You can always make a firm or even hard mattress softer but you can never make a soft mattress harder.
We didn't get a soft mattress; but it had quite a pillow top on it. It was guaranteed for 10 years. By the time 1.5/2 years had rolled around we had valleys where each of us slept. We had gotten it locally at a strictly mattress/bed store that was not a nationwide chain but locally owned even though they have several locations within 100 mi. radius. I called, talked with the owner & he had zero problem with changing it out for us. We just had to pick what we wanted this time around. We were just switching the mattress. He pointed out what I said above which is the way we were thinking but he confirmed. We got a "no frills" ie: no pillow top extra firm. It was a bit hard I have to say. I got a mattress topper for it & it's perfect. It added just that bit of cushioning we needed without overdoing it. I can replace the topper as many times as I feel we need to but to change the mattress itself is a whole different ball of wax. Still, I know this mattress isn't going to hold up another 8 years and they aren't going to replace it again.
I have to say they just don't make them like they used to; I don't care which brand you get. The dh & I have decided when this mattress goes we will go get the cheapest, hardest mattress out there that we can find & get a new mattress every few years if need be & put toppers on them. We are sick about spending $1,000 for something you know is not going to hold up. I would rather spend under $300 & do it 3 times in 10 years.
25 years ago we got a Beautyrest by Simmons -- the top of their line at the time. My parents had one & we went by what they said about it. Mom said it was easily the best money they ever spent. She was right. We LOVED ours!!!!! It is a pillowtop on both sides & we flipped & rotated it regularly. A seriously excellent bed!!!! We still have it. It's now in the guest room. If it were a king instead of a queen it would be in the master BR in a HEARTBEAT! That bed has held up fantastic for 25 years & is still going strong.
