($3000) without mattress. I realized that all the big companies are crooks. The size of the mattress is smaller then the bed-frame.

How I solved the problem? I went to a guy who made mattresses. I told him the dimensions and I said clear on the invoice the dimensions.
First time he did a good.
I needed other 2 mattresses in my home. Second time the matters was smaller and I returned it for a full refund. Also the bed box was done by cardboard.

This happened in Toronto. Maybe in Montreal will be different.
Member
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Jul 16, 2003
301 posts
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picp01 wrote: Can anyone recommend good stores to SHOP for a mattress in Montreal?

I already know (from a Protegez Vous article and other findings) that Matelas Bonheur is the only chain that does not resort to shady sales technique and I might go there this week-end.

Thanks

You have a couple of options in your area for mattress makers. Perhaps it's worth a little drive too before you spend over 1000$ on your new bed.

MONTREAL
http://www.matelas-personnel.com/
http://www.matelasconfort.com/index.php
http://www.literielaurier.com/

LAVAL
http://www.mirabelmat.com/

TERREBONE
http://www.matelasbourck.qc.ca/matelas_intro.html
http://www.matelasalhorizontal.com/

BROSSARD
http://www.matelasdauphin.com/
Jr. Member
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Feb 20, 2008
182 posts
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Gasket wrote: You have a couple of options in your area for mattress makers. Perhaps it's worth a little drive too before you spend over 1000$ on your new bed.

MONTREAL
http://www.matelas-personnel.com/
http://www.matelasconfort.com/index.php
http://www.literielaurier.com/

LAVAL
http://www.mirabelmat.com/

TERREBONE
http://www.matelasbourck.qc.ca/matelas_intro.html
http://www.matelasalhorizontal.com/

BROSSARD
http://www.matelasdauphin.com/

Ok thanks for going through the list for me :D

However, I wonder if these makers resort to the same shady techniques as the big stores and chains?

I am tempted to thing they are better but I was hoping someone could tell!
Deal Fanatic
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Jul 23, 2005
5983 posts
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any recommendation for toronto?!
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Feb 20, 2008
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Deal Addict
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Mar 31, 2001
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Kitchener
Tomy wrote: any recommendation for toronto?!

Stear clear of Stern & Foster. They're total JUNK.
Sales pitch is ... " they where junk last year but they turned around and now are the best " .... B.S.!!!

It is not worth getting irritated, it is not worth it.... Wish everyone happiness, and you yourself will be happy.
Member
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Jul 16, 2003
301 posts
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look30 wrote: Stear clear of Stern & Foster. They're total JUNK.
Sales pitch is ... " they where junk last year but they turned around and now are the best " .... B.S.!!!
You're right. Stern & Foster is just another piece of crap made by Sealy.
Newbie
Jun 17, 2008
72 posts
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Hudson, Quebec
look30 wrote: Stear clear of Stern & Foster. They're total JUNK.
Sales pitch is ... " they where junk last year but they turned around and now are the best " .... B.S.!!!

I think 'junk' may may a bit harsh, but the quality does lack. See my posts in seeking-stearns-foster-mattress-feedback-464952/

We are getting a warranty replacement for our S&F Manhattan. We chose a S&F Halston as that was the least expensive option (read free)
Sr. Member
Apr 1, 2005
685 posts
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Toronto
im looking at spending $1000~ for a king mattress. don't care about brand new.. want something that is durable, comfortable and will last. any recommendationi n GTA?
Newbie
Nov 24, 2011
2 posts
Also do not even think of Galaxy Bedding, they are both overpriced and worthless quality. Also customer service will charge you 400$ to even consider the warranty.

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