Chinese mattresses spark criticism
Well, the China bashers are at it again.
Their latest target is the mattress import program being launched by Therapedic in conjunction with its new China partner, Stylution International.
We announced that new partnership the other day, and our story attracted a couple of negative comments online. “Deborah S” wondered if it was a joke, and asked if we need more imports in the United States. And “Laurie S.” declared: “Enough junk from China already.” Click here to read posts.
That story also prompted a couple of negative comments to yours truly, delivered via the telephone.
The criticism misses a couple of key points. First, the import line is part of a broad partnership between Therapedic and Stylution, one that will dramatically expand Therapedic’s profile in key Asian markets. That is a major plus for Therapedic.
Second, despite plenty of angst about Chinese mattress imports a few years ago, when activity in the category was picking up a bit, China remains a tiny player in the U.S. mattress industry. We’ve seen some good-looking mattresses from China, and we’ve seen some that didn’t look so good.
But what we think doesn’t really matter. If retailers feel that China adds something to the mattress mix in the U.S., then Chinese-made mattresses will increase in importance. So, bash them if you want, but retailers - and ultimately consumers - will have the final say on the value proposition offered by Chinese mattresses.
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vicky commented:
It's not wise to say the Chinese mattress are unqualified.We are a mattress factory in China.We have 18 years mattresses experience.We have exported to the worldwide for many years.None of our customer complained us with quality.
If any of you need Chinese mattress Contact me: vicky@mattresses-china.com www.mattresses-china.com
Peter commented:
Well aren't we the racists! Just can't compete. We are all Chinese when there is money to be made eh?
MH commented:
I have lived in Mongolia for a long time and have a Chinese mattress there. Not the best quality (someone must have folded it at one point and the springs have popped in two places) but it is the only mattress my back has liked. Really liked. Two weeks back in US from time to time and my back is miserable. I have never seen anything like the Chinese one --in the US and miss it. Really firm, but happily so. Firm here to me are just uncomfortable. How could that be?
tz22y commented:
tz22y......have just back two mattresses,one replaced the other, i just could not believe they both had defects before 30 days.
dcd commented:
why not tell people the best mattress is made with good latex that last for years? ive been selling mattresses for over 40 years and i know an 8 inch core of talalay latex last forever, providing support and comfort
Lisa S. commented:
Dear "You guys make me laugh,"
"They are made from the highest quality components, have 20-year warranties, and contain no VOCs or toxic chemicals."
Now, this is not a trick question, how do you pass FR?
I can tell you exactly where my components came from, thanks. :)
Warren Littrell commented:
Why don't we just move all the furniture industry to China and be done with it. It seems to the way we are going in the name of profit. It all came to light for me when Drexel and Henredon left the U.S. for Columbia. The hell with it, let's let them have it all!
You guys make me laugh commented:
I work for a U.S. based company that produces all of their mattresses in China. They are made from the highest quality components, have 20-year warranties, and contain no VOCs or toxic chemicals. I would bet no one here who has left a comment could tell they were produced in China or most people in general. Just because something is produced in China (and nearly half of all U.S. imports are) doesn't mean it's filled with toxic chemicals or made from faulty materials.
In exile commented:
With so many people today wanting inexpensive (read cheap) mattresses these days there just might be a market for product from China. Providing they can be made and transported here and retail for under $150 it should increase sales across the board. I can't begin to count the number of people who thing $199 is outrageous.
Dave Perry commented:
Will: I take exception to you taking exception to my use of the term "China bashers." I perceived those initial comments as simply attacking the import line because it was from China. Of course there are various levels of quality in imported goods. Why assume all the imports are of poor quality? Isn't that painting with a too-broad brush?
-Dave
Will commented:
I take exception to your term bashing. Have there not been numerous examples of Chinese consumer goods being subjected to recall.If Therapedic Can prove U.S. standards are being applied to any product produced in China and imported back to the U.S.,then American supply and demand will accept or not.
doug commented:
Talk about critisum against china made compoinant, our frends at leggett dont tell you they have plants there and still import. Why can one company monipulate the industry and then do whatever they want. Could be close to time to take action?
WanderA commented:
Everyone have their own choice about which band,country made etc mattress.. The so-called alegetic or other toxic tosdepends onThe various condition of skin health and repellence....When you make a comment before wash you teeth...Brain not only is filled with cells...
Dave Perry commented:
Thanks to all for keeping the discussion going. China simply isn't a major player in the mattress field right now - and I don't see that changing, to be honest with you. That's not to say some Chinese mattress lines can't make gains. But the competition has never been tougher. -Dave
Lisa S. commented:
Oh, and- Mr. or Mrs. Toxic Mattress...
Do you know what FR did to this industry? Go read up on Kevlar and Teflon. They're already toxic.
Lisa S. commented:
Some of these people crack me up. I had the most beautiful line of mattresses for over a year that had Chinese components. I would put it up against any of my American made brands any day (Dave, you KNOW I believe in my American made brands, esp my NC brands). None of you that are in this industry could have looked at it and said "That has Chinese components." You would have never known. It was assembled in Canada *gasp* One day we could no longer get the right springs fast enough, and it all ended :( Lovely product though. That is the problem, getting it here. You know what it has done for us? Have you noticed the price drops from Leggett? Competition. That thing that this industry has been missing for years.
I know this isn't about furniture, but all my Asian made furniture comes in flawless. My American made stuff is usually in pieces. Also, it is not economical to ship a container of mattresses. A container of components on the other hand, they can be squished down and shipped.
John commented:
We're already battling Toxic Drywall from China, what's next, Toxic Mattresses?
OLDSALT commented:
I won't be making many comments because to be honest, they will probably all be negative. I retired from the Navy in 1973, and started as a sales representative for a small, independently, family owned store in Middletown, RI. For the next 30 years, I worked for the largest retail furniture store in Ma, a Providence, RI dealer who sold at 1/2# + frt, managed a small store in a small RI town and finished on the road as a salesrep and mgr. for DM Reid. With the exception of a few items, all merchandise was made in the US, mattresses were finished on both sides and forevder 0 interest was unheard of. Now, they want me to sleep on a mattress made in China? No way! Gil
What Ever! commented:
Yet again, another company that can’t keep their domestic factories running so they go overseas.
Doug commented:
If I go to China, I'll sleep on a Chinese mattress.
But I'd rather go to Italy.
Ciao
JW commented:
Totally correct! When China gets it right in the mattress business then the customers will line up to buy. They need to project value and service, which to this point they have not!
