Comparison Models for the Serta iSeries Applause
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(Update 4/3/2016: The Vantage lineup has also been discontinued, and Serta has named their newest iSeries lineup the “Appaluse II.” It is NOT the same mattress as the original Applause; a lot has changed in the 3 years between the model years. As a result, most of the links on this page are dead, and I’m not sure what to do with this article. The most comparable model to the Applause is the Applause 2, but you don’t really need me to tell you that).
A lot of my customers come in and ask specifically for the Serta Perfect Day iSeries Applause because it was recommended by Consumer Reports in Feburary of 2014. Unfortunately for those shoppers, Serta updated their lineup shortly after that, so the Applause no longer exists under that name. Additionally, some retailers use names other than the “official” Serta name, so even if you went shopping when the Applause still existed, you might not find it under that name.
So, I’ve compiled a list of the newest versions of the Applause at various retailers. It comes in a Firm, Plush, and Pillowtop. I recommend going into a showroom and trying out the mattresses, making sure you get proper contouring support and making sure the mattress doesn’t cause any pressure or discomfort. If you’ve already done that, buying it online can be very convenient.
The “official” Serta name is the Vantage for the firm and plush, and Merit for the pillowtop.
| Style | Sleepys/1800 Mattress | Sears | us-mattress.com | Macy's | Sam's Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | Geniality Firm | Vantage Firm | Vantage Firm | Island Retreat Firm | Vantage Firm |
| Plush | Geniality Plush | Vantage Plush | Vantage Plush | - | Vantage Plush |
| Pillowtop | Cachet Super Pillowtop | Merit Super Pillowtop | Merit Super Pillowtop | Alluring Retreat | Merit Super Pillowtop |
Note: Sleepy’s and 1800 Mattress use the same model numbers and are owned by the same company. 1800 Mattress generally has the lower of the two prices, so I linked to them.
Serta iSeries Prices
Serta iSeries has MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) pricing, which sets a limit on how low a retailer is allowed to sell merchandise at. This is the pricing strategy used by Apple and Bose. What this means to you is you’re likely to find the same price no matter where you shop, so I recommend buying the mattress from whatever retailer is most convenient to you. Since you won’t find a lower price between retailers, if you want a better deal, try to get them to throw in a mattress protector or some pillows. The following is a table with the MAP price on the Serta iSeries comparable models to the Applause. If you see a price higher than these, don’t buy it.
| Size | Mattress and Boxspring Set | Mattress Only |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | $1099 | $949 |
| Full | $1274 | $1074 |
| Queen | $1299 | $1074 |
| King | $1799 | $1499 |
| Size | Mattress and Boxspring Set | Mattress Only |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | $1149 | $1299 |
| Full | $1474 | $1274 |
| Queen | $1499 | $1274 |
| King | $1999 | $1699 |
Since there is a minimum price, retailers will sometimes include a free item as a sale since they’re not allowed to reduce the price. That could be a gift card, a TV, or something along those lines. If you see something like that, it’s likely the best deal you’ll find. Sometimes, Serta offers a promotion like a discount on the mattress or a free boxspring promotion in which the mattress and boxspring set is priced the same as the mattress only. If this is the case, every retailer is likely offering the same discount or promotion, so keep an eye out for that.
I hope this has been of some use to you. If it has, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
