buying a new bed & mattress - need some advice

[bodhi_tree777]

ahh, tax return time. That glorious time of year where you suddenly have a l'il chunk of dough to spend on things that you could never really afford any other time of the year. This year, the wife and I have decided to buy a new bed and mattress (we're currently sleeping on a flattened metal futon frame with a 15-20 year old mattress and boxspring balanced precariously on it). It's actually kind of an intimidating purchase for a young family and we want to get something that doesn't suck. We're going to either: A) build a custom, DIY platform with storage underneath and buy a new mattress or mattress/boxspring combo to sit on it, orB) bite the bullet and buy an all-new...something. So let's hear the voice of experience, if it's out there. What have you all purchased and loved or hated, and why? Boxspring or no? Inner spring? Memory foam? Vinyl? where did you get the best deals? Any advice, as always, is much appreciated.

[Caretaker]

I went to the Healthy Back store. They carry a line called Dormia. It is part vinyl, part memory foam. I got a $3,200 bed for $2,000. It came with the motion frame and vibrator, hot/cold pack for your neck (shaped like a kitty), and two memory foam pillows which I have since thrown out as a result of the next sentence. I would definitely NOT buy a 100% memory foam bed. They are hot and will trap the moisture from all that icky body sweat over time.If on a budget, head over to Costco and pick up a mattress. If you don't have a card, I'll swing by bodhi and pick you up. If you decide to do a mattress store, or even Sears, get them to halve the price. Mattresses are a scam; the people are paid on commission, and they have a very high markup. State your price and walk out. You'll be suprised how often the salesperson will follow

[bodhi_tree777]

That's what I was hoping to hear (the part about the haggling, anyway). I remember hearing on NPR months ago about price fixing as related to mattresses and they summed it up the same way: total scam and artificially inflated price. I'm not even sure where the nearest Costco is around here, to be honest. Anyone ever built their own bed frame?

[Caretaker]

no Costco in your neighborhood, but you do have a Sam's Club on Murdoch Avenue. Since I don't belong to Sam's, I don't know if they let you in without a membership.

[chevelle_lover]

I have a memory foam matress and I am looking forward to burning it in the yard. Toxic chemicals be damned I will do it. The boss and I went to Chicago in November and stayed at a hotel with the sleep number bed. We loved it.

[Tubaryan12]

If you want a really good mattress and don't mind the road trip, go here:http://www.originalmattress.com/

[808 Vibes]

I have a new platform bed (BLACK...goes with my EVERYTHING!) so I didn't have to buy a box spring, just got a pillowtop mattress. I think I paid over $1200 for it. Best thing about it is no metal frame, so no casters, so it doesn't roll around and no box spring, so no squeaks hahah

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by chevelle_lover ».........The boss and I went to Chicago in November and stayed at a hotel with the sleep number bed. We loved it. Whoa!!! You DO know what you said here!?!Memory foam sucks. Sure it is comfortable but all of the foam wrapping itself around and form fitting around your body = heat!!!!If you are a person always seeking warmth it would be great, we are people who open our windows to sleep in the winter!Buying a bed is so vastly confusing and bed stores want you to lie upon the beds which is besides being weird, just kinda icky if you have any level of OCD as I do. (funny, I'll fix your sewer ejector pump, no problem, but I'm weirded out just touching your door knob! Yet, my sticky grandchildren who at times smell "funny" aren't an issue, go figure)Anyway back on track, this is a very hard purchase, not easily returned and expensive!!I know some with the air comfort type beds that love them.....and some that HATE them.You really have to try them. Stay at some hotels, many have branded stuff in the rooms and you can purchase like products. Hampton Inns I find amazingly comfy and you can buy those beds (new of course). If you are lucky maybe your boss will take you away and you can test ride a bed!!Dave

[trask]

I purchased a sleep number mattress several years ago and I have been very happy with it. http://www.selectcomfort.com/

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by bodhi_tree777 »Anyone ever built their own bed frame?It's easy! All you need are some boards, tape measure, a saw, and something to attach it all together (screws preferably, duct tape doesn't last....)Like this:It can be as complex or simple as your wife desires!!!http://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Wooden-B ... m...m-bed/

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Tubaryan12 »If you want a really good mattress and don't mind the road trip, go here:http://www.originalmattress.com/Does any department store ever sell a mattress that isnt half price? Serta, Simmons, Beautyrest, Sterns and Foster etc are all just franchises owned by individuals who essentially license the trademark and supposedly build to specs. Just like McDonald's some do a better job than others. They all seem to have abandoned the box springs. They also just finish one side with the claim that you don't have to flip the mattress occasionally. Of course you can't flip theirs.Original Mattress has a factory in Columbus, OH (and probably elsewhere), still finishes both sides so you can flip the mattress. They also still have box springs.For one guest room I bought a queen mattress set at Sam's for a good price - fine by me but my spouse was not impressed.Next for the other guest bedroom I bought a queen set at Original Mattress factory. No haggle, no free this or that, but the price was reasonable and my wife and all our guests like the mattress.We need to replace our king size set one of these days - I will go to Original Mattress Factory.No matter where you live I am sure there is an "Original Mattress" type manufacturer in your locality.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by chevelle_lover »I have a memory foam mattress and I am looking forward to burning it in the yard. Toxic chemicals be damned I will do it. The boss and I went to Chicago in November and stayed at a hotel with the sleep number bed. We loved it.We just DUMPED our Sleep Number bed. It was killing us... both of us.Oh sure, it was great for the first 6 months, just long enough we couldn't return it and get out $2k back. Then it went hard and neither of us could find a satisfactory setting... especially me. 20-25 was too soft and 25-30 left me w/a whole set of different maladies.

[Blanco_Diablo]

Got an ikea platform frame with storage underneath...this:http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata...21338Mattress from local mattress place (no box spring necessary) more money to spend on a good one.Had this set-up for 2 years so far, works for us

[bodhi_tree777]

Quote, originally posted by Blanco_Diablo »Got an ikea platform frame with storage underneath...this:http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata...21338Mattress from local mattress place (no box spring necessary) more money to spend on a good one.Had this set-up for 2 years so far, works for us that looks more or less like what we're looking for. I should have noted that we're not in need of a headboard since we have an unused and blocked off fireplace in our room (the mantle and frame is now our headboard . A platform like this would be ideal, we're mostly just sweating the mattress purchase.BD: is the wood finish on this lacquered or glossy? Or is it paintable?

[bodhi_tree777]

Thanks to all for the pointers and advice, btw. Who would've thought something so simple would be kind of a stressful purchase? Memory foam is definitely out due to the heat issue. Our local Mattress Warehouse has a 90-day replacement guarantee if you're not comfortable, the caveat being that you have to leave the plastic cover on the mattress for the duration of the test drive. We might go that route just in case, as our worst fear is that we'll drop a bunch of money on a mattress and just want to set it on fire 2 weeks later.

[808 Vibes]

^ ^ Yep. Now you know what I'm going through with the crib mattress. I never bothered with a headboard either, giving it that "loft" look.

[Caretaker]

".............how do we sleep while our beds are burning"

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Caretaker »".............how do we sleep while our beds are burning"How can we dance when our earth is turning.

[chevelle_lover]

Quote, originally posted by djkeev » Whoa!!! You DO know what you said here!?!What? The boss aka the wife aka She who must be obeyed went to Chicago

[Blanco_Diablo]

It has a clear satin finish to it. I'm guessing it would take quite a bit of sanding to be able to paint it.

[psiu]

We have a sleep number bed and it's certainly okay. Dual zones, wireless remote control, frame and everything.It was free for a $2500 setup (which is probably $2300 more than I would ever want to spend).Friends of the wife's family were getting rid of theirs. Win for us.