Vi spring beds smell horrible
Comments (46)
Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author8 years agoHi Cherimayell. Thanks for your reply. Theyve now replaced mattress & topper (although it's been a long drawn out process I wouldn't wish to repeat). I understand that one can occasionally gets a "rogue" mattress and that this differs from the smell to be found on most new mattresses when they're first unwrapped. What puzzles me though, is the fact there are so few online consumer reviews on this well known brand. I've had to fight my corner blindly, so to speak.
cherimayell
8 years agoSo glad to hear you have replacements & rightly so. A recognisable company like this needs to act appropriately.
PROSpace Alchemy Interior Design
8 years agoSome of the natural materials in a Vispring mattress include Vacuna wool, Mohair, Cashmere and Horsehair, some of which can occasionally be a little ... pungent, however, this shouldn't really be noticeable if they have been aired correctly before being shipped. I'm glad they've changed them for you but disappointed to hear that you've had such hassle from a premium supplier.
Perhaps worth writing to their Head of Customer Services and/or UK CEO to feed back your experience of after-sales care (or lack of!) if you have time as they should really be providing an equally premium after-sales service to match their premium prices.
Jeanette MacDonald thanked Space Alchemy Interior Designdetelina_subeva
8 years agoHi - thanks so much for posting this. We received our Vi spring mattress and bed at the beginning of the month and the smell has not decreased despite all efforts to air the mattress. It is so strong and punishing that it is preventing me from falling asleep (that and the fact I am so upset with it!). I have just contacted the sales people with the complaint - your post gave me reassurance that it is a problem that has happened to others and is due to a faulty product and is not just "in my head". You are very right that there are few reviews which is why I am adding my experience, which I rarely do. Many thanks again for taking the time
Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author8 years agoDetelina...thanks so much for sharing this. I'm so sorry that you too have problems with your new Vispring bed and I sincerely hope all will be resolved in due course. I was eventually issued with replacement products but this didn't happen overnight and I found the whole complaint process pretty stressful. Customer services at Vi-Spring weren't at all helpful until legal advice dictated that a very senior Vispring representative be informed of their legal position in relation to faulty goods. The replacement products I received smelt pretty horrible too but, unlike the previous goods, they did eventually lose the dreadful "barn" type smell. It took a couple of weeks of full airing to achieve this and I now sleep on a very comfortable problem-free mattress.alvin51
8 years agoWe purchased a Magnificence some 4 years ago in soft tension. We complained from the outset that it was too firm. It took 3 years to get them to come down and check the bed. They eventually agreed that it was the wrong tension but refused a refund. We reluctantly agreed to take another model, the Tiara. The mattress has sagged and is very uncomfortable. They have again refused to change it, despite an independent report which states that it has sagged. Vi Spring have said that it is within their normal tolerance.
ViSpring are selling on their historic reputation and their quality is poor and after sales service non existent. We are going to have to dispose of the bed and purchase another make as the bed is so uncomfortable.
We have had ViSpring beds for 25+ years but would never buy one again. We made a very expensive mistake.
paulgregorymarshman
7 years agoVI Spring Very smell Herald Supreme Mattress
I purchased a new Mattress from Furniture village in Friern Barnet London N11 in September 2016 and it was duly delivery latter that month.From the out it had a pungent room pervading barnyard type smell that was frankly intolerable and did not subside after few weeks so put in a complaint to view spring who advised we contact the shop who sent out an independent inspector who was an expert on Vi Spring beds and immediately confirmed the smell was not normal and submitted a report back there an then,so naively we felt confident that this matterl would be resolved promptly. Several weeks later we had a letter back from Furniture village stating that there was no issue with mattress my complaint was closed. On taking this up with Vi Spring they were less than helpful saying they could not get involved as l didn't buy it from them and suggested l get a second inspection even though the first clearly confirmed there was a serious issue. Has anyone got any tips or advise on bringing this matter to quick conclusion as the threat of legal action has cut no ice and both parties show a very cavalier attitude to my issue which l find frankly shocking to say the least having spent thousands on this mattress !
Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author7 years agoHi Paul. Sorry to learn that you too are experiencing problems with your Vispring mattress. As you can see from previous comments, my problem has now been resolved. This was only, however, after some difficulty. First of all, your contract lies with Furniture Village, not Vispring, and so ultimately its FV who are accountable for resolving this matter. It's also worth bearing in mind that if you paid by credit card they also have some degree of responsibility for resolution. It's essential you first understand your consumer rights under 'Consumer Rights Act 2015' (these replaced the older 'Sale of Goods Act 1979'). Please read the Act carefully as it'll be of benefit. For the first 6 months after purchase the onus to prove nothing is wrong with the goods lies with the seller. After this period the responsibility lies with the buyer. The fact the furniture assessor came out to inspect and verbally agreed there was a problem re smell, before FV contradicted same, sounds suspicious to me. Id advise you take this further. Perhaps you could escalate a complaint in writing, asking to see the written report. If they don't agree to your having sight of this, you could say you'll obtain an independent report and then claim the fees back from them. Don't forget, however, that for 6 months after purchase the responsibility for proving no fault exists lies with the seller (under SOGA). FV should be doing all the work neccesary to resolve your complaint. In my case it was John Lewis who were initially unhelpful, telling me I should take up the issue with Vispring (who were also unhelpful)! It was only when my son, who's a solicitor, pointed me in the direction of the older SOGA and ensured I understood my rights as a buyer did they sit up and take notice. JL contacted their legal team and got back to me with an apology. Yes, there was an issue with the smell in the mattress and yes they were responsible for resolving the problem as my contract lay with them, not Vispring. So, in summary I suggest you initially do the following:
a) Read & fully understand your rights under Consumer Rights Act 2015. Plenty of information exists online. Perhaps start with Which? guidance
b) Depending on how you paid for the goods eg credit or debit card, credit company, determine whether these too have a responsibility to resolve the matter. Include them in the complaint if so. Again, plenty of info exists online to help you.
c) insist on FV proving there is no fault with mattress and obtain evidence from them re same. Remember the onus lies on them for the first 6 months after purchase to prove that goods sold were as described, were of satisfactory quality and were fit for purpose. If they weren't, the seller is deemed in breach of contract and the buyer will have options for resolution, usually repair, replace or refund.
All the best. Should I be able to help in any other way, please just ask
paulgregorymarshman
7 years agoHi J. Mac,just seen your reply. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this valuable advice for me to follow. I have been under a lot of stress from this issue trying to work out the best way to call to task these two supposedly reputable organisations who clearly put profit and their own agenda before customer satisfaction. Thank you so much for these words of wisdom which have been most uplifting .God bless you !
Jeanette MacDonald thanked paulgregorymarshmanJeanette MacDonald
Original Author7 years agoYou're more than welcome. Please do get back to me if you think I may be able to help in any way. It is indeed a very stressful situation to be in and pretty appalling to be treated so dismissively by both Furniture Village & Vi-Spring. I would add that the furniture assessors sent out by the furniture companies are paid for by the industry and so can hardly be deemed independent advisors. The odds for fair play seem stacked against the consumer unless one fully understands the protection offered by the Sale Of Goods Act. Good luck. Sincerely hope this matter is resolved for you as quickly as possible.
Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author7 years agoApologies. Slight error in above post. For more recent purchases the Consumer Rights Act 2015 has replaced Sale of Goods Act 1979.
M L
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoHi All. I just wanted to add to this chain, to help create more awareness around the issue. We received two Vispring Heaven Luxury Toppers to go with our Vispring mattress. The mattress had/has no odor, but we had an issue with both of the toppers. The first had such a potent odor that it continued to overwhelm whatever room it was in, until it was taken away. The barnyard "offgassing" was so strong we had to keep our windows open (in Winter) and have our pillows and comforter dry cleaned after using the topper. The smell not only filled the air, but physically transferred to anything it touched, including our skin and bed clothing. The replacement had the same smell, but it was noticeably less intense. It did not overwhelm the room, and it does appear to be getting better with time, but 6 days after receiving it, we still have odors when we get into bed, and wake up smelling (albeit more mildly) like a sheep barn.
Please note, Vispring was not considering this a warranty issue for us, so the replacement had to be initiated and conducted by the retailer. Vispring US customer service told us that in two years, they have never received a complaint about this issue, and suggested we continue to air it out.
At this price point and after it happening to us twice, I would think Vispring would take the issue more seriously. At the very least relay a message to their product leads to investigate, versus denying the issue exists at all.
Jeanette MacDonald thanked M Lt12zhang
6 years agoI purchased a Vi Spring mattress Regal Superb king size with matching boxing and headboard in Nov 2017 and got them delivered in the mid-Jan of 2018. I did not notice the smell until a month later, which I thought I should wash my sheets and duvet. But after that I still smell something unpleasant just as described by some reviewers like barn smell. Then I found it was from mattress. It is not yet full of house with intolerant strong smell, but when I am in bed I feel like I am sleeping in a barn. I know it is very very hard nowadays to deal with the business people and really don't want to exhaust myself in that maybe fruitless process. Any one know how to air the smell out? I am willing to try on my side first. Will the smell become stronger or will decrease? Really appreciate any suggestions and help!
Sonia
6 years agoI would email the Chief Executive of the company explaining how intolerable the smell is, and you want a replacement. Don’t bother with “Customer Service” because it is completely the opposite! You can google who the Chief Exec is. If something is not fit for purpose, then they have let you down. I’ve always done this when I’ve been unhappy with a product or service and it always gets results. The Chief Exec will pass your email to an assistant, but it will get dealt with, trust me.Jonathan
6 years agoGo to the people who you bought the bed from to get them to take up the case on your behalf with the manufacturert12zhang
6 years agoThanks forzaitalia for your suggestion. I will try if the smell does not disappear in the next a couple of months.
t12zhang
6 years agoJonathan, thank you. But it will be very hard to deal with the retailer I know for sure. I purchased a vi spring displayed headboard with discount. I checked in the showroom and found no flaw, but when I received it, it has a small torn hole. The sale person acknowledged the hole but refused return or change with adjusted price. Only willing to repair. Now two months has passed, the hole is still there. As said it is very frustrated to deal with the business people nowadays.
Jonathan
6 years agoI think your problem was trying to deal with it in person and with a junior member of staff.
Instead you should write to the manager, state the facts such as exactly what product you bought and when, and the issue that you are unhappy with. Then state that you would like them to take the case up with the manufacturer. You should then state the options that would be acceptable to you such as a replacement brand new mattress, store credit allowing you to choose an alternative mattress or a full refund.
Finally ask them to acknowledge the letter and to keep you up to date with progress.
If you bought the product with a credit card you may be able to get the credit card company to take up the case on your behalf.HU-627241603
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI bought a ViSpring mattress 15 yrs & had no problem with it.
Alas this can not be said for the replacement purchased 3months ago from And So To Bed.
The stench is of a feacal nature but not human. I was told by ViSpring via the retailer this was normal & to air the mattress daily, which I have for 3 moths changing linens & topper often!
Tomorrow I have an independent inspector coming, well hopefully, the first guy failed to arrive last week.
The stench is now causing me to awaken during night with nausea & breathing issues.
ViSpring are being deceitful about this long standing issue.
I am glad to have read all the other comments & feel justified in my complaint
Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author5 years ago@HU-627241603 ... sorry to learn that you too are experiencing this dreadful, nauseating, faecal type smell. In our experience this lasting obnoxious aroma transferred onto everything in its vicinity. In fact, after a huge amount of stress, and only because of persistence & understanding our legal rights, the seller did eventually replace the mattress, topper, pillows & upholstered bed frame as the smell has permeated all. Again, only upon insisting that consumer law be followed and that if not the matter would be escalated, did JL eventually issue an apology, saying a member of their very senior staff had applied pressure onto a snr member of staff at Vi Spring. It took
sheer determination on my part not to be fobbed off by both JL & Vi Spring, stress I wouldn’t wish to go through again. Hence, no future Vi Spring purchases here. I’m glad I placed the initial post here as before this I could find no reviews online. Considering the size of Vi Springs company & reach, I found it puzzling! There’s clearly a problem here that needs investigating and I fail to understand why this once renowned and respected company aren’t robustly doing so. Good luck with your appointment. I wish you well.HU-627241603
5 years agoThank you J-mac1958. for your good wishes
Very helpful to read your post .
Ribena Drinker ...I am glad these posts have made you rethink ViSpring.
HU-716756832
4 years agoGood to read these posts for ViSpring which reflect my findings. I bought a ViSpring Tiara Supreme some 18 years ago and have never had a problem with it. However I have just bought an expensive ViSpring Signatory from 'And So To Bed' at +£15K (delivered July 2019 and the horse stable smell is still present. Since delivery the bed has smelled - we have left it unmade, and turned the mattresses monthly while we waited for other bedroom furniture to be delivered. We finally moved into the bed on the week before Christmas and the smell is still present - and gets worse through the night when the mattress warms up ! I lasted about a week and moved back to my spare room. I have just had a FIRA inspection this morning and the 'inspector' agreed that the mattress had a smell, but was normal for ViSpring ! He agreed that any smell should have gone by now and noted that the bed has been unmade and turned regular from July - Dec 2019. His advise is that even if ViSpring agree to supply a new mattress it will smell the same and he has suggested I might have an over sensitive sense of smell !
Let's see what the report says.
obobble
4 years agoRemember, if you are a member of Which you can ask them to assist you in disputes with vendors. Also might be worth contacting your local trading standards office.
HU-716756832
4 years agoI am pleased to advise that ViSping have agreed to change both mattresses. I will advise when they arrive as to the smell issue.
In defence of ViSping, the inspector came within a week of the complaint and they agreed to a change about a week after the visit. That is a good response and outcome (so long as the new mattress doesn't have the same problem).
HU-716756832
4 years agoNew mattresses were delivered last Friday and are free of all but a 'new' smell. Overall, I have been impressed with the assistance from "And So To Bed" and of course Vi-Spring. They responded immediately and replaced without any problems.
HU-325644671
3 years agoWe have had a Vi-Spring divan bed set delivered on 26-03-2020; when it arrived the mattress was damp and had a faecal smell of sheep/horse. The mattress was aired and turned many times by my kind neighbours until fully dried but the smell persisted. I rang up John Lewis on the 12th of March but they politely said that as we were in lockdown my case will be dealt when lockdown finished. We kept on airing and turning it and spent a few nights in it. As the bed warmed up the smell got stronger! We moved to another room! I am now waiting for a FIRA inspector (FIRA = Furniture Industry Research Association).
Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author3 years agoReplying to HU-325644671...I’m sorry that you’ve this problem to deal with. I was once a very satisfied customer of Vi-Spring, having bought several of their beds over a number of years and not once having had any reason to complain. However, my most recent purchase around 5 years ago was anything but problem free! As a result, I did some exploring online just to see if anyone else might be experiencing similar issues. I was astonished to find there were no Vi-Spring reviews or feedback whatsoever. Quite unusual in this day & age I thought, hence why I started this topic here. Since then, as you might already have read, there have been a number of people writing in and describing similar problems. Vi-Soring really do need to pay close attention to this recurring theme, although one wonders why they don’t appear to have done so already. I recommend you read back through these posts, that is if you haven’t already done so. Remember, your contract lies with John Lewis, not Vi Spring, therefore JL have responsibility to resolve the problem. You’ll find your rights under the Consumer Credit Act 2015. I wish you the all the very best.
Peter Warren
3 years agoThank you for this thread. I actually ordered a ViSpring divan bed and mattress last weekend but, after reading the comments here and elsewhere about the awful smell, I cancelled my order. I'm now back to square one on which bed to actually buy. I do accept that perhaps they are using the best products for the mattress and, as they are natural (always a preference for me) there might be a scent, which would go over time. But there's no way I want to sleep in a smelly bed! Really appreciate all your comments and telling us about your awful experiences.
HU-325644671
3 years agoI have now had a FIRA inspector who acknowledge there was a smell and that this problem should be dealt between John Lewis and Vi-Spring. I am now trying to send an email to JL furniture aftercare team but, they can send me emails, but I can not send emails to them unless they send me an email first. Do you know an email I can send my complain to ?
HU-325644671
3 years agoFirst of all I would like to thank j_mac1958 for her kindness and creating this very helpful post and advice.
Also I would like to thank John Lewis and their polite staff for refunding my money and the goodwill compensation on the 31st of August 2020
In my thanks I would like to mention WHICH legal for their support and advise.Jeanette MacDonald
Original Author3 years agoThanks kindly for the acknowledgement. Glad you’ve finally resolved this most unsatisfactory issue.
HU-81504310
3 years agoI took delivery of my Vi Spring mattress at the beginning of December 2019. I has smelled right from the beginning - to varying degrees. It seems much worse when it has been slept on (when its got warm and has had people moving around on it). When its no too bad, you have to smell the mattress close up but, when its been used for a coupe of nights, you can smell the aroma downstairs and within the bedding (our quilt smells horrible).. Today (November 2020) a technician came out. It is apparently a normal thing that dissipates with use. Now ours isn't used every night and so ours has not lost its 'bouquet' even almost a year down the line. The guy was nice and i guess there's a chance that he's quite correct in what he says. HOWEVER, there is no literature that I can find that says that the mattress might smell. I am contacting John Lewis - they need to take this mattress away and delivery another one (different brand thank you) as soon as possible. I will update this note )if I can) when i have a resolution. BTW no doubt that it is a comfortable and very well made mattress - but the layer of wool smells and to a degree that is unacceptable - so... not good enough.
j_mac1958 - thanks for the info
HU-330732210
3 years agoHi
I have 3 traditional bedstead mattresses purchased a few years ago which are lovely but around 5/6 weeks ago I received a devonshire Vispring and it has a horrible musty barnyard smell that makes me think of pig farms. I have stripped the bed down daily to air and had my son's window open every day as advised but if anything, the smell is worse! His sheets and duvet stink, along with his pj's the smell contaminates anything it comes into contact with. I am waiting for FIRA to inspect. I will update you all. I have been told that the devonshire is 100% wool but the bedstead have a much higher amount of cotton and less wool so I hope I can replace with the bedstead which I had no previous issues with. Such a shame as the mattress is sumptuous but intolerable!
José Manuel Morgado
2 years agoYes it is true... We bought one 4 weeks ago... It is almost like sleeping on the barn...
HU-103099282
2 years agoHorrified at all this. I have recently been widowed and on moving into a new house I thought I would treat myself to a really good quality bed. Well, firstly the mattress is extremely firm, not medium tension as I selected and as it states. I have contacted David Phipps, the company through whom I bought it, regarding the Mattress Comfort promise, but they have not yet come back to me. And the smell! My daughter came into the bungalow, and said what on earth is that farmyard smell! It certainly isn't wearing off yet. I have only had the bed two months, but reading these reviews I am really worried that the customer service at Vispring is not going to be as good as I would hope bearing in mind the cost of the bed. I await further news and will post again with an update.
Fiona Millar
2 years agoI read reviews of these mattresses several years ago and the smell was a very common complaint. Put me right off them.
HU-526812240
2 years agoMeet too, currently sleeping on the sofa as cant breath in my bedroom. The whole house smells if I leave my bedroom door open. Will be taking this up with Lenleys in Canterbury who sold me this very expensive mattress
José Manuel Morgado
2 years agoAfter 3 months it is finally almost ok
With full 6 weeks in the summer catching sun and air without being used... At the balcony
From my complain to the brand no answer until now... I would be out of business with this sort of behavior with my clients... But it is usable now
Alison Heppell
2 years agoAs a drycleaner we once had to clean some curtains from a retirement home and they smelt of a strange fishy smell,and Iv noticed that a lot of black dyed bedding smells like coal ,,it could be a stain repellant on the fabric ,,what does the care label say
HU-107348315
last yearlast modified: last yearAny update on this HU-103099282? I have the same problem unfortunately
milajones83
9 months agoHi there, we just wanted to add to this chain to let everyone know that we bought a Tiara Superb in 2019 in the US. The matress was shipped over form the uk within 2 months of pruchase and upon delivery smelled horrible! After 3 months the smell did not dissipate. Upon sleeping ont he mattress overnight, we would feel nauseated and have a throbbing headache the next morning. It would take a full day for the dowsiness to disappear.
The seller was able to work with ViPring to change the matress twice in light of the nauseating fecal like smell it eminated even after 3 months of turning trhe matress every other day. All 3 mattresses had a horrible smell! We were forced to keep the windows open during winter and after changing the matress twice - gave up on it 6 months in. It now sits in our visitors room and unfortunately in 2023 continues to eminates odors - particulalry when the weather is humid or when someone rolls around on it. We feel bad about getting rid of a 14K mattress, and not sure what else we can do given that the mattress was purchased in 2019.
How is this high end seller allowed to get away with murder? This is horrid!milajones83
9 months agolast modified: 9 months agoWe pruchased a Tiara Superb king sized matress in 2019. The barnyard smell was horrid even after 3 months of purchase. We worked with our seller in the US to have the matress replaced twice. On all 3 occasions the tiara Superb smelled rancid even after 3 months of having it in our home. Upon sleeping on the matress overnight, we would get throbbing headaches and drowsiness. It would take over a day to recover from this dowsy feeling.
We were forced to keep our windwos open throguhout the winter, so sleeping on the bed was bearable. in 2020 we decided we couldnt sleep on the matresss any longer and given that we had substituted the matress 3x did not feel we had any more room to negotiate or to have our money returned. It now sits in our visitors room.
We are now in 2023 - every time we have visitors over they have mentioned a barnyard smell. This is particularly acute when someone heavy sleeps on the bed or when the weather is humid! We are so sad that this exorbidant investment has gone awry.
How does the seller get away with this consistently? someone help the poor buyers who are stuck with a matress that costs >12k with no recourse!
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Ribena Drinker