JKlein's Profile

I'm a Tempur-Pedic dealer in CT. Most of my customers love their Tempur-Pedics, but the 5% who don't either feel that they are a little warm to sleep on or they just can't get used to the quicksand type feel.

The new Tempur-Pedic Breeze models are actually cooler to sleep on than any other type of mattress, even natural mattresses.

For my customers who feel Tempur isn't for them, I usually recommend organic natural latex mattresses. They will relieve pressure points as well as Tempur, even better in some cases.

If anyone has any questions or wants advice regarding Tempur-Pedic or other brands, feel free to contact me. I'm happy to help even if you aren't purchasing anything from my store.

Thanks,
Jeff Klein
www.sleepetc.com
Jklein@sleepetc.com

A mattress is worthless if its not comfortable, but there are other important factors to consider too. Some mattresses are considered healthier than others. Many contain components and chemical fire retardants that off gas known carcinogens. As a rule, natural latex mattresses usually come closest to being the the healthiest, but there is a lot of confusion and mis information regarding latex mattresses.

To clarify, latex can be either all natural, all synthetic or a blend of the two. All natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree. Synthetic latex is a petroleum polyurethane foam that is made to look and feel like natural latex, but it off gases carcinogenic fumes.

Most mattress manufacturers use chemical fire retardants because they are cheap. Wool can be used as a fire retardant, but it is more expensive. Organic wool is better because the sheep are treated humanely.

Studies have proven that the toxins from mattresses including the chemical fire retardants does absorb into your body.

I'm a retailer with experience and knowledge of the materials used in mattresses and I have my own daughter on a natural latex mattress with wool as the fire barrier.

My shops are in CT just outside of NY, but I'm happy to provide advice to anyone, even if you are not one of my customers. Feel free to pick my brains. I enjoy it.
Jeff Klein
www.organicsleep.com
Jklein@organicsleep.com

To clarify, latex can be either all natural, all synthetic or a blend of the two. All natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree. Synthetic latex is a petroleum polyurethane foam that is made to look and feel like natural latex, but it off gases carcinogenic fumes.

Most mattress manufacturers use chemical fire retardants because they are cheap. Wool can be used as a fire retardant, but it is more expensive.

Studies have proven that the toxins from mattresses including the chemical fire retardants does absorb into your body.

I'm a retailer with experience and knowledge of the materials used in mattresses and I have my own daughter on a natural latex mattress with wool as the fire barrier.

Jeff Klein
www.organicsleep.com

A lot of so called natural mattress companies mislead consumers by only highlighting the one or two natural or organic components in their beds. For example, a mattress might be made with a plant based foam like castor or soy. But what some retailers neglect to mention is that the foam is still at least 70% polyurethane (petroleum).

Another scam is to hide behind certifications. Most of the "certifications" only exist for marketing purposes and using them only involves paying annual dues to join their association. There are some certifications that you can trust, those would be from organizations that certify that every component and every model that a manufacturer produces passes a specific criteria, so do your homework.

I am a retailer, but I have been involved with natural and organic mattresses for longer than most. I am happy to offer advice if anyone has specific questions. Feel free to email me.

I am also putting together a comparison website. So I would encourage anyone to send me info, stories, complaints, questions, etc and I'll do my best to include it all.

Thanks,

Jeff Klein
Jklein@organicsleep.com
www.organicsleep.com

I'm not familiar with this store yet, but it definitely looks worth checking out. I am familiar with WJ Southard mattresses and they are very good. I haven't tried them for a year or so, but at the time my only negative comment was that every model felt really firm. That's great for a lot of people, but some people prefer a plusher, more luxurious feeling mattress.
I own an organic and natural mattress stores in Stamford and Norwalk, CT and I carry my own line of organic latex and wool mattresses called Terra Bed.

We zone the latex with various densities and firmnesses to support different people differently and some of the models are really plush feeling.

I don't carry them, but I have also heard good things about Omi and also European Sleep Systems.

Feel free to send me questions even if you aren't purchasing anything from my shop, I'm pretty familiar with most mattress brands and am happy to throw my two cents in.

Jeff Klein
Jklein@organicsleep.com
www.organicsleep.com

My company displays the largest selection of natural and organic mattresses in the country. Most of our beds are hand made locally in the US and we have also searched out the best beds from around the world. We are the exlusive dealer of Terra Beds Organic Mattresses and we were the first US dealer of Hastens Beds and Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden.

I don't encourage anyone to purchase a mattress without trying it first, and if anyone would like advise, even if not purchasing anything from my shops, feel free to email or call and I'll do my best to steer you in the right direction.

Jeff Klein
Jklein@organicsleep.com
www.organicsleep.com

NEWSFLASH: FED UP WITH HASTENS
While I still have the utmost respect for Hastens mattresses, the company leaves less and less to be desired these days.

Hastens has always been slow to handle customer service issues to the point where I would replace defective beds from my own inventory and wait for Hastens to then do an exchange at my warehouse. But I am at my whit's end because although the companies service was one of the reasons why I dropped the line last year in favor of Carpe Diem beds, they are not responding to my customer's calls for service or my calls. I have been emailing and calling the US Rep and the US Country Manager for over six weeks on behalf of a customer with a defective Hastens bed and no one has even replied.

Not Good. Is anyone else having a similar experience?

On another note, I am researching more European and Scandinavian brands. If anyone has any suggestions for me to check out or any questions, please email me.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff Klein
Svenska Beds
jklein@svenskabeds.com

Hi Carnag,

You are right to look at natural latex beds. If a bed from Sweden isn't in your budget, natural latex is my second choice for most people.

It conforms very well to the shape of your spine to give good support and it relieves pressure points better than most innerspring mattresses. Its cooler to sleep on because its very breathable and its very durable (30 to 40 years).

Some natural latex beds are organic, some are "green" and some are in between. Savvy Rest seems to make a nice mattress, but I don't like how sloppy they look. i also wish that they were plusher feeling. But the comfort is subjective. You might also check out Natura, they have many choices and they have a good reputation.

In CT, I carry natural latex beds from Terra Bed, a new line of organic natural latex from World Sleep Products. They are available with different toppers so you can find the comfort feel that is best for you.

Some innerspring mattresses might be a good match for you as well, NXG from Simmons is extremely conforming but it is all synthetic.

The pocketed coil line from Symbol/Mastercraft is really supportive and my customers have given me tons of great feedback on it.

The bottom line is comfort. If a Hastens or Carpe Diem was the most comfortable bed and if it fit in your budget, they are well worth it. But if your budget doesn't allow for those brands, then these other suggestions should give you some great alternatives.

Feel free to email or call if you would like specific info on anything that you are considering.

Good luck,

Jeff Klein
Sleep etc./Svenska Beds
Connecticut
jklein@svenskabeds.com

For the record, although I was the first Hastens dealer in the United States, I am phasing out of the brand after nine years.

I had made a comment on another blog and several people have asked me why, so I'll explain.

Hastens beds are wonderful, they are among the best in the world. I am not dropping the line due to any Hastens problems. It's purely business.

For the past few years, I have been selling Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden along side of Hastens. Carpe Diem beds use many of the same components as Hastens, even from the same vendors, but they have a few advantages that most of my customers have preferred.

The bottom line is that I am running a business and I have to give the people what they want. When comparing the two brands side by side, the majority of my customers have been preferring and buying Carpe Diem, so it was a natural choice to phase out Hastens.

Although I have never had any major problems with Hastens beds over the nine years that I have been dealing with them, there are a lot of maintenance issues that are a turn off to a lot of customers. Carpe Diem beds substitute a plush layer of Natural Latex instead of the Horse Hair that is found in Hastens, so the beds don't settle, they don't get firmer with use and they don't require the constant flipping that Hastens mandates.

The two brands are more similar than they are different. Carpe Diem was actually founded by a chiropractor in Sweden who purchased a Hastens and realized that he could make some changes to the bed that would make it even more conforming to the shape of the spine. He used many of the same ingredients including components from the same vendors. Both brands use a similar pocket spring system that is made by the same company. Both brands use a similar hard wood base with tongue and groove construction. Both use cotton and wool and both are hand made by artisans.

The primary difference is the use of a natural latex layer instead of a horse hair layer. This makes Carpe Diem impervious to the horse hair issues. No settling, even more breathable, longer comfort life, better edge support, better pressure relief, more conforming to the spine, etc. etc. But most people choose them because they feel incredible. They are truly amazing beds to sleep on.

Carpe has even been rated higher than Hastens in Sweden (number one for the past five years in a row) by the Swedish Furniture Industry Survey.

Of the hundreds of Carpe Diem beds that I have sold, we have only come across one bed that had not been manufactured properly. They have a zero percent return rate which is unheard of in this industry.

I am still a fan of Hastens and I still have some inventory in case anyone is looking for a deal, but going forward, I'm Mr. Carpe Diem. I have even inked a deal with Carpe Diem to be involved in their US distribution and several US stores are in the works. The beds are now available at my CT showrooms as well as two shops in CA.

I guess I am still Mr. Hastens too. So if anyone needs unbiased advice, feel free to email.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff Klein
President
Sleep etc. and Svenska Beds
Norwalk, CT

For the record, although I was the first Hastens dealer in the United States, I am phasing out of the brand after nine years.

I had made a comment on another blog and several people have asked me why, so I'll explain.

Hastens beds are wonderful, they are among the best in the world. I am not dropping the line due to any Hastens problems. It's purely business.

For the past few years, I have been selling Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden along side of Hastens. Carpe Diem beds use many of the same components as Hastens, even from the same vendors, but they have a few advantages that most of my customers have preferred.

The bottom line is that I am running a business and I have to give the people what they want. When comparing the two brands side by side, the majority of my customers have been preferring and buying Carpe Diem, so it was a natural choice to phase out Hastens.

Although I have never had any major problems with Hastens beds over the nine years that I have been dealing with them, there are a lot of maintenance issues that are a turn off to a lot of customers. Carpe Diem beds substitute a plush layer of Natural Latex instead of the Horse Hair that is found in Hastens, so the beds don't settle, they don't get firmer with use and they don't require the constant flipping that Hastens mandates.

The two brands are more similar than they are different. Carpe Diem was actually founded by a chiropractor in Sweden who purchased a Hastens and realized that he could make some changes to the bed that would make it even more conforming to the shape of the spine. He used many of the same ingredients including components from the same vendors. Both brands use a similar pocket spring system that is made by the same company. Both brands use a similar hard wood base with tongue and groove construction. Both use cotton and wool and both are hand made by artisans.

The primary difference is the use of a natural latex layer instead of a horse hair layer. This make Carpe Diem impervious to the horse hair issues. No settling, even more breathable, longer comfort life, better edge support, better pressure relief, more conforming to the spine, etc. etc. But most people choose them because they feel incredible. They are truly amazing beds to sleep on.

Carpe has even been rated higher than Hastens in Sweden (number one for the past five years in a row) by the Swedish Furniture Industry Survey.

Of the hundreds of Carpe Diem beds that I have sold, we have only come across one bed that had not been manufactured properly. They have a zero percent return rate which is unheard of in this industry.

I am still a fan of Hastens and I still have some inventory in case anyone is looking for a deal, but going forward, I'm Mr. Carpe Diem. I have even inked a deal with Carpe Diem to be involved in their US distribution and several US stores are in the works. The beds are now available at my CT showrooms as well as two shops in CA.

I guess I am still Mr. Hastens too. So if anyone needs unbiased advice, feel free to email.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff Klein
President
Sleep etc. and Svenska Beds
Norwalk, CT