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By Mitch, March 24, 2010 1:45 pm

This is the first of a new “LofaBed of the Week” concept suggested by my team of SEO advisors in Vancouver, Virtually Canadian.  The idea is to take a real customer’s LofaBed, and photograph it just before the factory wraps it in Packaging Plus for shipping.  Then they email me the photo, and I write a blog detailing the feature/benefits of this customer’s particular selection of size, fabric, and arm style.

At first the idea was for ME to go to the factory and do the picture-taking myself. But thinking of the 2-hour weekly round-trip necessity of this, I decided a better idea would be to give the factory my old digital camera (I got a new Nikon P6000 before Christmas), and ask THEM to take the pictures.  So if the photos don’t come out too nice, you know who to blame!

The first LofaBed of the Week is a “qouble” done in Paris Claret (body) and Simca Multi (mattress) with Tommy arms.

"qouble" size LofaBed in Paris Claret & Simca Multi w/Tommy arms

Actually, the picture doesn’t do the product justice.  When I first saw this LofaBed, I was immediately struck by how well the two materials went together.  The shade of burgundy in each fabric really complemented the other one well but, unfortunately, my photography skills weren’t up to the task.  Even on the website, they don’t look as if they would go well together.  But they do…..honest.

Paris Claret

Simca Multi

That’s why it’s so important to ask for fabric swatches…because what you see on your computer screen might not represent what the fabrics really look like.  The other thing that only a real swatch can tell you is the texture of the material.  Now Paris is a 100% polyester microfiber with a raised, embroidered design throughout, and it’s a very flexible material…meaning it’ll make whatever it covers feel soft.  Simca (Multi is the color), on the other hand, is 60% acrylic and 40% cotton, and is a heavier, coarser material that offers a definitively firmer feel.  If you’re worried about softness on the skin, Paris is a better choice.

The LofaBed size pictured here is the “qouble,” which means the mattress is the length of a queen (80″) and the width of a double (54″).  It may be more difficult to find fitted sheets for, but it WILL accommodate those individuals who feel uncomfortable on a smaller, full size mattress.  But be aware of the overall dimensions too:  with these 10″ Tommy arms attached, the total width of the unit now adds up to 100 inches!  This is one, BIG comfortable sofa-bed.

"qouble" size LofaBed in Paris Claret & Simca Multi w/Tommy arm

The length of a queen & the width of a double,
Describes a LofaBed we call the “qouble.”
It’s perfect for those,
Who don’t want their toes…..
To hang off the end & cause someone trouble.

Mitch Wapen
www.lofasofa.com
lofasofa@videotron.ca
877-424-1431

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By Mitch, March 15, 2010 9:43 am

Last Friday night I went over to a friend’s house to watch a fight, and I got there just in time to witness a truly bizarre scene:  three middle-aged men struggling to move a Hide-A-Bed into an apartment.  Now you have to realize something about this first…and that is that nobody in their right mind would volunteer for this job if they knew how difficult it was.  But they don’t.  And so they were there to help out their buddy.  The problem is these hide-a-bed suckers are large, unbelievably heavy, and tend to open up when you least expect it.  So they struggled…took a break…tried again…had to remove some of the doorway…then the hall closet door…then they crushed a ceiling fixture…knocked a painting off the wall…and finally pushed it, somewhat the worse for wear, into the study.  And when it was all over, I asked them why…why they went to all this trouble for a sofa sleeper that nobody was gonna want to sleep on anyway. And they gave me the classic guy answer:  ”Hey, Danny was gonna throw it away!!!”

Three guys hoping to move a LARGE piece of furniture thru a very small opening

But it doesn’t have to be this way.  The LofaBed is a sofa-bed too…just like a hide-a-bed…only much more comfortable and MUCH, MUCH easier to carry.  First of all, a LofaBed full/double weighs under 200 lbs. and knocks down (KD) so that no one piece weighs more than 118 lbs!  And because the biggest of the three KD parts (the arms, mattress, and davenport base) is only 12″ wide, it can be carried through any doorway, up any staircase, and around any corner with ease.  And with less than three guys.

I wondered what professional movers recommended in terms of moving something so big and heavy as a hide a bed, so I looked online.  This is what I found:

http://www.learntomove.com/sleeper-sofa.php

Preparing to Move a Sleeper Sofa

The 2 pictures below are examples of the preparation for moving a sleeper sofa (also called a hide-a-bed or sofabed). They show the tie off necessary between the bed mechanism and the sofa-bed’s front kick-board to prevent the bed from unexpectedly springing out as it’s being moved. This little moving tip can save you from incurring a very severe and potentially very costly moving injury!

Therefore, of all the steps in moving a sofabed, this one is extremely important! What can happen if this tie off is not done is that a large, heavy, impossible to control object can suddenly leap out at you while you’re in the midst of moving a hide-a-bed! This can and has caused serious injury to movers and / or damage to the  hideabed and / or property damage to walls, floors, railings!

To tie down the bed portion of your hide-a-bed, you will need a 6 to 8 foot long length of strong strapping (or rope or twine but strapping is prefered) or you can also use movers tape. Make sure that you tie it around both the flat kick-board in front of the sofa-bed as well as the top of the spring bed mechanism in front just just as is shown being done in the picture above.

Tie it securely by tightly double or triple knotting it. Be sure to test that it is completely secured by trying to pull out the bed section against this restraint before you attempt to move your sleeper sofa.

If you use tape to restrain the bed mechanism – you’ll need 2 layers of it in order to make a tape strap that will be strong enough to hold the bed and at the same time not get tape residue all over it. You make the strap by pulling out a 6 to 8 foot length of tape and then make 2-3 passes back upon itself with more tape, sticky side down. As you reverse wind the tape you weld the sticky sides together and you twist it and wrap it so that no stickum is exposed when you’re done. This way you’re creating a multi-layered strong tape strap with no exposed stickum to get onto the hid-a-bed or onto the movers hands when they move it. Then, when you are done moving it, just cut the tape off.  Now your sleeper sofa is ready to be blanket wrapped prior to moving just as is done when moving a couch.

A Hide-A-Bed sofabed bed,
Is frequently thought of with dread.
From the bar in your back,
To the inches they lack,
Try a LofaBed mattress instead.

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By Mitch, March 8, 2010 12:34 am

Back on January 17 (Muhammad Ali’s birthday), I received an email from Maria in Austin, Texas.  She wanted to know if a particular fabric “is the best for cleaning …(because) we have many cats? If there is a particular fabric you would recommend for messy folk, please let me know.”

She wanted a “qouble” size LofaBed in the California Collection, which features extra large pillows, removable arm and mattress covers, and a unique arm style…and I recommended Monet as a durable, pretty much cat-proof microfiber that ought to meet her requirements.  She never explained what she meant by “messy folk,” but I assumed she meant that cats, kids, adults, and food would probably all be sharing the LofaBed at any one time…and so she needed something extremely practical, as well as comfortable and good-looking.  I must have done her right, ’cause here’s what she emailed me earlier today:

From: Maria Broaddus
Subject: Lofa Sofa
Date: March 6, 2010 3:06:07 PM GMT-05:00
To: lofasofa@videotron.ca

We received our Lofa Sofa yesterday.  It is absolutely AMAZING!!!  We still cannot believe how pretty and comfortable it is….it’s like a real bed!    You will be hearing from me again shortly, as I think we want to purchase another, although it will probably be a smaller version.  Thanks so much for a a great product!!!

California Collection LofaBed (sofa position)

California Collection LofaBed (bed position)

The California Collection
Was designed with much reflection.
Removable covers
Your cat soon discovers…
Are worthy of keen circumspection.

Mitch Wapen
www.lofasofa.com
lofasofa@videotron.ca
877-424-1431

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By Mitch, March 5, 2010 9:14 am

About a month ago I received an inquiry from Jack Bratus of Kingston, Ontario.  I could tell from the tone of his writing that this internet stuff was new to him, and that he was willing to give it a try…but first he was gonna ask a lot of questions.  He asked about the option of picking up at the factory, about the different sizes, and, of course, about the fabrics.  But his most extensive questioning involved the method of payment that I accept. It seems he belonged to a credit union, and that kind of eliminated my favorite form of remittance:  INTERAC Email Money Transfer.  I’ll write about that some other time…today I want to talk about Jack.

Finally, after going back and forth for a few days, Jack placed his order on January 28.  This came at a time when the factory was only recently back from vacation, and had fallen behind on the timely turnaround of its orders.  Instead of taking the normal 1-2 weeks, they were now scheduling shipments in 2-3 weeks.  That’s when I got the following email from Jack:

Old Jack lived alone in the Limestone City.
Found a Lofa while surfing the net.
Deciding to buy, fired a draft in the mail,
Not knowing Canada Post moves like a snail.
So many days he’s out his cash, but old Jacks’ hopes are alive,
Of the day that his Lofa would arrive.

Besides the fact that I’m not used to getting poems from customers, this was the first time that Jack had referred to himself as “Old Jack,” which I found quite interesting. Kingston, BTW, is known as the Limestone City.  Not to be outdone, and wanting to assuage his nervousness about buying something online while having to pay for it before receipt, I penned the following response:

While Jack has high hopes, the weather’s quite bleak…
So I phoned the plant in order to speak.
They told me they’re able
To wrap and to label…..
Your LofaBed WILL be shipped out this week!

This seemed to calm Old Jack down, and I was THRILLED to receive this email from Jack a little while later:

Hello Mitch,  Love the LofaBed!  The company delivered and set it down in my living room, taking away most of the packing. Your e-mail directions for set-up were clear and right on. Took me awhile (due to my own limitations in kneeling), but when the arms got on it was a breeze. It looks nicer than I imagined, classy, and it really is comfortable.  I’m a 6′ 2″ guy around 300 lbs., and can still stretch out on it if I choose. Great!  My teen daughter will be tickled now that she can stay over with a nice bed to sleep on. The storage area is an amazing plus for bedding. Thanks, Mitch,  for all your correspondence and help—and thanks for your LofaBed creations!  ALL the best in future business and your life! Sincerely, Old Jack—-Kingston, ON

Now THAT’S the kind of email I could get used to, y’know?  I didn’t know that Jack was old…or that BIG…or even that he had a teenage daughter.  All I knew for sure was that he was gonna love his LofaBed. Everybody does.

Mitch Wapen
www.lofasofa.com
lofasofa@videotron.ca
877-424-1431

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By Mitch, February 25, 2010 10:44 pm

One of the first things I did during the development of the LofaBed, was to make sure all the mattresses were of standard dimensions.  Maybe it was my experience in basic training (U.S. Army), or my mother making me learn how to make my own bed…but I always HATED making up a bed, and I’m guessing that the person who invented fitted sheets did too.  Compared to flat sheets, fitted sheets are SO much easier to put on that it’s a no-brainer to make sure your product accommodates them.

There are four basic sizes for fitted sheets and, except for the king, the LofaBed comes in all of them.  The smallest is the twin/single, which measures 39″x75″.  Then comes the full/double (54″x75″) and the queen (60″x80″).  The beauty of fitted sheets and, by extension, fitted mattress pads, is that they can be stored in the base and whipped out and put on in seconds when needed.  Then in the morning, they can be removed and put back into the storage area even faster.  This is an incredibly important feature/benefit for people on the go.  You wouldn’t believe how many guys I talk to who are turned on by this feature alone.  And if you’re looking for odd sizes or better quality sheets, here’s a website I found that specializes in them.

One more thing that makes fitted sheets indispensable to me:  Because they fit so snugly on our 8″ mattresses, they’re able to keep the ottoman and the mattress together on our chair, twin/single, loveseat, and Mary Miller queen…all of which require ottomans to make up the missing length.  And on a purely personal note, there’s a huge difference between trying to sleep on a mattress with rumpled up, moving sheets…as in your typical 4″ sofa-bed mattress…compared to the tight-fitting, smooth surface of a LofaBed mattress.  A good night’s sleep is what it’s all about.

There was an old gal from St. Pete’s,
Who loved to use clean, fitted sheets.
But her son was a baller…
And because he was taller,
He ruined her sheets with his cleats!

Tall "Baller" with Cleats

Mitch Wapen
www.lofasofa.com
lofasofa@videotron.ca
877-424-1431

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By Mitch, February 23, 2010 10:07 pm

I often get asked on the phone, or in an email, if I ship to Texas.  Or Florida.  Or California.  The answer, of course, is YES…we ship all over Canada and the U.S.  But I understand why people would wonder.  I mean, when I first got into the business of online retailing, the most difficult challenge I had was figuring out how to get the LofaBed shipped to all points in North America…and then, how to get it home delivered. Because the big rigs, you see, don’t do home delivery.  I’m talking 53′ tractor/trailers, which basically want to go from warehouse to warehouse – in and out as quickly as possible.

But over the years I’ve learned.  One of the things I’ve learned is that certain companies specialize in being furniture-only carriers, and this is much better for me because then I don’t have to worry about a jet engine or a refrigerator falling over in the truck and smashing my LofaBed.  Believe me, it’s happened.  So I’ve settled on Nesel Fast Freight for Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean, Clarke Transport or Western Logistics for western Canada (we use both), and DuCamPro Transport for U.S. orders. Except for Clarke, they’re all dedicated furniture carriers, and, amazingly, DuCamPro actually covers the entire 48 contiguous states! They usually pick up an order on a Thursday or Friday, then “stage” it over the weekend, and deliver it to New Jersey, Los Angeles, or Montana the following week!  And because they specialize in furniture, I get virtually no damage.

And then there’re the more difficult questions to answer.  Like, “Do you ship to Europe?”  Or, “What’s your price to Hawaii?”  Until recently, I had no answer.  I’d advise customers that I could ship to a port city, like Miami, but that they’d have to make the arrangements to get it home from there.  That didn’t work too well, and I only sold a few people who were willing to go to all that trouble.  But then I heard about Euro Transport.  A customer in Australia was determined to receive two “qoubles” in faux leather for

her working dogs, and found a freight-forwarder right here in Montréal who was willing to ship both of them for only US$940!  Imagine that…under $1000 for two large sofa-beds all the way to Australia…WESTERN Australia at that.  I immediately contacted them and inquired into their program, and it turns out they ship EVERYWHERE…all over the world!  So now I’m ready for the next time someone asks me if I ship to Europe. I think I’ll just casually answer, “Why, doesn’t everybody?”

I often get asked on the phone…
“Do you ship as far as Cologne?”
I answer, “Not really…
But one day, ideally…
We’ll go to Sierra Leone!”

Cologne, Germany

Sierra Leone

Mitch Wapen
www.lofasofa.com
lofasofa@videotron.ca
877-424-1431