Sleepy's Won't Rest Until Their Name Is Cleared Of All Bedbugs

Two pictures of the bugs found by our reader in her mattress pad from Sleepy's

Last week, a reader wrote us to relate her bedbug tale of woe—she claimed that a mattress protector pad from Sleepy's came with a side dish of two bedbugs, and that Sleepy's had been uncooperative with her appeals to pay for fumigating her apartment. But it seems the reader's attempts to "apply some external pressure" onto the company worked—as we heard straight from the mouth of Sleepy's COO, Adam Blank: "She has been taken care of completely, and now she's a happy Sleepy's customer."

Blank called us earlier this week to confirm that he had become aware of the accusations after our story, the situation had been handled, and a deal had been worked out. He said he had spoken to the reader himself after her odyssey into the frustrating world of customer service, and noted, "we make our customers happy."

The reader previously told us that the company had acknowledged that the bedbugs were inside the pad, but Blank seemed a bit dubious about that, and said that it had never been fully established whether the dead adult and small living bug our reader found were in fact bedbugs:

A bedbug can't come out of a sealed package that comes directly from our manufacturer. Bedbugs feed on blood from humans, that's what they need to survive. In a sealed package that comes from a manufacturer, there's no food source for them to be alive.

We contacted the reader to ask whether Blank's summation of the situation was correct: "While I am not at liberty to discuss the details and wouldn't say I am a 'happy Sleepy's customer', I am satisfied with the outcome." For future reference, the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs told us that consumers in this situation should file a complaint with the DCA by calling 311 or using their online complaint form.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on August 4, 2011 11:00 AM

Comments [rss]

Lisa

I went to the Sleepys on Queens blvd in Elmhurst and saw a bug crawling on one of the showroom beds. That same day, I also witnessed a SAMPLE BED sold to a customer who was looking for a good price. This is insane and it's ridiculous that a company with such a popular name would not take every step to assure bed bug- free stores. This needs to be investigated by the Board of Health. I also can't understand how the consumer cited in the above article has her complaint of bed bugs "swept under the carpet" with a pay off and that no third party supervised proper evaluation and extermination from bed bugs in all of Sleepys stores. No wonder they are all over Manhattan!!

quilted mattress protector

Sleepy is the worst. I think it is to deal directly with the perpetrators. Mattress is a mess after a few years to wear down. Elsewhere in order to save the headache.

Sharon_K

I have purchased several beds from Sleepy's without any issues. The mattresses and box springs came factory sealed in plastic, mattress pads and pillows all came in clear plastic zipper pouches (like sheets do) and were new, clean and sanitary. While I always launder new items prior to using them, I have had no such issues as others have described.

On the contrary, I have been very pleased with what I thought would be a dreaded experience akin to buying a used car. I found the salespeople to be very professional and most accommodating when I decided to change my order and delivery day.

I know bed bugs are a real problem in NY and have spread to other regions due to travel. It has become such a bad problem that they have been found in swanky hotels. Perhaps, they literally travel home by car and public transportation and that is a possible source (via luggage in the trunk, backseat, etc.).

I came across these entomology links :

http://extension.entm.purdue.e...

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomolo...

I found them quite educational and a help to better understand and ID any suspects. ;)

Sharon_K

I have purchased several beds from Sleepy's without any issues. The mattresses and box springs came factory sealed in plastic, mattress pads and pillows all came in clear plastic zipper pouches (like sheets do) and were new, clean and sanitary. While I always launder new items prior to using them, I have had no such issues as others have described.

On the contrary, I have been very pleased with what I thought would be a dreaded experience akin to buying a used car. I found the salespeople to be very professional and most accommodating when I decided to change my order and delivery day.

I know bed bugs are a real problem in NY and have spread to other regions due to travel. It has become such a bad problem that they have been found in swanky hotels. Perhaps, they literally travel home by car and public transportation and that is a possible source (via luggage in the trunk, backseat, etc.).

The Allergy Guy

Sleepy's should arm their delivery trucks with bed bug steam cleaners. http://bit.ly/nrqdue

Andrew DeLuca

I work for Magic Exterminating and I know that Sleepy's paid for a bed Bug job we did this week. They even sent the check by Fedex prior to the treatment.

DynamiteDave

Sleepy's is the worst. It's like dealing directly with criminals. Their mattresses are crap and wear out after a couple years. Go elsewhere. Save the headache.

AdPwnage

Ha! Couple years, try a couple of months on their IBC brand mattress. It was also labeled a full size mattress but was only 52 inches accross. But then again my fault a) for buying a clearance model b) buying something from IBC (does that stand for Is Bullcrap?) But then again, I feel they bait and switched me at the NYC store. I would have been better off buying one of those $80 "bodega blue" mattresses on the corner. I never thought I would say that....

adavis86

a unidentifiable bug in a packaged mattress pad is still a bug and thats just gross. I wonder if they indeed paid for the fumigation

Mr Mel

Probably that and more than a few extra bucks to be quiet.

missypants

Someone needs to tell Mr Blank about how bedbugs can survive for up to 18 months without a food source. Unlike lice, bedbugs cannot be starved into dying. That's why they suck so much...(all puns totes intentional)

Unkle_Bob

Sure they can be starved into dying. It just takes 19 months.

iamthenikster

Adam Blank should do his research or shut his mouth: adult bed bugs can survive up to a year without food.
No amount of avoidance or denial (or money) can make this situation alright. No mattress-supplier should have a warehouse infested with bed bugs TO BEGIN WITH. UP YOUR GAME, SLEEPYS.

*though you'll never get my business.

TheSpinGuru

The assholes at Sleepy's might want to tell their delivery trucks to stay off their cell phones while they are driving and they might be able to signal when they change lanes instead of cutting people off!