Sleep overrated ...NO MORE!
Written: Nov 30 '08
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Pros: Individual pressure adjustments
12 month zero interest
Ease of assembly
No monthly flip required
Cons: Expensive mattress
Low pressure depression
High pressure sales tactics
Expensive accessories
Increased occurrence of snoring
The Bottom Line: In our experience, the ease of use and mutually satisfactory firmness settings are worth the cost.
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| spencejt's Full Review: Select Comfort Mattress Sleep Number 7000 |
I have purposely delayed writing this review to mitigate any 'placebo effect' of having spent $3,000.00 on a mattress.
First of all it cost us $3K, second of all it is a MATTRESS! If you cannot tell by the tone of this review, I was not at all wild about spending this amount of money on something of this sort. In my mind I could spend less than that, and walk away with a larger, newer and in all ways far more useful upgrade for our already large and useful television... but I digress. This was a purchase mandated by my wife, and unless I wanted to sleep in the home theater (the couch of which is not ideal for somber slumber), I would agree with whichever mattress she decided upon.
Sleep Criteria
My wife likes to sleep on a mattress with firmness somewhere between that of a waterbed and a marshmallow. I prefer my sleeping surface to be less firm than that of plywood, but more firm then pudding (long story).
My wife had three criteria to be met for the mattress;
1 - That it be softer that our (then) current Verlo mattress
2 - That she be able to sleep longer
3 - That she be able to sleep with less pain
My list was a bit simpler than that;
1 - That it be firmer than our (then) current Verlo Mattress
2 - That I could sleep on it
Research
We were intrigued by the commercials for the "Sleep Number" mattresses from Select Comfort and knew of at least one relative and a friend of the family, who both own one. This began our research.
We asked Aunt Sara, who gave the product a "thumbs up". Given that this side of the family is somewhat hard to please, her recommendation is tantamount to a raving endorsement. We then asked my good friend Tim, and his wife Lynn. They also painted their Sleep Number mattress in a favorable light. Tim is also a highly trusted, very picky consumer and will be the first to tell state if he doesn't like something. Tim reported only one issue with the compressor for his mattress. Other than that, he claims that his back pain has greatly reduced and that he sleeps far better than he has on any conventional spring mattress.
Both Aunt Sara, and Tim & Lynn are what I would consider 'long-time owners', having purchased their mattresses years ago. In short, both first hand reviews were positive.
Additional research of on-line reviews were highly polarized in so much as reviews were either raving 100% in favor or %100 against the Select Comfort Sleep Number mattresses.
Select Comfort had a '12 month zero interest' financing option, which we chose to eliminate the impact of purchasing such an expensive mattress. We also had a 30 day trial period, in which we could sleep on and evaluate the product. There was also a promotion running, where we would also receive $200 in bedding at no additional charge (snicker) ...more on that later.
Purchase Experience
Our experience in the Select Comfort store was something less than ideal. My wife and I both went through the obligatory evaluation to determine our ideal 'sleep number' (she is a 35, I am a 45). We had pretty much already determined that we were going to move forward with the purchase, and had already researched the models available and their features/benefits, so the 'sale' was pretty much a 'done deal' ...or so we thought.
Once our sales representative processed our credit application, she proceeded to show us the many additional amenities that could be added, for a nominal fee, to our already large purchase. Said sales representative neglected to bring up the 'free bedding' promotion until my wife mentioned it at which point there was a perceptible 'chilling' of the sales rep's demeanor while she resumed showing us all of the additional items.
The Hard Sell
My wife had already pretty much decided that we would pick up a new mattress pad for our new mattress (cha-CHING) to the tune of just under $240 (...yeah CHA-CHING). The sales rep then continued to attempt to 'sell' us a SECOND, 'identical' mattress pad!!! WTH?!? My wife had to forcibly inform the woman that we had no intent of spending anything over the 'free' $200 in bedding. The sales rep continued to push not only a second mattress pad ($240), but their special pillow ...at the cost of around $110!!! My wife reached a point with the sale representative where she was about to walk away from the entire transaction and told the woman in as many words.
Delivery
Transaction completed, cut to approximately ten days later when we return home from work to find a number of boxes (six or seven... cannot recall) on the porch of our home. While the boxes required multiple trips up the stairs to the master bedroom, they were far easier to manage than a queen sized box springs and mattress.
Assembly
Assembly was simple and took less than 30 minutes, from opening the boxes and snapping together the 'Rubbermaid storage-like' platform to laying out the fabric mattress 'shell', foam inserts, and air bladders. Inflation took another 30 minutes.
Adjusting the numbers
The first night or two, we slept with the mattress set at our determined numbers, after that, we chose to drop them down a bit each evening until we felt that we had achieved optimum quality slumber. My wife now sleeps on a 'cloud-like' 25. I remain at number 45 (I'm stubborn like that).
After two weeks
We had pretty much decided to keep the product. My wife was able to sleep longer, where with the old Verlo mattress, she would begin to ache and had a problem sleeping much past 4:00 a.m. She was able to sleep longer and without pain on her own 'cloud'. I find myself waking up with less overall stiffness and am sleeping more soundly.
After three month summation
Smooth sailing where sleeping is concerned. As for the claims to a more restful sleep, I would say that in our experience this is true. The extent of Select Marketing claims may vary, but overall we are pleased with our decision. There have been no mechanical issues and the air bladders have not (to our knowledge) needed any adjustment due to leakage of air.
I must note that when not in use (i.e. being slept on), the mattress will appear 'depressed'. This is not to be confused with being 'emotionally depressed', but rather depressed in a physical sense. You see when there is nobody on the mattress, the bedding will 'settle' into said mattress due to the varying amount of air pressure. My wife's side of the mattress has a noticeable indent, whereas my side is less pronounced however still noticeable. Care should be taken to fully inflate both sides of the mattress in the event that the house is being shown.
One added benefit of the Sleep Number mattress is that we no longer are required to do the monthly mattress 'flip', which, while not a hard thing to do, is an added task with a bulky queen-sized spring mattress. ...I would rather sleep on it, than be required to flip it every month.
The 'hard sell' is a thing of the past, but it should be noted for those considering the purchase of a Sleep Number mattress from Select Comfort. In our experience, they will make every attempt to sell every available over-priced accessory to you. Do not hesitate to take control of the sales process and assert yourself. Remember, it is you, as the 'customer', that is in charge of the entire sales process. The store exit is always within walking distance.
Recommended:
Yes
Mattress Size: Queen
Mattress Firmness: Somewhat firm
Amount Paid (US$): 3,000.00
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Epinions.com ID:
spencejt
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 1 member
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