Old School Doesn’t Go Extinct. They Say Dinosaur, We Say Thank You.
A customer recently shared their story on how a competitor’s sales associate talked about our mattresses. The associate stated, “I know OMF mattresses last longer, but who wants to sleep on a dinosaur?”
What better endorsement than the competition telling customers we make a better product. While this isn’t the first time this has happened, the dinosaur reference was new. We recently created a radio ad to share some key points of this story.
The comment made by this sales associate highlights something OMF talks about a lot, does new mattress technology actually benefit you, or is it just a way to justify a higher price? You’ve probably heard some of the hype around the latest high-tech mattress “innovations”. But are features like adjustable firmness, gel infused foams, and “space-age materials” really worth higher prices? Do they work? Does it make sense to build them into a mattress? Or are they just gimmicks, masking cutbacks in quality of material and inferior quality?
As a tried-and-true mattress manufacturer, we believe fancy tech bells and whistles often promise more than they deliver. The basics of superior comfort and durability actually come down to one timeless fundamental; quality materials, and when coupled with a factory direct business model, equals a great value to our customers.
Adjustable Firmness Seems Cool But is Impractical:
While adjustable firmness technology may seem appealing, the reality is most people find one firmness they like and stick with it. Precise numerical settings often feel similar, and changeable air/water support can create unevenness over time rather than proper alignment. No matter how precise the digital adjustments may seem, there are only a few noticeable feel differences – extra firm, firm, medium and soft. You’re not actually getting the nuanced customization promised. There's no substitute for physically testing mattresses to find the right consistent feel and support for your needs and budget.
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Unique Materials Drive Up Prices:
Mattress brands promote new "space-age" materials like copper gel foam or bamboo covers as superior advancements. But unproven ingredients haven't stood the true test of time like classics such as resilient coils and breathable cotton. Sales claims about unique foams often lack clear benefits beyond justifying higher prices. For instance, thin layers of memory foam buried deep inside a mattress provide little real impact. When it comes to mattress materials, innovative doesn't always mean better. Time-tested ingredients still deliver reliable comfort and support night after night.
Fun fact, the fabric encased coils now used by most mainstream brands actually date to the early 1900’s. Heinrich Westphal patented them in 1902. If you hear someone talking about a fabric encased spring being “new technology”, tell them to look up when that spring was created.
Questionable Cooling Claims:
Special covers and gels claiming to keep mattresses cool may sound appealing. But real-world results are often inconsistent, more marketing hype than validated performance. Innerspring designs actually sleep cooler by enabling air circulation, unlike solid foam. The need to "cool" mattresses only arose after foam core mattresses gained popularity. And if cooling features even work, you'd likely have to sleep directly on the mattress without sheets and a mattress protector to feel anything. At The Original Mattress Factory, we use breathable 100% cotton as a natural temperature regulator. Time-tested materials like cotton stay cool and comfortable without unproven "cooling" gimmicks.
Diminishing Returns on Personalization:
Ultra-customized body scans that pick your ideal mattress may sound foolproof. But perceived comfort is subjective and adaptative materials minimize variances anyway. Scans can also exaggerate points to sway you. A machine shouldn't tell you what feels best. Comfort is personal - only physical tests can determine if a firmer or softer mattress suits your needs, no matter what a scan indicates. Don't overpay for tech that tries doing your preferences justice. The sleep-matching is in your hands.
When Tech Obscures Craftsmanship
New technologies can sometimes improve products. If something comes along that is an improvement to a material, OMF will absolutely incorporate it into our construction. But with mattresses, genuine quality comes from time-perfected construction, not gimmicky add-ons. Skilled craftsmanship and quality materials are the true keys to comfort and longevity.
Don't let bells and whistles distract from fundamentals like:
- Proven innersprings and high density foam cores that provide responsive support for years.
- Durable edges preventing sagging at the sides.
- Generous, resilient comfort layers cradling pressure points.
- Breathable fabrics and fibers avoiding heat and moisture buildup.
- Hand-built construction and components made to last.
At the end of the day, a mattress needs to do two things well – support your body for restful sleep and stand the test of time. Fancy features may generate sales hype but often leave consumers with buyer’s remorse.
The Original Mattress Factory: Old-School Craftsmanship
While some brands chase tech frills, we proudly cling to our “dinosaur” identity focused on quality and durability while providing a real value to our customers. As our recent radio ad notes, we build mattresses to outlast fleeting fads. Our beds may not boast “space-age” claims, but do provide proven comfort and support night after night, year after year.
In the end, the proof is in satisfied customers who sleep blissfully without high-tech babysitting or wake-up calls from mattresses that couldn’t go the distance. Our dinosaurs may be old school but will never go extinct. When buying a mattress, see through sales hype and focus on genuine craftsmanship. You’ll sleep soundly knowing quality and durability rule.
Written by: Chris Gardner, OMF Marketing
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