spouse of scouse

You're not listening - they are always right

Chris'nJulie

Of course they are.

spouse of scouse

Good lad

Jerseygirl

Typical man. That’s because sometimes we let you think you are right. Helps to boost the male ego a little.

cyrian

JG Have you read your signature?

Tweedpipe

Pleased to see that my post has produced a number of both informative and humorous replies. Thanks to all for the feedback.

Not only have I been reading up on numerous mattress supplier promotions & specifications - which are bewildering in the extreme, but yesterday on my own I went along to check out several specialist stores.
Frankly I'm now more bewildered than ever. I mean forget pillows, my mind's now reeling trying to get my head around ILD ref numbers, polyfoam density, memory foam layers, and attempting to fully understand other things such as Impoved Offgassing specs. Were it a bidet or a WC I planned on buying, that last specification could well be invaluable. But it's just a mattress dammit!
As for the Sinkage Test, Motion Isolation capabilities, and Motion Transfer reduction, do those mattress tradesmen in the ads and the stores really think that I’ll be dancing the Charleston, the Gangnam Style, The Hokey Pokey, of doing the Funky Chicken on the bed for God’s sake?
On second thoughts, doing the Hokey Pokey or even the Funky Chicken could well recondition ones libido - if the mattress could stand the strain........

I was told by one cowboy salesman in a small store (possibly an ex used-car salesman from a dodgy urban backstreet car lot) that latex mattresses were "en train de sortir" (on their way out). When asked why, he hesitated and gave some b.s. about natural latex rubber being virtually no longer available, there now being a world shortage according to him. Fortunately I'd researched the subject well beforehand, and corrected him that according to the Rubber Economist Ltd there are no serious short term production concerns, and that in 2018 NR latex mattresses were one of the most popular, and still appear to be in 2019; one reason being they are often reported as the healthiest and most eco-friendly mattress on the market.
His jaw dropped. It became clear that he had none in-store, but was promoting only the more expensive hybrid innerspring/memory foam type. A typical ploy of some deceitful car salesmen who bad-mouth brand xyz whilst promoting brand abc that they represent. Fwiw I've met the same with piano salesmen promoting their new, impressively named chinese instruments and pooh-poohing the likes of Japanese made Yamaha's - which I happen to know are always excellent instruments.

Anyway as advised on the many reports I'd read, I tried out many different types and makes of mattresses in various stores, and made careful notes.
I already have a fair idea of the type I prefer (hybrid spring) and one can generally feel an improvement in comfort as the price tag increases.
Next step is to do similar in-store comfort trials with Mme TP - hopefully she won't be feeling too fruity....... Should be interesting, and I've reserved a clean pair of hole-less socks for the occasion, otherwise I'd be in the doghouse yet again!

spouse of scouse

I recommend testing mattresses in a store that displays them as part of a full bedroom furniture suite. Climb on top of the wardrobe, holler 'brace yourself Mme TTP!', and launch.
Might get you thrown out of the store, but it'll be fun.

scrubbedexpat094

And get someone to film it all so we can relive it with you

Tweedpipe

@SofS and Vstix,
Well you're certainly placing the stakes pretty high, especially if the wardrobe is in excees of 5ft. As for rising to that occasion..........
I've never tried it but I’ve heard that wardrobe diving’s a very dangerous sport. My fear of heights is an initial concern, and I’m unsure if my personal health insurance policy would cover any related accident. I must check the small-print.
As for capturing the event on film, I have severe doubts that my little Brownie would be up for it.
A suivre........

Jerseygirl

Many shops here allow you to test mattresses for around 90 days. Do you have anything like that there?

spouse of scouse

I wonder what happens to the mattresses that people send back after the 90 days? Hopefully they're not put back into new stock

Jerseygirl

Not sure about the US but in Canada they must be destroyed.

spouse of scouse

Well thank goodness for that. I wouldn't want a mattress with someone else's crudites in it (I was going to write cooties but I can't spell that)

Annetje

I've bought one of these thick memory foam ones and now I find I break my back every time I change the sheets ...
Lesson, lift the matress to see if you're strong enough !

Tweedpipe

So, the purchase has now been made.
A few days ago, after spending about 2hrs on various bedding websites and other related FAQ sites, Mme suddenly announced she knew exactly what sort of mattress we needed - Latex, as it was 'natural' and apparently very durable. As she'd not even tried one, or any other type up until then, I stayed silent!

Then yesterday, after tarting herself up a bit, told me to hurry and get ready to go out for the Great Mattress Shopping Spree. To her surprise, I told her I wasn't going anywhere. I'd already tested many for their individual comfort in several stores and decided that I preferred one of the very latest hybrid multi-spring matresses. Adding that she was now on her own, and if she came back with one that I didn't like, "No big deal," I said, "I can always sleep in the guest bedroom!" And off she went in a huff.

Fast forward to the end of the afternoon. She arrived home exhausted from her shopping trip. I assumed it was from all that lying down on the job, and the frustration of discussing the most favourable, less painful positions etc with strangers........
I like to think that my words of wisdom and strategy paid off, as to my satisfaction she also had preferred a hybrid mattress, and had negotiated the price inclusive of delivery, which I had specifically repeated.
It arrives next week, and the guest bedroom should therefore remain unoccupied. Normalement........

Again, thanks for all your feedback & comments. If I'm in the guest bedroom next week, I'll blame you lot!