My story of Benson’s for Beds & a Sealy Brisbane Bed

This time last year, I bought a Silent Night bed from Benson’s for Beds. The mattress was twisted on delivery, and after two attempts to remedy this with equally twisted replacements, Benson’s for Beds asked me to choose a different model. I went with a Sealy Brisbane, which Benson’s for Beds recommended based on the fact that the Sealy Brisbane provides ‘edge-to-edge support’ and that the latex topper has ‘instant spring-back properties’. However, after less than 3 weeks, the mattress appeared to be sagging, and I was waking up with backache.

Benson’s for Beds sent a FIRA technician – an “independent” expert from the Furniture Ombusdman of which Benson’s for Beds is a member. He measured a 1.5cm dip in the middle of the four-week-old mattress, but insisted that the mattress was not faulty. He confirmed that latex will not instantly spring back, and that it will settle over time, contrary to what Benson’s for Beds had told me, inducing the sale. Benson’s for Beds thinks it has fulfilled its obligations by commissioning the report, and is unprepared to discuss the fact that the bed does not conform to the description and specification given to me at the point of sale (and also on its website).

I wrote a letter and sent it by Recorded Delivery to Benson’s for Beds’ Managing Director, but I received no reply. So, I doubt that Benson’s for Beds will respond to this post, and I’ll continue to be stuck with a bed that I cannot sleep in.

Before you end up in the same position, please have a look at other reviews on this page to see that my case is far from unique (note, the site refers to other Sealy models as well as the Brisbane, but one reason for that is that Benson’s for Beds’ exclusive Sealy models change their name every few months. I wonder if there’s a reason why?).