October 01, 2007
The Media Strikes Again
Ok - we just got a memo. It's about a video that was broadcast in the Chicago area last week. It is causing a REAL stir in my industry. THIS is yet another battle that will need to be fought, because the media is not reporting the WHOLE truth.....
Now - I started to just "go off" in response to this report but it's too dangerous of me to do that. So - I'll just offer up MY THOUGHTS - not my company's, not the industry's MINE and MINE alone.
1) The Government MADE the bedding industry go FR (fire retardant). It actually started in California at least 4 years ago. Extensive testing had to be completed before ANYTHING went to market. One, to make sure it really was FR and Two, to make sure it was SAFE!
2) The bedding industry, overall, would NOT put something in your mattress that would poison you. Come on. Think about it. There are engineers a plenty and watch dog groups watching every step of the process.
3) Of COURSE no company is going to tell you what they use to make the beds FR. Are you NUTS?!?!?! I keep telling you it's a HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS. You want to make the best mattress and a good price. You don't give away your secrets. The reporter making a big deal about two of the major players NOT tellin' is just childish. And irresponsible. (and believe me, there is no love lost between me and those companies. But that pissed me off BIG TIME!)
So listen folks. If you're looking for a new mattress, just remember to shop REAL stores that sell REAL beds. Beds made by companies. THAT is the safe bet. I'd tell you to go with a brand you have heard of, but then you might not buy mine and you'd be missing out. :-)
Ask questions. Be diligent. But don't be paranoid. And for heaven's sake - don't believe everything the media tries to tell you.
Now you'll have to excuse me. I've got to go and figure out how to stop the bleeding from all this. It was aired, as it happens, all OVER my territory......
Posted by Tammi at October 1, 2007 09:57 AM | TrackBackSounds like an employee with a grudge against the company.
And it could be true that the employee handling the chemicals directly could be allergic or have an reaction to the chemicals, but that doesn't mean someone sleeping in the bed with no contact to the chemicals are going to have problems.
Another thing they do not note is that a lot of people have no clue as to how many products they come into contact with daily for years that have FR chemicals in them. Take your car for example, the sunvisors have a FR in the material and have to be self-extenguishing in a fire.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at October 1, 2007 11:31 AMI just had a customer come back with the best line.....
"Just remember. Mattresses are NOT edable."
That just makes me giggle.....
Posted by: Tammi at October 1, 2007 11:41 AMI'm not sure of the answer to the question I want to ask, but I'll go ahead with it anyway: If one of us were looking for a new bed, would you give us a short list? Would you include your product?
I'm not, by the way. I love my old 'womb'. Just wondering. ;)
And the media? Nah, I don't believe a tenth of what they say....
Posted by: pam at October 1, 2007 11:46 AMOf course I would Pam. On all that. Each TRUE brand is quality. Some are just better for some folks, others for others.
But I'll be more than happy to answer questions and give folks an idea of the right way to shop for beds.
Afterall - we all know one of my favorite things to say is "This is what I'm gonna need for you to do....."
This way I can say it AND be helpful!!
Posted by: Tammi at October 1, 2007 12:45 PMI have a question, I saw this on TV the other day and wondered if it was true and possible to do.
They said by steaming your matress you could get rid of the stuff that bed bugs are attracted to and the bed bugs would go.
They used one of those small portable steamers.
Wouldn't it soak your matress?
Posted by: Quality Weenie at October 1, 2007 06:59 PMAs a member of the media, I can confirm that yes, some reporters will slant a story. If there is no conflict, there is no story.
"Is your mattress/hair dye/pantyhose killing you? Details at 11!"
Chances are, your mattress is not doing a damn thing but being a mattress, but if you're not worried, you might not tune in.
And that would be bad.
It's crap.
But that's how some mediums do it.