Do you own this business? Let us notify you when claiming and promoting begins.
On Apartment Therapy
If you are on the hunt for the perfect bed (and who isn't), here's one more to throw into your hopper (for when you win the lottery): Hastens Beds from Sweden...
Related stores
Store details
Hours
888 Broadway
Recent comments
For the record, although I was the first Hastens dealer in the United States, I am phasing out of the brand after nine years.
I had made a comment on another blog and several people have asked me why, so I'll explain.
Hastens beds are wonderful, they are among the best in the world. I am not dropping the line due to any Hastens problems. It's purely business.
For the past few years, I have been selling Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden along side of Hastens. Carpe Diem beds use many of the same components as Hastens, even from the same vendors, but they have a few advantages that most of my customers have preferred.
The bottom line is that I am running a business and I have to give the people what they want. When comparing the two brands side by side, the majority of my customers have been preferring and buying Carpe Diem, so it was a natural choice to phase out Hastens.
Although I have never had any major problems with Hastens beds over the nine years that I have been dealing with them, there are a lot of maintenance issues that are a turn off to a lot of customers. Carpe Diem beds substitute a plush layer of Natural Latex instead of the Horse Hair that is found in Hastens, so the beds don't settle, they don't get firmer with use and they don't require the constant flipping that Hastens mandates.
The two brands are more similar than they are different. Carpe Diem was actually founded by a chiropractor in Sweden who purchased a Hastens and realized that he could make some changes to the bed that would make it even more conforming to the shape of the spine. He used many of the same ingredients including components from the same vendors. Both brands use a similar pocket spring system that is made by the same company. Both brands use a similar hard wood base with tongue and groove construction. Both use cotton and wool and both are hand made by artisans.
The primary difference is the use of a natural latex layer instead of a horse hair layer. This make Carpe Diem impervious to the horse hair issues. No settling, even more breathable, longer comfort life, better edge support, better pressure relief, more conforming to the spine, etc. etc. But most people choose them because they feel incredible. They are truly amazing beds to sleep on.
Carpe has even been rated higher than Hastens in Sweden (number one for the past five years in a row) by the Swedish Furniture Industry Survey.
Of the hundreds of Carpe Diem beds that I have sold, we have only come across one bed that had not been manufactured properly. They have a zero percent return rate which is unheard of in this industry.
I am still a fan of Hastens and I still have some inventory in case anyone is looking for a deal, but going forward, I'm Mr. Carpe Diem. I have even inked a deal with Carpe Diem to be involved in their US distribution and several US stores are in the works. The beds are now available at my CT showrooms as well as two shops in CA.
I guess I am still Mr. Hastens too. So if anyone needs unbiased advice, feel free to email.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff Klein
President
Sleep etc. and Svenska Beds
Norwalk, CT JKlein on Nov 12, 2009
Thank you SleepyShane, I really appreciate your comments. I try very hard to bend over backwards for my customers (and anyone who asks bed advice) and it is extremely rewarding to see that the effort is appreciated.
Jeff
Jeff Klein
Sleep etc./ Svenska beds
Norwalk, CT JKlein on Nov 12, 2009