Rockaway Bedding & Sleepys

From AngelicaSimpson, 8/28/2011  8:12 PM

Hi there! I want to buy a new mattress bed. Do you know what store got the good quality and the cheapest one? I'm from Philadelphia,PA. Thanks..

mattress store philadelphia

From any news, 6/25/2011  11:30 AM

Steve Kuger is gone from MG? Is this a rumor or real?
Can someone help me with this question?

From any news, 6/25/2011  11:25 AM

BBB has published a bunch of retailers to stay away from and they listed Sleepy's and a salesman name Joe!

From tony, 5/26/2011  9:21 AM

What is going on with Mattress Factory?
How has the sleep stores being doing with profit?

From theinsider, 5/14/2011  6:09 AM

Let me start by saying that Joe did steal while at Sleepy's the 1st time and they took him back! Not understanding that at all!

Back to business, Relax the Back, Mealy's, Raymour, and Mattress Giant are all out to stay in the mattress business and making sure that no top talent will leave and go to Sleepy's.

From newcoming on the blog, 5/6/2011  5:33 PM

I have been around since Nationwide, I just heard of this blog! I love it! Keep it coming.
What is going on with Sleepy's this days? Also how about Giant?

From theupdatekid, 4/22/2011  6:53 PM

Relax the back is taking so much business from everyone in the TP game.
Mealy's is staying under the rador and selling a great product.
MG is taking all of the business in the $399-$899 area so thank the advertising from Raymour, Sleepy's and Mealy's and Warehouse

Just an update for everyone to see!

From mattressman is back, 4/18/2011  8:49 AM

All I can say is Wow!

Everything said is so correct about Joe A.

I worked at sleey's aka deleted your life up workplace! Yes for over 10 years and Joe is an Ahole.

Joe you will get you share of crap one of these days. All you did was bad mouth Sleepy's when you were at MG and now you are back waiving the flag you jerk.

Me 2 F U Joe

From newuser@sleepys.com, 4/18/2011  8:44 AM

Joe you are an complete a**** and you are so full of yourself! How many people have you lied to and messed over?
Every time you speak it sounds like a retard.Yes you did steal anytime you finalize an invoice without the customers physically picking up the merchandise!!!! So yes they covered it up (Dan T, Tom J and the rest) you GET a life and stop with the bullsh*t!

Everyone at that has been at Sleey's more than 4 years is aware of your firing. So the ackers wasn't told the truth in why you were let go.

Let me guess Now you want to move stores again because business is slow? You never stay in a place longer than 6 months - why is that?

So you get a grip Joe!!!

So I will say good bye and deleted you and the horse you came in on!

From Insider, 4/14/2011  5:39 PM

Looking for clues.........
I hear that a deal is near, Harry will take over the mess called Mattress Giant and in areas where Sleepys has already too many stores the MG locs will become 800 matt.
Now Adam has already taken the dog and pony press the flesh tour to the masses announcing some re-branding.
Can anyone confirm the new line item on Sleepys sales tickets that refers to Harrys divorce? The line item is,
"AJ REMOVAL FEE $1"
As for Joe he is a good salesperson, but I think you will be hard pressed to meet anyone that won't say he is an Ahole. As far as his stealing he cooked the books finalizing sales before time to increase bonus better than CHEF RAMSEY.

My best to you all.....

From you people need a life, 4/10/2011  1:42 AM

Get a life people, #1 from what I understand the ACKER'S would never rehire someone who stole from them. So, what does that tell you about Joe, who never asked to go back to sleepys but they asked for him to come back. #2 I know he kicked the crap out of the springfield sleepys and the factory on baltimore pike for about a year. How he did that with no advertising and no product is unbelievable, but he did. I have been in this business over 10 years, and I know Joe a little, and I got to tell you he made a difference at giant, and I have never seen a more tenacious and prepared salesperson since I have been in this business, and I feel bad if he is your direct competitor, he doesn't lose. STOP HATING PEOPLE, GET A LIFE !!!!

From kurt, 3/31/2011  9:40 AM

Joe has done somethings that he shouldn't even still be selling mattress for!!! No one should have bought him back on the job market

From Ward, 3/31/2011  9:29 AM

This is my first ever post to the board and I just wanted to state a few things, here is my background Sleepy's and MG I worked at for over 12 years combined.
How do you all sit here and think Joe was honest? He was involved with building the bonus numbers up the wrong way he was finalizing orders before they went home!!!!

I think that all of the I'd's mentioned above got the shaft! Dayne no one has heard from, Joan left because of the demotions that went down I heard, I think the other I'd was Carl or Kyle and they haven't been heard from at all. But some of them actually were good managers.

MB and Ira leaving was the writting on the wall!!! International bedding is gone from the floor I hear now, and it is because Harry's friend wants to buy them and a steal of a price.

Does anyone on the forum know what in the world is going on with MG? They are closing locations left and right?

I love this forum, where is Rodney and Mark Harris, is Gerry Petriollo still around in the bedding business? Also were is Kirk the former RM of NJ?

Thanks for listening

From kurt kurt kurt, 3/22/2011  8:40 AM

kurt, nice post, thumbs up, i agree with you almost 100% except for one thing, even though I don't like Joe, i know he didn't steal, but he is too arrogant for me, but you said he isn't good with customers, then you never worked with him. He is a buzz saw on the floor and i haven't seen anybody better in 25 years in the business. Now, I agree with the promotions of the some of the management people an some of the initials you mentioned keeping their role in management. 800 mattress also agree JOKE, and Dino is great in the role. I don't know who you are but like me I think your Jersey your right on except the Joe comments. Joan is gone, Dayne no idea, PO, has no clue, DB ditto. NICE POST AGAIN. THANKS

From ifyouworkforsleepys/thinkagai.com, 3/17/2011  12:50 PM

Good luck to the good salespeole making money

From Kurt, 3/17/2011  12:37 PM

Let me address some issues at Sleepy's!!!! They have totally (deleted) the management and sales force this time, first of all their are some good ppl in management left at Sleepy's and their are some employees that are still there but just waiting for another opportunity. Former DM's and former trainers, former RM's, I personally know of five that were screwed royally!!!! All of the I'd's were P53, P32, P27, P15, P32 and so many more along with amazing salespeople that left because of all of the issues and none sense, when it comes to the favoritism with RM's that are married now!!! As far as Joe he is a snake and apparently he is now in some type of management role. He is terrible with customers and he should have NEVER got promoted. Especially after the theft and dishonest behavior the first time he was there!!!! ( That tells you that they really don't know what the HELL they are doing) Now for D... the RVP he doesn't know what is really going on, Now for Dino the RVP, he has proven to be the one with his hand on the business, E the RVP just (deleted) a RM that just so happen to be of a different race!!! Why you ask huh? The truth will never come out. So now you promote all of these RM's and they won't make it past July 4, the one's that just got the new role will be the first GONE!
Now for the bonus structure Sleepy's have LOST their Minds! Everyone with some value has lost over 10K - yes why?
Now opening the 1-800 Mattress stores are a joke, they (Sleepy's) are acting like consumers don't read!
Does anyone know how these stores are doing? Along with MG?
Worthless RM's now will be named, TP, BG, DP, and BD, now we all know I would never use last names.
How does PO get promoted? How does DB keep her job, how does JG get a promotion with the royal (deleted) of B? How does HP look as a DM? Not good! Where is Dayne these days? What about Rodney? What about Joan? How does N from NJ keep his job?
I will post new entries as I get them?
Nice.?

From best pay for the effort, 2/14/2011  8:33 PM

re: sleezys, i guess they are glad you are gone. i dont want to put the entire blame on you so lets supoose that your bad attitude and poor income was due to you being dumped in sh*tty stores. every company has them, as does sleepys.

i never made less that 68k and had a high of 94 working for the same people you slammed. just lucky i guess.

are the sleepys mgmt angles, hell no. but it is the best pay for the effort and time invested. do they do everything on the up and up...no (and i know), but hey...customers these days get whats due them. stuff cant be cheaper and cheaper and still be as good or better than before. so screw them..but thats my opinion...

harry never did get to the point of throwing everyone else out of business...like that was ever likely anyway. and every salesperson isnt working 4 days and making 100k...but hey, its nice to have goals. oh well gotta go....

From Sleezy's, 2/11/2011  11:07 AM

Ok,

First of all, I probably know a lot of you(a good thing) and this is a great forum! I worked for Sleezy's 2007 to 2010 and it was the worst job I EVER had! Sure 2007 may have been good, then all downhill...All of you who say, "oh well it's the sales people, that's how ya make your money, stop b***ing...lalala" BS! HA! If noone comes into your store dipsh*t you make no money! Actually you owe THEM for keeping their crappy lil stores open and handling other people's customer problems...

I worked in a good store, made great money, loved my Rm and Dm, liked my job...then all the "rules" and 1-800 mess happened...Telemarketing stealing sales, customer service issues/delivery guys rude as hell to their fellow employees and our customers(lossing us sales, or them dropping he price dramatically)! Lying to customers to put money in your pocket is sad...

All I can say as an ex-employee, request your HR files/complaints/anything NOW while you can. They don't have to give them to you(stupid N.J. law) but can if "asked nicely"..ha! They are impossible to deal with in any legal matter, non-cooperative(huh, just like when I worked there), noone calls ya back(again, sounds familiar), and they will continue/postpone hearings for months to discourage you from further action..Keep fighting...Civil-Labor Laws are rather interesting(depending what state you work in) and you may be able to take action against all the complaints and problems you all have by actually doing them...No attorney needed...You guys sit in a s/r 11 hours, read a damn NJ Statute Law book!

Never again will I work sales, (thanks Sleepy's) even though I made good money, and liked my rm and dm, had a good volume store, young woman working upon Men(a lot of you...well..gross!) There are better jobs out their, you pay into unemployment, if you had the issues I did(many sound like ya do) then DO something about it...Talking on the phone to eachother everyday through s/r's is nice and all but not enough...They need to be pushed off their throne....Greedy Greedy Greedy.....Shame on you Sleepy's....You should treat the people that make you your money like they are appreciated..Taking away all bonus's, or lack of, Harry and all the exec. constantly sending emails and voicemails saying DO Better!! Push! Pressure! $$$......

Google Sleepy's lawsuits....you'll be amazed(well not all of you) of how corrupt and ballsy they actually are!
They paid rent in Boston (I believe) and wrote the landlord that they are dropping their rent due to economic bs, and sent a check with that (much lower)amount....Balls! Bullies really....Are some of you that blinded and led that you can't see what they are doing?? Well you'll see...Print out all emails/complaints/anything!!!

Do not trust them, Do not buy any of their crap(other than tempur-pedic, the only bed that holds up)unless ya work there...there ARE discounts!

Found this forum, laughed a bit..amused, so from a (deleted)ed ex-employee.....Cover your ass(as naive as you may think this company has NO loyalty)....Anyone who is still there....Good freaking luck...make sure you turn on your "robot Mattress Professional" and screw people over with products sold extremely over-priced...Hope ya feel good about yourself...If not, well than I hope you get all "ingins" in your stores....for those of you who don't know what that is....think about it...ya got 11 hours...

From i'll let joe know, 1/31/2011  11:07 PM

i will let joe know that he has a fan of his writing stuff on this site claiming to be him...can't just give credit to somebody in the business who knows the business on all levels...sad people are so envious and jealous of successful people. get a life mr wanna be joe.

From joe, 1/7/2011  4:22 PM

I finally got promoted after all of the lies and etc. I kept asking and asking, throwing people under the bus.just to get my name notice.Why should I ever look back at Mattress Giant again. I can stop posting inserts on this site.

From lets get down to Business, 9/25/2010  11:01 PM

Will mattress giant survive this winter season?
Will mattress factory expand this winter?
Will the americas mattress start expanding?
Will sleepys just dominate the market yet again?
Will the dump sell stuff cheaper and cheaper?
Who will have the 1st 99.99 delivery fee? (sleepys)
Who is the best mattress salesperson you know who works in the jersey/philadelphia market for any compeititor?

lets focus on the last question give initals or ids and the company they work for on who is the best? i would say anyone who can make money at giant has to be good, or someone in a tough market? who will people select?

WELL TIME TO MAKE THE DONUTS

From new member, 9/12/2010  7:46 AM

Al right one question why would anyone on this chat work for mattress giant or Sleepy's. I just got a new job with the Dump and there commission structure is so much better.
But back to business, Sleepy's had a record weekend over the holiday that was more door pulls than 2008 and 2009.
Some new sews ----- a new RM was named at Sleepy's under the a**** DT regional area. WTF is that about? I also hear that KG former RM is looking at legal matters with another former RM.
Now let's be honest here the DM's under D are all time worst crew that I have seen in 6 years of service with Sleey's (yes Sleepy's) now I will name a few "get ready" N, JD, D, B, and MS (former RM) they really do not have a clue what the deleted is going on!!! Along with the regionals in place that are never around and do not make an impact in anything sales related.
Why is DT still here E needs to come up this area so the bulls hit can stop with curtain RM's. Here is a real discussion topic (why are curtain ppl still sitting at Sleepy's + names here we come no punches held back, J, JT, M, S, GF, PP, and RR? And then there is ppl that got (deleted) in the (deleted) by Sleepy's like RW, MR, DL, AV, and others. What was the DM that had most of Philadelphia for about 2 or 3 years under MC and T? Is he still around?

From Ok..., 9/5/2010  12:28 AM

ok, so in sales terms lets K.I.S.S. Keep is simple stupid. If you hate the company that much...Then get another job... I you hate the company that much and used to work for them.... Get a Life! Its funny how soo many ex employees come on here like they hate Sleepys yet they cant stop blogging about the gossip. Seriously, Do you check it daily? LOL.

From where is waldo, 8/13/2010  7:16 PM

who is Bedhead Bill???

From #3314, 8/5/2010  6:44 PM

Hey, Bedhead Bill!!! Why don't you go screw yourself? I suppose you're proud of your anti-semetic comments on here?

Why don't you just admit it? You're one of the FAT, SCHMUCK, MATTRESS SALESMEN THAT DIDN'T AMOUNT TO VERY MUCH!! That's why you're on here making derogatory comments about the people who went on to be more successful than you. People you wish you had been as smart as. You should really watch what you say about people ... and instead of beating around the bush, come right out and say what you mean! TKB? Tell us what that means, Billy Boy!!!!

One of the men you named was my closest friend, and I know for a fact that he'd never do the things that
you accused him of doing! SHAME ON YOU!

Ever heard of the term ~ ONLINE DEFAMATION? You should look into it and realize that your lies could come back to bite you in the ass one day ... BILLY!!!!!!

From Georgia, 7/29/2010  9:04 AM

I haven't participated in quite a while. Lots of complaining from people who are just lay. Somehow, I do preety good here

what was that song by Michael Jackson? The man in the Mirror?

Take a good look in the mirror.

rumor confirmed about Mike B. He is at King Koil or whatever they call the company. He's been seen in hicksville, but that's about all I heard

From from stop crying, 7/25/2010  8:54 AM

i have a dumb question, when has mattress giant ever been up? cotton candy walls, throw up color carpeting, ugly pillow educational racks, computers are from 1985 and when have they had a district manager that has made any difference at all......the company is a joke, was a joke, and never will be nothing but a joke.

From frank, 7/21/2010  7:20 AM

MG is on its way down yes.

From mattressguy for Life, 7/19/2010  7:57 PM

Is MG on the way down? Looks like talks are heating up with Sleepy's.
Anyone hear anything?

From backinbusiness, 7/17/2010  3:39 PM

All of these points are so true you made Nick!!!!
Bookerbinder is been with KK for about three weeks now.
Who do you work for if you don't mind me asking?
If you go to your RVP besides Eric nothing good will come out of it (trust me) Dan T is a snake if I ever seen one!!! Dino is ok but relay's on his RM's a little too much ( they both are out of touch )
Do not speak to your RM go to HR or RVP; RM's can not think for themselves. Especially the one's that work for Dan T. This new guy Jeff M is an idoit to the fullest (better yet a****)
Call and let someone know that you aren't being treated right on your schedule

From nick, 7/17/2010  3:27 PM

THE MAIN QUESTION OF THE DAY AND WEEK IS WHEN DID MIKE BOOKBINDER GO TO KING KOIL?
I WONDER IF IRA WILL END UP WITH SOMEONE AS WELL?
LISTEN TO THIS --- WHY ARE THE FOLLOWING PPL IN THE POSITIONS THAT THEY ARE BILL G, MOHAMMAD A, MIKE S, AND DOTTIE B,NICK S? TOM IS OK BUT HE WAS BETTER AS A DSM NOT RM.

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE BUT SALES WITH ALL COMMISSION IS NOT THE ANSWER.

I HEAR MATTRESS GIANT IS ALSO IN MORE TROUBLE THAN REPORTED THESE DAYS?

From stop crying again, 7/16/2010  11:29 PM

they got rid of the highest in the red under draw performers, who didnt sell ave's sisnt sell TP or STL they sold 399-599 order taking low profit walmart 7.00 employee an hour merchandise.....if you cant make 600 in a 5 day work week, with product like laura ashley, miralux, stl(one a week) and sell or include AVE'S that pay once again 15-20% commission then move out of the way, and we will find someone who can.....not too hard if you put the effort in and actually try to become are YOU LISTENING....A SALESPERSON.....NOT A FUCHIN ORDERTAKER.......thats right sleepys doesnt advertise, they dont have great products, and yeah mattress giant and others have great locations where sleepys have awful ones....and nah you can make 300-500 on one sale.....just one.....its sad to hear the complaining from adults...good night children

From more from stop crying, 7/16/2010  11:16 PM

and another thing, always blame the rm's like 22 and 24, and cry over the dms too. My schedule sucks, they don't like me, don't listen to me, I deserve to make big money and it should be handed to me. I don't need to learn on how to sell....I can't so more than sell 399.99 granbys all day with no AVE'S. I give away frames, and pillows to close sales....what else do I have to do to get to MV....why should I learn how to sell, its the stores fault that I couldn't show them the benefits of the kn2006, and the benefits of a great love my pillow....HEY IDIOTS...DOES THE CUSTOMER COMING IN EXPECT OT GET FREE PILLOWS, SHEETS, PROTECTORS, AND 50% OFF or ARE YOU SO WEAK WITH NO SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SELL.....ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, LEARN THE PRODUCT, LEARN PEOPLE'S SKILLS AND GROW UP ALL YOU WHINERS.

From Stop crying, 7/16/2010  11:08 PM

The year of 2010 is different than 2007-08....no more 48-60 months 0%, customers have lower credit lines, so the days of the lay down 2000-5000 sale are gone....long gone.....most salespeople sit on their lazy asses and don't want to get better so they blame the company for their faults and paychecks. BOO---HOO to those who have no idea on how to treat a customer when they come in. Go buy some kleenex and wipe away the tears....Customers come in and are looking for what they can afford, and instead of eating all day, and b***ing about making no money and seeing no customers actually pick up a phone ask for suggestions, go visit someone and actually learn on how to sell. you make 15-20% on AVE'S learn how to god damn sell the product, and stop being order takers and RM code callers. WHINE ALL YOU WANT..LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND MAKE A CHANGE !!!!

From Replay to:....Reply from no more rm's or, 7/16/2010  12:04 PM

Are u saying they only want young whites?? No blacks??

From no more rm's or dm's, 7/15/2010  4:31 PM

WTF is going on? They just let go 3 ppl this week in the R22 region and 2 ppl in the R24!!! I am not sure if they are going in a younger (white) male direction. They just fired two mp's over the age of 50!!!!
I am not sure what is going on because the control is gone and now we get new ppl that we have to split our money with now!!!
Sleepy's is going downhill so fast like a snowball. It must change now, everyone get out if you can.

From Insider...., 7/15/2010  1:09 PM

Not a rumor silly JP,

Bookie made a consultant for about a week then poof.
Ira made to disappear too ?!

From Top Onion, 7/15/2010  12:17 PM

Rumor has it that Bookbinder is now with Comfort Solutions. Wow, how far they fall.

From Insider, 7/14/2010  3:26 PM

We tried to go public many years ago the filing can still be found on the internet. It makes sense that the package must be pretty, there has been a plethora of tv ads touting the name Schleepys as a brand and that makes sense.
I the going public happens every exec will do well and HA may finally be able to buy the Jets.
As far as the new people not making money, ask yourself what did you expect, did you really believe the recruiting video? The DMs and RMs are mostly unapproachable because if they ever say anything they can be quoted and will lose their position or job altogether. The way to get what you want is to threaten to leave the job.

Insider.......

From rockaway/sleepy's fool, 7/14/2010  4:53 AM

I work for a regional manager in the south that is a nice guy, but I was speaking to a friend that works for Tom J who some say is next in line for a promotion, but others work for Bill G that some other mp's state doesn't do a damn thing! He is not approachable! Now others work for Paul P who they said is always the same but doesn't understand real life versus Sleepy's. But overall they are in the positions because they will make sure things run ok with the iron fist.

From backinbusiness, 7/13/2010  12:13 PM

So I here that Sleepy's are closing stores in order to go public? Someone please answer this question?
I have only been employed with this company for 8 months and I can't get out of these crap ass stores. I keep asking my DM for better stores and nothing happens!!!!
Should I go to human resources or what? (I'm told that if I do I will never make enough money to pay my bills) last week I was paid $636 for two weeks!!! Someone please help me!!! Yours truly JJ

From exstupidemployee, 7/12/2010  7:55 PM

Why are the Gruman's and Jurlando so powerful and why are salespeople so affraid of them.....why they control your opcket 100%.
There isn't a even playing field in these regions. (Dan)
Wait until you see that free delivery will never come back to Sleepy's!!! Why is this?

From shaft101@sleepy's.com, 7/12/2010  5:17 PM

2 employees just got the AXE!!!
The didn't have a chance working with the schedule they had!!!! They really got royally (deleted text).

From exsleepys employee, 7/12/2010  4:50 PM

MV is by far the biggest money earner in the company (sleepy's) they play by their own rules. The one guy is a very good saleperson but the other guy (well enough said) I am not sure why they got rid of some of the DSM's that were good!!!!! Too much potential is at Sleepy's.....DSM's are now salespeople and showroom managers.
They (by that I mean R24, R22 and R17 are some of the worst set of management. They are all dishonest a****s that follow R40 like he is GOD.
I hear R17 is now a salesperson - why I ask?

From rafeeq, 7/12/2010  4:40 PM

Are you referraling to MV where P16 is the DSM? She is the RM's wife and the sales people make over 115K a year!!!

From heardthat, 7/11/2010  8:23 AM

The insider asks why it is slow?? It is not really slower. Where one sleppys store in a area would do all the biz, that one store is now say 4 stores so that biz is then spread out over the 4 sleepys stores.

From Insider, 7/9/2010  9:31 AM

We have been waiting to get out of bad locations, many have been up for grabs for quite some time. The RB locations were mostly weak. In my opinion this is the smartest thing in quite some time, it appears that AB is making smart business decisions finally, HA's crazy buy everyone to keep em out may be changed. Who knows it also may just be the flavour of the day.
Can anyone tell me why the stores are so slow? especially with the ad dollars spent close to 100 million. I know the focus is online but c'mon as DC says..........

From heardthat, 7/7/2010  2:58 PM

YUP, I HEARD THAT TOO!

From edward, 7/2/2010  11:42 PM

Hi All, Looks like the word is that sleepys is shutting down 100 plus stores this year as the leases expire. Go figure.

From Georgia, 5/30/2010  7:28 PM

Why does Insider stay there if he/she is so damn unhappy?

Company's really gone thru some strange changes. Anyone know why?

From no-sider, 5/25/2010  11:28 AM

so, rumours rampant that sleepys is looking to buy MG again.

anyone got the goods?

From Insider...., 5/10/2010  9:57 AM

Dear reality,

While I applaud the statement that you have not drank from the kool aid pitcher, I must comment that your reality while currently positive can and probably will change without notice. For example when your goals are trended up because you had a good week, or your doubled every day, or Harry opens another store next door. Face only 10 to 15 percent of the salespeople make decent money, whereas 100 percent have been promised 4 days and 100k on that recruiting video. Yes we are the big gorilla but as it always has been most of the employees would rather be elsewhere.

Thanks to Truth, please share more truths.

Insider.........

From The Truth, 5/1/2010  5:28 PM

Hey Reality Bedding,
     Being a good salesperson has nothing to do with survival in the evil empire known as Sleepy's. Over the last year and a half many many quality salespeople have been let go. Sleepy's did this because they are total idiots. They should burn in hell for all they have done to thier dedicated salespeople and the customers they have and continue to screw. Does anyone remember when they sold all thier comfort exchanges in the clearance section? I had to vacuum dog hair off of a king mattress at the MH store once. It was pretty gross.

From Reality Bedding, 4/30/2010  11:33 AM

Wow, it feels like I just walked into the Haters Ball (Chapelle Show reference, anyone?).

I think this thread needs a dose of reality. What fantasy world are some of you living in where you think a company you work for, much less a private (i.e. not publicly traded) is going to be all peaches and cream?

When I started at Sleepy's, one of the first things I noticed was the "Kool-Aid", which is very typical of any company...anyone ever see those Apple meetings???? So I drank some of the Kool Aid, filtered out the impurities, kept a low profile, and sold some beds. Lo and behold, three years later, I'm a showroom manager with a nice schedule and a nicer paycheck!

In this economy and job market, times are tough and pickings are slim. If someone here wants to offer everyone on this board some kind of magic job making six figures working 4 days a week with the best executive staff that gives you everything you want, I think we'd all jump on board. But that ain't gonna happen.

So in the meantime, my advice is to stop whining and complaining about things that you really have no power to change, be a better salesperson and you won't have so much complaining to do.

Reality bites, huh?

From INSIDER....., 4/22/2010  11:26 AM

The walls are vibrating at corporate.

The one guy who I always saw as untouchable Ira F. gone!
What happened? Has Adam B. become all powerful who's next Harry?!

The stories are all over the place, when I know you'll know.

Secondly, Bookie (hope it helps) gone too!
Of course they call it consulting but we know better.

I wonder if Harry will still have his big Saturday night party to dance further on the hopes and dreams of his employees as they work for long hours and little pay.

Could it be that Ira and MB supported the union?

Insider .....

From I want to thank all the spineless employ, 4/16/2010  1:14 PM

...that didn't have the "heart" to step up and be part of something that would have saved all your backsides. I hope you all enjoy the unemployment lines.

From What ever happened..., 3/2/2010  2:10 AM

...to Mr. Ritter? He got canned and disappeared into oblivion as far as I can tell.

From,
One of the Union Guys that Got Screwed

From Blame the company, 1/30/2010  1:11 AM

Wow insider you know your stuff, Joe M. and Mattress America another H&E company trying to be a somebody when they are definately a nobody, but Mattress SMALLS, I mean giant might be worse off.....sad company, real sad when nobody will give a penny for that waste of a company, by the way any word on how JOE A. is doing back at SLEEPY'S. By the way I don't think Mattress America will survive in beat up 1980's locations of nationwide showrooms, with no talent behind th counter.
Just remember its the salesperson in the showroom who makes the difference, not the company, amazing what someone did on balt. pike working in a little showroom with no product, and now it looks like that showroom is back to being nothing. Mr. Insider who are you, give us a clue, did you work for nationwide, rockaway, winks, sleepys factory or all the above......2010 the year giant goes away or makes a comenack with new blood.

From Insider...., 1/24/2010  10:00 AM

I am in shock !

The one guy with his head the furthest up Lt Dans' butt is fired from RM and made a salesperson in the TR store, how could this be, will cats be sleeping with dogs next?
Best of luck but we all know you have an ice cubes chance to survive.
I would love to know the real reason, I hope its not just incompetence.

PS The new company opening up is Mattress America and they are hiring so polish up the resume, currently they are in the Philly burbs and Vineland. Ask for Joe M.

From I'd like to see it happen, but..., 12/30/2009  6:38 PM

...Lt. Dan will never let it happen. No matter how many lawsuits he has to settle to keep the union out.

From FLee On The Wall 19958, 12/9/2009  7:38 PM

UNION YES! MD/DE/PA/NJ/NY Sleepys Stores. ASAP

                            
   

From Insider...., 12/6/2009  7:59 AM

Richard, not only is MGs business in the tank, it has been for years. The are famous for illiterate sales people, stores not opened and those stupid rings.

Put down the crack pipe for your own good.

BTW I can't believe there is a press release for Harry Goodman going to Classic Sleep, They don't have an open door policy they have a revolving door policy.

From RICHARD FREED, 12/5/2009  11:57 AM

Mattress Giant is the best and always be.

From mattressman007, 12/2/2009  3:55 PM

I was with Giant from 2000/09-2009. Mattress Giant Was a great place to make money for me. In 2008 I made 78k. I was Top this and that. My point is not about me. It is simple. Matt Giant should have been on auto pilot. B- Brown was an a****. All he had to do was sit in the seat and keep it in the air. What did he do? Well he landed the plain as fast as he could, took it apart and tried to fly it in the same path but he found out that a crop duster doesn't hold up very well at 30,000 ft.

Barry Brown was given his walking papers, they fired his ass b/c he didn't leave it on auto pilot. He has left the company in worst shape than Bush left this country!

From HE'S BACK, 11/27/2009  10:47 PM

It is official Joe A. is back at Sleepy's, the saga and the truth of why he was let go in the first place has alot of holes if they brought him back. This might be the first time in the history of the "NEW SLEEPY'S under A._____ that a fired employee was allowed back. From what I know he made very good money at Giant, and who knows why he is back, anyway good luck Joe A. You will be one of the reasons that Giant is put out of its misery for good in this area. Giant is very and I mean very in a big deal of trouble losing quality salespeople recently, and Joe A. could recruit some ok salespeople from the poorly run mattress giant.....stay tuned.....over and out !!

From Wesley, 11/23/2009  9:44 PM

Insider,

   Wow, even though we both basically hate sleepy's and all it has done to the salesforce, your still bustin' my chops? Well, no I will not stay off this blog. I just can't discuss certain things due to a signed agreement. So you just keep on hating sleepy's, I know I will. Happy holidays to you all. Enjoy the gift basket that harry will send you, oh wait he probably won't send them claiming belt tightening. Enjoy the extended hours in the upcoming sale times. I'll be enjoying time with the family.

Wesley J. Nicholls
The Old WN864

p.s.
If anyone really has a problem w/ me, feel free to drop me an email. WesleyJN1975@yahoo.com

From Insider...., 11/22/2009  3:34 PM

Wow, wonders will never cease. Could it be that Sleepys is really taking Joe A. back from Giant and giving him a guarantee ? All this from a company that is down almost 30 percent including new stores, this screws the existing hard working sales person more. Now that Dial deliveries are being made on sleepys trucks and the web is taking sales out of the poor hard working guy in the stores pocket. Where will it end, I know there will be no holiday cheer, just longer hours and more suprises next year.

Insider......

PS Wesley stay off of this blog ! you are useless...

From Wesley, 11/15/2009  9:28 AM

Here is what I could find on the Barry Brown thing.
------------------------------------------------------
Barrie Brown leaves as Mattress Giant CEO
Michael Glazer, former Bombay Company president, to replace him
David Perry -- Furniture Today, October 22, 2009
ADDISON, Texas — Former Bombay Company president Michael Glazer has been named CEO of Mattress Giant, the Top 100 company announced today. He replaces Barrie Brown, who has left the company.
No reason for Brown's departure was given.

Brown was named CEO of Mattress Giant, based here, in September 2002. Before that he was at Sleep Country USA in Seattle.

The company said that Brown "was instrumental" in the success of Mattress Giant. "He played a pivotal role in positioning the company for acquisitions by Freeman Spogli and Co. and has been a vital contributor in our expansion," the company said in a statement.

Prior to his current position as president of Team Neu, a private equity firm established in 2005, Glazer for 10 years was CEO of KB toys, the nation's largest specialty toy retailer. Under his leadership, KB Toys expanded its store base from 1,000 to more than 1,600 stores and almost doubled sales to $1.8 billion.

Glazer was president of Fort Worth, Texas-based home furnishings retailer Bombay Company prior to his time at KB.

"I am excited and proud to be joining Mattress Giant and truly appreciate the confidence and ongoing support that our shareholders have shown," Glazer said. "I look forward to working with all our associates, vendors and customers to generate increased sales and profits."

Mattress Giant ranked 28th on Furniture/Today's Top 100 ranking this year, based on estimated 2008 sales of $255 million, down 4.5% from 2007 sales.

From That's because..., 11/6/2009  11:12 PM

...we're discussing important things like Sleepy's attempts to stop the union from coming in both in new jersey and up in, I believe, new hampshire. Companies that mean so little in the delaware valley as mattress giant rarely get discussed. Although, I'm glad Barrie Brown got canned. He was like a little Harry Acker. Taking and taking and tacking from the salesforce just as harry has at sleepy's for years. With unemployment hitting 10.2% and getting worse, retail is in the crapper and doesn't look to improve anytime soon. If the sleepy's salesforce has any stones left they will use that paper recently put up in the common areas "rest rooms and back rooms" and invite the union into the company to help give them a voice.

From mattressman007, 10/29/2009  11:13 PM

I just happen to stumble on this site. I am looking here and did not see anything about Barrie Brown getting fired...

From Mgmt Here!, 10/16/2009  8:29 PM

Yes ringleaders, we are watching this forum. You won the first battle. It won't happen again!

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 10/14/2009  11:30 PM

Now that I know that Sleepy's Management is reading this message board all I have to say is "I am not done yet so on to Round 2."

From The Truth, 10/9/2009  7:23 PM

Popeye,

   Maybe we'll find out after the checks clear. ;-)

From popeye the sailor man, 9/25/2009  11:22 PM

to: So You Got All the Ringleaders

popeye here, i was sitting here with olive oil wondering what happened to the armada on sept 21?

by the way, this can of spinach is tasty! its making my forearms so big.

i yam what i yam!

From sad truth, 9/6/2009  8:10 AM

as usual; you've outed me, damn. now i must bow my head to the a's and the b's and confess that my subteruge was unsucessfull. the penalty, perhaps i will be demoted or lose a signifigant body part.

you knucklehead!

From As usual..., 9/4/2009  8:16 PM

...mgmt has piggybacked this forum under "sad truth". Because sleepy's WILL be "done" soon enough. In the next year they will go the way of RB.

From sad truth, 9/2/2009  8:04 AM

And here i thought this blog was dead...

Mike, Sleepy's is not going any where. They will not be "done", they arent closing any stores, and that is the sad truth.

They bought their way into every market and continue to market their brand effectively, while other chains feel they would be wasting money. The results tell a different story.

From mike, 9/1/2009  1:02 PM

I think that sleep's are a bunch of criminals. They discriminate against people and they have couple of managers there that deserve to be hung,,,,,they cheat and lie to their customers and employee's alike and it will only be a matter of time before they are done...if u are considering a career at sleepy's send me an email pleasetellafriend@comcast.net.

From dirty beds!, 8/31/2009  8:40 AM

i have personal knowledge, however, no longer any tangible proof, that they did sell used beds from, because i sold them in a clearance center from 2000 till roughly 2006. the fact that they were used was not disclosed to any customer, nor were the beds ever cleaned or santitized

these were comfort exchanged beds, many with stains, rips, hair, etc on the mattress.

years ago, as i am sure some old timers recall, when a bed was exchanged, a white tag was placed on it. if you looked closely, on that tag was the exchange invoice number as well as the name of the customer who exchanged it. (if management is reading this, i am sure they know that i know what i am talking about).

for years, i kept one such tag "just in case" i needed it. however, as time went on, i threw it out.

but that doesnt change the facts, it was done then and probably is done now.

as there is a current outbreak of bed bugs, i wonder how "trusting sleepy's to infest your life" may have contributed to it.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 8/30/2009  11:15 PM

The Ringleaders are looking forward to inviting Mr. George Gombossy to meet the Tugboats in Newark Harbor on September 22nd. From what I understand though he is no longer employed by the Hartford Courant, but has his own web site.

"Gombossy's column reported that Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is investigating as many as 10 complaints that Sleepy's sold mattresses that were used instead of new. It details one case of a Norwalk man who claimed his mattress was infested with bedbugs."

The column said Sleepy's offered to replace the mattress but did not agree that the mattress was infested. The company did not return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.

I am wondering whether or not I should cash the $10 the cruise directors were nice enough to have personally delivered to me.

From What New Competition?, 8/21/2009  6:55 PM

Hey Insider,
    What new competition is coming? Will they be in the burlington/camden county new jersey area? I really really hope so.

From Insider, 8/9/2009  7:23 PM

Loyalty we don't need no stinkin loyalty.

Time for another shake up at the matt pros, It seems as though alot more DMs as worthless as they are will be getting the ax, or a fate worse to be offered sales jobs.
The word will come down soon. The reason poor sleepconomy!

It doesn't stop the big wigs from opening useless locations that are too near to other locations or dropping un-told millions more than the on paper price for dial, or advertising on the side of buses!?!?
(bring back stuart a)

I have to tell you the next couple of months with new competition coming will be great fun to watch.

Insider..............

From The Time Has Come, 7/26/2009  10:00 AM

The time has come for people to realize that sleepy's couldn't possibly care less about you. Sales is very much a "What have you done for me lately" environment. But sleepy's has no problem trying to keep our loyalties with something they did a couple years ago for us. It doesn't work that way. If you want us to remain loyal to the company, than you had better be prepared to give us more than a turkey coupon for thanksgiving.

If you want us to be loyal, level with us. Tell us the direction the company is headed Mr. Bookbinder. Perhaps if you gave it to us straight you would have more people willing to go to bat for you and trust you. But you won't because you want your little soldiers to think the battle is still worth fighting for. Maybe it's just time to make a last stand.

From stores doubled on weekdays, 7/24/2009  1:05 AM

Sleepy's is really doing the job on its salesforce again. Lower commissions, less traffic, more weekday morning metrics meetings, wow, how the tides have changed. Amazing how the Sleepy's salesforce has no idea on how to sell the so called ADV customer, or has no care to due to making 1.83, and not knowing on how to read a price tag under $1000.00.....DM'S overworked, salespeople not giving a sh1t, and ownership getting ready to use the system to reorganize, and cut more people. Trivia question out of WAWA, PRETZEL FACTORY'S OR SLEEPYS which places of business are closer together?
The answer SLEEPYS, if you can't find a good salesman, just get on some dormo sneakers and walk down maybe 1/2 mile grab a pretzel, and a coffee, and you'll pass 2 sleepy's on the way. There are new hours also in the plans, since business is down Sleepy's is going to split shifts of 5am to 8pm, and 10am to 2pm, drive thru coming soon, with push button menu, costing $5.99 for processing fee for faster service, with 3 minutes or less guaranteed, $3,000 minimum for using the drive thru.

From norma rae, 7/23/2009  7:49 AM

hey ring-a-ding, the checks in the mail!

you got a card, i'll be back to see you and you only.

i need to bring my wife back, we'll be buying 3 when we come in.

knucklehead!

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 7/22/2009  10:46 PM

The New Date for bringing the Big Ship into Newark Harbor is September 22 due to the arrival of another Tugboat. I am told that the festivities should run between 3-4 days. Our friends at Sleepy's plan on bringing two (2) cruise directors to entertain all us.
Please feel free to join us.

If anyone has any information about any emails or meetings concerning Sleepy's knowledge about union activities please contact by email:

Michael.Silverstein@nlrb.gov

From hey, wha happened, 7/22/2009  7:49 AM

so the 21st came...hey, wha happened?

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 7/22/2009  12:15 AM

AIP...All in Price.....used to be IHP....In Home Price...any initials an MP uses he or she loses. Roberta and any other MP who clicks the AIP button prepare to lose much of your commission. When you click that button your commission becomes "nothin".

It is another way for Management to lower the amount of what they pay their employees.

The next time you as an MP want to click the AIP please think of clicking "our" button......UNION.....and no it will not be the Teamsters but "our" union, one designed and run specifically by MP's. The first thing we will do is throw the Store Managers out who are stealing our money and replace them with MP's. What did they do to deserve premium stores? What happened to the MP's they replaced?

From a little birdie told me., 7/19/2009  11:42 PM

That an offer was put in to the ringleaders and was rightfully turned down. $50K sleepy's? Get real!

From Don't forget!, 7/13/2009  5:46 PM

Early morning meetings if the value added numbers are low!

From Insider, 7/10/2009  10:44 AM

Don't forget Harry used to have pay phones in the stores!!

For real........

From A I P #2, 7/10/2009  9:39 AM

Perhaps it stands for Acker Incresed Profits. By making the salespeople pay for the customers discount thru their decreased commissions, the Ackers increase their profits.

hey AIP, you forgot the new mattress delivery protection vessel. simply, its the charge for having the mattress bagged so it stays clean. for a minimal charge of 9.99, sleepys will protect your new mattress from dirt and grime during delivery. bags cost money, so naturally this cost should be passed on to the customer. 9.99 for each item (queen 19.98, king 29.97), you can be assured of your mattress being delivered clean.

89.99 delivery
39.98 removal
19.98 or 29.97 for bags
119.99 mattress protector
29.99 pick up charge
4.99 receipt cost (this includes ink AND paper)
1.99 electric light charge (so you could see the mattreses in the store)
1.99 "have a seat at the desk charge"
pay toilets??? why not

its all on your backs...

where does it stop???

From A. I. P., 7/10/2009  12:23 AM

A. I. P.    hmmmm that means ALL IDIOTIC PEOPLE, who believe that SLEEPYS care about you. The ownership and management people there could care less about the people in the showrooms. Times are tough and sleepy's is charging 89.99 for delivery 19.99 for removal of each piece, and 29.99 for store pick up. Salespeople wake up, move on, the days of the home run 48 month free financing a grand bed are over. Sell all the garbage you want, make no money, by A.I.P. ing all the charges sleepys apply, and pretty soon there will be a 6.99 processing fee, for each order entered into siesta, 10% commission for the salespeople so enjoy the .70, and the new 1.99 fee for email sending coupons 10% commission applies to salespeople getting email addresses. One more new fee the double comfort exchange fee, 399.99 first king, if you want to do the second only pay double 799.98---if we cant get it right try and try again, the salespeople made the company, the mgmt is allowing you to ruin it.

From Roberta, 7/6/2009  5:04 PM

I don't get the big debate about this; don't you guys have anything else you can do with your time? Personally, I think the Dormo has made it easier to sell customers. And AIP? What's the big issue? Now you can't manipulate the system any more?

I don't know why I even bother reading this; times are tough; maybe I'll call some of my open orders and try to make some money

From insider, 7/6/2009  12:43 PM

What it really means is that the salessheeple cannot control the breakout or "cook the books" to maximize the commission, Harry dictates what item pays how much dinero.
Delivery is deducted the matt pad gets a value and so on,
it is just one more step towards putting mcdonalds type sales terminals and mcdonalds type salespeople in place. HA is experimenting with a true self serve set up like the KD system.

Trust Sl... aw nevermind

From shadowman, 7/6/2009  9:23 AM

ALL IN PRICE - It means when you give the customer the price, tell them the price with all items. People used to say the in your door price.

From Wesley, 7/5/2009  9:41 PM

I am very curious what A.I.P. is. Care to share?

From aja, 7/1/2009  1:35 PM

A I P? what does it refer to? i never heard of it.

From customer, 7/1/2009  6:26 AM

could someone explain what is A.I.P in sleepys and how does it work?

From tick tock tick tock BOOM, 6/24/2009  11:13 PM

Pretty soon and I mean pretty soon SLEEPYS will go chapter 11 and reorganize the company. The are biting off more than thy can chew purposely to do so. They are going to use the system to save millions of dollars and reorganize down to 300 showrooms again and keep the 800 number and the website. They will sell to mattress firm in the southern part from del and below. A the blank man runs the show and knows every legal and semi legal and slighty below legal thing that company has done. The ackers will make millions of dollars reorganizing and selling off some part of the company, and there will never be a union......NEVER, but I believe there are also millions of dollars in lawsuits being dragged out and after chapter 11, they also go bye bye...they are a smart company, who will succeed in using the system but wont knock anyone else out of the game. Too many people are spending 299-699 and that is not the specialty of the company or the care of the salesforce, SWING for those 2999 sales and a miss !!! ge finance approving less and in house finance yep 60% plus all fees thats friendly....they were the dominate factor before mid 2007 but slowly it is going to crash but in their favor....see you in PASITANO

From Insider, 6/23/2009  7:30 AM

Dear Ringleaders....

I hate to agree with FLY and I do hope you get all that you are going for but, Adam B. explained to me and a small group personally and privately that the union vote only earns the right to negotiate as Fly mentioned and HA is tough with vendors because they need Sleepys more than Sleepys needs them.

This case is different however, if the populus is willing to walk out then they have the power. Imagine 2/3rds of the sleepys stores closed for a work action, better start hiring those assistants back and make all stores with one store dms.

Remember if the union gets a majority vote the rules apply to all salessheeple.

From Fly on the wall, 6/23/2009  2:07 AM

Okay you have totally missed what I am saying.

I don't mean to be insensitive here but this is not a environment to pull punches and ignore reality as to not offend.

So, what am I saying?

Don't give me your argument as to why you want to do it. In theory everything you say is solid. Then again in theory communisism is the best form of government and we see how well that has turned out. Good theory fails in practice when all visions and possible outcomes are only foreseen as positives.

Now the problem here is the fact that you have this perfect little idea of how things should work and you're taking this fight to the top. I realize that you are ready to fight the evil empire and rid the world suffering. I find that admiralbe but if you think you are going to go toe to toe with Harry with your above plan and come away with even close to what you want you are so mistaken it is laughable.

If you have any idea what company you worked for, and might once again be working for, you will realize that before any deal is ever signed their will be some serious negotiating going down.

Why do think Harry is as succesful as he is? Is it because he has such a poor business sense and can not negotiate a deal? Do you even know who you are going up against?

If this is your best offer then you are going to doom those who follow to life of poverty. Like lemings off a cliff you will chase a so-t dream until you crash on to the rocky shore belowe.

They always say no one plans to fail, they just fail to plan. If you think you are walking up to the table with this offer and you are not willing to budge then you are so stunningly nieve it is frightening.

I mean come on, where are is language to renogotiate. Why are not asking for at least $20.00 an hour to start with. Do you have trouble selling at ticket?

Now how much is going to be everyones union dues? Is this going to be one percent of your yearly?

How are you going to pay the union reps? How political do you think that is going to become? Do you believe the injustices that which occur through RM/DM fravoritism will not be a issue with who is in good with the union rep?

Have you trouble shot any of this to see where all of your great ideas will fail? How will you feel when the vision you wish to attain does not resemble the image before your eyes?

Good luck with your war, I hope it all works out better than expected, but as the devils advocate I would have to say that you have a lot of work to do between now and July 21st.

So now I must say goodbye, and to quote one of my favorite miracle makers, have fun storming the castle.

A fly on the wall.

PS. Remember one thing here, the tail never wags the dog.

PPS. Oh and one more, we all know it is not the size of the dog in the fight it is the size of the fight in the dog.

Okay those really didn't have anything to do with I wrote above, I just thought I would throw in another dog metaphore for sh*ts and giggles.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 6/21/2009  4:29 AM

Fly on the Wall

Thank you for posting as you have confirmed my arguments with everything you have said.

$49,000 for 40 hours of work per week based on commissions and salary.....shall we take our vote now.

Insider knows the scoop as 40%-50% of stores do not produce decent volume and sales people make less than $40,000 a year working over 50 hours per week.

Sleepy's now pays a draw of $125 a day to Mattress Professionnals. Many sales people can not cover their draw and have to have a portion of it forgiven by Upper Management in order to get a fresh start every quarter or so. A sales person then feels obligated and in debt to the company. There is something wrong with this equation. What is wrong with having a sales person make $12 an hour make anothe $50 in commissions and owe the company nothing at the end of the day?

Ask yourself this question....why do 50% of mattress professionals quit or are fired within the first year? Do you believe this is normal for most jobs?

I love your statement:

We all are "at will employees" and if you don't like it leave. Or in another term, If you can't run with the big dogs stay on the porch.

How insensitive can you be? Being an at will employee favors the employer and not the employee. Management can and will do whatever they can to maximize profits at the expense of their employees. Let me profide you with some examples:
1) working till 7 on Sundays instead of 5PM or 6PM
2) working an extra hour early and late on Holidays
3) going to early morning meetings for no pay
4) selling merchandise that pays little to no commission
5) not allowing employees to express their opinions

As far as having people signing union cards, I know more about this than you can imagine. Most of the people I asked to sign union cards did so. There will be no problem having more than 50% of the mattress professionals signing union cards. With the situation as it has developed my colleages and I will have Sleepy's unionized witin a month after we come back. (I can use some of my back pay money to start a website.)

As far as my being unsuccessful with unionizing Sleepy's the jury is still out. As you are aware Sleepy's fired a few of us for union activiities. Sleepy's management was too cowardly to argue their case "man to man". On or about July 21 Sleepy's Management and a few of us will meet in Newark to discuss Sleepy's behavior and methods for dealing with employees discussing organizing a union. The NLRB has ruled we have a viable case and a Federal Judge will hear that case. Sleepy's has denied any wrongdoing and has stated they had no knowledge of any union activities.

Unlike most of the people still working for Sleepy's we are no longer intimidated from their actions. What are they going to do...double us up in a slow store?

I can not and will not discuss the details of the case. However, I will be glad to invite you to come a sit with the Sleepy's Management team and cheer them on as I think they are going to need it.   

From fly on the wall, 6/21/2009  1:54 AM

Okay however you are, let get one thing straight. These numbers you are throwing out and basing everything on are totally off.

First things first. You HAVE to base everything on 40 hour weeks.

If you create a union, harry will hire enough sales people that no one will EVER work more than fourty hours a week. You will be spliting more days and working less time. Your gross sales will go down. You will be lucky if you write over $500,000. a year.

So let face it, what you're asking for is $24,000 a year and maybe $25,000 in commisions, and most people won't come close to making that.

This is why you have no clue what you are doing. The fact that you think you have good offer is why you were not succesful. Are you actually coming to the table with an offer of this. If you really think that we are going to vote for $40,000 a year you are so lost it is not even funny.

Now if you are still believeing that the best sales people only show the best paying brands then once again you have no clue. The best writers will sell more of the "S" brands than anything else. I know I sell more "S"'s than anything, and I pay my bills with those and make my money with the KD's and ML's. Anyone who does not understand that and only shows the exclusives is an inferior sales person and deserves what they get.

Please give up and save your self the time. The fact of the matter if you are not making money at this job then quit and go find something else. We all are "at will employees" and if you don't like it leave. Or in another term, If you can't run with the big dogs stay on the porch.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 6/20/2009  12:58 AM

Reply to Can't Sell

Let us review this again......we are not advocating rewarding the can't do's with the proceeds of the can do's, as with our System a 6.0 writer still makes over 100K a year. The lower writers work just as hard, put in as many hours, and have the same responsibilities as the highest of writers. The so called proceeds for paying these people properly would come from the profits they generate with their sales. Instead of the extra money going to buy bankrupt companies and having the Sleepy's logo played on the radio every 5 minutes it would go into the hands of the employees.

I do appreciate you wishing us good luck with our union "fantasy". The July 21 date is a court date in Newark. Sleepy's has postponed the date once but there is no postponing the inevitable.

I do not care about the T/O System nor do I care that you can throw a rock from Sleepy's to Sleepy's in some areas. What I do care about is that people are treated fairly and honestly and can earn enough money to take care of their families.

As for Sleepy's "s.o.p" I understand it all too well and am counting on it.

I do regret that every manager that was part of my "witch hunt" was demoted (except for a Regional VP), as this was never my intention. I am hoping that on July 21st they will not lie in Federal Court as they will face federal charges for their actions. My goal at the start of this journey and remains so today was to make "things" better.


Once again,please send the names of any mattress professionals who were fired or questioned by Sleepy's for union activities to:

Michael.Silverstein@nlrb.gov

From you cant sell, thats why, 6/18/2009  10:26 AM

see, here's the thing, while i am not a sleepy's mp now, i was once. and i always was in what you call the "upper 10%".

now, customers do fall for the t/o system when itis done right, at the right time and the customer is on the right product. your problem is that your fellow salespeople havent crossed all the t's and dotted the I's. then your dm's dont know how to correctly do a t/o beacuse no one teaches them the right way.

i've worked in areas where youcan throw a rock from sleepy's to sleepy's so dont boo hoo to me mr wonderfull. youhave no concept and no clue.

good luck with your union fantasy...i think they will sell before they (harry and his only left over son...and blank too) reward the cant do'ers with the proceeds of the can do's.

chances are that your employee file is so full of aggregious misconduct that they are only waiting for one more violation till they "let u go". that's their s.o.p.

got to go...bah by!

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 6/18/2009  5:50 AM

In reply to you can't sell

If you do not work for Sleepy's this has nothing to do with you. As for can't sell, I can assure you that I did and can still sell. I averaged making over $275 a day while working for Sleepy's so you can do the math to determine what type of writer I was.

As for it being easy to make over $75,000 working for Sleepy's I can assure you that your chances of accomplishing that are less than 10%. Most people working for Sleepy's as a Mattress Professional earn less than $40,000 per year and this saddens me.

As for the System I want let's review it again:

$12 an hour for first forty hours, $15 an hour for every hour over 40 hours, 5 % commission on all products and services including delivery, and all the benefits restored. The $12 an hour includes meetings as well as time it takes to make deposits. Also, there needs to be a written contract between employer and employees (like the Teacher's Union).

A person who writes $20,000 worth of business for the week working 5 days will make the following:

40 hour salary - $480.00
10 hours of overtime- $150.00
commissions on beds - $1,000.00
commissions on deliveries (best guess) - $80.00

Weekly Pay - $1,710.00

A person who writes $10,000 worth of business for the week working 5 days will make the following:

40 hour salary - $480.00
10 hours of overtime- $150.00
commissions on beds - $500.00
commissions on deliveries (best guess) - $40.00

Weekly Pay - $1,170.00

A person who writes $30,000 worth of business for the week working 5 days will make the following:

40 hour salary - $480.00
10 hours of overtime- $150.00
commissions on beds - $1,500.00
commissions on deliveries (best guess) - $120.00

Weekly Pay - $2,250.00

Since Sleepy's makes between 40% and 50% on all sales we can calculate that paying the above salaries and commissions are well within the financial limits of the company.   

Also, since you are not an employee of Sleepy's, it is possible that at some point you will be a customer. Would you prefer dealing with a salesperson who will only show you beds where he or she makes a maximum commission or a salesperson who is an honest broker where all the beds pay the same percentage of commission based on the dollar amount?

In final response to: "you can't sell" you assume that we want a union is because "the ringleadrs can't sell enough to make a living. If all I cared about was "me, myself, and I" then there would never have been any discussions about forming a union. I looked around and what I saw was rotten. A salesman came to me and told me that he couldn't feed his kids for three days. Other sales people told me they couldn't meet their mortgages. Sales people told me how they had to borrow money to pay their bills and that the money they were earning at Sleepy's wasn't enough to cover the basic quality of life.

Is the role of a company to only make money and suck out every dollar for the Board of Directors and Upper Management? Or is the role of a company to enrich the lives of everybody it touches? I would recommend that Mr. Acher and the Sleepy's management to read the following: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

PS: For our meeting in Newark on July 21, 2009, I'll bring a copy of the book with me.

From Insider..., 6/17/2009  3:58 PM

Dear you can't sell

While I have managed (or should I say wrangled like the pets they are) my share of 2.0 writers and below, please explain how to be prosperous when you can hit a golf ball from one well advertised, pretty, and way overpriced to another showroom, not to mention H.A.s promise of becoming a neighborhood store quote "if there is not a Sleepys in your neighborhood don't worry there will be.......

H.A. must continue to staff with low producers because there are so many retail stores that that's all that's left. Let's face it the talent pool is more watered down than ever before. Also like other sales based business the top 10 percent make 90 percent of the sales. PS Harry is going to start doubling most locations more days.

As far as selling skills what is required is a degree in BS (bull s##t) I think you know what I mean 2000 dollar miralux c'mon. Silly T.O.s calling for codes c'mon, you don't really think that our customers believe all that?

Anyhoo I am off topic, you must have low producers or you must close 40-50 percent of the stores so that the balance won't want a union, which I believe will be voted in. Don't tell anyone I typed that.

From you cant sell, thats why, 6/17/2009  8:32 AM

hey ringleader, my name says it all. if you really want the system you spelled out, it is because the "many of you" cant sell and therefore want a guarantee on the backs of those you can sell.

look, i dont work for you wacky ass people but if you cant make 75,000 (and thats low) at a place where they have more 2000.00 + beds than anyone anywhere, advertise every ten minutes on tv, have the best locations and the prettiest showrooms, then you better go work at wal-mart cause you are in the wrong business.

sometimes being unable to earn a living is a signal that you arent that good. so take a hint.

there are some things you said that i do agree with. dont double slow stores and single busy ones because the person there is personal friends with the dm. you'd think your rm would control that but he's probably a good friend of his dm, so thats a non starter.

so i suggest you "go boating" and buy a "tank", go on weight watchers, drink red bull ("i can be just like them")...that way you'll be with the "in" crowd".

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 6/13/2009  10:41 PM

Please send the names of any mattress professionals who were fired by Sleepy's for union activities to:

Michael.Silverstein@nlrb.gov

From Dennis Fallon, 6/11/2009  10:36 PM

Does anyone really believe that Sleepys is not going to file Chapter 11 to get rid of leases and the assets of 1-800-Mattress? I worked at 1-800 and there is no way there is 25 million in value for that business! Watch out vendors, employees and landlords! No one in this economy is going to buy Sleepys strategy of 90% markups and high pressure.
   Grab a life preserver Mattress Professional.
The fat lady is aabout to sing. (Raymour is hiring if you need a steady income)

From if it smells like fish it is a fish, 6/10/2009  1:20 AM

Harry here, you know don't any of my salespeople have a life outside of sleepy's. Why do I see alot of the slaves I mean salespeople on this so called blog causing a commotion. Rockaway is gone, 40 winks, hey AJ is 40 winks gone yet, oh yes they are gone too, now dial is gone, and I built a powerhouse and we have 2 pimples left to get rid of in so called mattress giant and the retreads that work at factory. Come on fellas I know who is posting on this site, I have cameras in your homes watching you type away wishing you were still working for me. AJ is my lunch done yet, I am getting hungry, anyhoo, by the end of 2009 the 2 pimples on the side of my ass will be gone. Ok I'm tires now, time for lunch and my nap. I WANT TO THANK ALL YOU SLAVES WHO GAVE ME ALL THE POWER, never mind it was all me and nobody else, stupid fools

From jerseygirl, 6/9/2009  3:17 PM

WOW. I just happened to stumble across this blog and just wanted to add my 2 cents regarding Tony Licastro. I worked in the Rockaway Bedding store in Rockaway, NJ when I got out of High School in the late 1980's. Tony was a sleazy, smelly, underhanded slob even then. He treated his employees terribly and surrounded himself with "yes" men - guys who told him what he wanted to hear. He had absolutely NO regard for anyone other than himself and could have been the poster boy for pomp and gluttony. That company did teach me a very valuable lesson, though, in that I knew I would never compromise myself and work for anyone who behaved in that manner. I am fortunate to have only had a brush with that jerk and so sorry for those who were decieved into thinking that they mattered. I'm not surprised to hear of all of his financial difficulty and wouldn't mind a bit if he got his due. Men like Tony Licastro think they're above everyone else. Welcome to the real world, Tony!

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 6/6/2009  1:04 AM

It has come to the attention of this Ringleader that Sleepy's has fired some Mattress Professionals working out of New England for union activities. If anyone knows who these people are or is one himself or herself please come forward and respond in this message board.

I assure you that my associates and I can help.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 6/2/2009  9:20 PM

It looks like Sleepy's bought 1-800 Mattress with the savings from paying it's Lower Management and Mattress Professionals less money this past year. I am sure that the 1,000 MP's and Store Managers didn't really need $25,000 more in their pay checks this year. All they would do with that money is squander it on food and paying the mortgage or rent.

For all those of little faith, the Little Tugboats are bringing the "big" ship into Newark Harbor on July 14th. If anyone is interested in seeing the Big Ship come in let me know. Also, please advise this Ringleader as to the dates of any Morning Regional Meetings after July 14th. We would like to discuss the idea of investing in people rather than in bankrupt companies.

From sleepys wins 1800 auction, 5/27/2009  11:28 AM

Sleepy's to pay $25 million for 1800mattress.com
1800's stores not included in purchase
Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, May 27, 2009
NEW YORK — Sleep shop giant Sleepy's has won the auction for bankrupt rival 1800mattress.com with a $25 million bid, company officials said.
The sale awaits confirmation during a final sale hearing in bankruptcy court tomorrow.

Adam Blank, chief operating officer at 700-store Sleepy's, confirmed that Sleepy's was the highest bidder and that its bid was $25 million.

"We did not take any stores as part of the purchase," he said, adding that the main part of the acquisition is intellectual property. The acquisition "will result in growth, but not through stores," Blank said.

1800mattress.com, which pioneered telephone sales of mattresses, has been operating under Chapter 11 protection since March.

From Have fun!, 5/22/2009  8:58 AM

Have fun working all those extended hours this weekend sleepy's. Way to scratch and fight to sell an adv. Enjoy putting in 40+ hours in 4 days, I'll be enjoying the cookouts!

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 5/12/2009  8:56 PM

The ones who were dismissed from the federal suit must appeal and are entitled to do so. However, I do not see the appeal being completed by July. We must carry on without them and gather information they can use for their appeal.

From Guest, 5/12/2009  11:57 AM

Sleepy's sucks!!!!!!!

get out while you can................................

From The union, 5/12/2009  8:14 AM

Ringleaders: Does that include those that have been dismissed from the suit, to return in july?

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 5/8/2009  12:24 AM

Reply from the Union.....well done...you have done your homework....but did Sleepy's really get rid of us.....as I said in previous post we plan on being back sometime in July.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 5/8/2009  12:13 AM

Do you think that everything comes from Sleepy's management? Do you think Sleepy's is omnipotent? There are laws and there are consequences to those who break those laws.

I would never expect the management or 6.0 writers and above to endorse our point of view. However, they are few and we are many. How many 6.0 writers are there in a region, 1 or 2. How many Regional Managers making over $100,000 a year are left?
How many 3.0 writers and below are there in a Region, dozens. How many Mattress Professionals are struggling to pay their mortgages and rents...many. Wouldn't it be nice to be making $800 to $1,000 a week instead of $400 to $600? Wouldn't it be nice if Mattress Professionals could work better stores instead of managers.

It is not up to Sleepy's to consider these ideas but for the Mattress Professionals. The way is open and the path has been cleared. We will have our vote. The Ringleaders have paid the price and have prevailed. We have witnessed the lowest form of behavior...planning on firing a person and having them work a store for an entire day knowing that you will be firing them and then not paying them a penny in commission for an honest day's work.

I want Sleepy's Management to think of this thought. Sometime in July or August during one of the Morning Meetings a Mattress Professional will be wearing a "Unionize Sleepy's" Button. This person will not take his button off when asked to do so. The Consequences of his actions.....NONE. The Regional Managers and Regional VP will not be able to reprimand this person or fire this person. If they try to build a case against this person he knows where to go...20 Washington Place in Newark.

At some point this summer there will be serious discussions in how Sleepy's compensates and treats the Mattress Professionals. The Little Tugboats are bringing the big ship in.

From The union, 5/7/2009  11:23 PM

In 1926, Wagner was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate, representing the State of New York. He was re-elected in 1932, 1938 and 1944 and served until his resignation on June 28, 1949, due to ill health.

During his tenure as a United States Senator, Wagner served as chairman of several important committees: Committee on Patents (Seventy-third Congress), Committee on Public Lands and Surveys (Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Congresses), and the Committee on Banking and Currency (Seventy-fifth through Seventy-ninth Congresses).

Contemporaries attributed Wagner's successes to his progressive philosophy, his ability to maneuver bills through the legislative process, and his determination to stick to his convictions on the issues. His two greatest legislative achievements occurred in 1935 with the passage of the Social Security Act to provide old-age pensions to Americans, and the National Labor Relations Act to guarantee labor's right to organize and bargain collectively.

Wagner was a delegate to the historic United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference at Bretton Woods in 1944. He died in New York City, May 4, 1953.

---------------------------------------------------
No wonder sleepy's got rid of all the guys in SNJ that
were starting the teamsters union. This explains a lot.

From insider #2, 5/7/2009  8:37 PM

to you got all the ringleaders
Dude what are you? who are you? If you've been at Sleepy's for any length of time since you seem to like history. Where in the history of sleepys have they ever or would ever consider the items mention on your previous blog.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 5/7/2009  12:08 PM

Dear Mr. Insider I didn't realize crack came in different brands. However, if you look up information concerning a former Democratic Senator from New York, Robert Wagner (born 1877 and died 1953) you will get a better understanding of our view point and why we will prevail.

From Insider, 5/4/2009  5:28 PM

Dear Ringleaders, I for one applaud and agree with your ideas, that said I must ask what brand of crack you are smoking? Blank and Harry will fire their own before any item on your list becomes sleepys law, oh, that's right they already did that. As for a contract I would say contract! they don't need no stinkin contract!!

I have heard ringing in the halls of 01 that DA and MB are vigorously trying to get HA to re-organize, meaning file chapter 11, that way we can screw all the vendors and advertisers more than we have, also, we can get out of many bad leases, I have in my hand a list of about 50 locations that we would like to sub-let I happen to know that HA will sell any personal property down to the million in imported marble in his Palm Beach foyer to not declare BR.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 5/4/2009  12:01 PM

Who's complaining? We want the following plain and simple:
$12 an hour for first forty hours, $15 an hour for every hour over 40 hours, 5 % commission on all products and services including delivery, and all the benefits restored. The $12 an hour includes meetings as well as time it takes to make deposits. Also, there needs to be a written contract between employer and employees (like the Teacher's Union).

The Ringleaders are quite willing to meet with Mr. Blank. Of course this time it would be much more interesting when we are talking about a union that we are in attendance at the meetings.

We also want to talk about the Shoppers Reports. This may take awhile as there are so many to discuss. It is a good thing that Mr. Blank will be in attendance with his legal background so we can have a thorough understanding of how and why they were conducted.

We all know that Mr. Acker is a big football fan of the New York Jets. The last time I checked the players were all members of a union. By forming a union of mattress professionals, Mr. Acker could love his mattress professionals the same way as he loves the players of the New York Jets.

From hey! wha happened?, 4/30/2009  7:03 PM

i thought you guys had it soft over there?

4 days a week, 100k..........

why complain?

From Reply from So You Got All the Ringleader, 4/30/2009  4:51 AM

I only use the name because that was the name I was given. Just remember we are many and they are few, and we have the law on our side. We can do it....you just need to stop the name calling and start to believe. $12 an hour, 5 percent commission, and restore all benefits. Why should we get an hourly pay, because we deserve it. The public comes into Sleepy's looking to improve the quality of their life. It is not fair that the person they hope will improve their quality of life (getting a good night's sleep) cares more about how much commission a bed will pay than finding them the right bed. All this stops when the commission is the same for all beds. The sales person needs some quality in their life also. How can a person care about others when they are not making enough money to pay their mortgage and feed their children properly. How many of the sales people have difficulty making their draw of $125/day?

Part of The Sleepy's Mission Statement states:

"To our employees and sales force, we will always give the resources for success, provide growth opportunities and reward excellent performance.
All of our employees will be proactive, with a passion for their job and for success."

I for one take these words seriously and hold Sleepy's accountable.

$12 an hour, overtime for over 40 hours work week, 5 percent commission guaranteed, restore all benefits, and treat all sales people with dignity starts the process.

Just remember as employees we all have the following rights:

"a) 2 or more employees addressing their employer about improving their working conditions and pay;

b) 1 employee speaking to his/her employer on behalf of him/herself and one or more co-workers about improving workplace conditions;

c) 2 or more employees discussing pay or other work-related issues with each other.

The government protects any individual employee’s right to engage in union support, membership, and activities."

We are many, and they are few, and the LAW is on our side. I intend to continue to exercise my rights and get what we all deserve - fair treatment and compensation.

From Funny you use the name RINGLEADERS..., 4/29/2009  8:51 PM

...because that company is a circus! I don't belive any of that hourly crap for a second. Trust Sleepy's, For The End Of Your Life.

From So You Got All the Ringleaders, 4/28/2009  10:17 PM

Please stop all the complaining about Sleepy's. It is time to make things right. We want Sleepy's to be a well respected company that makes a fair profit and treats their customer's fairly. The Mattress Professionals can be part of this process.

This is what we Ringleaders want plain and simple: $12 per hour for the first forty hours, $15 an hour each additional hour above 40 hours, and a 5 percent commission on everything sold. Draws will be eliminated. Only Mattress Professionals can sell and make commissions. All mattresses and boxsprings will pay 5 percent, whether it be Sealy, Simmons, Serta, Miralux, IBC, or Tempurpedic. This will end sales people pushing only the higher commission bedding on the public. Management will inform Mattress Professionals on the sales volume of stores every 3 months. Stores will be doubled based on volume and no other factors. A slow store will never be doubled when a busier one only has one sales person. Any sales person who is asked to work a slower store when a busier one is available will have their commission and hourly pay doubled.

As far as job security, Mattress Professionals will not be fired without due process. Each Mattress Professional will sign a contract with all the rules spelled out. The Company will also sign this contract setting up both the sales persons and management's guidelines of behavior.

More updates to follow.

From I HEAR..., 4/28/2009  11:01 AM

...that the franchise owners are not having any parts of sleepy's trying to buy dial.

From No Suprise, 4/20/2009  6:29 PM

Welcome to Sleepys Steve,

Call your credit card and dispute the charge money is the only thing they care about. Get yours back they'll come around. Meanwhile google sleepys complaints and have fun reading how they screw over so many people who pay way too much!

Trust Sleepys...... NOT

From Steve Hirsch, 4/20/2009  4:03 PM

I bought a box spring and frame from Sleepy's in Vails Gate, NY and less than 3 months later the thing collapsed under normal use. It is clearly defective with a bulge sticking out the bottom from a weak supporting rail. They sent out their representative who took pictures and they said the manufacturer's report showed no defect and that there was a stain on the box spring anyway so they could not exchange it. There was no stain. They are lying. The product is clearly defective and they refuse to stand behind their product. I was ripped off plain and simple. Sleepy's is a criminal organization selling inferior, defective products to the public and then refusing to support those products. Their customer service is a bunch of nasty, evil, obnoxious people who are trained to b--w people off and provide no service whatsoever. AVOID SLEEPY'S THEY ARE CROOKS AND WILL RIP YOU OFF!

From LaFalce got the shaft, 4/19/2009  7:44 PM

DLJ01 gave two weeks notice on friday morning and was let go on friday afernoon. How f'd up is that?

From The 5 sales at WW, 4/19/2009  11:46 AM

All 5 were discounted at 50% off or more at a shared commission of $27.83. Just about enough to cover the fuel back to willingboro.

From Bunny Rabbit, 4/14/2009  9:14 AM

Does anyone know if Giant did business on Easter Sunday,
aside from the one or two stragglers?
I heard that Sleepys in WW had 5 sales.

Bunny Rabbit

From Happy Easter, 4/12/2009  10:06 AM

Just wanted to say happy easter to all the salespeople at mattress giant working from noon to 5 today. Enjoy!

From Mattress, 4/11/2009  8:43 PM

Sleepy's is loosing one of their better salespersons chris b why because instead of putting them in a store where his income would be better they kept him in stores where the dm's could be better and even though people are replaceable talent honest hard work isn't. This is another great day at sleepy's   are they too big to fail are they trying for a bailout?

From Mattress, 4/11/2009  8:31 PM

Twas the night before Easter and all thru the east sleepys is doing it again "were going to try a few stores being open" and all of those suckers that work will only be setting up another non holiday next year You'll work for free because we break every law there is concerning work week and pay. We tell them that we pay enough if you count you bonuses that we pay when we want and let you know it is a bonus not commission. The federal government says that the bonus doesn't count for overtime (anything over forty even in a commission job.) But we pay each week oops I mean we lend you money each week and it is not forgiven but all ways due therefore we ignore the law. So the elves will work for free and sleepy's will reward them with a voice mail hoorah hoorah.

From insider #2, 4/10/2009  1:22 PM

To former RM, so would I love to hear some of those stories.

Assume nothing!!!!!!

From Wesley, 4/9/2009  11:03 PM

I would love to hear some of those stories, FORMER RM.

From FORMER RM, 4/9/2009  1:48 PM

I have just come across this site, and have now read through it.

I am one of the departed, once a powerful Regional Manager
I spoke directly with Harry. At this time I am pondering if I should tell some of the stories that I was a part of during my tenure in the promised land. Stories of the posturing or lavish (deleted)day parties, goofy DMs and how Human resources with AB is running and ruining the company. Maybe even stories about how HA actually feels about his employees.

Like the time when

From 10 Years in the biz, 4/7/2009  4:49 PM

To: taking every sale from sleepys

I agree with you completely, but you forgot to mention something. After they come in in their dark suit and unobtrusive tie they must then vacuum, do windows, provide bottled water for the two to three customers they might see, and do the peice count. I'm so glad I don't work for the empire any longer. I look forward to the day they close their doors for good.

From taking every sale from sleepys, 4/7/2009  8:19 AM

my log-in name says it all. when sleepys goes up against myself and other "ex-pats", they do lose. recently, very recently, i battled the empire over one of my sales. through undercutting my sale "just to take the sale from mat giant" said the comments on their invoice, i was able, as usual, to keep the sale, while it was at a lower cost in both dollars and overall credibility to everyone in the mattress business.

ever wonder why customers hate mattress shopping? didnt used to be this way before the empire took over. i cant wait for the day that i no longer have to see, think about, hear about sleepy's, the ackers and the whole lot.

they have ruined this business, they have turned it into car sales, theyhave created an atmosphere that makes it much more difficult to do honest business, they have been personally responsible for the popularity of sam's, costco, bj's because the customer does not have to deal with the haggle, barter, bed auction system. they sit and complain about the competition but they have built up the competition, especially those lower end dealers who do not provide quality, they only provide price.

the empire should be run out of the mattress business, they have done more to damage it than anyone. from over populating areas, creating a near monopoly, to selling used returned mattresses as "clearance" mattresses, to bullying vendors to the point where they make no money but must do business with them for the volume.

the 90's and the 00's are over. people are not so money hungry now and have seen the error of their ways. greed is not good. their should be competition, but it should be fair and honest competition. the concept of "once we put everyone out of business we'll be able to charge whatever we want for our mattresses" has be shown for what it is, greed, total greed. the empire is the big bank, the AIG, the bernie madoff of the mattress business. to "cut the price just to take the sale from whomever" is the kind of business practice that comes back to bite them because it is seen for what it is, vindictive and spitefull and ultimately a loser concept. because they will lose. they are losing. they have nothing. no mo__l code, no mission, no concious, only make more money, make more money, take that sale from the other guy (nice try). their mission statement really reads: money money money money money money money money oh did we mention money. and wear a suit.

From Insider, 4/6/2009  2:00 PM

Thanks to Jim Jones and 10 years.

To Another New Guy, there are many tools at Sleepys and you are certainly one of them, the rest are dms and rms.
You are right about the CONfidence especially the CON part.

The only way to make money here is to push KD and any IB prodouct using whatever story it takes. The best part is how we make even more when it comes back.

I believe in the company, I believe they are messing with all the little guys while they try to buy the competition and eliminate opportunities for us.By the way that is called racketeering or at least anti trust.

NEWS BREAK they only have been able to buy out weak companies like Kliensleep, RB now Dial, that ends up siphoning off business from our own stores.
As for me my resume is posted and I will be out before the whole labor board thing explodes.

Bye for now

From JimJones, 4/6/2009  7:48 AM

What flavor was "another new guy's" kool-aide? I must feed it to my people.

From 10 Years in the biz, 4/4/2009  10:22 PM

To: ANOTHER NEW GUY

Are you f'n serious? One of the top 3 in the R40 region didn't make 6 figures last year. Fact of the matter is that biz is seriously down and won't be going back up for a very long time. A lot of the foot soldiers of the company have gotten screwed for doing their job. They stepped up and covered slower stores and then were cut for bad numbers. How can you expect a saleforce to stand behind a company that stabs their salesforce in the back like that? The only reason the salesforce is still there is because there aren't many other jobs out there, but I'll bet the web is flooded with the resumes of the current salesforce because they know it SUCKS! They're in the stores for 11 hours seeing it.

From ANOTHER NEW GUY, 4/4/2009  8:17 AM

I have been in this industry over 20 years and have worked for two two other large mattress retailers. Plain and simple, if you are going to be in this business, Sleepy's is the place to be. They are the 10,000 pound gorilla of the industry. How many other companies do you know of that are moving forward in this recession? Sleepy's has more money making oportunities and tools than any other company.

A huge part of any sales job is having confidence and a positive mental attitude. With your level of doubt and negativity, you might want to consider choosing another profession. Their were dozens of sales pros that made over 100k and several were over 200k in 2008. Thye got there by using all of Sleepy's tools and by havineg a positive attitude and believing in the company.

I'm not trying to bash you here, just trying to give some solid advice.

From NEW GUY, 3/30/2009  5:01 PM

Hi Roberta,
Thanks for the encouragement, but the more people I meet here the more the future looks gloomy. Why do they move my dm and even my regional managers so much. I hear that we will not be able to discount any more without approval.
If they don't trust us why hire us. I met a guy who told me all of the little tricks he does, like getting the customers info personally and calling them later so the boiler room can't get to them. The more rules they apply the more people cheat! I mean almost everyone gives away the cover so they don't have to go to a meeting. Now we can't put pillows in as free. I have to tell you I'm looking.

I also read that 800 Mattress is going to be sleepys too, How much more can they take from us?

Trust Sleepys ?????!?!?

From Roberta, 3/30/2009  11:12 AM

New Guy

Don't believe the blog.

Lots of us are happy here.

From trying to make a living at spy, 3/20/2009  8:42 AM

you'll do great as long as you suck up to p16, her husband and best buddy tommy j. then r40 will put you in the best stores. your buddies may even invite you to go boating with them...BFF is the way! then you may have a shot at making 100g's, otherwise u were dooped!

i need more red bull!

From NEW GUY, 3/20/2009  7:57 AM

Wow I can't believe this blog. Why are there so many negative people when it comes to this company?

I just got out of training and expect to make 100 gs and only work 4 days, I mean that's what the poster in the elevator said in Robbinsville where I gave up many weeks of my life. The training was so intense and I love going to the morning meetings too.

Boy I wish I saw this blog sooner I could of went to Raymour and Flanagan, but I am here now can anyone really tell me what to expect at Sleepys, I have read so many complaints on other web sites about us, what have I got myself into.

Thanks

From reading is fundamental, 3/19/2009  2:08 PM

to: insider #2
great spelling, you must have been a wiz at gers!

From Insider #2, 3/19/2009  1:11 PM

To management that's left:
Ho bad do you think is going SM58to get if Harry is able to buy 1-800 Mattress, with all the bad store they actually have.
Asuume nothing!

From This Just In From Management That's Left, 3/18/2009  2:19 AM

It seems that more and more there are talks of going Chapter 11 here in the upper ranks. Time to grab the OS handle, this ride is about to get even bumpier.

From Grow Up!, 3/11/2009  1:28 AM

This forum isn't for (deleted)ing contests! It's to discuss the topic at hand. Right now that seems to be how much it sucks at Sleepy's. I couldn't agree more.

From Insder # 2, 3/9/2009  3:18 PM

Well Gee,If you really know who I am why don't you tell me Mr. No Clue! You have no Idea how clueless you are.

Assume nothing!!!!

From reply to insider #2, 3/3/2009  1:07 PM

Gee, you think we don't know who you are insider #2. Your last message was edited out, but I read it prior and your terminology and the GRAND BED king, pretty much gave it away, and also swinging for the fences, but you said you work 4 days a week, NO, you used to work 4 days a week. You wanted at one time WW, and gee someone is there, and you wanted MV, and I believe the man with the pic on the desk was there. I would put your initals on here, but I am better than that, maybe you should grow up and move on and let it go......out

From Insider #2, 3/2/2009  4:36 PM

This is to NO CLUE
Dude you must be talking about yourself not having any clue.

From some people have no clue, 2/27/2009  10:42 PM

First of all, I know both 822 and 858 and they are 2 of the most professional salespeople in this industry. I have known both of these indiviuals at some point in this business and 858 is no lazy person, and has earned everything has gotten in this business, and 822 is the most competitive saleperson i have seen in the 20 plus years in this business. He couldnt care less what people wanted he just wanted the sale. I believe he worked on cottman ave in philly, and in langhorne pa, and no matter where even feasterville at one point as well as other locations and he trained for FREE at cottman ave at one point and always would help any salesperson regardless of who you were. 858 is the same way just shows up everyday and wants to make every sale. I really believe that there are alot of jealous people who wish they were half the salespeople as these 2 are or were. In this business you need an ego and confidence to make it and these two are and were both successful because of it. I wish this industry had more people like 822 and 858. I dont think 858 would have lasted months and years in the best stores if he didnt produce, and 822 could make money somehow someway anywhere. People get a clue before writing letters and bad mouthing people unless you really know who these people are. Kudos to 858 and 822 for being professional for all of these years

From Insider #2, 2/27/2009  1:27 PM

Assume nothing check everything,
Words to live by at one time. Insider is so dead on it's amazing no one knows whoe he is yet.But as an insider too I need to ask Harry a question, Harry what are you going to do next? Youe've managed to put stores on top of store and you've mannaged to cut commisions and this thing your pulling on the landlords well soon enough they're going to say enough is enough. I hear that at Bethpage they can't wait for you to croke so that they sell the company on the chopping block! Gee I wonder how close these people that are thinking this obviously outloud are to you? HMMMMM Relatives maybe? NAHHH never!
It's a shame that the good people we have left are also starting to look, is the evil empire crumblyn or will the force be with us ever again.
Assume nothing.

From insider..., 2/27/2009  9:09 AM

As usual is right, I have said it in the past get out when you can.

More of my co-workers are looking elsewhere than ever before, Harry has taken away 401k, life insurance, commissions are lower and being lowered. He has even ask the vendors to pay part of the electric bill if they want the neon in the window.

I have heard most recently only partial rents were paid, some with no explanation. Ad dollar payments are late and terms of one year has been requested. 4 more RMs were released including one who was in the position for over 5 years.

Yet there is a new class of the biggest losers I have ever seen. Its funny to think that one management person actually suggested to me that Harry might actually be making more money because of the take aways that have occurred!

I knew of rc858 before and he was a good guy but more lucky than anything else, ja822 is just an angry seller of high commission only with the worst attitude ever.

I hear a new chain is preparing to come into the area also with fortunoffs being sold there will be new and happier opportunities for some of us, so keep hope alive the grass will be greener. The evil empire will continue to struggle.

assume nothing

From mattress, 2/26/2009  6:01 PM

First of all to takineverysale-- The period of time I was talking about there was almost no mgt no local vp rm didn't exist and 3 dms for south jersey and pa.
to as usual rc858 didn't start at sleepys and was in the top tier of the company he came from. ja822 was never and is not as good as rc858 mainly because he is a jerk he let his ego get in the way of the short sales where rc868 could do both.
To everyone else Sleepys banks on you putting up with their illegal work requirements by threatening your job. While I don't think a union is the answer a work complaint by a group of salespeople to their state attorney general will wake them up They respond well to government who could shut them down. They just aren't loyal to their employees They have no hold by what the salesforce is making any longer now is the time to act

From As usual..., 2/18/2009  2:51 PM

- TakinEverySaleFromSleepys
I agree and apologize. It just burns my bottom when mngt manipulates people like that to turn on the rest of us for doing nothing but our job.

To the rest of you: Get out while you still can! The end is near for the acker regime.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 2/12/2009  8:51 PM

i have no problem commenting on the way management runs things but lets not start with personal attacks on salespeople. it is mean and uncalledfor.

remember, we're just a bunch of people trying to sell big white rectangles. no need to be nasty.

From As usual..., 2/12/2009  10:59 AM

...with sleepy's, they will ride until it hit hits the wall and bursts into a ball of fire. They had to many cheifs and not enough indians and worse than that the cheifs were never on the same page. I had three different dsm's run my store in a three month period last year and they all did things differently. I miss back when GPJ67 was a DSM. He knew his stuff and did his job to the fullest.
I agree with "Mattress" partially. JA822 could definitely sell very well, but I disagree that he was a jerk. He was good and he knew it. At least he wasn't like RC858, a fat lazy POS that was lucky enough to know Leotta once upon a time and get into good stores. Then brown nose enough to stay in them. Now he brown nosed his way back into WW.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 2/12/2009  9:53 AM

correction:

they had middle management, too many some would say, and they were mostly unqualified. instead of promoting qualified people from within...they chose to keep those salespeople in place and instead hire their supervisors (less qualified than the people they managed) from the outside.

thats no way to run a company. and the chickens are coming home to roost. now when they need qualified people...they dont have them in place.

does anyone inside that company have the guts to admit their mistake or will they ride it till it hits the wall?

From Mattress, 2/12/2009  5:44 AM

What wrong with Sleepy's is simple. They were a company growing without middle management. They hired 2 tiers of managers at the same time. Most of these managers were not from the bedding business and worse most came from companies that failed. The company knew how to sell beds before these failures showed up. They convinced upper management that price selling was the way to go thanks Crazy Eddies and Pharmore As time went on they rid themselves of salespersons who held profit because they could. Now they have trained everyone to give them away. I remember Harry bragging how much sleepys profited while other chains made low margins. I guess the jokes on him. By the way after reading these other posts ja822 may have been a jerk but he could sell and hold profit and no I'm not him.

From To THeonE, 2/9/2009  6:15 PM

I believe "yosemite sam" is Lt. Dan TR40

From beenthereB4, 2/9/2009  10:58 AM

Thanks for the welcome - Good Saturday - bad Sunday -
don't know if I can afford lunch today.

Should have been a Dr. or a Lawyer -

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 2/7/2009  7:33 AM

suffer'n succotash....i dont use specific names on this blog. read into the "what happened to us" post. that sleepy's mp knows exactly who yosemite sam is.

thanks for killing the industry HA!

From THeonE, 2/6/2009  8:49 PM

To BeenthereB4:

Get out while you can, I've heard that things were better there 12 months ago, but now they are not. HA has plans to over saturate the MD/Wash/Va market too but this economic downturn has hit Sleepys harder than any other bedding retailer. The stores in Manhattan with the crazy rents are sucking the profits out of the company.
To: takin every, who is yosemite sam ?

THeonE

From beenthereB4, 2/6/2009  6:04 PM

Help - just came across this blog - have had history with
RB - MG - now Sleepy's

I'm a senior citizen - great sales history and thought I could grab an easy, comfortable position and make some money - my investment went south and I had to come north.
From everything I ready I may be on a sinking ship. Four months in Delaware - with offer to go to MD/Wash/VA make me squirm. DE is so over stored that nobody can make a living. Hear things are better - should I go ? does anyone really know.

From what happened to us, 2/2/2009  11:25 PM

It seems it might be who you $%^&, who you %^^*, if not your sure to go. Why do I still work here, it seems like the previous message has hit it dead on. I am seeing this company in the PA./NJ market turn into a soap opera like days of our lives featuring the family and friends in the northern part of PA. I love that dm's made salespeople finalize sales on saturdays to make bonus for months and months especially one of the family members who run the show as well as add mattress pads at zero charge to make their stats look great are the reason this company is falling apart. Abuse of power, is what it is, and it is a crying shame to let people have power in bunches and you are afraid to tell anyone because you cant trust anyone in the robbinsville bldg either. I think some people with authority got in too deep with issues and maybe for the sake of our company it will end soon. Thank goodness we have no competition in our market. When will this soap opera end in the PA/NJ REGION....Yosemite sam....i think I know who that is and the mouth of the south might be where the problem started, because when the dinosaur ran this area we didnt have this problem.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 2/2/2009  8:09 AM

It's amazing. I guess I was mis-informed in my formative years. I was always told "do well at your job and your supervisors will move you up". Boy is that not the case at the E. Empire.

Under the direction of "Yosemite Sam", you have to be a DM'S daughter, RM'S wife, RM's sister, DM's sister or an incompetant outsider to be placed in or retained as a DM, trainer, or put in a hot store right out of training...I just realized each of these expamples are fem__es...hummmm...

It's like HA's kids...the worst of all ran that bunch of know nothing trainers telling experienced salespeople what to do. I wish they had funnelled all the money they spent on that program down to us MP's where it would have done some good. no wonder they were one of the first groups to go once the money got tight...so so arrogant.

No wonder the company has no qualified middle management structure. their DM's were hired from businesses where they had no sales experience over qualified high quality salespeople within their own company. I mean, one Philly Dm is a janitor! One guy, gone now, used to scream at his salespeople, he nearly exploded every time he's speak as if he had no volume control. Another DM never got anything done (he's back in sales now). Another in eastern Philly has no respect because she cant sell anything (maybe she'll be the next RM given the E.E's track record - she's got the right plumbing!)

Who can explain that thinking. And it pretty much all started with "Yosemite Sam".

From Insider #2, 2/1/2009  10:44 AM

To curious, JA822 was J.Arden in PA

From Curious, 2/1/2009  10:19 AM

I'm just curious. Who was JA822? What area did he work? For some reason I thinks it's J. Allen.

From to the insider #2, 1/29/2009  11:10 PM

listen i wasnt a fan of 822 but he could sell and he did a heck of a job while he was here, big mouth but walked the walk. i dont think he would ever come back anyway from what i hear. i wish i could sell a grand bed im not getting approvals from ge. its ashame that alot of people are being treated unfairly now and before, but im happy to have a job. i hope for everyones sake the economy picks up and everyone can make a living again. i cant stand the uncertainty in whats going on, rms, dms, mps, everything is in an uproar......good luck everyone make money

From Insider #2, 1/29/2009  12:39 PM

To Sleepy's going public
The only one who thought ja822 was a great salesman was himself that guy has such an inflated ego that he's atarting to look like Jerry Lewis did at that telethon he did a few years ago. Insider said it right if they took all the high priced RM's and VP"s of the road that are just wasting time and not earning it like I am HA might save some Mula to pay his bills on time. Like I said before the secret is to swing for the fences like I do and continue to make the big bucks, boy I love those Tempurpedic Garnd beds.

Taking every sale from sleepys is begening to sound very bitter, Gee I wonder if he might not be the old JA822
I got news for you buddy you'll never be back at Sleepys you might as well make your home where ever you are wich to me sounds like MG. That's what happens when you get greedy.
Insider #2 out...............

From It's about f'n time, 1/28/2009  7:29 PM

MRR10 has finally been knocked down a couple notches. In order to stay employeed, he took a demotion all the way down to a measly store manager. Now that the money is gone, I'm sure mangia won't be messing with him anymore. Lol! It's what he deserves!

From pubic should beware..., 1/28/2009  6:31 AM

Hey "at least",

From what i heard, the guy who "went pubic" in a store was made a trainer.

Wacky world.

From At Least, 1/27/2009  11:41 PM

Hey, at least they didn't say "GOING PUBIC".

From OBSERVER, 1/26/2009  11:18 PM

Hey SLEEPYS GOING PUBLIC

Spell check is your friend.

From SLEEPYS GOING PUBLIC, 1/26/2009  6:24 PM

THS COMPANY IS DOOMED, THEY ARE GETTING READY TO GO PUBLIC AND IT IS GOING TO BE A DISASTER FOR ALL OF US, THE SALESPEOPLE WHO HELP BUILD THIS EMPIRE. I WORK FOR A COMPANY WHERE I USED TO MAKE GOOD MONEY NOW ITS BAD..
THE ACKERS ARE GETTING OUT VERY SOON, AND I WILL BE LEAVING TOO. A.B. CLEANED OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD TOO MUCH TO SAY, AND ALOT OF THE GOOD PEOPLE WHO REALLY CARED ABOUT THE COMPANY LIKE 822 AND 739 AS WELL AS OTHERS GOT A RAW DEAL, ESPECIALLY FORMER JA822 WHO WAS THE BEST SALESMAN (MANAGER) I EVER SAW. THE WRONG PEOPLE WERE GIVEN POWER TO ABUSE PEOPLE AND IT IS THE DOWNFALL AND THE BEGINNING OF THE END. IT WONT BE LONG BEFORE THE COMPANY GOED PUBLIC AND ALOT OF COMMISSION CHANGES ARE COMING DUE TO ONE PRICE ONLY COMING SOON TO US SLEEPYS FOR THE REST OF YOUR BLAH BLAH BLAH

From Insider, 1/24/2009  1:59 PM

Roberta, if I gave you any clues, Adam would find it easy to figure out who I am, and I don't need that.

I took a trip to Robbinsville recently, and from the layoffs to the poor business it was like a morgue. The salespeople that are still left s.o.n.y. (south of New York)aren't making ends meet.

I guess insider 2 makes a great point about moving around and taking advantage of customers, that's the only way to make any money in the evil empire, especially with all of the changes coming to the commission structure and hours.

To takin every... you are right many of the former Sleepys salespeople have helped Giant very much, I still don't think it's enough to make a big difference in the market, but we will see as more jump ship.

P.S. I don't know how much longer I can ride around doing nothing.

If Harry only knew, if the rest of these guys could sell and work in a store on the weekends,

i don't think they would earn these salaries.

Insider...

From Lawsuits, 1/22/2009  4:02 PM

A $350,000 lawsuit settled. How many more to go? How many can sleepy's handle before they go bust? Assume nothing...

From Roberta, 1/19/2009  4:29 PM

Insider, do you work in the office?

You seem to be well connected. I figured out HG; worthless, but EA? I got R56; that was easy.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/19/2009  8:35 AM

most good salespeople build a clientel based on how well they treat their customers. your statement shows that successful sleepys salespeople do well by running away from the mess they (and their company) have left behind.

thanks so, so much for making our job easier ! (sarcasm)

From Insider #2, 1/15/2009  5:41 PM

The trick is not to stay in one place to long. Come back soon

From dms stick, 1/15/2009  5:33 PM

one of the problems with the dms are they hired the worst dms possible from the levitz regime... whoever brought on the first levitz guy to sleepys is an idiot because that one then brought a bunch more bad apples from levitz. those dms were the most useless guys ive seen in my 20+ years in retail. they have not idea how to work sales or inspire salespeople

From The Kool-Aide has Spoken!, 1/15/2009  5:18 PM

               Insider #2
So clearly insider #2 has consumed way to much Kool-Aide!

From Insider #2, 1/15/2009  2:27 PM

after reading all the bla bla from everyone all I know is that as long as I'm making the money I'm making at this evil empire as some of you call it, I;ll continue to enjoy. I'll take this ride for as long as possible I enjoy working 4 days a week and making my 85k to 90k a year. I do aggree that all the dm's and rm's and rvp's are a waste fo human flesh but who cares cause who knows how long we have.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/15/2009  7:27 AM

to insider, the moderator didnt edit out the name, the writers of the post did. although i was unsure of one of the initials listed, anyone who is familiar with the pennsy market would know who e, k, mc etc are.
using initials seems sort of safer (ala woodward/bernstein).

to hummmm, i agree totally as i was in the exact same boat. i never made as much money working for someone else as i did for the evil empire back in the day. well those days are over. now gone, i am doing pretty well for someone else (although HA will claim it is impossible in order to keep his kool aid drinkers from fleeing).

i'd like to hear from "insider" as to your feelings on who was spared as a dsm...as i posted b4, seems to me that if you are in the click, u survived (for now). now that so many of the dsm's are relying on sales for income...hows that workin? (dms cant sell).

From things that make you go hmmmmm, 1/14/2009  8:01 PM

I have worked for RB, SLEEPYS AND GIANT in no particular order, and it amazes me that I have made pretty good money at all 3 at the times I have or was there. I will tell you that I was blind at the loyalty I gave to one of those 3 companies. I did everything I possibly could have for one of those companies and they could care less about anybody as a human being. You are only a number, and it was only a matter of time that the salesforce as a whole stopped caring. When you make 75-100 g's you'll put up with the abuse of power, but now the 4 day week and 100k are more than a pipedream. So, since the paychecks arent there anymore so is the I dont care attittude anymore. Sleepys bought people's hard work, and now they cant buy a 19 selectopedic that
rb carried back in the day. By the end of the day, GIANT I believe will gain alot of momemtum and SLEEPYS will fall like a ton of bricks. If you see the dsms that the rms kept they are puppets, all the good leaders were demoted. its ashame it was a good company until jan 2006

From insider......, 1/14/2009  3:53 PM

Yes HG is correct. There is alot of editing on this blog by the moderator and its understandable.
EA at mattress giant the former general manager
SK (Steve) is the guy that got some of the blame for the mess that became of the market when Giant first came to the Delaware Valley
Also MC didn't settle yet but hes got a great case as do the others that are litigious.

From Just Curious, 1/14/2009  3:36 PM

I think HG is Harry Goodman, but "E" and "K" are not so easy to figure out. Anyone want to share with the rest of the class? Thanks.

From WHAT NEXT 4 SLEEPYS, 1/13/2009  10:50 PM

h.g. is easy
e    is easy
k    is easy

the retail industry is bad everywhere, and I know that people over at sleepys are not happy in the D.T. region on what rm's stayed on and what dsm stayed on, alot of favortism i see, and i wonder who has what on who...hmmm
I believe that the so called evil empire as someone mentioned before will fall apart cheaper than a 99 $ k&g suit because the dsms still in place are puppets, and the former dsms and salesforce have no faith in the company and have no trust in the company. When you have a click in pa who is allowed to treat people a certain way, and have an rvp who cant stop it, or doesnt want to stop it, it just causes friction and the negativity will not stop....and the so called TRAIN is losing steam and might derail....50% off presidents sale chop and slash, and pq, and zdo everything...what a concept. Salespeople make a company and rvps and rms ruin it by feeling threatened and become ABUSE OF POWER.....I think GIANT might benefit from sleepys twisitng and turning in the wind....if pres day is a bust KABOOM !!!

From The Realistic One, 1/13/2009  9:37 AM

I almost forgot, has anyone heard anything about what's going on with Tony Licastro the former owner if RB?

Also, it's funny how many lawsuits are going on right now. Recently, MC who worked out in Toms River settled with sleepy's for $350,000. I hope the lawsuits keep coming and that company is forced out of business.

From The Realistic One, 1/13/2009  9:30 AM

I'm curious? Who exactly is "HG", did you mean HA? "E" that was demoted? And "K" that is back in philly? Also, who is r56?

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/13/2009  8:04 AM

at Sl**py's, family and clicks save some, doom others.

interesting...take a look at the ones who have not been demoted...connect the dots. it is interesting how some escaped injury, some even got a bump over the heads of others who were longer in the tooth. could it be nepotism (sp).
you ex dm's, now store managers/mp's...take a look at western nj and pa and western pa...break out a family tree and take a climb. the odds are amazing, not impossible but unlikely.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/13/2009  7:38 AM

THeonE,

i disagree with some of your assumptions. lower pay structure- wrong! some people are about to get their largest paycheck...on par with the good old days as a mp.

shake ups? just realignments, nothing that different.

my sources say mg is doing very well i the del-val.

who is HG? love to know but i dont get it.

by the way...r56 is no longer with the company. do not share any information with him.

From THeonE, 1/12/2009  6:36 PM

I hear that this weekend was one of the the worst in modern history for.... Our own employees enjoy seeing the squirm of management. HG is not to be spoken to about business any more!
Even in the newer markets once strong down south the rats are fleeing the ship.
Where are all the comments from Giant people,
E demoted, K back in Philly
DM shakeups,
lower pay structure,
Iran G. hired????
stores doubled when slow,
but they hired a high priced merchandising guru.
Giant just closed stores too.
I hear they are not long for Philly.

Oh, Wesley don't work yourself up.

To: Takineverysale KARMA is the word!
Keep up the good work

From Dan the man, 1/7/2009  10:54 AM

Hey All - Just want to wish everyone a safe and prosperous 2009!!! May it be better than 2007 was for former RBC employees. And hopefully continued success will come in 2009 for those who have found a great place to work. And for those of you who are still struggling, I wish you all the best of luck that something good will come your way!!!!

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/7/2009  8:08 AM

so, the empire's employees are forbidden from posting on any website for fear of losing their job...inevitable anyway i think. but it is interesting how many of them talk...and post. you see (take note adam as i know you are keeping tabs), you really cant buy loyalty can you? see, HA always thought you could, but you cant. i worked harder for less because i felt important, not beat down. he makes everyone feel beat down and then is amazed when he fails to get compliance.
now that it is all unraveling, you'll learn "who your friends really are". i have a feeling that will be a pretty empty room.
no one will be spared when it all falls apart. you started by cutting at the bottom but now it is bubbleing up to the top.
mp's are unhappy because their splitting constantly (now with their former bosses), ex-dm's are unhappy because they were demoted over others who have a tight group (its who you know and who you socialize with), rvp's on the chopping block...then on to bethpage?

granted SA and RA are gone. no one thought much of their abilities anyway and they were just collecting a salary anyway.

could it be karma?

From TheEvilEmpireIsCrumbling, 1/5/2009  10:15 PM

I got 2 words for you. I busted my ass for that heartless company for 9 years and one issue and they didnt have my back, The demoted dm's now are supposed to support the dsm's still there. The salesforce are supposed to help the former dsm's.lol. The so called teamwork that made sleepy's is gone its man for man or mouse for mouse....the company will die do to no one caring about the company the way the sales force used to before the 2006 dsm/rsm/vp meeting of the tail stops wagging the dog, the tails made the company and the dogs are ruining it.

From Wesley, 1/2/2009  6:42 PM

Well said, TakinEverySaleFromSleepys.

- THeonE
You don't intimidate me you worthless "Company Kool-Aide" drinking idiot.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/2/2009  6:29 PM

to trust....,

how about not trying to reinvent the wheel in the first place. like hiring people to run the vacume, count the threads on a mattress. turn you in if you didnt count your items that day....

not adding the fat at all. they would be in better shape if they hadnt spent like drunken sailors in the good times.

good luck to the peons but i think the next chapter in sleepys history is chapter 11.   

From trustsleepys, 1/1/2009  8:41 PM

sleepys is taking the necessary steps to keep on performing as a responsible and successful company.my question to all those who are complaining on this board is....what would you have done if you owned sleepys??thats right...exactly the same thing that sleepys management is doing right now....trimming the excess fat.sleepys will continue to be the strongest mattress retailer in the country.

From THeonE, 1/1/2009  5:12 PM

The RVP was Paul Cav formerly one of Harrys favorites.

To Wesley: you don't know me but I know all about you and the depth of your mattress history, so just take it easy.

To 2009: your post sounds just like Wesleys' many months ago. As for making it with the company most of us current employees consider it surviving the company. From the daily negativity to the threats for this and that. Don't be surprised when more upper management vanishes, Don't be surprised when the commissions are lowered again. Lastly don't be surprised when all stores are doubled once the closings begin.

Assume nothing............

From 2009, 1/1/2009  12:52 PM

whats all this talk about. sleepys is the srongest retailer in the mattress industry. shame most of these rumor posts are from individuals who did not make it with the company for one reason or another. also a shame you have so much time on your hands. anyway, happy new year to you all. best of luck.

From Wesley, 1/1/2009  10:53 AM

Do we know what RVP was let go?
District Managers (since when did 4 stores become a district) haven't been on salary for a while. They have basically been store managers on commission for some time now.

From dmscantsell, 1/1/2009  8:34 AM

would the dms get a choice to pick the store they want to work at??dms cant sell...thats why they didnt choose to sell to begin with even though they knew that the sales people made a lot more money.another bad decision from the management!!!sleepys has great salespeople....just poor management that thinks they know everything and dont trust the salespeople.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 1/1/2009  7:46 AM

just last night, some dm's were demoted to commission based store managers, effectively doubling the showrooms. naturally those dm's will choose the busiest store, bumping their best salesperson to the number 2 spot or out the door completely. also an rvp was let go because he wouldnt step down to a rm position.

its gonna be ugly. look out for more...

From Fish 1334, 12/31/2008  7:58 PM

You know it's funny, I worked for Rockaway for five years, and when they closed went to Sleepy's. As bad as RB was though, it was Sleepy's I left by choice. Why? For many of the reasons listed already, so I'll leave them be, but also because I saw all of this first hand happen once before; to Rockaway. Honestly if Sleepy's pulls out of this I'll be surprised, and if they do I don't see the Ackers at the helm.

As I look at everything that RB did as the closing came to be, it's like watching your life on repeat.

First RB expanded far beyond their means, as did Sleepy's in acquiring RB and further expanding in a failing economy. Then RB went from strict volume, to Gross profit being the main concern, then they quietly fired some upper management. After that, RB fired 10% of their sales staff. (Hey Sleepy's sound familiar so far?)At about the same time RB closed 22% of their stores, if the rumors are true, and I think they are, 150 Sleepys stores works out to about 23%. Following that RB filled chapter 11 and everyone was saying it's just protection, Chrysler made it out of tha...blah blah blah. It wasn't long before they went chapter seven.

As little as I care for the company, there are many people at Sleepy's I care about, some I care deeply for. I hope for their sakes I'm wrong.

From hmmmmm, 12/31/2008  6:09 PM

what is gonna be happening to rvp's and rm's?these are salaried positions and i cant see these guys getting salaries with lower sales volumes.looks like they will be put on a pay plan totally related to the volume of business just like the dm's.also i hear margins are a big concern now.anyone know what exactly is going to happen??

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 12/31/2008  4:28 PM

well question, chapt 11 means protection from creditors. therefore they would be relieved of the debt from those closed stores. also, any other recent loans and big bills (like a new headquarters). hum...you may be on to something there.

chapter 11 is protection, chapter 7 is closing the company. they would probably sell it while in bankruptsy. i doubt 7 is on the table yet.

just wait till the big cuts come. then you'll get a good picture of their future. rvp's, rm's, dm's arent going to have a happy new year.

From question, 12/31/2008  2:03 PM

there are strong rumors that sleepys will be closing a bunch of stores.my question is wouldnt they have to file chapter 11 to get out of the leases?and if they do file chapter 11,what is in the future for them??

From harry acker, 12/31/2008  1:59 PM

"i want to tell every one of you (cough, cough, cough) that you are making a big (cough, cough) mistake. a big mistake. i have been in the business since 1958, even before that when i was woking with my father (mumbles beyond the point of comprehension)." (a voice says) "speak up speak up we cant hear you."

(splash, splash) "my point is this. we are all in this together, well you are in it together, i'll be ok. i have made it. you have to want to make it too. when you want to make it then we will all make it."

"we have an awful lot of overhead to pay for, an awful lot. hold on, hold on, i'll be right back". "ok, i am back. where was i? back in 1955 i was in the army (cough, cough), the sargent, we called him sarg because he was the sargent. sometimes we called him the old man, even though he was only 2 years older that we were, we still called him the old man. thats just what you did in those days. to you people, i'd be the very old man, or the old old man..."

(a voice) harry, harry....."i'm on voice mail aj!"

"when i worked for kirby vacumes, i really worked hard. i was not a good salesman. i had to learn and watch others and i got better. one salesman, i will never forget was closing a lady and she wouldnt buy. she said she had to ask her husband. he said to her, mam, you could call ladies mam back then, it was polite, now you dont do that so much (cough, cough). and he said mam, if your husband dies, would he remarry? naturally she said yes he would. then he said, do you think she would have to ask him to buy this? she said "that b***!" and bought the vacume. you know in 1999, we almost went bankrupt, its true. and then (beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep). end of voicemail! (sweet words)

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 12/31/2008  1:10 PM

wes...where are these resume's posted? what is the site, i'd like to see them.

i heard that it was blank and bookbinder. blank was promoted to C O O to keep him probably because he knows where the "bodies are buried".

wonder how that made mb feel?

i also heard that very soon (as in days), many dm's are going to become store managers. most stores will be permanently doubled, splitting the pot in half yet again. how many halves does it take to make "not enough"?

i wonder if that one dm still drivers her tank to and from work now that the company isnt paying for her gas? now there is someone who really cared about her employer (not).

btw, thanks for firing me, i am so glad to be gone. they deserve everything thats coming.

From Wesley, 12/31/2008  1:39 AM

- THeonE
I don't know what I ever did to tick you off whoever you are, but all I ever did was my job while also taking care of the customer at the same time. Which was why over a year and a half after I left RB I still had referals walking in the door to buy from me. If you don't like me, that's fine, but opinions are like backsides, everybody has one, and yours stinks!

- TakinEverySaleFromSleepys
I could not agree with you more about sleepy's. H.A. is the one that created this vicious circle that seems to have come full circle to bite him in his butt.

- H.A.
Even though you don't even know how to turn on a computer, maybe A.J. will read this to you. I hope you rot in hell for all the empty promises and false hopes you gave this industry and all of your employees who truly trusted you to have you stab them in the heart! You are a waste of space. I hope the next hurricane that come through Boca Raton, FL levels you monstrosity of a house. Not anyone elses home, just yours you worthless piece of dung. You are such a worthless being that even two of your EVP's have posted resumes online.

To everyone who works at sleepy's, get out while you still can and be sure to request to cash in your vacation pay ASAP. They just let go of a bunch of people who were allegedly a 1.7 writer or below and because they were let go are not entitled to thier vacation pay. IS THAT EVEN LEGAL IN ANY OF THE STATES THEY TRADE IN? Seriously, things are so screwed up in this industry because of H.A. and everyone else allowed it to happen. I even heard a nasty little rumor, that in order to buy the product cheaper from the vendor, he bought it with no warranty and that sleepy's will back the warranty. Well, what happens when they go bust? All the people who purchased from this piece of dung are S.O.L. it seems, including some of my close personal friends. I have a lot of frinds who either work for or call on sleepy's, but I have to say that I hope sleepy's goes the way of RB. It's the only way for things to get back on track and headed in a positive direction.

To all my friends in this industry I wish you nothing but the best and I hope you all land squarely on your feet, in or out of this industry.

To all of my haters out there, EAT IT! You were probably useless anyway.

If anyone has anything they need to share with me that os + or -, I can be reached at MySpace.com/WesleyJN1975


                Sincerely,
                      Wesley J. Nicholls
                      The Old #1454
                      The Old WN864

From Roberta, 12/30/2008  8:11 AM

Brilliant answer from TakinEvery

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 12/29/2008  7:31 AM

it will be nice to see sleepys get their come-up-ence. they have single handedly ruined the mattress business by turning it into car sales. their over pricing and "lets make a deal" system have trained the customers (better than they trained their own mp's) on how to shop for a bed based souly on not trusting the salesperson (thanks for making my job harder).
the customer now assumes that 50% off is still 50% too much. no wonder the vendors love sleepys (not!). they hate them. he has ruined their business. and all that talk about "we'll put the competition out of business", if he ever actually accomplished that, he'd be driving the vendors into bankrupsy, because the vendors cannot survive on sleepys business alone. i guess the retail genius didnt think about that.

From TakinEverySaleFromSleepys, 12/29/2008  7:17 AM

Glad to hear they are in big trouble. when you build a company as an upside down pyramid, eventually you tumble. the bigger they are the harder they fall.

From Insider, 12/28/2008  4:05 PM

You are correct, I tell you from the inside!
Big trouble in Bethpage almost 200 sales professionals fired in most areas, whew! Talks of closing 150 or more stores. So much for the promises of 100 k and 4 days huh.
The boss said last Saturday was the worst in Sleezys history. Whats Next ?
Assume nothing.......

From sleepys, 12/25/2008  1:36 AM

looks like lots of changes coming at sleepys...store closings,management demotions,cutting the dm's draw by half......lotta unhappy managers...but would be healthy for the company.the dm's should quit....they are good for nothing at all.whatever money they are getting is for doing absolutely nothing

From The Realistic One, 12/19/2008  11:05 PM

To "THeonE"
For you to say it's good that Wesley and Patch are gone is crazy. These guys were in the business for many years and were always willing to lend a hand to any MP that needed it. This business needs more people like them and less like Joan N. (a DSM), Nick B. (former DSM), & really doesn't need morons like Irv P.

Happy Holidays!

The Realistic One

From Guest, 12/18/2008  9:46 PM

Good bye Sleepy's

From Keep Your Fingers Crossed, 12/10/2008  12:06 PM

Sleepy's is in big trouble....
Everything the Giant says is true.

The warehouse/office complex in the former Grumman sight is a major financial drain, the load from bad Rockaway stores and all of the stores that are next to stores is costing a fortune. Harry has eliminated 401 k contributions,insurance and sick days.

Two of his sons were fired!

RMs are now DMs or salespeople, the sales assistants are gone,the trainers are gone,the auditors are gone, Wesley and Patch are gone but that is the one good thing !

As I hear bonuses are in question this year, but Harrys' private Lear jet is full of fuel. There is talk of closing stores. Assume nothing.

From the giant, 12/9/2008  4:35 PM

does anyone know where sleepys is headed??from what i hear,business is extremely slow and a lot of salespeople are not even making their draw.and to top it all,the sales managers(formerly district managers)are hurting the company a lot.they are paid comission now instead of a salary and all they do is go to a given store and sit there all day doing nothing other than sitting on their asses.they openly express their dissatisfaction with sleepys since their incomes have dropped significantly and thats why they dont want to do anything while at work.for sleepys to maintain a healthy balance sheet,they should seriously consider eliminating the district sales managers positions urgently.these guys are unhappy and bad mouthing the company and they need to go.

From Dan Christiano, 11/28/2008  1:10 PM

BRAVO, BRAVO,......That was absolutely awesome and well written, gees....I could close my eyes and swear you were talking about T.L. the S.O.B. Or as I like to call him "the b*** who killed RBC". Anyway, I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving holiday and did not eat so much!!!!
Best regards, Dan "the man"

From The Realistic One, 11/26/2008  1:28 PM

Truer words have never been spoken. ---- is heartless and has no business ruling over peoples lives and destroying them with little or no regard for them or thier families. The Realistic One

From Top Onion, 11/14/2008  11:21 AM

Many years back I penned my version of "The Night Before Christmas At Sleepy's". Many of my fellow MP's loved it but due to the lightly insulting content I wasn't going to post it to all my fellow MPs on Sleepy's e-mail. Now that I'm no longer under H's oppression all bets are off.   Enjoy.

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND ALL THROUGH BETHPAGE THE EXECS WERE ALL NERVOUS 'CAUSE H'S IN A RAGE. THE NOOSES WERE HUNG IN THE BOARDROOM WITH WITH CARE AS A REMINDER THAT H DOESN'T PLAY FAIR.

BB WAS RESTLESS AND STRUGGLED IN VAIN,
IT TOOK ALL HE HAD FROM GOING INSANE.
AND MN IS ON VOICE MAIL ACTING LIKE A JERK
WHILE D IS HIDING FROM DOING HIS WORK.
WHEN OUT ON LOT THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER
THEY SPRANG FROM THEIR CHAIRS TO SEE WHAT'S THE MATTER.

A CHUBBY OLD MAN WHO RESEMBLED JERRY GARCIA,
WHY HE WAS THERE THEY HAD NO FRIGGIN IDEA.
THIS GRUMPY OLD MAN WITH BEARD GRAY AND THICK
THEY KNEW IN AN INSTANT THIS WASN'T SAINT NICK.

WITH HAIR IN A TAIL AND SLIPPERS ON TIGHT
HE RAN TO THE BOARDROOM TO THEN PICK A FIGHT
"Hey, D, hey, B, hey, I, hey, Thig,
I'll break all of you like a thin little twig.
My stores are closed early, so please tell me why?
Give no excuses or out the window you'll fly!"
"It's Christmas Eve, H.", D DID TELL.
"To hell with Christians!!", H DID YELL.
"Do they not know that if it wasn't for me
they could not afford gifts to put under a tree?
I want my stores open so call back the Pros,
and call the newspaper so that everyone knows
that Sleepy's is open throughout Christmas day
so I can make money. Now do as I say!!
I give not a damn about Holiday cheer
'cause Christmas for me is every day of the year."
HE THEN LOOKED AROUND AND SAID WITH A GRIN
"Without me and Sleepy's no one can win."

AND WITH A FLIP OF HIS FINGER AND TWIST OF HIS HEAD
SOON GAVE THEM ALL A REASON TO DREAD.
HE SPOKE NOT ANOTHER WORD BUT WENT STRAIGHT FOR THE DOOR.
THE TENSION WAS STRONGER THAN IT HAD BEEN BEFORE.

HE WALKED TO HIS LIMO AS ANGER SPEWED FROM HIS MOUTH
"I'm going where it's warmer, to my house in the south!"
THEY HEARD HIM EXCLAIM, AND THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE
"I will make Sleepy's strongah even if it kills all of you!"

From Dan Christiano, 11/14/2008  10:15 AM

The realistic One,
I did know about Tony's benz lease. I will never forgive him for what happened to all of us. You were a former RBC employee? Where did you work at? Because of Tony's selfishness I was unemployed for 8 months last year and my family suffered a great deal. I have been at my present job for almost 11 months and I am still struggling to regain a good financial standing after this terrible set back.

From The Realistic One, 11/13/2008  2:49 PM

Dan,
Thanks for the kind words. I too was a rockaway bedding employee. Now I want to see that all the Sleepy's employees get all they have coming to them before this company screws them like rockaway screwed all it's employees at the end. Did you know that Licastro leased an $1800 a month mercedes just before they went under that he still drives today that RB paid for in the end? Insanity at it's best. is it any wonder why our country is so screwed up?

From Dan Christiano, 11/12/2008  9:25 AM

To the Realistic one:
I am glad to see you putting an alert out to so called "Mattress Professionals" about the forth coming problems. I am a former RBC dispatcher and we had no warning. Had a meeting with the so called "Owner" of our fime company (bulls***) and a few days later I was laid off after being given the "employee of the quarter" award which I can proudly say props up one of my night stands. I don't want to see anybody have the heartache that we went through. You are an upstanding person for doing what you are doing!!!

From Dan

From The Realistic One, 11/12/2008  12:32 AM

Well, it seems the days are numbered for The Mattress Pro's now. Over the last year or two they have done the same things that rockaway bedding did. Cut the bonus structure, demoted or fired a lot of management, fired the auditors, cut the inventory levels, and the list goes on and on. If you are an MP at this company, put in your request now to cash out your vacation so you get it before they let you go for an alleged "bad shop"!

The Realistic One says,"Stop the Ackers before it to late!"

From THe-onE, 10/29/2008  4:28 PM

It seems as though there is a concerted effort through the guise of so called "Bad Shops" to rid Harrys company of mal-contents JP and WN who may or "may not" be union supporters.

Let this be a message to you, do not trust anyone at the most trusted name in mattresses.

I also can't believe they would hire IP what a joke.

You Know Who.............

From Wesley, 10/22/2008  2:09 PM

For the last 10 years all he did was bash them and call them clever things like "creepy's" & "sleezy's" while they apparently took all the business because now he is in training there at Sleepy's. Sleepy's is really scraping the bottom of the barrel hiring a slack jawed horses ___ like IP who most recently was selling mattresses for minimum wage at JC Penney's. It's a sad sad world. Just when I thought we were rid of "Irv The Perve" he resurfaces. Thank god he is staying his ___ out of jersey!

From The Realistic One, 10/12/2008  11:45 AM

Dan,

    It's been pretty slow as far as traffic is concerned and then the people coming in are on a very tight budget to boot. It also does not help that our fearless leader, Harry Acker, who sits in his castle in florida and let's his minions advertise pretty much nothing but low end crap for $399 & $499. Our ad right now, that is one of our best only goes up to $1299 for a queen set. I hope this info was helpful. Feel free to ask anything you might be curious about.

The Realistic One

From Dan Christiano, 10/10/2008  10:03 AM

A question to "the realistic one",
With the economy in the downward spiral that it is in, how has business been for You. The stock market crashing horribly can't be too good for business either. Just curious because I work for fortune 100 corporation (was formerly employed at RBC) and I have noticed a slight decline in business with our regular clients. Just wondering if this is going on where you are as well.

From The Realistic One, 10/8/2008  12:15 PM

You can all say what you want, but the fact of the matter is that Sleepy's is the powerhouse left standing in thr tri-state area and will aggresively start to lower commissions as they have been doing quietly for some time now. That's why I am proud to annouce the arrival of THE TEAMSTERS UNION to Sleepy's so that management can get over themselves and stop blaiming the salesforce for sh*tty business. Maybe the Sleepy's advertisng team, now that SA got fired, can start advertising sh*t besides $399 queen sets and advertise some quality for a while to get quality customers in instead of driving them to the department stores. It's "the walmart effect" really, you advertise cheap stuff and you see cheap people. That's just my opinion, AND MANY OTHERS AT SLEEPY'S TOO!

From,
     The Time Has Come!

From Dan Christiano, 8/5/2008  9:35 AM

To Old 1454,
Thank you for your kind words, it was salesmen like yourself that made my job in dispatch easier and alot nicer to deal with. Don't worry about what certain a**holes have to say, they obviously have no clue what we did and how well we did it. Thanks again!!!

From Wesley, 8/4/2008  11:38 PM

"To Wesley",
    You obviously didn't know me that well because I got along with most of my fellow salespeople. I did notice however that you didn't have the stones to say who you were. I'm not hard to find pal. If you have a beef with me, feel free to call me at the cinnaminson sleepy's location and air it out. I'll be there for the next two days and then I will be back there on the 18th and off on thursdays and fridays. I seriously don't think you've got the stones to call and say who you are or show up because you like to hide behind the keyboard.

     And I'll say this one more time, "Dan" in transportation was absolutely the man. He made a lot of knightmares created by less than professional drivers become positive situations for the customer.

     As far as Matt Giant goes, they have been wanting out of the delaware valley for a very long time.

     Take care,
        The Old #1454
        The New WN864

From Dan, 7/17/2008  9:35 AM

In regard to "from dan". Go deleted yourself. Mind your business. Go flip burgers at McDonalds. I hear they can use a retart like you

From Go Sell A Bed, 7/16/2008  11:14 PM

Anyone know why anyone in their right mind would want to work for Mattress Giant? I heard that a lot of their employees can no longer afford to work there, meaning that the gas to get to their store is more than they make. What a rotten company Mattress Giant is. They don't pay their employees crap. Wonder why they are always falling asleep on the job.

From Rocco, 7/14/2008  12:33 AM

For any of you that think he was a good guy, you should have your head examined. He hired a bunch of jerks to manage his company while he had a good time gambling and lying to his employees and sales guys.

From Guest, 7/13/2008  12:06 AM

you have not let it go, if you did, you wouldn't be acting like an a****!!!!!!

From MAtt Pro, 7/9/2008  6:37 PM

Hello boys and girls,

Very interesting news bubbling under the radar....

Harry is looking to buy out the failing Giant stores on the East coast but not Florida, all this to try and keep out Mattress Firm, lets see that will make 4 sleepys on a corner good luck making commission in that scenario.

Matt Pro

From DAN CHRISTIANO, 7/8/2008  10:15 PM

Who are you? I have let it go. It is just funny how some whiney little b*** has to try and rain on my parade. Well it won't happen. GOOD RIDDANCE TO R.B. and Tony Licastro!!!!

From Guest, 7/8/2008  4:57 PM

Dan relax, let it go, it is all over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From Dan Christiano, 7/8/2008  12:37 PM

That obviously ain't Tony who wrote that dumb email. It has to be some has been wannabe who is just jealous because I make $50,000 a year plus 10% on sales leads while he is flipping burgers at McDonalds. As for me being mediocre! Check the stats son. More sales were saved by me because stupid asses like yourself could not close the deal. You are not even a has been, you are a never will be. Piece of crap, jealous little b***. Come and find me at Honeywell little man and see just how "MEDIOCRE" I am. That is if you got the nuts.

From Guest, 7/7/2008  11:47 PM

Since you don't get along with the sales people, who else did you get along with from the office besides Dan?

From tony, 7/6/2008  2:23 AM

Dan I am glad u got screwed u arent the man u were mediocre at best! good luck with your minimum wage job!

From Dan Christiano, 7/3/2008  11:16 AM

Hey Wesley Now I remember you. I am glad to see that you are working. I hope you at least enjoy what you are doing. I love it here at Honeywell. It is by far much better than RBC. The management treats me better and with the respect I deserve. I hope you are getting the same treatment. Take care!!!

From Wesley, 7/2/2008  6:01 PM

Dan the man,

   I was the one that called you "Dan The Man Levitan". I'll be sure to tell richie you said hi.

Wesley

From DANIEL CHRISTIANO, 6/4/2008  8:49 PM

Hey old 1454, how are you? I don't remember your name. Sorry about that. You and Ritchie were an absolute joy to help, no matter how small or big the issue was. I hope all is well with you. If you talk to Ritchie, tell him I said hello. Take care of yourself.

From Jim, 5/30/2008  10:45 PM

Tony Licastro #1 in chips first World Series of poker event, $10,000 buy in......first place is $900,000........cardplayer.com

From Let the Truth Be Told, 5/30/2008  4:00 PM

Gas prices, Come on! Now all you guys know that there are so many Sleezy’s stores all over the place that just about anyone can reach a store by walking or riding a bike. Maybe people are just realizing that you guys in black suits are not that pleasant to hang out with.

From Wesley, 5/28/2008  3:01 PM

I remember you dan! You helped myself and richie z. out with many deliveries out of the deptfordn nj store. Good to see you landed somewhere that you like. I'm at sleepy's currently running the old cinnaminson RB location. So far so good, but this friggin' economy is having one hell of an impact on foot traffic lately. $4 a gallon for gas doesn't help either. Hope all is well. Take care.

Wesley Nicholls
The Old #1454
Now the New WN864
856-786-1676

From DAN THE MAN, 5/15/2008  3:42 PM

Listen because I will only say this once. RB is a damn joke that was run by a f---ing liar. If you worked at HQ like I did than you know what I mean. "No one will loose their job" and " Everyone has nothing to worry about". Bulls--t!! I was the "Employee of the first quarter" os 2007, and one of the first ones to go. I made the impossible "possible", and most of you know it!! Tony better suffer the consequences alot more than the rest of us!!! Oh yea, in case you think I will hide my name from this. It's DAN CHRISTIANO, CORPORATE DISPATCHER!!! Any questions? Email me!!! Good Luck to all my friends who suffered as much as I did. But now, I can say that my life is much better now working for a fortune 100 company. HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL. The best job in the world. Feel free to email me at the address, I am anxious to see what people are up to!!!!

From bill v, 4/20/2008  12:10 AM

palladini and bonham have all kinds of trouble at
New York Mattress. They can't make reliable deliverys,
six people including their main dm tammy quit and the
mo__le is terrible. The ads contradict one another
and no TV, it's only a matter of time before this thing
goes bust, worst yet, they're too lazy to fill in when a
store is understaffed.

From John, 4/17/2008  10:53 PM

Don't shop at Mattress Giant. That company is the worst. Look at how they treat their salespeople. You are better off going to Sleezy's and getting hassled.   

From One Year Later, 4/10/2008  11:21 PM

Well we have passed the one year anniversary of the "official" beginning of the end. I have read these posts so many times and can't believe that I still find myself wandering back every couple of months. I just wanted to send some positivity out to everyone.

I really hope that you all have found some sort of solid ground since our worlds were turned upside down. I know it has not been an easy time for any of us. I am still having a quite a time adjusting to a new job. Unfortunately it is a job, no longer a career, no longer a family.

It was a pleasure working with every one of you and I pray that our economy bounces back quickly and (if you haven't already) you all find much happiness and prosperity in the near future.

God Bless.

Lorri

From Sam, 4/4/2008  9:35 PM

The mattress business sucks. Look at the losers that choose to work for such pathetic pay and hours.

From Let the Truth Be Told, 3/6/2008  3:21 PM

Anyone that has ever worked for Mattress Giant will tell you that the majority of employees that work for that company are eligible for food stamps. There were a few good individuals there, but they are long gone now. They got tired of collecting 2% commissions for their one customer that walked through the door per day. What a joke that company is. It is unbelievable how they continue to stay in business with their lack of advertising and horrific commission structure. Not to mention that they never have anything in stock.

From Mattress Giant Houston ex-employee, 2/17/2008  10:20 AM

Dan Younkman, EVP of sales recently took all management to Dallas for training and said to all district managers:

"We're taking away the top tiers of pay, and we're taking away any commissions that would be paid on price matching deals. If your sales reps drop in free pillows to match a competitor, or if they give away free delivery on a sale bed, or they drop more than 20% off retail to match a competitor, the deal pays 2%."

So in the future, Mattress Giant employees can expect the already low averages of 5-8% (18% money is almost impossible with all the Mattress Firm stores in town) to drop even further. What skilled salesperson would dream of accepting 2% as their commission? Imagine, a guest comes in, wants a $4,000 Tempur-Pedic. Rep gets $80 and Mattress Giant gets $2000.    

Here's what's going to happen as Giant refuses to pay more than 2% for price match deals (which are about 1/3 of any sales rep's pay):

A) all their top store managers will be unable to pay their bills and will leave
B) all their mid-tier store managers will get the top stores
C) all their 'pity pay' minimum wage managers will take their mid-tier stores

Ask anyone who's familiar with Mattress Firm and Mattress Giant, they'll tell you the same thing:

1) Mattress Firm has better training
2) Mattress Firm has better management
3) Mattress Firm has WAY better advertising
4) Mattress Firm has more fair pay since they pay on margin, not on 'tiers'

Mattress Giant has terrible, uninformed, uneducated sales staffers that don't know how to do anything but get minimum pay (2%) and give you 50% off anything on the showroom floor. And Mattress Giant laughs all the way to the bank on it.

From Wesley, 2/12/2008  3:35 PM

I agree with #2254, MG stinks. I have friends over there, but a lot of them have come here to Sleepy's because of all the management problems with MG and also the constant out of stock situations that go on there costing the salesperson lots of lost commssions. Looks like no much has changed at MG since I left there 6 years ago.

The Old #1454
The New WN864 @ Sleepy's, The Mattress Professionals!

From The old 2254, 1/30/2008  5:58 PM

I thought I'd post on here what a sorry company MG is. I spent 5 months there and saw about 1/3 the door pulls that you would have seen at a RB and maybe 1/7 what you'd see at sleepy's. I should have just come over to Sleepy's in the Bankruptcy, but I guess hindsight is truly 20/20. You guys that complain about TKB, you should get a load of Jack Parzo and Eddie Arias. These 2 jokers think that their people are making more money than Sleepy's sales force? I'm sorry, but I make it a polocy to not work for the mentally ill. Harry will own the Delaware Valley and New England Division of MG by 2010. and MG will be gone completely within 2 years of Sleepy's reaching Florida.

From Tawanda, 1/30/2008  3:42 PM

To I Know More...
   Don't be so sure you do...We were told don't worry about taking vacations since we would get paid for non-used time!By the way...the employees worked their butts off also!We were told by Tony himself...Don't Worry...looking out for everyone....this will pass in 6mo! Ha! And he has to do a buy in,esp. when rated! You do not have to worry about a JOB apparently. You were not in the office to see what was going on also.So...before you start bad mouthing those of us who were promised our vacation pay....you should get all your facts right! Company was going under...could've saved it....

From I know more than all of you..., 1/23/2008  11:40 PM

To : Barf Bag, avocado, and In The Know ...

You guys are pathetic, I just wanted to let you know that because you guys are crying about the vacation days are didn't get payed for...HAHHA One get over it beause Tony has nothing to do with paying you idots and you all Should have taken those vacation days off when you had the chance b***es!!!

P.S. He has worked his ass off starting RB and making it last as a great company for 25 years ... he deserves all the money he has from that and his WINS IN POKER!!!

From I know more than all of you..., 1/23/2008  11:32 PM

You all have no idea what you are talking about with Tony and his Money...he does not EVER pay to play in a tourtment, so bad joke, because he only wins himself in them...learn the facts before you speak ... your just jealous anyways that he can just jump into another career because hes more talented than you...don't hate loser...

From Jar Head, 1/10/2008  11:15 PM

If you want to get ripped off, buy from Sleepy's! If you want see really stupid people, visit a Mattress Giant and see what they have behind the counter.

From Whats going on?, 12/13/2007  3:48 PM

Hey, did anyone else get a letter in the mail about Rockaway's bankrupty court dates and hearing? What is this all about?

From The Sandman, 11/25/2007  12:16 PM

Wow...Its amazing how much vitriol and negativity that appears on this board. Just because a person chooses to work for Sleepys does'nt make the a loser, or for any retailer for that matter. A "Loser" is a self appointed state of mind. Also, people in glass houses...
   
I do not work for Sleepys. I do however think they have a FANTASTIC floor decor. They really seem to have it together. I initially interviewed with Mr. Thigpen.
I was sure that I did'nt have a chance of being hired due to allegations from my RB DSM. I was recruited out of RB by my current employer before the RB ship sank & that created some bad blood, so I went anyway & gathered intel on my soon to be competitor.

They seemed to me to pretty legit, not at all what I had been led to believe through RB email propaganda.

Moral to the story...You figure it out!

Mike Deckard "The Sandman"

From Guest, 11/14/2007  9:31 AM

LOL LOL LOL I'm gonna drive a schoolbus in maryland and scream at kids,shoot my bow,go fishing and never never sell a stinking fartsack for any stinking gangster mattress owner again.

From bill v, 11/10/2007  11:00 PM

palladini and bonham are running ny matt factory out if newburgh.

From Wesley, 11/7/2007  7:21 PM

I disagree. If they are making money, they aren't losers but rather WINNERS.

From Rocko, 11/6/2007  10:53 PM

I hear that the Rockaway employees that went to Mattress Giant are all miserable and not making any money. Maybe they should have gone to Sleezy's and joined the loser club. At least some of those guys make some money over there- they are still losers though.

From Guest, 10/28/2007  12:00 PM

does anyone know what happened to the office/warehouse in Randolph????

From steve, 10/20/2007  5:57 PM

this is pathetic...how naive! rockaway is history!

From avocado, 10/15/2007  10:21 PM

Hey,Tony's just trying to get everyone those vacation
checks you were promised.That was if you stayed until the end of the liquidation.Where's everyone's unpaid vacation?It's being used as entry fees at AC and other
poker venues.

Bedhead call me..lol

From In The Know, 10/12/2007  9:35 PM

Wondering what Tony is doing?

This from just 3 weeks ago:

FINAL RESULTS: Sep.15

PLACE PLAYER PRIZE

1 Alan Schein $440,200

2 Adam Gerber $248,500

3 Brad Hood $134,900

4 Phillip 'Randy' Lowery $99,400

5 Stephen Freda $85,200

6 Steve Sung $71,000

7 Grant McCrea $56,800

8 Jerry Atkins $42,600

9 Josh Spiegelman $28,400

10 Anthony Licastro $18,460



Congratulations Tony, divide that by the 500 employees who are out of work due to your stupidity, and it comes out to $37 each! Keep working!

From No Good Salesmen Left, 10/12/2007  12:52 AM

I agree with Bedhead Bill - The mattress industry is horrific. Unfortunately, guys like T. B. entered the business and dragged it down yet another notch to an all new low. When there are so many stores in existence, management (if you want to call them that) has to hire the bottom of the barrel to fill all of the positions. The so called salesmen are nothing more than babysitters. In fact, you find many of them sleeping on the job.

In addition, District managers are nothing more than unskilled High School Grads or college dropouts. If they weren’t in the bedding industry, they would only be able to find work as painters or selling TVs for $10 per hour. The only way the industry is going to recover is by shedding the shady characters that it has taken aboard in order to fill all of the newly created positions.

The good salesmen like Bedhead Bill are very difficult to find these days. The slime bag owners have driven them all away. Many forums now regard Mattress Salesmen as now being the worst of the worst – even more so than used car salesmen. They will say anything to make the sale because their loser DM believes that this is the only way to sell. Mattress Giant, Sleepy’s and Rockaway are one in the same, with the same losers jumping from one company to another after they caught stealing. What a pathetic industry!

If you still work in this industry, may I suggest that you put a paper bag over your heads just like Eagle fans are doing these days.

From john, 10/5/2007  5:56 PM

sales #1762 da nudio
they kept lowering commissions, in a matter of six to eight month. they taught their people to sell their products cheaply. and they hired a s(deleted)bag like ed calling it the mega district with that fat cow women.i ca not remember her name.

From Drive2, 10/5/2007  1:03 PM

Has anyone herd how former Rockaway Delaware DSM LB and his brothers painting business is working out... I wonder If he still blames former retired Rockaway DSM SC for all the problems in his new pole barn painting business... as he blamed Mr. C for sabotaging his district for several years... LB and & DH must all miss all the under the table cash...

From bedhead bill, 10/5/2007  12:30 PM

look on page one by,Bedhead Bill dated 4/7/07. If this doesn't give you an idea of what kind of industry we are all working in nothing will. The day of the respected retail salesman are long over because of these type of people. Most sales people with the exception of dept.store type of selling are looked on as real sleeze bags. It's not your fault. Whenever any company requires a salesman to T.O. to another and drops the price because of the greed factor by the management,that will be the end result.
I have been in retail sales for over 45yrs..25 of that with Sears,(an honorable company) This mattress business is nothing but is pure garbage the owners being the same. Why are there so many matt. stores? LARGE PROFITS (that goes to the owners) and who gets it for them? YOU DO AND IN RETURN YOU HAVE NO HONOR LIKE THEM......and they keep holding that carrot stick in front of you to keep your tongue hanging out. Wake up and smell the coffee.

From Wesley, 9/29/2007  4:17 PM

For the record, even though I do not like the guy, I did NOT make that last post about Tom Boylan. I wish him all the luck he deserves on HIS side of the delaware. Thank god I'm in jersey!   ;-)

        Respectfully',
                          The Old #1454
                          The New WN864

From Save Your Stuff, 9/21/2007  9:15 PM

Did you ever hear of saving your receipts in a filing cabinet? Why is it that when people are unorganized, it then it becomes everyone else’s problem? Why don’t you contact Mr. Boylan at Sleepy's, he'll teach you how to organize your life and become perfect like he thinks he is. Ask him about his specials on mattresses that have been urinated on. At Rockaway, he loved to try to hide stained mattresses and pass them off to customers.   Besides, Tempurpedic’s are the biggest pieces of crap to sleep on anyway. Why would you want to sleep on foam that makes it very difficult to turn over and is hot as hell?

From Eagles, 9/21/2007  5:33 PM

sale@mp3.com

From I need help, 9/21/2007  12:26 PM

I'm back I still need a copy of my invoice I called tempurpedic to have work doen on my bed and they aren't able to find me ...I called sleepys again to get the same answer" you're not in our data base so we can't help you" so where's our files at how in the world can I get my info?

From The Old #1454, 9/20/2007  10:23 PM

Dear Wake Up:

Sounds like you may have come in contact with some losers in our profession like TKB. TKB is such a loser that even his own guys hate his guts and can't wait to he leaves our stores. The guy can't even sell water in the desert and is a total slime ball and now I have to put up with him over at Sleepy's prancing around pretending that he knows everything in the world.

From Wake Up, 9/20/2007  9:06 PM

Mattress salesmen are uneducated bums that can't find regular, decent jobs. Go get a life - all of you! Don't you realize that when people walk into your stores, they know they are going to be lied to by some flunky used car salesman type loser.

From John, 9/20/2007  1:45 PM

Anthony, Thanks very much. I called and they are taking care of it. If you are in sales in the PA area let me know.and I will use you next time I need something.

From Anthony P, 9/19/2007  4:42 PM

Kimby is Kimberly Enterprises. 100 Hoffman Place Hillside, NJ 07205. 973 416-0110

From john, 9/19/2007  2:41 PM

I purchased a Futon from Rockaway bedding and need warrnty work done. The brand on invoce was KIMB does any one know what company this is so that I can contact them.
Thanks

From Chocolate Rain, 9/18/2007  10:57 PM

Hey all you guys that went over to Mattress Giant - Now you know how bad that company really is. Have you all applied for food stamps yet? What a loser company. I would rather work with T. Boylan over at McDonalds.

From Joe Marucci, 9/15/2007  9:17 PM

DENUDIO!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could I forget the Nudio?

From aduzcgs iawj, 9/15/2007  2:26 AM

kzatrfspj zlpxwv hkiavf tuydpnj bjlnoexqu nuhjoiez xzufpwqar

From joe, 9/11/2007  2:52 PM

Today was the first I heard about this. I was trying to contact an old friend that has worked for the company since the begining. I worked for Rockaway late 01 untill late 02. This company gave opportunities to some of the
biggest losers Ive ever seen. This comes as no surprise that Rockaway is going under they were outclassed by the competion. The managment was a joke. Some of the girls in coperate office were alright other than that the staff was pethetic. The day I left I wrote an email to the entire company basicly saying what im saying now,
The company is a joke and other than people being out of work I am happy to see it has finally failed, It is past due

From Guest, 9/11/2007  2:38 PM

this is in reply to *whats going on* about vaca pay. are you kidding. you will never see that money. you should have use it when you had a chance. you can kiss that money goodbye

From john, 9/8/2007  6:22 PM

this is 1762..the nudio
hey joe marrucci, i saw you post
i worked for those s(deleted)bags for one and a half years. and in new york, they slashed our commissions 35 to 40 percent. and then i had to work for this s(deleted)bag ed in the mega district and this frumpy girl as rm. they never visited my store. all they could was est you and trying to tell you that commissions were better. do you remember the all inclusive,intergalatic, denudio

From The Sandman, 9/5/2007  5:18 PM

I stopped by the Fenwick Island, the Rehoboth Beach, & the Middletown, De stores & was pretty impressed with the showrooms. RB's looked like an appliance store or something. Much more tasteful decor the RB came up with. (I'm still going to have to take thier money from the O.C. beach market, though).
Best of luck to all from district 10

Mike Deckard   1961
The Sandman

From Barf Bag, 9/4/2007  9:30 PM

Anyone know what Tony L. is up to? I bet he was allowed to keep enough money to live pretty good. It's a shame that all of his employees got bent over. I'm glad Rockaway went under. They were a lousy organization that treated their employees like crap. Anyone know if Mr. Boylan is (deleted)ing everyone off yet over at Sleepy's? Would love to hear how ex Rockaway employees are doing at their new jobs.

From kyle, 8/29/2007  3:36 AM

Some Reasons "You'll Hate It at Levitz"

1. Levitz Furniture was in Chapter 11 bankrupcy from 1997 to 2001, and then again in 2005... no money = crappy service.

2. Also, Levitz sells alot of furniture through Furniture.com so stay away from them too.

3. I had the same sucky experience ordering from Levitz ... order something, waited, then told it was backorder for a few weeks, waited some more, then told weeks later that the item was no longer in stock.

4. if you order from Levitz.com / Furniture.com they'll SPAM you even if you opt-out and they claim they are Trust-e certified and will respect your privacy... what b.s.

From Wesley, 8/22/2007  12:43 PM

Hey "question about sleepys". I don't know how many stores they plan on opening total, but they do plan on dominating the market. Anywhere tha a rockway bedding sat will become a sleepy's, so yes they will have a store in alexandria virginia. I hope this helps. If you come on board over here at sleepy's, feel free to contact me for help with anything. My gers email ID is WN864. Take care.

From QUESTION ABOUT SLEEPY, 8/21/2007  4:35 PM

I have a question for any sleepy employees...I work for a small mattress company in washington dc area, I'm interested in working for them, do you know how many stores they plan to open in the next year down here..and if any are going to be open near alexandria or springfield area. I am a very good sales person with excellent customer service skills, just looking to make more money since my company never has anything in stock or advertises

From Whats going on?, 8/21/2007  1:51 PM

If a present Rockaway Bedding employee is reading this and helping old customers, can you help us? WHERE IS OUR VACATION PAY?? I mean seriously, what is going on?

From The old 2254, 8/15/2007  12:34 AM

I hope all at RB are able to land on their feet. Sleepy's or MG, it really doesn't matter anymore now, does it? in either case, there is a lot of BS to deal with at either company. Rockaway had it's faults, but it was the best to work for. You could still get 5% of anything you burned. Some DM's were more a pain than others. You'll find it's like that anywhere you go. One thing I will give TKB credit for is pushing everone to improve their sales. All be it he didn;t have the best approach, and most people in his district could outsell him. The reallity is, if you put up the numbers, he left you alone for the most part. You people that keep on complaining about him..yeah, he was a pain in the neck when you didn't close a sale, but if you had the numbers, you could put him in his place. I'm guessing that the majority of you either 1.) didn't have the numbers to put him in his place. 2.) didn't have the "stones" to put him in his place. 3.) Did put him in his place but did in such a way that pissed him off.

From I Can Do All Better Than You, 8/12/2007  11:35 PM

I agree, TB is worthless! What a phony POS he is. He fits perfectly with Sleepy's mentality.

From Guest, 8/12/2007  10:54 PM

Now that Rockaway Bedding is over....Remember the good times, not the bad....it takes more energy carrying around all that anger. Save the energy and it will help you find a good job

From Mud Slinger, 8/12/2007  12:24 AM

   You know, at one time I thought Sleepy's might have been a better place to work for than Rockaway. I asked my superiors at the time and they actually told me I would most likely make more money with Sleepy's.

   But I really hated the idea of wearing suits and white shirts everyday, so I continued on. I came }{ that close to getting really screwed over at Rockaway so I inquired about a job with Sleepy's. But in the end everything worked out and I stayed with Rockaway Bedding. I was told on several occasions "We want you to come work for us." I even heard from friends of mine, my name had rolled off of Dan Thigpen's tongue a couple of times. This was all very flattering and I came close to jumping ship to go to Sleepy's.
   
   After the sale, I spoke with Margaret "the recruiter" who in my opinion should be Margaret "the grinch." Not to get into the details too much here but I can only say, WOW! This was not a very welcoming person to deal with. It takes a lot for someone to go back to square one with any company let alone someone who was "the enemy" for so long. To be badgered and prodded by this woman was not only a blow to my personal psyche but a resonating tone that was struck within me and then transferred to all of my former colleagues.

   I do however wish everyone at Sleepy's the best, even Tom Boylan. Who was most likely the most unprofessional person I worked for (but made it look like he played the part well.) I am sure his lack of sales skills and wizardry with forms will make him an MVP on the Sleepy's team. To quote Tony Licastro himself "He couldn't sell his way out of a paper bag." Just remember new suit wearers if you didn't jump ship before it went down you are a second class citizen over at Sleepy's.

   Lee Brown in my book is a great guy. I hope he enjoys whatever he is doing. Maybe he doesn't want to sell his soul. Because personally I would rather work under the "golden arches" than ever work under the Sleepy's Logo. I will now enjoy my 26 weeks of Max Unemployment, and beware "those who now wear black suits." When your numbers drop suddenly in one area and you can figure out why look across the street at that little unassuming mom and pop shop, (that’s my 27th week) I'll wave.

-Mud Slinger    

From REP 952, 8/11/2007  2:34 PM

LB NOW PAINTING POLE BARNS WITH HIS BROTHER IS WHAT THEY BOTH DESERVE!

From Miss Layaway, 8/10/2007  10:52 PM

Hi,

My email is qbutterflykisses@aol.com
Please put in the subject line - Rockaway, so I don't think it is SPAM.

From i can help, 8/10/2007  10:40 PM

Hey Miss Layaway, I work for Rockaway....can you leave your number or email on this board so I can contact you and hopefully help? Thanks.......

From Miss Layaway, 8/10/2007  10:26 PM

Hi, I am new to the board. Although I have not been a Rockaway employee, I have been a customer for several years. I have a bed on layaway and three weeks ago I went in to make another payment towards it. The salesman told me he couldn't find my order in the system and he had to check with the corporate office. Instead of hearing back from him, four days later a message was left on my answering machine by a customer rep from corporate telling me that Rockaway filed Chaper 11 and that I had two choices: 2 days to pay off the balance of the layaway and set up delivery; or receive a refund check. I left several messages on her voice mail that I wanted a refund check and called back the store salesman with the situation. He told me that he would check into and the next day he contacted me at work and told me not to worry a check would be sent within three weeks. I have not received my refund. Well, the store is gone so I have no way of contacting him, and as for the NJ corporate office I left endless messages on voicemails or am told by an automated machine to call back during normal business hours, which I am.
Sooooooooo
Is anybody even at the NJ corporate office?
Does anybody know who I can contact for my refund?
It is $1500 that I have down on a King Size Stearns & Foster.
I have contacted Sleepys since the 1-800 number for Rockaway connects you to them and they can't help me.
Please help........

From i need a fax, 8/10/2007  9:58 AM

Thanks very,very much for the info but that didn't work I was told I need to find a rockaway still open.

From Guest, 8/10/2007  7:48 AM

Still no vacation money!

From Wesley, 8/9/2007  11:28 PM

1-800-rockaway
They
have
the
fax
numbers.

From I need a fax, 8/9/2007  4:06 PM

I hate to interupt your bashing but are there any rockaway stores still open? If so can I have a number to call them

thanks

From Wesley, 8/8/2007  4:54 PM

Say what you want about Lee Brown. At least he had the "stones" to take the dirty deals that TKB was afraid to touch. My buddy in 049 richie ad myself used to call him for approval over TKB all the time. TKB was to chickensh*t to take the deals. I even now of a $1500 deal he walked because the matt set was at 41% off.

As far as these 5 am meetings go. I have been here since october and have yet to hear of one. I think they don't exist.


            Respectfully,
                        Wesley The Old #1454
                        Now WN864 at Sleepy's, The Mattress Pros

From Flee On The Wall, 8/8/2007  1:00 PM

I hear the country hick former Delaware(DSM) LB is going to "flee the coup" good riddens.

From Boys In Black, 8/5/2007  10:23 PM

Mr. Boylan is going to show everyone at Sleepy''''s how they have been doing it all wrong for years. TKB will show you how he is the best salesman in the world and no matter how good you are, he will prove that he can outperform you and do everything much better. Just realize that when he''''s around, you will lose some sales. I guess he prefers the black suits over his McDonald''''s uniform. Just ask anyone that has ever worked for him. No one wanted him around and now Sleepy''''s will soon find out why.

From The old 2254, 8/3/2007  10:27 PM

Wesley, guess who's comming over to sleepy's. Your boy TKB. how's Ron doing? I saw they shut down Cinnaminson.

From Big Wes, 8/3/2007  9:34 PM

Hey Boylan, Can I get that order of fries to go?

From Lee Brown, 8/3/2007  8:13 AM

To the coward hiding under the name "Drive 2"...

You are wrong! It took me several years to master the art of decitfulness and dishonesty! It was very hard and diligent work that I am not ashamed of. I'm very easy to find and if you would like to learn my wicked ways, I'd be happy to teach you!

Just don't be a coward and try to stir things up on a message board. Pick up the phone and give me a call!

From Drive 2, 8/2/2007  12:00 PM

Now things are almost over, LEE BROWN should be ashamed, his practice of deceitfulness and dishonesty has become entirely too easy for him.

From Tawanda, 8/2/2007  1:10 AM

I & the rest of us are "Moving On" as soon as we have our vacation pay check in our hands. Maybe you underestimate us "former & present employees", but we are not letting this rest until we have our money! We know the money is there, but the left hand is having trouble getting the "right" hand to sign off on releasing our $$$$!!! We are persistant & will not stop until we have what is owed to us.

From The Sandman, 8/1/2007  11:38 PM

Dejavu...The job I left when I joined RB @ 2005 was in the auto industry. Autorail Carhaul to be specific. I was a Teamster,Union, & paid rather well with INSANE benefits.
The company was sold & NONE OF US EVER GOT OUR VACATION PAY. It sucked, thats life, move on.

I was told I was INSANE for voluntarily leaving that "sure thing" for a "commisioned" gamble @ RB. I don't regret it an ounce. Selling is self reliance. Although... it helps if the company you represent is geared toward the same end. (A SATISFIED CUSTOMER)

Keep your heads up. Try to get with a reputable company & work your ass off. Always have your Customers best interest as your first order of business...Things will be take care of thier own from there. It does'nt have to be beds that you sell. Just sell something for someone, do it alot, & there you go!

From The old 2254, 8/1/2007  10:58 PM

I think it's time for everyone at RB to write of that vacation time. Sleepy's now owns RB, and Acker is as greedy as it gets. We are all screwed on our vacation time, so write it off and move on. It bites the big one, but that is the reallity of the situation. I moved on to Mattress Giant for a very simple reason. Better to be a Big fish in a little pond. As for Sleezy's, nice try. We'll be laughing when you go to the same judge that RB had. You heared it here first folks. Sleepy's will go under in 2009. They bought all of RB's cash draining stores. Foolish!!!!

From Let the Truth Be Told, 7/31/2007  4:22 PM

Mr. Boylan (Telling It Like It Is). I don't think I need to respond to your comments. Just take a look at how you all attack each other with name calling and hatred. I believe that I proved my point.

By the way, did you get a job at Mattress Giant? I’m sure that you would look better over there telling everyone how you can do everything better than them. I’m sure it would look better than the McDonald’s uniform that you are currently wearing.

From Guest, 7/31/2007  8:44 AM

Enough with the crap! Where's our money? I thought we were going to the newspaper about not getting our money. What's going on?

From The Sandman, 7/31/2007  1:30 AM

Mr. Brown, For what its worth... I forgive you & your Brothers trespassses against me & hope you can forgive me for mine against you. We were close friends once, It pains me that we are not that now. We cannot go back. I truly wish you & yours good fortune & health as you go forward in this trying time.
My Boss knows I met with Dan Thigpen. I am completely honest & loyal to him. He neeeds me and values my contribution & input on OUR Ocean City market.
I have no intention of leaving Kendalls. But, I did gather lots of good intel on our newest Competitor.
Although I personally think Mr. Thigpen is a Gentleman
as well as a straight shooter. He is a very formidable opponent. I do look forward to the challenge Sleepy,s brings.

God bless & good luck,
Mike Deckard "The Sandman"

From stop the name calling, 7/30/2007  9:52 PM

This is ridiculous.. STOP THE NAME CALLING.. You are both showing your true colors.. Calling each other stupid and other names isn't getting you anywhere.     I'm not happy to hear that Lee B. helped Mike D. get a base pay while the rest of us were struggling with the sales being so slow. His sales must not have been to low for his six month average to be $850. And that is with you putting him here there and everywhere. I know this because he also covered for my store, while he covered the OC store on Monday. tueday and Wed. While Lee B. brother Mike B. had the store by himself on the rest of the days. Heres a little bit of the truth with out all the name calling. Most of us from RB knows the truth. Mike D. what you did in the OC store was childish. Even tho Lee and his brother were trying to get you out of the store behind your back your back.. that was no excuse for your behavior. And Lee every time he did something you didn't like you spread it all through out RB. He may have not been the brightest guy.. but that was not being a good boss. I have seen things from both of your sides and dont agree with either of you. Stop all this BS.. From now on leave these message boards to the important business!!!

From Lee Brown, 7/30/2007  8:25 AM

To "off topic"...I agree with you, but when Mike Deckard, cowardly hiding under the name of "Sandman", continues to attack me I have no choice but to fire back.
Sandman-
Fred paid you the extra money because I asked him to do so. Mike didn't take the same deal becuase he knew he could carry his own weight. You had ONE good month and I do have the numbers to prove that fact!

You continue to show your stupidity with every one of these messages. You have no idea what I made as a DSM and you have no idea what Mike makes now or how many days a week he works. By the way, it's steel buildings , not pole buildings! Of course you are to stupid to know the difference!

You say that I don't have character or honor....this coming form the idiot that stole deals from your peers at our other stores. This coming from the low life that left a jar of urine on the desk, and an opened can of sardines under a bed on the showroom on your last day. Yeah stupid, that's honorable!

If your new job is so great, then why did you interview with Sleepy's? If anyone wants to hire a sleeze ball idiot, I highly recommend Mike Deckard!

From Whats going on?, 7/30/2007  12:05 AM

I think you guys are getting a little OFF TOPIC.
Seriously, we are all in the same boat. We need to stick together and get thru this. Why don't we all help eachother? It doesn't matter that RB isn't in bsns anymore, it matters that we get our vacation pay from hudson capital or sleepy's together. We all it will only be a matter of time before Sleepy's files for banrupty, and the mattress specialty shop is gone forever. I mean everyone hates Sleeepy's and as soon as they find out they did this to us. Everyone will be at teh bozstores.

From The Sandman, 7/29/2007  3:07 PM

MR. Lee Brown, When I left my Middletown store to work with your brother @ Ocean City Md.(103 miles from my home, one way) I had the best month in the stores history 63k with a profit margin of 53.6%. You can check the #'s, they don't lie. I also carried your brother, Splitting more sales with him than he couls make on his own. He worked Wed-Sat. I covered Bear, Middletown, & W. Ocean City on mon & Tues, The worst days to work in a resort town store.

If I sucked as bad as you said I did, Then why did Fred B. pay me $850/week (my previous 6 month average) to stay with Rockaway through the winter??? Why did'nt your brother take the same deal that I insisted he be
given the same offer because he was my Partner... or so I thought? He went to work for you Sister for 10/$ an hour three days a week building pole buildings.     

I don't care about the petty things. What did it for me was I considered you two as my Brothers, Almost 15 years we go back!...AND YOU DECIEVED, USED & LIED TO ME too many times to count.
CHARACTER & HONOR do matter, And quite frankly sir, you posses niether. I work for a good man now making more than you did as a DSM. You can keep your "Big boy pants" Your gonna need them for construction work or something. I'm done with you & you ilk!
ALSO ANYONE @ SLEEPY'S LOOKING TO HIRE THIS GUY, I GIVE HIM AN EXCELLENT RECOMMENDATION! IF YOU HIRE ONE, YOU GET THE BROTHER FOR 1/2 OFF!

From Tawanda, 7/29/2007  11:45 AM

Since Hudson Capital Partners will not release the money that is owed to us, please start contacting them for results!
They are located in Newton,MA
web site- www.hudsoncpl.com
toll-free # 877-630-0070
office # 617-630-0070

From Guest, 7/29/2007  8:41 AM

Get the fact straight. It's no longer Rockaway Bedding. And it is not Rockaway Bedding that is not paying your money, it's hudson capital that wont pay us.
Tony has nothing to do with this.

From Telling it like it is, 7/29/2007  1:45 AM

"Let The Truth Be Told" - Spoken like someone who truly couldn't hack it. Thank god a loser like yourself has left this industry to allow the rest of us to regain our respect and get rid of slack jaw slimey grease balls like you.

most sincerely,
            Tom Boylan

From Let the Truth Be Told, 7/28/2007  11:48 PM

I was right all along. Rockaway couldn't care less about their people. I used to be against Unions, but this is a perfect example of why you need them when you are dealing with companies that don't care at all about their employees.

Mattress Giant, just like RB, is one of those companies. They will take advantage of their employees anyway that they can - and they get away with it! You would be a fool to turn down a Union offer with any company in this industry.

Wanting to join a Union has nothing to do with your sales ability. Think of it as an insurance policy of not getting bent over. At least you would have a voice in matters and not have to be lied to constantly and then have to beg the Labor Dept. for money that is rightfully yours.

Only idiots would be against the idea of a Union. It was probably a member of Mattress Giant’s loser management team that wrote that comment. And believe me, if you ever saw a manager from Mattress Giant, you would know right away that they belong working in a McDonald’s somewhere.

Now about the mattress industry in general - I'm sorry, but the truth has to be told: The public already knows that mattress salespeople are pretty much losers anyway. I mean, there are much better jobs out there with much better hours and compensation. Not to mention benefit packages – look at how disgusting Sleepy’s co-pays are for their benefits.

It's O.K. to be a loser for a little while (I was) until you find the right track, but who in their right mind would call working under these conditions, a good and respectable job? If you can sell successfully, find a better industry to work in. One that pays you what you’re worth. Don’t settle for being a loser in a loser industry. Your family will appreciate that you are trying to dig yourself out of the gutter. Maybe they will even get to see you more often since you’re not babysitting a store until 9 pm. I’m sorry, but sometimes the truth hurts, but if you ask around, people in other industries will all tell you that they think mattress salespeople are a joke. No one considers them real salespeople! And it doesn’t matter how much you sell or make – you still work in a loser industry, so that makes you a loser by default. Do like I did and get a real job – you’ll feel much better about yourself.

Remember folks, winners don't stick around that long with cheating and deceptive companies that try to do everything they can to milk everything they can out of their employees. I’m talking about Sleepy’s as well. They are all no good! If you really feel that you need to be a loser for a little while longer, at least do yourself a favor and join a Union and protect yourselves. Who knows, it may be the Unions that pull the mattress industry out from the slums and give it back some respect.

From Guest, 7/28/2007  9:36 AM

is someone going to go to the media with this? about not getting our money. if so when?

From LEE BROWN, 7/28/2007  8:56 AM

Hey sandman...who did you get to type your message? Everyone that knows you knows that you are too stupid to tie your shoes! You were and still are the laughing stock for everyone you worked with at Rockaway. You are just a whiney little idiot that couldn't run a hot dog stand. You never got a better position with Rockaway because you were just too stupid to do the job, too stupid to listen to anybody, too stupid to follow directions and obviously you couldn't sale without giving everything away. You had the lowest profit margins in the district and one of the lowest in the company!

You know how to get in touch with me, if you are man enough to put on the big boy pants, and I would be happy to give you the chance to try and work out your problems with me!

From Whats going on?, 7/27/2007  10:23 PM

If we all call everyday and file claims just like Mattress Chick clearly gave us directions on how to exactly do, then we will be heard.

It is a shame that we have to go the media to get the attention we deserve, but there is no reason to hold back now.

If Sleepy's want to buy out RB, then this is their problem, not Tony's.

From Tawanda, 7/27/2007  10:02 PM

To Get Real: The fact of the matter is that this is what we are entitled to receive!! If your not a former or current employee of RB, then you don't know what is going on. This is part of our rights that we are entitled to. We are trying to "MOVE ON", but this is what we need to do,so we can! PS: WE ARE & HAVE BEEN MAD AT OUR FORMER EMPLOYER!!!

From Guest, 7/27/2007  8:46 PM

It's tough to hear but imagine if you came to work, the doors were chained, and State Marshalls said no tresspassing.

That's exactly what really happened, you just don't realize it. What they did after the Ch 11 is hardly connected, unless it was part of the settlement to convince you guys to stay. It went so fast they probably just rolled the dice you'd be fooooled into thinking it would all work out and not all leave. That's legal.

YOUR PREVIOUS EMPLOYER IS THE ONE to be mad at, and he doesn't own the business anymore. Move on.

From Guest, 7/27/2007  7:59 PM

i really dont think we will ever get our money. we cant get a straight answer about anything. i cant belive all the hard work we did for this company and this is the thanks we get.

From Tawanda!, 7/27/2007  7:12 PM

The money is there! It is not being released by the LAWYERS for the Secured Creditors! Supposedly the bank has already gotten their share. Next is to be the EMPLOYEES (former & present),but the lawyers will not release the money to pay the former employees their vacation pay. This is ILLEGAL!! Everyone who is entitled to this money MUST CALL these people everyday. If enough of us keep calling, action is going to have to happen. The media is being notified of this situation.

From The Sandman, 7/27/2007  5:59 PM

This comment is for FLB (DSM from district 10)...I told you so! This is what you get for being decietful & shady.    

From Guest, 7/27/2007  3:05 PM

once rb is closed who do we call to get our money? why is this so hard to get our money...we busted our a** and this is what we get. someone has to help us.but who?

From Whats going on?, 7/27/2007  1:34 PM

To file a claim:

visit---- www.nj.gove/labor/lsse/lswhform.html

Go to---- Employee wage claim form for non-payment of    prevailing wage rate.

Downlaod form to your computer

Then, fill it out and send it in ASAP

From Whats going on?, 7/27/2007  1:26 PM

The reason for no vacation pay is no money left.
PLEASE everyone contact the NJ Labor and file a claim. ALL OF US TOGETHER WILL BE HEARD!

www.nj.gov/labor/lsse/lswhform.html

From Outta here, 7/26/2007  7:59 PM

Good Riddance!

From No Money, 7/26/2007  4:18 PM

VACATION PAY: Not being given!! The Labor board will help & better to do as a group. Sleepy's bought RB for $12 million...so why can't we get our vacation pay?? The only thing left to do is hire a lawyer & let the media know! We are entitled to this money. The rest of you left with the company will have trouble getting your money probably. Once everyone has left, who will you contact from there to find out what's going on with your money!?! No one will give you any answers at HQ! It's a SHAME that after all these years of being dedicated employees,that this is the THANKS you get. If EVERYONE starts to question what's going on, they are going to have to give us answers.

From No Money, 7/25/2007  5:45 PM

All employees that were laid off on 7/13/07 will not be receiving vacation pay on friday! No reason given!! It's in the employee handbook that we are to receive it on the following pay day after you are let go. Not even told when or if we will receive it!! Yes, this is illegal! Call the bankruptcy lawyer & the labor board! So, the rest of you left at RB,incl sales & HQ, if those from the 13th don't get the vacation $$$, neither will you!! Time for the news to hear the latest.

From Guest, 7/25/2007  5:15 PM

well here's the latest. noone is getting there vaca pay on friday as they were promised. this is illegal
i'm sorry i stayed with this company. its time for a new job. maybe we need to sue tony.

From Wesley, 7/24/2007  7:36 PM

I'm just curious, but why is it that the people on the bottom of the barrel always seem to want to start a union? It's been said that only one salesperson involved in the mattress giant union organizing is any good on the floor. If you can sell, you don't need no stinkin' union.

From Whats going on?, 7/23/2007  1:36 PM

GET THIS EVERYONE----
   New news- the mattress industry SUCKS!

Get out while you can.

Do you really think TONY LICASTRO would give up such a great company????    NO WAY!!!

POOR Sleepy's- now they have to carry that dead weight.

Advice from the mattess chick!

From Giant's Best, 7/22/2007  10:11 PM

The Union for Mattress Giant should be in place by the middle of August. We will need Mattress Giant employees to be supportive and join the Union. Do everything you possibly can to encourage the growth of the Union. If you do not, you will continue to be eligible for food stamps and be treated like garbage. Improve your situation and support the Union or continue to work for what is considered to be the biggest joke in the Mattress industry. We deserve better than what we are currently being offered. If the Union thrives, we will destroy Sleepy’s and we won’t be forced to wear black suits or get up at 7 in the morning as a punishment.

From Frank Rizzo, 7/20/2007  8:36 PM

Has anyone heard about Mattress Giant's union? A few people have said that the attorney has already submitted paperwork after an employee meeting on a Sunday night, and now the courts are creating the formal Union entity. Anyone know when the Union will be up and running?

From The old 2254, 7/15/2007  12:00 AM

Hey Truth, Do you like gettng up at 7AM to go to meeting about selling and ons? And what is with that garbage health plan over there? What are your co-pays again? Another thing, do you like listening to those stupid voice mails from Harry, and your posturing DM? I heard he need you to sell a bunch of stuff once so he could pay for his new marble floors. WOW!! what a motivator! I really like it when a rich guy lets me know how rich he is. Do you like having those spys comming in a vacuming the floor? Have the employees come up with a counter-intellegence unit yet? It must be so great to work over there with everyone up your rear end. I chose to go with Mattress Giant because I prefer to be able to walk straight. Not to mention the better health plan, a little more faith in the sales people from management, and the DMs don't have a tendency to steal your commissions, they just show you their genetals. Hey! whatever, that's not cutting into my paycheck. I'll take a lousy commision structure and a pervert over a theif any day.

From More than just a number, 7/14/2007  9:18 AM

Take it from one who knows; you won't be disappointed if you join Sleepy's!

From Let the Truth Be Told, 7/14/2007  1:53 AM

Sales for black suits have surged in the last week.

It cracks me up that #2254 said that Mattress Giant's advertising budget increased 500%. It's not big news that they increased their budget from $100 to $500. Sealy's pays for their commercials!

From Guest, 7/13/2007  7:15 AM

Hey I heard that TL bought his wife a fitness center. Does anyone know where it's located. Maybe we can all get free membership in liu of not getting the money we were all promised....

From no money, 7/12/2007  5:40 PM

Now that it is finially over and Rockaway bedding is finially done, as we all knew it would be, where is our money. Has anybody that was involved with the Hilco closeout sales recieved any bonus money as promised???
     We busted our a@@ and its now been over a month for me with no money. I called Lori and she told me that they have the money but hilco hasnt realesed it. What is the problem OR are they stalling so Tony can close down shop and keep our money.

From Ex Gers guy, 7/12/2007  10:37 AM

WOW!!!
Harry had a vision and all you MP's carried it out.
congratulations to you all...you deserve it!

The best sales force in the world assumes nothing and checks everything.

From Wesley, 7/12/2007  9:03 AM

No prob dude. Call you on friday.

From The old 2254, 7/12/2007  12:58 AM

Wesley, I took a job at Mattress Giant, no offense to you or anyone else that works for Sleepy's, but I just don't trust Acker. I am sure there are plenty of good people at sleepy's, and I harbor no ill will twards any Sleepy's salespeople. That being said, what happened to RB woke up Mattress Giant, there advertising budget has been increased by 500%, also Wesley, give me a call at the Mt Laurel store tomorrow, I need a favor regarding a certain sales person. Thanks Mike.

From Wesley, 7/9/2007  5:03 PM

That's not true. As I understand it, all RB employes wil be interviewed and evaluated. Those hired will go through the standard 5 week training because things are a lot more thorough here and it's needed to learn it all.

Personally, I would like to welcome all of my former co-workers from RB. Please, when you come here, keep an open mind and you will find that it's actually a real nice place to work. When you come on board, feel free to contact me for anything your not sure of. My sales ID over here is "WN864". I check my company email constantly, so by all means, I'm here to help you in any way I can.

              Respectfully,
                        The Old #1454
                        The New WN864

From start selling for cash, 7/9/2007  2:18 PM

RB IS GONE    START SELLING OFF FLOOR FOR CASH BEFORE YOUR TOLD YOUR LET GO WHICH WILL BE ANY DAY NOW

From Goodbye Rockaway, 7/9/2007  1:35 PM

A bankruptcy judge this morning approved the sale of virtually all of Rockaway Bedding's inventory and 134 store leases to competitor Sleepy's for $12 million.


Judge Donald Steckroth approved the deal during a hearing in Newark after no other bidders stepped forward to make an offer for struggling Rockaway Bedding. Rockaway filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection April 9, citing poor sales, mounting losses and high rents at unprofitable stores.

Rockaway Bedding reached a preliminary deal with Sleepy's last month, but the contract was subject to higher and better offers. During testimony this morning, a consultant hired by Rockaway said the company talked with about 60 potential bidders, but in the end no one else submitted an offer.

Attorneys expect the Sleepy's sale to close by the end of this week. Sleepy's, based in Bethapge, N.Y., is buying Randolph-based Rockaway Bedding in conjunction with Hudson Capital Partners.

The remaining Rockaway Bedding stores likely will be closed, said the company's bankruptcy attorney, William Katchen.

From al, 7/9/2007  12:40 PM

This is why we are in trouble. Salespeople loafing around watching tv, playing video games and screwing around on the internet. Maybe if you were taking more time with turns we would not be in the shape we are in now.

From sleepys employee, 7/9/2007  12:28 PM

What sleepys salespeople don't get is that if rockaway goes it hurts everyone. Having rockaway and sleepy's helps keep things in check. What I mean by that is that with rockaway gone, sleepy's can do about anything they want to the salespeople because they will figure...where are they going to go if they leave sleepys....rockaway?

From Guest, 7/9/2007  11:40 AM

I have a question for all the Sleepys salespeople reading this. OK, now from what I understand is that Sleepys bought RB and they plan keeping most of RBs locations and conveting them into Sleepys. Now if they do this there will be 2-4 sleepys stores in the same town with every store doubled. Now how is any of you suppose to make money while competing with yourselfs?

The onle thing that I can agreee on with "the consumer" is that in some towns there are way too many bedding stores. And that's besides for the fact that the whole furniture/ bedding industry itself is low. Let's face it, the economy is stll down right now and there is not that much money in this industry right now. I'm sure almost every salesperson has noticed a decrease over the past few years.

From Rep, 7/9/2007  8:32 AM

Apparently, Sleepy's bid was the only bid. The other contenders never submitted a bid. The hearing is today, which as far as I can tell is just a formality. July 12th is the closing, which should offically make Sleepy's the new owner of Rockaway Bedding, but it's not over yet - I believe Sleepy's can back out of their bid, leaving Tony with one realistic option; Chapter 7.

I have met hundreds of Rockaway salespeople over the years and I have to say I will miss all of you. I wish you the best, and am confident that you'll land on your feet. From what I see, the salespeople that have remained to the end are the best of the best. Stay positive and you'll find yourself with a new and possibly better job.

From anyone hear ?, 7/8/2007  9:14 AM

wasnt friday the auction. does anyone know anything about it?

From The Sandman, 7/7/2007  11:35 PM

Lack of VISION, Poor MGMNT, Unresponsive advertising.
great business model. NO sh*t bankruptcy. Any questions?

From The old 2254, 7/7/2007  1:20 AM

I guess if you could show off your new mattress to all your friends, we'd sell a lot more $3000 sets. Plasma TV's, Mercadies Benz, and today, I guy in a BMW that came in looking for a $299 queen set. I show him a Tenpurpedic, and then the Generic Bonell Coil bed. He buys the $299 set. I rest my case.

From Guest, 7/5/2007  8:34 PM

nothing new to report guys? i guess everyone left the blog.

From chiropractor by day mattress salesman by, 7/4/2007  2:01 AM

Good for you Buel. Great response to that consumer who knows nothing!   

Okay how funny was that consumer posting? You know all of us had to chuckle lol lol.

I had a husband and wife walk into the mattress showroom today. The wife had on coach shoes, and a coach bag. The husband was bragging on his cell phone about his new plasma TV he just bought.    The wife approaches me and says "I need a cheap mattress. I don't want to spend more than 500 hundred on a queen."

P.S. After I sold them an upgrade and they paid 700 and b***ed and complained, they drove away in a mercedes.

The moral of the story. Sell Cars.

Just Kidding.
Happy 4th to all of us!

From Wesley, 7/3/2007  5:42 PM

Buel,
   They will be open the week ending the 7th. This week I believe the bids will be reviewed and then on the 9th the judge is supposed to make a decision. So, probably during that week we will have a better idea of what is going on with RB. Have a great holiday with the family.

        Respectfully,
                    The Old #1454

From Buel Schit, 7/3/2007  4:06 PM

I'm tired of customer complaining about salespeople period.. We are here for a purpose and that is to make money to provide for our family.

I'll make you a deal Mr. consumer, you stop pretending that you are buying truckloads of mattresses and I will give you a good deal for just one.

Gracias,Thank you,Shalom,whatever your language is think about why is a gallon of milk is almost five dollars and a gallon of gas is almost four dollars.

Next time you put gas ask the gas attendant to give you a good deal cause you are buying $60.00 worth of gas.
P.S
Whats going on with Rockaway bedding are they open or close for the week ending on the 7th.

From A Mattress Salesperson, 6/30/2007  3:30 PM

WOW! Sounds like that consumer knows... absolutely nothing. Yes we mark up from the cost of the item, just like every other company around today. At least when all of us "slimy" salespeople sell protected products like tempur-pedic we tag it where it's suppossed to be instead of doubling the price and having a 50% off sale like Macy's is having right now. Sounds like that consmer just doesn't know what in the world he is talking about.

From A Consumer, 6/30/2007  1:03 AM

Whichever store you work for, mattress salespeople are not much different than used car salesmen. Look at all of the deception and gimmicks that are used to confuse and dupe consumers. Look at the mark-up and the range in pricing that you charge different people for the same mattress. Do you call that providing a fair service? The whole mattress industry has become a disgrace and so are the people that work within it. Distract Managers are nothing but losers that don’t want to do any better than make 50k all of their lives! Don’t you want to amount to anything more?

The amount of information that you so called salespeople provide customers does not justify the ridiculous mark-up that is added on. Someone needs to open up a place that can give people a brief education and let them choose what feels better for them and charge a modest mark-up – not 300% or more! I’m sure consumers would be willing to drive up to 30 miles if they were able save a thousand dollars. Let’s stop putting these stores up every 100 yards. Wonder why most of the salespeople can qualify for food stamps – THERE ARE TOO MANY STORES IN EXISTANCE!

And one more detestable thing that I have come across, please don’t give us any of this garbage of how our spine looks on the bed. You guys spouting this crap should be shot! You’re not chiropractors, so stop pretending to know anything about spinal alignment.   If you guys had that kind of knowledge, you certainly wouldn’t be working as mattress salesmen.

From RB veteran now @ Sleepy's, 6/30/2007  12:01 AM

Well all I know kids is that Sleepy's continues to be the driving force in this area and RB couldn't beat them, so why not join them? I agree with someone from the previous page. It's not "The Dark Side" just the other side. The store doesn't always make the person, but rather the person makes the store. I came over here 3 months or so ago. Did my 5 week training and in the other 7 weeks have an average of just over $1500 a week take home. :-)    
Not to bad if you ask me.

Have a great 4th of July everyone! I know I will.

From #2254, 6/28/2007  8:51 AM

All I know is that Anthony Licastro is a lifelong East Coast resident who worked hard throughout his life to make a comfortable living for his family. He learned how to move up the ladder of success and now owns and operates the Rockaway Bedding Centers home furnishings chain of retail stores, a familiar name to residents of the Jersey area. Managing a number of stores requires time, but he found a way to handle the business, spend time at home with his wife and four daughters, and play a little poker when time permitted.

In 2004, Tony decided to take some of the rewards he reaped from his successful business endeavors to the felt. He knew that years of home games and weekends in the casinos of Atlantic City could be put to use. He first entered a small tournament at the 2004 Trump Classic in A.C. and almost doubled his money by cashing in 17th place. The next tournament cash tripled his buy-in, and he was feeling more confident.

Tony had his eye on a big title to add to his life’s list of accomplishments. He cashed in a World Series of Poker event, but when the World Poker Tour came to Foxwoods in late 2005, he traveled there to play the satellites. From a $225 qualifying tournament, he was soon playing in the WPT’s World Poker Finals main event. After days of grueling play, he finished in second place to take home a little more than $1 million. Spurred on by his success, he has two victories to his name since the WPT finish, and he continues to play as much as possible. As a second career, poker wasn’t a bad choice at all.

From Wesley, 6/28/2007  7:46 AM

I spoke to the real #2254 and he did not really make these office comments. In fact, if you look further up the page and to page 1 you will see he works at #136 store in cinnaminson. Have a geat selling day and don't believe everything you read at face value.

From #2254, 6/27/2007  11:57 PM

If I don't work at the office...how do I know about the $1875.00 lease payment that Rockaway pays for Tony's car?

From Wesley, 6/27/2007  12:13 PM

LOL!

From Guest, 6/27/2007  11:25 AM

No you dont work in the office your a sales person.

From #2254, 6/27/2007  11:19 AM

Yes, I do

From More than just a number, 6/26/2007  10:40 AM

2254, you seem to know a lot about this! Do you work in the office?

From The old 2254, 6/26/2007  1:22 AM

Wesley, the closing is on 7-9-07, but the auction ends on 7-6-07. We have all zones open for delivery on up until Sunday, 7-8-07. Fred is proceding as if Sleepy's is going to buy us, and now there are rumors that Mattress Discounters is involved, along with Dial a Mattress, Sleepy's, Levitz, and the former president of Rockaway Bill P. Mattress discounters from what I am to understand would keep certain elements of Rockaway's Simmons and Spring Air line up, and integrate it into their own, and they would also re-open Snyder, Langhorne, Doylestown, and Willow Grove, and they would create what would have been Bensalem 2 in the vacinity of the Neshaminy Mall

From Wesley, 6/25/2007  1:40 AM

Has anybody heard anything else about what is going on at RB? Last I had heard was that everything had to be delivered or picked up by july 6th because after that, the liquidation begins. Don't know if it's true, but it's what I heard. Take care all.

                Respectfully,
                            The Old #1454

From Ex RB, now w/ Mattress Giant, 6/24/2007  11:10 PM

When Giant gets the Union in place, I think we will be the best place to work. Advertising will begin and we won’t have stores all doubled up as Sleepy's will have soon. As for S.S., I don't think corporate knows about his new hobby with photography. I think he needs to grow a brain before Mattress Giant gets a sexual harassment lawsuit that they have to deal with.

From the sandman, 6/24/2007  1:58 PM

Jimmy Buffet is right on the money! I have know the Delaware DM "L" & his half wit brother "M" for over a decade or so. Thank God I was recruited out & resigned (just before they were planning to screw me over...AGAIN). Keep your head up Bro. You probably know who I am. Bald Mike.

From Sleepy’s Grows while Rockaway is dying, 6/24/2007  10:16 AM

Dear Observer, Yes I do have a life. I’m having so much fun doing my “happy dance” around my showroom floor celebrating Rockaway’s predicament because it is very gratifying watching Rockaway suffer through a slow death.

You keep observing yourself becoming closer and closer to the unemployment line. By the way, my sales are doing fine and have even gotten better since all of your stores have been boarded up.

From Observer, 6/24/2007  7:38 AM

I'm sorry, watching this little message board is fun, but I have one serious question. Do any of you have a life or is this it? It's my observance majority of the name callers and rumor spreaders are the low producers of all three companies, lucky if they could sell a frame, let alone a mattress. Sleepy's, Giant and Rockaway all have their strengths and their weaknesses, but a few disgruntled, bitter or immature sales reps. are not the ones to fix that. I suggest you all stop focusing on your competitors, step away from your computer and start focusing on your sales process.

From Tiny Tim, 6/23/2007  9:58 PM

Will your union stop your DM's from passing out pictures of themselves nude? I hope the union is able to get rid of Mattress Giant's lousy management. Mattress Giant's president owned a couple of Mattress stores out west that went belly up. Why would Mattress Giant hire a business person like that who can't even run a couple of stores to manage their entire company?

Mattress Giant will only get respect if they hire quality management, not these unprofessional amateurs that really should be working for a company like Sleepy;s or Mattress Factory.

From Mattress Giant Employee, 6/23/2007  6:26 PM

To all Rockaway and Sleepy’s employees, You can pick on Mattress Giant all you want, but the employees of Mattress Giant are the only ones in the industry that have the guts to form a Union. All of you have given complete control to the management of your companies and your already bad situation is destined to become even worse than they are now. Some of the faults within our company include hiring salespeople that have been fired from other companies because of theft. We have hired two in the last six months that have been caught stealing, one from RB and the other from Sleepy’s. In addition, Giant has decided to cut the commissions of our add-ons without informing the employees. The Union will correct these problems and we will soon be a company that will be respected in the industry. If you are all disgusted with the way your company is being managed, why don’t you develop some courage and create a Union. Stop complaining and take action against bad management and their policies. Start and form a Union as Mattress Giant is in the process of doing and take control of your situation.

From Wesley, 6/23/2007  1:02 PM

I'm sorry for going off topic, but I'm gonna say this to Big Tommy B. If you are who you say you are, my phone number hasn't changed. If you have something to say to me, I'm only a phone call away. If your not who you say you are, then please get back to the topic at hand. Again, I apologize for this rant fellow sales professionals, but it had to be said. I will ignore anything else he has to say from here on out.

                              Sincerely,
                                       The Old #1454

From The old 2254, 6/23/2007  12:46 AM

Dear Very happy X, Schepy's will press hard to try and aquire RB for that very reason. If LC used some money on TV and Radio, instead of losing it to TJ Clouter and Phil Ivy, we wouldn't be in this situation. Only a few things will happen. Either 1. Sleepy's aquires RB and the company is disolved. 2. Someone else gets it and it becomes a different chain, such as 800-Matress, 3.) An investment group such as Levitz gets it, and it and becomes New Rockaway. In the first senario, at least 1/3 of the salespeople in RB will leave the business forever, and Sleepy's will expand to over 500 stores. In the 2nd, RB employees would be assimilated into the new chain, and the lineup would be turned over. The Third and best senario, New Rockaway becomes a huge threat to Sleepy's because we get someone that will advertise on TV and Radio, and New Rockaway will begin to expand.

From Mattress Midget, 6/22/2007  10:18 PM

Where are all of the Mattress Giant employees on this board? How come they don't get in on the action? Maybe they are too busy standing in line at the grocery store with their food stamps. Hey RB and Sleepy's employees, Cheer up. At least it hasn't gotten bad enough where you had to go work for the Giant. Working at McDonalds pays more than those guys get! If you are feeling a bit depressed, just remember you could be working for Mattress Midget.

From Big Tommy B., 6/22/2007  9:35 PM

Hey Old #1454, You're still fat and ugly and just so you know, Sleezy's has, and always will be, a crappy company that thrives on ripping of their customers.   

From Jimmy Buffet, 6/22/2007  12:44 PM

I see Jos A. Bank has mens dark suits on sale, for when we are bought out by Sleepys.
The DM down In Delaware "L" will have to actually work a full days schedule IF SLEEPYS KEEPS HIM. He works from home,and checks in to a beach store sometimes, to appear busy to and only works to keep his brother "M" working in THE best stores while the rest of us suffer. If the bankruptcy court only knew how bad things are In the stores. A buyout is looking MUCH better and better each week that goes by.

From Insider, 6/22/2007  8:20 AM

Dear Working hard,

I see that you posted at 2:47 AM, were you just getting in from your store or going to a meeting, please get some rest as you know it will be a long weekend. Whatever you do don"t go to any store that sells the Gaurdian MP you would not want to know the real retail.
PS its 5 to 6 times less than your price. But then again at first tier a Fairmount is Platinum Plus ?!?!?! LOL

Dear Another Insider,

Your point about anti trust is a good one, especially when half of schlepys ads are trying to buy trust!
However there are tons of department stores who still sell 50% of the bedding sold because people do trust them. There are also furniture stores and many independent dealers.
As much as schlepys thinks they can put everyone else out
it will never ever happen.
The only reason for schlepys wanting Rockaway is that it will prevent a new and better competitor from coming in.
More than likely someone other than schlepys will aquire Rockaway and many sales positions will be retained and possibly even created

From Working Hard, 6/22/2007  2:47 AM

I find it a shame that if you work for Sleepy's "sleepys employee" that you feel that selling with those qualities will either have people walking or have you not making money. Your wrong on both accounts I even do a lot of referal business and repeat customers because my customers realize I have their best interests at heart. But from what you have stated I think maybe you better be looking for a new profession, because if you can't make money working for Sleepys you can't sell....
As far as very happy ex employee goes, you gain product knowledge with those line rollout meetings and I've never had to go to a matt pad meeting because I know how to explain the value of protecting your mattress investment. It's a shame that you felt you had to "gouge" a customer to make a sale, I guess its good your an EX employee.

From The old 2254, 6/21/2007  11:43 PM

According to someone inside rockaway, Sleepy's intends to convert 100 RB stores over. This makes sense in the Liehigh Valley, and northern NJ, but not many other places. Also, does anyone realize how extrordinally bad this is for consumers? I'll bet anti-trust lawyers are looking into this.

From sleepys employee, 6/21/2007  11:33 AM

What sleepys salespeople don't get is that if rockaway goes it hurts everyone. Having rockaway and sleepy's helps keep things in check. What I mean by that is that with rockaway gone, sleepy's can do about anything they want to the salespeople because they will figure...where are they going to go if they leave sleepys....rockaway?

From Insider, 6/21/2007  11:22 AM

Dear Working Hard,

I am very excited for your success.

Please answer the following....

1. How do you like waking up at 5 or 6AM for the redundant , mandatory meetings not to forget the Mattress pad "seminars"?
2. How do you like the new 9PM Saturday hours and soon 8PM
Sundays.
3. What is your opinion of the fact that all stores wil be doubled by the end of 2007 reguardless of volume.
4. Would you sell a friend or relative the same way you sell "gouge" a customer off the street?

Thank You for your time
PS. the post from Sleepys Employee is right on.

From sleepys employee, 6/21/2007  11:03 AM

Umm "Working Hard".....if your selling at sleepy's with as you say "integrity, knowledge and compassion" you are: 1. in a busy store letting people walk. OR 2. Not making any money.

From Working Hard, 6/21/2007  2:48 AM

I work for Sleepy's and have been earning a wonderful living there. I sell with integrity, knowledge and compassion. I have worked for both Giant and RB. Neither one has ever treated me or my customers as well as Sleepy's. Sleepy's is a family oriented company that not only cares about their employees but also the employees' family. As far as all the mudslinging, if your going to discuss something at least be educated in what your talking about. If all you have is a bunch of heresay and allegations against your competitor keep your opinions to yourself. I can back everything that I say up, because I have worked for all the companies. The past claims Sleepy's has had against them are just that, in the past. And they were such a small percentage compared to our tremendous delivered average each and every day. Sleepy's will continue to grow because the company cares about its employees and customers. And because they do, they earn the loyalty of not only their customers but also the employees.

From The old 2254, 6/21/2007  12:16 AM

I suspect that Rockaway's value is much higher than the $13.5 million bid. I know the debt to asset ratio has gotten significantly better in the past few weeks because the Hilco sale raised about 3 Million, and 73 of 74 stores are turning in profits (The shopping center that one of the stores is in is still under construction). There are 10-12 bidders that are going to try to trump the Sleepy's contract in court. I seriously would doubt the Rockaway is going to go away.

From Wesley, 6/20/2007  4:53 PM

I only know what was said on company voicemail, but according to The Higher Ups here at Sleepy's, they were under the impression that the bid they put in would not be public. Now, we all have no idea what really goes on behind closed doors, but that is what is being said. Have a great selling day!

From The Rocker, 6/20/2007  2:13 PM

I've found that working at Rockaway was a wonderful experience. I met several nice people. The only dud was JG. My hope is that somehow Rockaway will survive. Meanwhile, I advise every sales person at Rockaway to remove Tony's picture. Place it facing the wall. He's being punished.

From wondering, 6/20/2007  10:29 AM

Try and ask Fred whats going on...maybe he knows more. He always seemed like an honest person and if he knows anything he may tell you.

From The Insider, 6/20/2007  10:22 AM

insider-outsider-spinning all arounder, it's hard to keep your chin up when the company doesn't even tell it's employees what the hell's going on. (Tony probably thinks it's none of our business, but it is) Management should be telling us play by play of what's going on. Even the little stuff. Just so we feel a bit better, it's like sitting in the dark and not knowing if something is going to come out and grab you.

WE NEED A MAJOR BOOST OF MORAL AROUND HERE!

We feel cheated and lied to for so long, we need a new hand to play to gain our trust back and take pride in our once florishing company.

And to "the outsider"
Steal a deal was put into action to help save sales from salespeople not doing their jobs. Example is that if a customers order is on backorder they would never call the customer to reschedule their delivery. I too would be pissed if I took a day off my work to get my bedroom ready for delivery to find out at 5-6pm that my salesperson didn't call and inform me of the backorder and my room will not be ready to sleep in until another couple of days, ok who cares about waiting a couple of more days, but at least give me the curtisy call as soon as you know so I can make other arrangements for the day I was going to get delivery. Those OOS emails are sent out at 2-3pm enough time to call your customer and get them rescheduled. But instead Save A Deal gets your screaming customer on the phone wanting to cancel and they Save it. What would be better no commission or 1/2???? Sometimes it's for the stupid of things that the salesperson could handle, but didn't!

From wondering, 6/20/2007  10:15 AM

Thanks Insider

From The Insider, 6/20/2007  10:01 AM

Jeff last I heard was in business with Jerry LaCompe. He has a bedding shop called the "Princeton Bedding"

From wondering, 6/20/2007  8:26 AM

Does anyone know what happened to Jeff Bonham? Is he still working in the bedding industry?

From Guest, 6/20/2007  2:21 AM

I want to relay a message to every Rockaway employee who reads these message boards.....Do not give up hope, there a little under a dozen companys looking to acquire rockaway. The press must be biased, because last time I checked, Sleepys placed a "bid", they didn't buy Rockaway. The press loves to "embelish" facts, and I wouldn't put it past Sleepys to actually pay the press off to print fairy tales like these. When you actually read the contents of the newspaper articles, it still says that they can be outbid. There are plenty of companys who are looking at as that hold a higher value of the company. Why does the newspaper headline/titles always say "sleepys buys rockaway?" I'll tell you one fact that I truly believe....

WE NEED TO STAY POSITIVE, THE INTENTION OF THESE ARTICLES IS THE HOPES THAT ROCKAWAY WILL HAVE A MASS-EXODUS OF EMPLOYEES, THUS MAKING IT LESS TEMPTING FOR OTHER COMPANIES TO BE INTERSTED IN US. ALL ROCKAWAY EMPLOYEES, PLEASE KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND DO NOT GIVE IN TO THESE TACTICS. AN INVESTOR/COMPANY WHO WANTS TO BUY ROCKAWAY IS GOING TO BE UNINTERSTED IN US IF WE DO NOT HAVE PEOPLE TO STAFF OUR STORES!!!!!

PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AT THE COMPANY WHO DOES NOT READ THESE MESSAGE BOARDS!! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, AND ROCKAWY WILL HOPEFULLY RETURN TO BE A HEAVYWEIGHT COMPETETOR IN THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!

From The Outsider, 6/19/2007  6:54 PM

Dear Insider,

This is not happening to my company because we don’t have an owner who let his friends run the company while he went on a gambling binge. We do feel bad for the employees that work for RB, however, this is good for the entire bedding industry.

First of all, we won’t have stores piled up on top of each other if RB is dissolved which would mean that for the salespeople left, we will see more customers and earn a little more for a day’s work.

Secondly, we don’t have moronic policies that take half of the salesperson’s commission away if their customer calls the 800 to reschedule a delivery. I believe your people call it the “Steal-a-Deal” program. The truth of the matter is that when management puts those types of policies in place, you won’t be able to retain quality people. If you don’t retain quality people then one of two things happen: you either go out of business like RB or end up like Mattress Giant.

Instead of sobbing on this board and pretending that you are concerned about your own people, why don’t you admit that you abused your personnel with policies that only benefited the owners of the organization? You were nothing but a puppet following your master’s orders.

Rockaway is not the only company that is suffering. Did you know that over 75% of Mattress Giant salespeople can qualify for food stamps? That is pathetic! Three-quarters of their salespeople only make their guaranteed $7.10 per hour. This industry has become a joke except for a few decent companies and Rockaway was not one of them. The employees should not be blamed for the poor management that they had to endure.

From The Insider, 6/19/2007  1:29 PM

I agree with the above point this is getting to be too childish on this posting. We should be using this to help and comfort one another in this disaster.

Just think about this for a moment, anyone working for another sleep mattress chain should read this.

While your doing your little "happy" dance around your showroom or even office just remember one thing.

"THIS COULD BE YOU AND YOUR COMPANY!"

We all thought while working here that RB was growing and succeeding. But to watch the company you worked for, for so long, come tumbling down around you in just a matter of months. To watch your co-workers let go, not becuase they didn't work hard, but becuase of downsizing.

We all have families, rents and mortages to pay. People who are single, married couples, single moms and dads trying to feed their kids and keep roofs over their heads and you don't know when your last paycheck is coming or when you too will be let go. Some of us live from paycheck to paycheck either on the floor or in the office, so severly in debt that we are afaid of not getting another job because there is none out there or because the younger college kids are going to get it because they are young and attractive and the company can pay them pocket change vs someone with exp.

This is not a fun enviorment to work in. It's stressful, full of pain and anxiety of what's going to happen next.

This might be a cause for other companies time to celebrate but just remember that if the tables were turned, no matter the course, you too would be in the same boat!

From What ever will be will be., 6/19/2007  11:34 AM

The truth he is we will not know the outcome until it makes itself present. Yes, Sleepy's put a bid in for Rockaway, and Yes it was for 12million. However they have been outbid, twice. While I do not know for certain how much each bid was I have heard that the last was for 13.5 million. Regardless, Rockaway stores will most likely be flying another banner come the end of the summer. But even this is not certain. It is always possible that some investor will come along and simply by Rockaway Bedding, and leave it as Rockaway Bedding. As long as they run the company in a way that's conducive to business profits rather than simply personal ones, it would be a smart investment that could only grow.

Wesley from you I expected better, and I am proud to see you cleaning up your act on this page. Many others have been worse though. When someone leaves a company it is seldom on good terms, whether it is from the Giant, Rockaway, or Sleepy’s none have many nice things to say about your former employer. That's normal. The fact is, at the end of the day each of you choose to work for the company you currently for. This means that regardless of whatever our opinions are of our competition, whoever they may be, the people who work there find cause to. And for each of us, what matters most is just that, what matters most to us. I wish everyone at all of those chains the best.

Gentlemen, please, I left high school quite some time ago, and I have not heard as much trash talk since. No one here is clairvoyant. No one knows the exact cause of any of this. You are all speculating. If you don't have constructive things to add to topic at hand, don't post. Some of us actually come here for information, it'd be nice if we didn't have search through pages of schoolyard banter to find it.

From The Insider, 6/19/2007  9:47 AM

I just love it, since I work for the company in corporate, that we hear one story and read another in the newspapers. As I got the story was that Sleepy's was the 1st to put down a bid (and got a nice paycheck from the newspapers for being the 1st to make a statement about it), but other companies and investers have until July 6th to place their bids...But here is the newspapers blarring that Sleepys is buying out RB. Is the newspapers up to their normal twisted self and blowing this all out of porportion, writing what they only think they want to here to boost their own sales?

Does anyone know the real story or is this all just speculation that Sleepy's is buying us out.

This is all too scary and while I have been reading this posts and laughing about "salespeople" beating each other up about who's companies better. But now with a sadden heart I cannot beleive that this is coming to an end, but it maybe for the good for all of us. We here in coporate are in a fog or even a daze, it's not like it use to be working here. I just wish everyone no matter what they go on to do the Best of Luck!

From Guest, 6/19/2007  8:57 AM

Sleepy's to buy Rockaway Bedding assets
BLOOMBERG NEWS
Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Sleepy's, a bedding retailer, joined forces with Hudson Capital Partners to buy the assets of Rockaway Bedding, the 194-store mattress retailer that filed under Chapter 11 in April.

The buyers will pay $12 million for the remaining inventory, the main warehouse and at least 138 leases. The buyers will have the right to conduct going-out-of business sales at the 73 locations where the inventory has not been liquidated.

Rockaway will visit the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newark on Wednesday to make a request that the court require the submission of any competing bids by July 2 in advance of a July 6 auction.

Rockaway received bankruptcy court permission May 11 to hire Hilco Merchant Resources to liquidate the inventory at 121 locations that were closing.

From Tommy's Boy, 6/19/2007  12:24 AM

Dear anonymous,

Stop your crying and go sell a mattress. The guy who signs your check deserves everything that is happening. If you are embarrassed, you should be working at Sleezy's or Mattress Giant.
Big deal you had a customer that was told by Creepy’s that we won’t be able to refund their money or deliver a mattress. If you can’t handle that situation, maybe you should apply at McDonalds where it seems that you may fit in better there.

From The old 2254, 6/18/2007  11:31 PM

Dear anonymous, If you have any qualms about what I have to say here, please feel free to contact me at #136 and we can discuss it. I assure you that any conversation we have would be confidential. I have no intrest in making myself look good. I am interested in sticking up for the people I work with, and the guy that signs my paycheck. I would trust each and every one of Rockaway's salespeople with my customers. I am sorry that you don't feel the same.

From anonymous, 6/18/2007  7:04 PM

Who are you so-called loyal Rockaway employees? How could you possibly think airing your negative thoughts about the competition or Rockaway for that matter & think that it would make you look good? Or the company? Sticks & stones. B.F.D.!!!
I hope you're looking for another job, I'm embarrassed to think that you may work in my district & may have contact with any of my customers.
Two wks ago I had to diffuse an angry customer because of what the competition said about us, my customer wasn't angry at me, she was angry at what the competition said. She is a new loyal Rockaway customer.
I wish I could believe the majority of you are loyal to the person who signs your check.

From The old 2254, 6/18/2007  12:57 AM

Manager @ Mattress Giant, I have no doubt that many former RB sales people will do well at Giant. After all, look at who trained them. You should consider yourself lucky that you have them now. I wish them all the best and I know that Giant is much better now that they have some of RB's people. That being said, I'll still take a deal away from anyone at the competition in a New York minute. Fortunately this won't affect my PA commrades

From Manager at Mattress Giant, 6/17/2007  11:02 AM

Aireloom is not going to have anything to do with Rockaway after the crap that they pulled on them. They definitely will never have anything to do with Sleezy’s ever again since they found them to be extremely unethical. Since our overpriced Sealy’s are not moving at the Giant despite Sealy paying for our recent advertising, we may want to have a conversation with them.
In any case, we have a lot of Rockaway’s salespeople in our training class now. I’m sure that they will be logging on soon to give their opinions between the two companies. I’m sure that you will be all surprised at their responses.

From #2254, 6/16/2007  11:06 PM

This information about Levitz and Dial a Matt is from internal Rockaway E-mail, it wouldn;t be found on the internet. Also, The Room store may be putting in a bid. There is another company involved, but no one seems to know who it is yet. Based on the number of PO's out in the system right now, it seems as though the cash flow is improving. Today I found a PO for Sleep Innovations, so it looks like Aireloom is the only vendor that is not helping Rockaway.

From More than just a number, 6/16/2007  9:18 AM

Is the information about Dial a Mattress and Levitz on the internet somewhere? I don't see it anywhere.

From The old 2254, 6/16/2007  12:14 AM

It is very likely that Rockaway would become a subsidiary of Levitz, with someone like Fred as the division's president. Given the way Levitz operates in the western part of the US(if it is in fact the same company), there would be very a large increase in the advertising budget.

From Let The Truth Be Told, 6/15/2007  11:45 PM

Russell is right. As hard as it will be, I will try to give up my intense hatred for Sleepy’s because I realize that there are probably some decent people that work there. There are always going to be some rotten apples in every company, but I think the management and owners have a lot to do with the way the employees are molded. If people are treated with respect and are given a chance to make a decent living without being taken advantage of, their behavior and attitude will be project a positive image for the company. I don’t believe Sleepy’s management treats its employees as well as they should, nor do I think Rockaway or Giant does either. We should really be picking on the unfair rules that the management places on their salespeople rather than call names and wish death on each other. I have to admit that Rockaway’s “Steal a Deal” policy was horrible. Tony and management were practically stealing right out of the pockets of his own employees when you really think about it. That’s why I don’t feel bad that Tony will soon be out in the street. Tony, you should have never allowed that policy to stand regardless of who was running the company. That policy caused a lot of your best people to resent you and management – and you know what results when that happens!

That all being said, I will now give the latest news. Sleepy’s put in the first offer for 12 million yesterday. But remember, THIS IS AN AUTION PROCESS AND THE HIGHEST BIDDER WILL ACQUIRE ROCKAWAY - Earlier today Dial-A-Mattress threw their hat in the ring and put in a bid for 12.5 mil. Later on in the day, Levitz entered the game and posted a larger amount. Not sure if it was 13 or 13.5. Looks like this is going to go on until the deadline has been reached which I believe is 30 days. I guess we’ll have to wait and find out who wants us more. It’s a shame the employees can’t come up with the loot. I’m sure we would be able to run the shop much more efficiently than the way it has been run. Sleepy’s you can breathe easy for now. Looks like Levitz might get us instead. I wonder what kind of company RB will morph into at that point?

From Wesley, 6/15/2007  7:30 PM

As much as I would love to work with some of my old co-workers from roackaway bedding. Sleepy's is not buying the whole chain, but put in a bid for the randolph warehouse and the 138 stores that were closed. All the 70+ stores that are still open are not included in this bid. It also appears that a couple other companies are bidding as well. Have a great selling day.

From More than just a number, 6/15/2007  5:59 PM

So, if you read the news on the internet, you will see that the end is near for Rockaway Bedding.

Many of you are terribly misinformed about the way people are treated at Sleepy's. There is no requirement for black suits, no requirement for 5 am meetings. The sales people are well trained, and the majority of them like working for the company. I know because I work there.

Please read below, from the Star Ledger:


Rockaway Bedding sells to Sleepy's
$12 million deal would give rival 138 stores, warehouse
Friday, June 15, 2007
BY GREG SAITZ
Star-Ledger Staff
Mattress retailer Rockaway Bedding, struggling in bankruptcy protection since April, has reached a deal to sell the entire chain to competitor Sleepy's for $12million.

From Guest, 6/15/2007  9:20 AM

Let's get back on topic if possible. Substantial conversation and information that will help someone... or discuss general issue that are causing problems or providing opportunities in the industry. There are plenty of problems out there. There is unethical behavior. There is boredom, incompetance, poor management and also their opposites. Sometimes the truth hurts. Tell it, but try not to get personal or sink to school yard banter. Thanks. -Russell

From Former Mattress Giant Employee, 6/15/2007  8:10 AM

One of the best things about Mattress Giant is that you NEVER see a DM! - and I mean never! They are too busy covering "no shows" every day. Also, they have a RSM named Eddie that is the bottom of the barrel. How this guy got a job is beyond belief. They will never grow in the PA/NJ area with this clown involved. Giant does pay 18% on their some of their beds if you sell at full price, but with the guys at Sleezy’s always slashing prices because of lack selling ability, we rarely are to sell at top tier. I have to agree with you guys on the management though, most guys only make their guaranteed rate of $7.75 per hour which is pretty pathetic unless you use the time to sleep all day – which a lot do. We always had respect for Rockaway because we never heard bad things about the way they treated guests. Just about all of our guests complained about Sleezy’s and that’s how I made most of my sales. If Sleezy’s started selling with integrity, Giant would be forced to advertise, but we get enough guests from Creepy’s for the company (not the salespeople) to make money.

From The old 2254, 6/15/2007  12:58 AM

I think being delusional is a requirement for being hired at mattress giant. My company is great because when a bed goes on sale, Such as the Simmons Lundy Island, I still get paid 10% on it, and most sale priced beds pay 5-7%. I'll take that over 2% garbage any day

From Former Competitor, 6/15/2007  12:51 AM

What color is the sky in your world? none of Mattress Giant stores do any business in the area. Go back to Texas or start buying some dark suits. Last I saw Sleepys opened up in MA,NH,RI. Stopped growing? You are greatly mis informed, poor management, poor advertising and a whole lotta no pay.

From Mattress Master, 6/15/2007  12:41 AM

Some guys at work told me about this board and I can't believe all of the egotistical BS on here. I think "Former Competitor" and "#2254" are living on another planet. Mattress Giant is the 4th largest mattress retailer in the country. Sleepy's may be the 2nd largest, but they are not the fastest growing - WE ARE? See the pattern morons? You two think your companies are so great. Tell me why one is going under and the other has stopped growing? I think you better start worrying about the true champion in this industry. MATTRESS GIANT IS HERE TO STAY AND CONQUER. It will be very nice having all of your customers now. Bye.

From The old 2254, 6/15/2007  12:10 AM

That is the first statement that Former Competitor said that I agree with. Mattress Giant opens up stores near sleepy's and rides their advertising coat tails. Sleepy's or RB may not be the best mattress company to work for, but at least we aren't eating the peanuts out of someone elses feces.

From Former Competitor, 6/14/2007  11:56 PM

Dude, if there is anything RB and Sleepys can agree on it's Mattress Giant is at the bottom of the chain. if it werent for the ones that did not buy you would make nothing. Sleepys keeps you in business.

From Unknown, 6/14/2007  11:56 PM

Touche,
Why do people have to keep going OT.........

Stick to the topic.

Why do the mods have to keep wasteing time cleaning up the drivil.

TIA

From Guest, 6/14/2007  11:42 PM

that was uncalled for...grow up

From Tommy's Boy, 6/14/2007  11:37 PM

Hey #1454 – How do you sell anything when your face looks like the back of a cow’s ass? You will always be fat and ugly so why don’t you just kill yourself?

From Mattress Giant Employee, 6/14/2007  10:36 PM

Hey Former Competitor: We get all of your guests that you treat like crap. If you have a customer come in and they don’t want to pay more than $500 for a mattress, you don’t even want to talk to them. I can’t tell you how many times guests come into our store and say how rudely they were treated over at Sleepys. You make them pull inexpensive mattresses off of the walls and tell them to lay them directly on the floor to try them. I got to say that RB doesn’t pull crap like this, so that makes them better than you. At Giant we are trained to treat all of our guests with respect regardless of their financial situation. You don’t seem to have a quality training program as we do. Dear Mattress Midget, the actions of one of our DMs does not represent the quality of our entire sales force. S.S. will be probably be fired for his actions and most likely be hired by Sleepys because they go for that type of person.

From Mattress Midget, 6/14/2007  10:08 PM

Truth wrote the following in a post last night: “The truth of the matter is that the over expansion of the industry created new employment for those that are not of the same caliber as those that have been around a while. These guys don’t belong in a store interacting with customers. This has caused the entire industry to receive a bad name (guys sleeping in stores and selling stained or old mattresses etc.)”
Someone proved his point by adding this 30 second clip shot only a few days ago from a PA Mattress Giant store. The salesman (if you really want to call him that) worked for Mattress Midget until he was fired today. youtube.com/watch?v=vhFV2yoLsDM
Mr. Manager at Mattress Giant , please don’t insult our intelligence by claiming that your company was responsible for the downfall of RB. It is even more ludicrous that you believe that your company is a reputable organization. You would never have DM’s at RB taking pictures of their genitals and handing them out to saleswomen in the company. Don’t lecture us about how professional your company is. Your company is a disgrace and you will be the next organization to go out of business. Any company that has a primary strategy of living off of another company’s advertising dollars is doomed to fail eventually.

From former competitor, 6/14/2007  9:36 PM

Hey Mattress Giant guy, what are you smoking, did you notice the only place Rockaway is strongest is your back yard, They walked all over you guys, the term is really SPANKED. cut down on the weed man and wake up. You guys are next.

From Manager at Mattress Giant, 6/14/2007  5:40 PM

As we have stated in an intercompany e-mail several months ago, we are responsible for Rockaway's demise. Just take a look at all of the hatred between Sleepy’s and Rockaway Bedding. While you have all been draining yourselves with anger, we have been growing stronger and soon we will crush Sleepy’s in the same way as we did RB. Word of advice, you all better get out your black suits because when Giant crushes the new Sleepy’s, you’ll all be attending your own funeral. If you are ethical and want to work hard and earn some money, come over to the Giant before it's is too late. Don’t wait around for the ship to go all the way under! Don’t let Sleepy’s turn you into a cheap, unethical salesperson. Join the real professionals at Mattress Giant.

From It's all over!, 6/14/2007  5:19 PM

You want a post! Here you go. At least all of the bashing will stop now. Two companies that hate each others guts are going to have to learn to get along. Good Luck with those 5 am classes all you out there at RB. Oh and by the way, better go out and get yourself some black suits in a hurry.


Rockaway Bedding to sell to Sleepy's
by Greg Saitz
Thursday June 14, 2007, 2:30 PM



Mattress retailer Rockaway Bedding, struggling in bankruptcy protection since April, has reached a deal to sell the entire chain to competitor Sleepy's for $12 million.


The Randolph-based business reached a deal with Sleepy's late Wednesday and filed papers in bankruptcy court today detailing the contract that still could be trumped at an auction. If it goes through, Sleepy's, based in Bethpage, N.Y., would acquire about 138 stores from Rockaway Bedding and the floundering chain's main warehouse, according to the contract.

Part of the deal also involves holding another round of liquidation sales at about 73 of those stores. Last Saturday, a liquidator completed "going out of business sales" at dozens of other Rockaway Bedding locations.

Those sales brought in an estimated $3 million before expenses, said William Katchen, a bankruptcy attorney for Rockaway Bedding. In prior court hearings, the company has said it wanted to pare its chain to about 74 profitable stores that would continue to operate.

"The remaining stores were the crown jewels that needed to be saved and this transaction will save those crown jewels," Katchen said.

A Sleepy's representative could not immediately be reached.

From Guest, 6/14/2007  2:30 PM

THIS NEEDS TO STOP! GET BACK TO THE POINT OF THIS POSTING.
IF YOU WANT TO BASH EACH OTHER GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

From Wesley, 6/14/2007  1:54 PM

For those that don't know, that was not me previously. Obviously that person has nothing constructive to say or add to the conversation. Have a great selling day. The REAL old #1454.

From Fat Wesley #1454, 6/14/2007  8:57 AM

I like to buy women with my commission checks because I'm such a loser that I can't get any on my own. I also like to buy lots and lots of food because I'm a fat pig.

From The old 2254, 6/14/2007  1:18 AM

Dear Matress Giant Employee : Can I please have the phone number for your dealer, because that must be some good stuff you are smoking.

From #2254, 6/14/2007  1:15 AM

Once again, I will ask. What nice things do you have becuase of your commision checks? I pose this question to all of you.

2nd, it is increasingly likely that RB will exit chapter 11 in August. Part of the reorganization plan is to conduct feasabiliy studies regarding the opening of a new store instead of guesswork, which is the real cause of this. (See the Terry Toro section from a few weeks ago). Our cash drain is gone, and our inventory problems have gotten much better. Sorry, RB will be retaining market share in NJ and DE, and we have a core of 74 profitable stores. RB will be expanding again by 2008, and Tony might have some poker money to go with that. Good for him. If I could create and endless poker bankroll, I'd do the same thing. Besides, what good is having all that money if you're not going to spend it?

From Mattress Giant Employee, 6/14/2007  1:04 AM

Folks, when are you all going to wake up? Rockaway is finished. When you can’t afford to pay for travel expenses for your managers, you should close all the doors at that point. RB was so worried about competing with Sleepy’s and trying to open up their stores right next to them instead of concentrating on running their business correctly. Management at RB stinks and always has and please don’t degrade yourself and join sleepy’s ways of deceitful business practices. Come over to Mattress Giant and join our team. You will get guaranteed pay here (you don’t have to choose between commission pay and guaranteed as you had to at RB – you get whatever is the higher amount). Our union is just about to form very soon and that will change the 2% garbage that we have been putting up with for so long now. I have to admit that it is embarrassing to have one of our DMs behave so unprofessionally, but things are changing rapidly for the better. If you are interested in joining the first union in the Mattress industry, give us a call and begin our three week training class. It’s a guaranteed $500 per week while in class. We never penalize our employees, as Sleepy’s does by making you get up at 5 in the morning. We help our employees not punish them!

From Guest, 6/14/2007  12:38 AM

First of all Furniture Brain, please think before you write. Why would you make such a ridiculous comment like "obviously secret never attended your meetings?" It doesn't make any sense, because my company doesn't hold pre-school mattress pad/dormo meetings. So stop thinkinng your smart and kissing up to people who you bash on your free time. Now, if my company would hold meetings, they would be MEANINGFULL meetings, such as product/sales training meetings, which I have gone to everyone of. And if I was with your company, I would attend those meetings also, and at the end of the day I would probably be stupider since the DM holding the meeting has the brain capacity of voltron. :) :)

From Frank Rizzo, 6/14/2007  12:36 AM

"Truth" I heard the same thing today about Sam S. at Giant. What the hell is going on over there? I also heard that the President of Giant was in the PA/NJ area trying to quash the union that they are developing. Gee, do you thing that paying 2% on just about every mattress and running no ads would cause a little anger with the employees. I hope RB doesn’t get that pathetic, but now #2254 is telling us that they cut the DM’s mileage! Are they getting anything for using their own car? Now that I hear this, maybe the mattress industry is going down the drain. Maybe the future holds men in black suits having a monopoly in the industry. What is RB going to cut next? It seems that the breaking point is not too much further away and then it is going to come all tumbling down.

From The old 2254, 6/14/2007  12:09 AM

HA HA, I have to laugh at that one Truth because Sam S. was trying to get me over to Giant. Okay, TKB is -- retentive, we get it, anyone else care to beat a dead horse?

From Let The Truth Be Told, 6/14/2007  12:03 AM

Frank hit it right on the “head” (there I go again). If Sleezy’s thinks that they are so great, I challenge them to present to us one of their DMs that could compare in quality to the drive, passion and integrity that Joe Marucci possesses. I also have to agree with "The Old #1494" and "Frank" that TKB couldn’t shine Marucci’s shoes - and Frank, you might get your wish come true. A DM over at Mattress Giant (Sam S.) recently sent nude pictures of himself to a female saleswoman. What a disgrace! I don’t think he’ll be around too much longer. You are right on the money Frank, they sure are dumb over there at Mattress Giant, probably even more so than those Sleepy buffoons.
Hey TKB, here is your chance to show them how it is done over at Mattress Joke! I'm sure you will be able to straighten up all of those pillows over there and tell them how great you are- you phony POS.

From The old 2254, 6/13/2007  11:57 PM

First and foremost I would like to apologize to #1454. I today found out who trained you, and as far as I;m cocerned, Rockaway made a mistake letting you get away, and I made a horrific mistake of judging you based on who you work for, and I regret that. If all of Sleepy's people had our skills, Rockaway would be long gone. The reallity is that the top 10% sales people do 70% off written business. There a lot of misguided sales people at every chain, and maybe more so at Giant and Mattress Factory. I think maybe it is time for Sleepy's and RB to get together and eliminate the weakest competetors. There is enough to go around for all of us, and we should try to share a larger pool of money. I have to tell you, I never made this kind of money before I came to rockaway. I never saw a what at $2,000 take home check looked like until I started doing this. Perhaps we should all stop and be thankful for what we have, when there are people out there that can't find work, and can't afford to pay the electricity bill. I personally have an XM radio subscription. Do you realize how nice of a luxrury it is to have something like that? I want to know what nice things you have bought with your commision checks.
--Mike

P.S. Frank Rizzo, I think that Joe M will make more money being on a sales floor than as a DM. Gas is $3.00 a gallon and our DM's aren't getting milage pay right now.

From Wesley, 6/13/2007  11:47 PM

My apologies to all for the bickering that I was involved in.
Joe - They are losing out up there by pulling you as a DM. TKB has always sucked and that will never change. I wish you all the best as always.
2254 - We talked on the phone and ironed everything out. Glad to know you dude. You know how to get a hold of me if you need me guy. Take care.
1702 - I apologize for bringing this argument to here, but that's it. You and I can't stand eachother and that will probably never change. It is what it is. Period.

Now, for the rest that don't have the stones to even say who you are but love to make snide little comments about me. At least I don't hide behind BS aliases. Any of you want to keep making comments about me at least have the balls to say who you are. I'm done.

Back to the Rockaway Saga.

From Former Competitor, 6/13/2007  11:39 PM

Mr Marucci, and I say "Mr" I know you, No doubt you are one of the exceptions. Get off the floor, you are better than that, It is not dis loyal to ply your trade and experience someplace else where you will be 10x more successful. obviously "SECRET" never attended your meetings or worked for you. Sad that he is a representative of Rockaway.

From Frank Rizzo, 6/13/2007  11:18 PM

Joe, we all know that you were an excellent DM. What gets us aggravated at RB is the type of dumb decisions that are continuously being made at corporate. Why would they keep Know-It-All-Tommy as a DM and put you back on the floor? If you ask me, you should be running the region because you worked your ass off where Tommy only works his mouth. TKB belongs in a black suit, or better yet send him over to Mattress Giant, who has to take the record for low intelligence DMs.

From Joe Marucci, 6/13/2007  10:50 PM

Dear Former Competitor,
   A larger number of things you have said are very silly and childish. But I withstood all of the silly banter, until now. You have offended me personally, "sit alone without seeing a dm or exec for months" I had DOUBLE the number of stores that a Sleezy's DM has and I still saw every one of my stores each week. I was a hard working DM at Rockaway Bedding, I held morning meetings. I had the respect of my sales staff. I have the respect of a 20 year veteran "004". And I can outsell anyone you put in front of me.

    That all being said please make this message board about what really matters. 1454 and 1702 I know both of you, please cool it. A lot of great people lost their jobs; let’s respect them by keeping this board on topic. I know there are other people out there who have had contact with me either on the floor or over the phone, I ask all of you to please keep things in perspective. I currently support Rockaway Bedding, and I will always support Rockaway Bedding; you should too. This place has been good to me, not only for giving me a way to support my family but also giving me something to strive for, "excellence."

    I hope to show that I can still make a difference here at Rockaway Bedding even from the sales floor. This company has been great to me and has a lot of great people working here. Everyone at the office is great; it has been a real chore to take care of the liquidation and they did it. Mr. Licastro, Fred, Rosemary, Mark, Jack, Anthony, Lorri, Linda, Kathy G., Kathleen, Eileen, Audrey, Carol, Jay, Rodger, The Help desk, Customer Service, and all of the others at the office I forgot to mention who keep soldiering on to make tomorrow a better day, I thank you. You all made my days as a DM at Rockaway Bedding some of the best times of my life. To all of my fellow District Managers it has been a pleasure to work along side all of you. Your job is not an easy one but you do it to make Rockaway Bedding a better place one day at a time.

    And to everyone out on the floor who makes it all happen, I thank you. Just remember to keep positive, sell smart, sell everything, and if you smile the sale is 1/2 done. As long as a customer walks through the door we have the opportunity not only to make money but to help make their lives better one night at a time.

From Answer for LP, 6/13/2007  10:05 PM

LP - If Tony is going lead the company, my answer to you would be to post your resume and get a head start. Here is an option to consider: Do you like wearing black? Would you be able to handle working with morons and people that use a BS machine to dup the public? If you answered yes to the above questions, see if you could join Sleepy's. Just pretend to be an idiot like them for a while until better management takes over at RB. While you are there, look up The Old #1494 and tell him to go on a diet.

From Let The Truth Be Told, 6/13/2007  9:38 PM

Dear Successful Woman,
Let me clarify my above statement. There are some women that work for Rockaway that are very good at what they do; however, I checked around with the guys in other districts and we all agree that we don’t have any attractive women working for Rockaway at the moment. Maybe you can post a picture of yourself and we can all decide for ourselves if you’re attractive.
Don’t take offense of my previous posting concerning how women get a “head” (see how clever we are at RB - guys at Sleezy’s can’t come up with stuff like that). None of us hold you responsible for what one woman did to move to the top 100 list.

From Guest, 6/13/2007  7:59 PM

Have to admit, I do agree with you with some aspects. The main problem is there are a few exceptions that actually take advantage of the rules (but they probably don't make any money) I believe (and hope) that they pick up the advertising, but bottom line is that I'm not one of those people who just "burn" king koils...I usually sell high and maximize every customer...And that is what separates the way your company has to sell twice as much to break even...My commision percentage is usually 11 percent...Hard to compete with that when your doubled splitting 5 percent LOLOLOLOL

From Former Competitor, 6/13/2007  4:48 PM

DARK SUIT, SLEEZEBALL, FLEA MARKET??? what is your guys problem with the dark suits? obviously it works. Keep snoring, when I worked there I made twice what you did by 3pm. Doubled? Yup, but at least we had the most and best advertising that made your flyer (the same stuff every week) look pathetic!!!! you stay alone in a store that burns king koils that sold at ticket for 1/2 price. sit alone without seeing a dm or exec for months. My only guess is if you still work there you were never good enough to be recruited or they fired your butt for being a loser. Can you actually admit your advertising was the most pathetic? and yet you stayed, lost serta and yet you stayed, lost stearns and foster and yet you stayed!That mentality of thinking that training classes are for the stupid is why your company is bankrupt, hey, lets sit a guy in a store with no support at all no training, wear what they want, open when they want and think we can overtake they big boy of the industry, I don't think soooooooooooooo. while you were sleeping they opened next door. LOL

From Guest, 6/13/2007  4:23 PM

Ummmmm....I think you got it totally wrong Former Competitor....We at ROCKAWAY operate more like a family instead of the COMMUNISTIC society in which the way your DARK SUIT, SLEEZEBALL, FLEA MARKET company conducts themselves.....You should really look into buying a brain at the dollar store, unless your happy with the way your company doubles you and treats you like a slave. You better sell Mattress pads and do Dormo demos, otherwise you'll wind up waking up at 5am for a meeting.....I'll make sure I turn over for you and give you a big SNORE while I'm sleeping.

From Guest, 6/13/2007  4:07 PM

THIS IS GETTING OUT OF HAND.
STOP BASHING EACH OTHER. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE COMPANY. THATS WHAT THIS IS FOR.
I WANT TO KNOW IF WE ARE LOSING OUR JOBS. AND I DON'T MEAN SALESPEOPLE.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US.

From Former Competitor, 6/13/2007  12:56 PM

It really is sad that these people think ALL females perform sexual acts for sales! this is why Rockaway will never survive, as the ship goes down they are eating their own people. just read a few posts, they are at each others throats with insults. No help, no suggestions on where to look for a job, just posting how much each store does so the competition can read and open up next to the good ones. Keep the info coming morons and those guys in the dark suits will be next door. BTW, women are the best Mattress salespeople, too bad there arent more of them. Very professional, empathetic and smart.

From Guest, 6/13/2007  12:48 PM

Successful Woman, sorry for making that assumption. Some of the "banter" posted above is angry, confrontational and unkind... the kinds of remarks that women often tell me are fueled by ego and testosterone. I try not to make those kind of remarks... but I'm not selling retail in New York. Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

We've been writing for years about the need for hiring more women salespeople at retail... and that women in full service retail furniture stores often turn out to be among the best salespeople. What would you say the ratio of men to women on the sales floors of Sleepys and Rockaway are? -Russell

From Wesley, 6/13/2007  12:35 PM

Has anyone heard any more news about the latest court rulings or anything on RB?

From Successful Woman, 6/13/2007  12:28 PM

Mr. Truth be Told, I am a highly successful educated woman and I work for Rockaway Bedding. I still work for them. My name always appeared on the top 100 sales people.ÊÊÊI have a bachelor of science degree and many years retail sales experience.ÊÊÊI have never ever had to result to sexual favors in order to sell a premium mattress. How dare you say that "the problem with women is that they come up with their own special deals in this business that can cause serious legal problems for the company". I made rockaway bedding a lot of money and I have never had to use my body in this industry or any industry. I use my brain. I am also a very attractive looking woman that is highly educated and has product knowledge.ÊÊÊYes, there are not a lot of women in this industry, but the highly successful woman has to do twice the work as a man to gain acceptance in this industry. By the way "RUSSELL," my name has appeared 5 times on this message board under different aliases. You just ASSUMED I was a man.

From Guest, 6/13/2007  10:31 AM

I agree with you truth, I think thats a huge problem. In order for them to triple their stores, that means they have to grasp for straws during the hiring process. The end result is a company full of 500 Flea Market Stand People, who do nothing all day but drop price, never build value, and scare the customers to us with their black suits. And then we get a good chuckle out of it when we turn around, and be strong by making a decent, profitable sale out of it, and chuckle while the customers ask us....Why do they have suits on in a mattress store? Oh, and I heard the same rumor BTW...It actually happened in my district when I worked for them...Some people will do ANYTHING to get ahead. MN

From The Truth Be Told, 6/13/2007  9:39 AM

Russell, the problem with women is that they come up with their own special deals in this business that can cause serious legal problems for the company. We had one woman that decided to give away free BJs with the purchase of a premium bed (No lie, this can be verified by others in the company). This is a tactic that they are trying with the guys over at Sleepy’s now.    (sorry, I just couldn’t resist – one last time)

Also, please don't refer or imply that Rockaway is going under or experiencing a downfall. We are just releasing our deadweight and letting them filter over to Sleepy’s and Mattress Giant.   We are not bashing management when we jest about Tony L. gambling. You can verify that fact on ESPN where he is filmed losing a lot of money playing poker.

The truth of the matter is that the over expansion of the industry created new employment for those that are not of the same caliber as those that have been around a while. These guys don’t belong in a store interacting with customers. This has caused the entire industry to receive a bad name (guys sleeping in stores and selling stained or old mattresses etc.)

Once RB comes back and Sleepy’s begins their decline, (because there is no way that they will be able to support all of their stores) the industry will improve and all of the incompetent employees with probably get a job with the State or Fed. Govt.

From Wesley, 6/13/2007  8:19 AM

#2254 - I agree with you that #1294 gets a bad rap because he has high standards, but that is what has made him as succesful as it has. The man rocks! Plain and simple.

As far as the actual topic of this message board goes, I said it once and I'll say it again. The future looks dismal, but I do wish all those over there the best because at the end of the day they have families to provide for just like everybody else. There is no need to get salty with us at sleepy's for the acts of some that are no longer at sleepy's. They are actually at The Mattress Factory now in management.

Once again, good luck to the employees and thier families. Those of you that know me know that if my friends need work I will help you get that work.

From Guest, 6/13/2007  8:04 AM

What is it about bankruptcies in NY that bring out personal attacks against management and the competiton? When Heilig Meyers went under, employees posted messages about their pensions and health care. They offered helpful advice and information. They railed against the policies of the Republican administrtion.

With Levitz and now Rockaway, we get petty bickering, personal attacks and comments one would expect to see on a junior high school playground. My impression (from reading these posts) is that a low percentage of women work for Sleepy's or Rockaway. At least, they don't seem to be postsing. That is also my impression from visiting bedding stores in general. I've been deleting most of the worst comments, personal attacks and profanity, but anyone reading this blog will notice that it says more about the mindset of the people posting than any reality about the companies, store owners or facts of doing business. Comments? -Russell.

From Former Competitor, 6/13/2007  1:07 AM

That's the best you got, black suited bafoons? cmon, you have to have more than that! the only reason you want them to jump off a bridge is because you need a job. Don't think for 1 minute I think you actually know if 38% of NJ sleepy's stores are profitable. you did not even know that your own company was unprofitable. The water is rising, hold your head up, oh noooooo   Blub Blub Blub

From The Truth Be Told, 6/13/2007  12:39 AM

Dear “Former Competitor,” You still didn’t answer the question why your stupid company makes you wear a BLACK colored suit. I didn’t say there was a problem wearing a suit … moron! Just wear blue, grey or brown, but wearing black while trying to sell is a sign of low intelligence which many from Sleezy’s suffer from. We have always outperformed your company. The major problem we have is we have an owner that would rather gamble his money away rather than pour it back into his business. Once that idiot is gone, things will get a lot better.   Until then, I advise everyone that works for Sleezy’s to go jump off a bridge and do the world a big favor. The world will be a much better place without black suited buffoons pretending that they have great jobs.

From The old 2254, 6/13/2007  12:38 AM

#1294 has a bad reputation because he has a higher standard of ethics than most sales people, inculding myself. He has given me my fair share everytime, and he has also given me the benifit of the doubt on several occasions. If knowedge is power, then he weilds the most of it. As for Mr Wesley, don't call my store, the only thing that you set straight is that you are a bigger fool than I initially thought. You stated that Tom let you go once you gave your 2 weeks notice. I gave my 2 weeks once two and #1294 talked me out of leaving, nor did TKB just show up and let me go. When I whithdrew my resignation, Tom was thrilled. What makes this even funnier is that Lee Brown has Cinnaminson now.

--former competeor, have you ever heared of the concept known as "market focus" Only 38% of the Sleepy's stores in NJ are profitable. What will happen when Rockaway exits chapter 11? What will happen now that Rockaway has learned it's lesson? The reorganization plan calls for a significant change in advertising tatics. Rockaway will eventually force Sleepy's out of NJ if the current trend continues. Chapter 11 was just a bump in the road.

From former competitor, 6/13/2007  12:21 AM

Oh, I was a bozo? your short sightedness and brainwashing has clouded your ability to realize that the guys in the dark suits outside the stores make more than you!!! not to mention the only place you're wearing a dark suit is to JOB INTERVIEWS. I used to work there and would again if situations in family changed. So all of you who wore dockers and jeans and t shirts? were did it get you? that same bozo thinking is what made rockaway plunge deep into oblivion. get with it man, the system works, those like you who concentrate more on what is wrong instead of following the leader are in a bit of a pickle right about now.`

From The Truth Be Told, 6/13/2007  12:07 AM

“Former Competitor” – can you tell me why your stupid company makes you wear black suits? Black is the absolute worst color to wear when you’re trying to gain people’s trust – like in sales! You guys look like a bunch of buffoons standing outside of your stores in the morning. Where is the funeral bozo?

From Frank Rizzo, 6/12/2007  11:55 PM

I have to agree with the “The Truth” that #1294 has a pretty bad reputation at RB. No one wants to work with the guy because he is an …… – well “The Truth” already pointed that out.
I also have to agree with “The Old #1454” about RB selling stained mattresses. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that TKB was the only one that told his people to sell stained merchandise to the customers. I’m not sure that RB should take the blame for the unethical behavior of “know-it-all-Tommy”.

From former competitor, 6/12/2007  11:42 PM

what is really funny is that all you bash sleepys and yet they have jobs!every morning they go to work and support there familys, what do you guys have? Ican't tell you when I worked there how many times I shopped you guys only to find you sleeping on a futon, or closed because someone did not show up. you guys tried like hell to bash us with customers only to have them come in and tell us, what did you get? nothing, we got a sale from a customer that could not believe how un professional you were, it's over, move on, they left you without jobs or income, T does not have the balls to take control of Rockaway,they brainwashed you into thinking sleepys is the dark star, I can tell you this, work hard and try and you will make a great living, they take care of their people. As far as a new investor? they will be crushed by sleepys in no time, 73 stores against sleepys 400+? like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

From The Truth Be Told, 6/12/2007  11:38 PM

C'mon #1454, everyone knows that Ron is an A**h*le and talks behind everyone's back. I really found it hard to believe when he claimed that you did all of those nasty things with the gerbils, but it had me wondering. I know after you guys get caught stealing from Rockaway and find refuge over at Sleezy's or Mattress Joke, you all change into A**h*les in just a matter of weeks. What do those guys do to you over there? How can others claim you are honest, when your own company (Sleezy’s ) repeatedly keeps getting fined for ripping off their customers?

From Guest, 6/12/2007  9:57 PM

The funniest thing in this whole situation is our remaining 73 stores will turn into 150-200 SOLID profitable stores by 2010. Won't it be funny when Sleepy's overhead catches up to them, and they have to lay off 6 thousand managers because they won't be able to justify their jobs anymore by paying them 100K + to nothing all day except leave voicemails and emails. By then they'll drop the commisions drastically (like they are doing now), and who knows, it seems to strike like lightning every couple years with some shady/public emabarrasement that they get busted for. Hey, by that time the stores will probably be TRIPLED!!

From Wesley, 6/12/2007  9:53 PM

Now, now, now. Let us stop throwing stones because we all know Rockaway Bedding sits in a glass house. They also settled earlier this year with the state of new jersey for $750,000.00 for similar things. I know for a fact they sold comfort exchanges in clearance because one day I worked in hamilton and there was a clearance king size there with a big old stain on it. The end.

From You guys say what ..., 6/12/2007  9:05 PM

You guys can say what you want, but #1454 has helped me throug the years with many intense medical situations with customers and got them on the right bed everytime. He knows his beds and sells them honestly no matter what retailer he works for. As far as #1702 goes, he's ok.

From Wesley, 6/12/2007  8:26 PM

"Truth"
You couldn't be more wrong about #1294. He is a good friend I have known for years. You obviously DON'T know him as you claim. Anything else you have to say, call me, I'm not hard to find dude. Stop onin and we can, talk. :-)   You have a real nice day now.

            Respectfully,
                        The Old #1454

From Wesley, 6/12/2007  11:12 AM

#1702 - I said what I needed to.
#2254 - You got a call from me and the record was set straight.
              Anything else you want to say you can relay through
              #1294 you mentioned earlier. I talk to him all the time
              dude. Have a great day in cinnaminson. The store that
              #1294 built, period.

From Guest, 6/12/2007  8:41 AM

Please everyone. Try to keep the postings on this string constructive and helpful. If you have information, please post it. If you have insights into the downfall of a regional chain, that is fine. It shouldn't be necessary for me to spend time deleting personal insults and profanity. -Russell

From Truth Be Told, 6/12/2007  2:09 AM

I agree with you guys. Do you see the type of filth that exists over at Sleepy’s? Anyone that works for sleepy's should immediately find the nearest bridge and do the world a favor and jump the hell off.

From Frank Rizzo, 6/12/2007  1:42 AM

Hey #2254, are you vying for a position in the ring? Sounds like you’re getting ready to kick #1454’s ass! Maybe we can get a three way match going. How do you think Tony L. will bet on that one? Make sure #1454 is wearing his pajamas and slippers before you knock him to the floor. That will make a great commercial showing that RB is beating the crap out of Sleezy’s.

From The old 2254, 6/12/2007  12:46 AM

Oh, by the way #1454. I got some dirt on you from #1294. I'm sure you know who that is. The guy is a ledgendary salesman, and I am his protoge. You'd better watch your mouth, or I will unleash it for your current employer and past and present collegues to see.

From The old 2254, 6/12/2007  12:40 AM

Mike B, Irv, good to see you guys know how to use the internet. HA HA! You know, all 74 stores remaining are profitable. All of them. Think about what that means. There is going to be new life at rockaway, and very soon. I have just found out about a possible buyer, and they are loaded with cash. If this goes through, Sleepy's will fall into chapter 11 by 2009. One of the investors had a problem with a bed she bought at sleepy's. It's going to be vendeta time.

From Frank Rizzo, 6/12/2007  12:06 AM

Hey this board is really starting to light up! It seems that we have some heavy hitters that once worked together at Deptford that are feeling a little pent up frustration. Would #1454 and #1702 consider meeting at Deptford one night and go at it in a ring?
We can turn this into a huge advertising event Sleepy's takes on the quickly diminishing Rockaway. Hey, if the judge will allow them, Rockaway can advertise the event on radio and TV and it could be a way to get some customers into the store again. Maybe we can have the great TKB as one of the corner men giving his expert advice as the two go at it because I’m sure that he is an expert on that as well.
This could be the event of the year!! All of those customers that have been ripped-off by mattress salesmen in the past can all come together and watch their favorite rip-off artist beat the hell out of each other. I’m certain that TKB will be telling the fighters how much better he can perform if he was in the ring. Rest assured that Big Tony won’t be able to resist placing his bet on #1702 to win.

From one who knows, 6/11/2007  2:56 PM

You guys really crack me up. The bottom line is that there is really not much between the two companies. One day you will both look back and say...what happened to my life by working until 9 at night and never being off on weekends so I never had time to do anything or go anywhere.

From Wesley, 6/11/2007  2:01 PM

#2268 - If you had a good experience with "I", congrats, but over the years I've dealt with him I've seen him snake bonuses from his own team. "I", remember Nicole D. who you chopped an already written deal when we were all at mattress giant and cost her her monthly bonus?"

#1702 - I don't really have a lot of time on my hands, I to busy taking deals from RB. Yes, I did work for sleepy's before and came back here because it was obvious that the downward spiral was going to happen. As far as who is what. I'm not going to call you names, but I do now that most who have ever worked in the same store as you regret it due to them carrying you and paying you their comm. for you write choped up deals and make no money for them beings you always want to split the floor. If they didn't split the floor with you, you would be stuck living off what your wife makes. It puzzles me though. You used tomake mattresses and know about all different apholstery layers yet you choose not to use that knowledge to sell better beds and do better in this business. A wise man once said, "Only your wallet will feel the difference".

As far as no one else wants me. You have been in deptford since october and have been sitting in my shadow the whole time trying to do what I do and you can't. That's why when you had a 250K bonus goal in february only 160 was delivered. Because you can't hack it and get the job done dude. I may never rip off customers like you do or brown nose like you do, but I can look myself in the mirror. Can you sir? I seriously doubt it. You have fun working on the sinking ship they call rockaway bedding because when it's done sinking you'll drown because sleepy's doesn't want slime bags like you.

Have a nice day now.


ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ Ê Respetfully,
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊThe Old #1454

From #1702, 6/11/2007  10:31 AM

Hey #1454........You sure have alot of time on your hands....is business THAT bad? Isn't Sleepy's the third company you've worked for? No, wait......you've worked for them TWO times.......so, does that count for one or two positions? The only reason you're back over there at Creepy's is no one will else wants a L**** like you.

From Question from The Old #2268, 6/11/2007  1:43 AM

This question is directed to the “The Old #1454”. I’m curious why you feel it is necessary to bash #1702 in Deptford? I am a former Rockaway employee who was trained by this gentleman and I had found him to be both an excellent salesman and trainer. Even well after my training period, I could always count on Irv to help me out when I got stuck with the computer or procedures. As time passed, I have found him to be one of the most straightforward, decent guys that I have met in any of the industries that I have worked.

It really isn’t fair to start blaming Rockaway salesmen for poor numbers after the disastrous situation that their management precipitated. Of course everyone’s numbers are going to be affected when advertising is cut and their competition is scaring customers into believing that they may never receive a bed that was ordered or get their money back if they consider purchasing from Rockaway.

Perhaps you are feeling ashamed #1454 because you work for a company that was fined for delivering used bedding that was rewrapped to look brand new. If we are going to discuss BS, maybe we should examine the many deceitful tactics that your company uses to fool its customers. Unless you want to give specifics to support your bashing, why don’t you just go and put on your black suit and con another one of your unsuspecting customers.

From 20 yrs exp., 6/11/2007  12:42 AM

Wow secret.... that was some blast, and you are right on the money about Sleepy's. I heard today that they bought the 15 or so stores and warehouse in Maryland that Mattress Firm were looking to aquire. Does any one know if this is true?

PS All of the Big Chains rip off the customer 99 percent of the time. The only customer that gets an actual deal is the A-hole that plays the game. When a Mattress store like Sleezys or RB Or Giant has a price guarantee, the only guarantee is that they will try to and most likely rip off the customer. Not to forget the overly pushed lines like KD,CW,and Airesprung????, dont forget Mirawhatever and so on.
You folks know what I mean, the stuff that pays double the commission and is not always the right bed for the customer.

Hope it helps

20 Yrs. exp.....

From Guest, 6/10/2007  3:13 AM

All I can say is that I worked for both companies, and Rockaway bedding is by far a great/dynamic company, and I hope to the high heavens they get through this bankruptcy. Anyone who works at Sleezy's, please give them a message for me. Tell them to stop their wet dream about Rockway going out of business, maybee this way they can stop hiring salespeople to double up the showrooms, DM's, area managers, regional managers, auditors, executives, greeters, sales assistants, shoppers, and spys in the parking lot staking out their stores. I have two words for you pansy's - OVER EXPOSURE. I think customers are at the puking point now everytime they hear the obnoxious name on the radio/tv. And please, somebody tell the managers, or slash used car salesman, DUMBELL braindead morons, that if you want to see the most shocking thing in the world, just drive down to your local SLEEZY'S store, and take a look at the salesman dressed up in a SUIT selling mattresses..I cannot fathom that, there is a cartoon character on the sign and in the store, yet the moron has a suit on...It baffles me, NOBODY THINKS YOUR MATTRESSES are important, only you do. Well I really can't complain, being that I take so many sales from your dirtbag company on a daily basis. Most of them are females, who actually find it UNCOMFORTABLE coming from your store, as they complain that their were 3 men dressed in suits, secretly talking about her. Oh, and the lawsuit is one of the greatest things in history, since almost EVERY customer we get (thanks to your advertising dollars) almost ALWAYS complain that they remember the lawsuit, or they are just plain old pissed off at at bad experience they had with the company. Oh, and the fact that we offer FREE delivery helps also. If they only knew how many people never even make it to their EGO-TISTICAL enterprise. Oh, and if you want to laugh even harder, ROCKAWAY acutally pays more commission percentage if you sell HIGH. That's surprising, since SLEEZY'S brainwashes you that you can only make money with them. Well, I hate to say this, but they will wind up making less than everybody, since the management has them on the ropes, pounding them, showing their true colors on how they feel about their employees, by paying them back AND DOUBLING THE STORES 5 OUT OF 7 DAYS A WEEK!!!! HA HA HA HA     Oh, and BTW the pansys have no idea that their managers are SLOPPY with their information, IE passwords, and that when the time is right, we shall see.

From Frank Rizzo, 6/10/2007  1:49 AM

How can you say that Rockaway was the best place to work? They were constantly taking advantage of their employees just like all of the other companies in this lousy industry. How about their so called "split shifts", both guys were at the store with each other almost the entire day. How do you call that a split shift?
I'm not bashing RB in particular, because its common knowledge that Sleezy's trains their people like used car salesmen and Mattress Giant pays such horrible commissions, coupled with no advertising, that they can only retain babysitters for their stores. Wonder why the employees are in the process of creating a Union over there. Just do yourselves all a favor and get out of the business all together. The amount of mattress stores in existence cannot support everyone's salaries unless they rip-off the public. Just look at the mark-ups, they already are! I hear that TL still drives around in his expensive car while all of you are worried about losing your jobs. Why don’t you go over to Sleezy’s where you can make some money and have fun ripping people off at the same time?

From Star, 6/9/2007  3:56 PM

Well, all I know is that Rockaway Bedding was the best place to work...as of tomorrow all of the suffolk, ny stores will be closed! Its sad to see it go, but the time has come. Good luck to everyone!

From Guest, 6/7/2007  6:01 PM

herbals@drugs.com

From one who knows, 6/7/2007  4:10 PM

Did anyone know that per the court papers that "T" signed a lease for a 2007 mercedes only 2 months prior to the bankrupt filing. With rockaway bedding paying the lease payment of $1850.00 per month.

From Wesley, 6/6/2007  12:06 PM

TJ I don't know about all the philly stores, but I know that the Snyder Store did between 100K and 150K a month which is pretty good, but it is still closing. I don't get the logic, but it's whatever.

From Guest, 6/5/2007  12:04 PM

WELL PHILLI DID POOR BUSINESS ANYWAY. LETS ONLY KEEP OPEN MONEY MAKIN' STORES. IT MAKES MORE SENCE

From wife of employee, 6/5/2007  11:19 AM

can anyone answer rabi's question - all of philly will be closed by sunday 6/10. These closings had nothing to do w/how busy a store was.

From Guest, 6/5/2007  6:40 AM

Rockaway's going to court this week. Will that deside our fate? or is there more to come?

From Mud slinger, 6/4/2007  11:08 PM

I know what kind of war this can start. But "RB competition" in the area I am in the competition is just as dumb as ever. "Sorry Harrys" still walk through our doors just as often as before. And all of the other guys have no better financial outlook than anyone else.

You keep walking customers we'll keep closing till the open sign turns off or the warehouse closes.

From Wesley, 6/4/2007  4:47 PM

What's happening TJ is your company is going to go "belly up". Get out while you can. The competition is taking all deals right now to shut rockaway down. R.I.P. Rockaway Bedding!!!!!!!

From Guest, 6/4/2007  4:13 PM

WHATS HAPPENING TO OUR COMPANY

From FLee on the wall, 6/3/2007  11:41 AM

The "public Information" is available in bankruptcy cases. I guess with no store traffic or merchandise available quickly, we could save the court a lot of time and monry hiring liquidators, we could set what little merchandise left In the stores, outside in the parking lot and have a FLee MARKET SALE. Wasn't this how "T" boasts his start In the business.

     When we are closed and bought out by "HA" our new dress code will be required in having a ponytail and wearing house slippers to work.

From fyi, 6/3/2007  11:18 AM

no one can say for sure what is going to happen to the remaining stores.
there will be an acution held in the bankruptcy court and will be up to the court to decide what who gets the stores and what will become of the stores. right now there are a few buyers looking at it.
one thing is for sure... TL will not have any control when all is done

From Guest, 6/2/2007  11:38 AM

Is RB closing or selling thier remaining stores?

From THE REAL F. LEE, 6/2/2007  7:22 AM

FLee on the wall, where do you get your wonderful information?

From Guest, 6/1/2007  8:36 PM

Is the entire company closing?
I'm a bit confused!!!!

From Guest, 6/1/2007  3:47 PM

HOW SOON WILL WE KNOW WHATS HAPPENING?

From FLee on the wall, 5/31/2007  5:18 PM

SALES DOWN more than 45% Memorial Day Weekend In the NJ. and DE stores. Chapter 7 liquidation!

From Guest, 5/31/2007  2:35 PM

have not been sold yet but will be. it is out of TL's control at this point. chain will be auctioned off in court

From No Name, 5/31/2007  12:47 AM

Garden State Business Briefs
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

New deal reached for Rockaway stores

Maybe the second time will be the charm.

Two weeks after a bedding chain in Maryland withdrew its offer to buy 18 stores from struggling Rockaway Bedding for $1.7 million, the companies appear to have reached another deal.

This time, Mattress Discounters has agreed to buy 12 stores for $660,000 from Rockaway, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection April 9.

Earlier in the month, a bankruptcy judge approved a request by Randolph-based Rockaway Bedding to hire a liquidator to conduct going-out-of-business sales at about 121 of the chain's 180 stores. The company said it wants to reorganize its business around its profitable stores.

The deal with Mattress Discounters is subject to an auction at which other bidders can make offers for the dozen stores.

From They Failed Us, 5/30/2007  6:30 PM

I just got wind that we have been sold, anyone have confirmation of this?

From No Name, 5/28/2007  7:28 AM

Re "P" Ya know if He was booted out by TL He did "P" a favor .......this Guy TL needs Gamblers aa from what i've heard about Him ......all You people who have worked for Rockaway Bedding take what You learned from this & move on. Don't sweat it .

From Guest, 5/26/2007  10:09 PM

Cathy and to 20 years experience...Cathy seems to be a
consumer..asking a nomal question..Why are there so many stores in the the first place? There are many reasons why
First Harry Acker wants to own every corner in the world.
The owner of Sleepy's. Why does he want to do this? He has 2 stores a block from one another sometimes 3 stores!!!Why and how can he do this? It's simply he could. Does it make sense? To him it does.IT IS WHAT IT IS. But it effects all in the bedding industry.

From 20 yrs exp., 5/26/2007  7:42 AM

Cathy, that is a standard that a big mattress chain based on L.I. started. His theory was to put stores on top of stores so the competition would be suffocated, Rockaway adapted that concept there as the 2 of them fought over leases. The other reason the L.I. based chain did it was that the salespeople did not want to be doubled, so they would just put in another store. Please realize from a staffing standpoint it does not cost that much to add people and the more stores you have the more you can amortize your advertising. Hope it helps.

20 yrs exp....

From Cathy, 5/26/2007  7:04 AM

I was out running errands yesterday. I was never more than 15 minutes from my house in Central Islip. During my errands I encountered 3 Rockaway Bedding stores that were closing: Central Islip, West Islip, and Islandia. The question that comes to mind is why were there so many stores in such a small radius in the first place? How many bedding stores does the world need?

From Guest, 5/24/2007  11:27 AM

Sleepy’s Agrees To $200,000 SettlementMay 22, 2007 Font Size: A   A   A   A
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs announced Monday that Sleepy’s, which operates 400 mattress stores in seven states, has agreed to pay $200,000 as part of a settlement to resolve consumer complaints and “settle deceptive sales charges.”

According to an announcement, the agreement concludes the agency’s investigation into approximately 300 consumer complaints over the past three years that were registered with DCA or referred through the state Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau.

“We are pleased that Sleepy’s has agreed to do right by their customers, both those injured in the past and others moving forward, and that they have promised to adhere to important licensing and consumer protection regulations,” said DCA Commissioner Jonathan Mintz.

As part of the agreement, the DCA release said Sleepy’s has agreed to charge no delivery fees when customers return damaged merchandise within the first three months after the purchase. It has also agreed to notify customers of their legal rights to return merchandise for credit when it is not delivered on time. It also agreed to honor manufacturer warranties for all merchandise, including goods with alleged stain

From Guest, 5/24/2007  11:25 AM

palladini did not leave he was booted out by TL.........................

From Set the record, 5/22/2007  8:55 PM

Mr. Paladini did not cause the Chapter 11 and he was not a stock holder either. Rockaway Bedding is a private company. Therefore there is no stock in the traditional sense. However, he was part owner and had been so for many years. So yes his money, a sizeable amount to be sure, went with him.

From roberta, 5/22/2007  5:44 PM

I think Paladini was a stockholder.

From Hank, 5/22/2007  1:03 PM

That is not true. Paladini probably took his personal belongings with him and that is it.

Maybe that is why TL file chap 11? Probably didn't want to pay Paladini his money, go figure!

From Guest, 5/22/2007  11:26 AM

NO THATS NOT TRUE

From Wesley, 5/20/2007  8:31 AM

The last I heard, Paladini wasn't just the pres. but also an investor. When he left, he took his money with him. Maybe that is were the chapter 11 came from? I'm just speculating, but it's what I heard.

From Guest, 5/19/2007  10:13 PM

Does anyone know these answers? I find it absolutly
amazing the closing of all these stores. Can RB reopen
stores under another name in the NYC area? I must say
and I speak for many of employees and former employees.
It's an awful and depressing sight to see.Most of us took
this job with an idea of a being part of something GOOD.
The RB family.I hear jobs come and go in these message boards, and many of us are still in an unbelievable state of mind. Why did RB claim chapter 11 right after
Mr Pallidine left, the president of the company?

From 20 years exp., 5/19/2007  1:36 PM

Dear employee,
It's not my article, it is from the Furniture Today, and it is a matter of public record, and lets face it most people don't complain to consumer affairs. Try not to be so defensive, both you and I know what goes on there......

From Wesley, 5/19/2007  12:29 AM

RU serious 20 years? Sleepys delivers a minimum of 1500 orders a day and even allgedly having the most complaints we have a 99.96 percentage of absolutely satisfied happy sleepys customers. You can't make everyone happy, but 99.96 is pretty damn good. Good day.

From 20 years exp., 5/18/2007  10:32 AM

From www.furninfo.com: Sleepy's has offered $20 million to buy Rockaway Bedding, the NY based sleep chain that recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In unrelated news, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs reported that Sleepy's has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle outstanding charges that the company engaged in deceptive sales tactics. The Department noted that, "SleepyÕs receives the most complaints of any furniture store in the City.... SleepyÕs was cited for deceiving customers through its Ò28-day comfort exchange policy,Ó selling used mattresses as new, delivering damaged goods, exchanging previously damaged goods for other damaged goods, failing to honor delivery dates or purchased warranties, as well as failing to let consumers cancel an order, or issue a refund after agreeing to do so. SleepyÕs falsely claims customers can make an exchange as part of its Ò28-day Comfort Exchange PolicyÓ but requires customers to notify the company of their intent to return only within a 14 day window. SleepyÕs operates 65 stores in New York City, as well as an 800 number (1-800-SLEEPYS). The DCA received a total of more than 115 complaints against SleepyÕs in the past two years. Many were referred from the New York State Attorney GeneralÕs office and the Better Business Bureau."

From The old 2254, 5/18/2007  12:05 AM

I'm moving over to mattress giant. I'm sure Sleepy's is ok to work for, but it's more fun to work for the underdog. As for Rockaway, read between the lines. Chapter 7 is near.

From Guest, 5/17/2007  10:06 AM

prepare for the worst ... hope for the best.
what is left of the company is going to be auctioned off in court. So who gets it and what will become of it no one can say at this time.

From Guest, 5/16/2007  10:36 PM

For all WE know the ENTIRE company can shut down. Who's to say this can't happen? No more RB? Is it possible? Can you imagine it? I don't know. One thing is for sure It is, What it is. The remaining stores to stay open are only for now. It's a rocky road for all the employees. This company is going though a transition, that they themselves don't know the outcome.Why,what,and when Does it really matter? Mr "TL" Do you have any concept of what you did? Or we should all be fired for expressing our thoughts. You seem to be a good family man With all this said wern't we part of the RB family?

From The Old #1454, 5/16/2007  7:27 PM

"Inside Job" If you end up coming to sleepy's to work you will see that it's not the land of slime like you think. If you decide to stay in this biz, Sleepy's is the place to be, period. If you know who I am, you know I do not BS like a lot of people. You want someone to BS you, call #1702 in Deptford who can't even deliver 30K last month. At Sleepys you will make money. Even more money if you continue to sell honestly. That's about all I have to say right now on the subject. Take care.

From 20 years exp., 5/15/2007  2:06 PM

Just a quick note about Harry wanting to buy out RB for 15 to 20 Mil. HA is just looking to see the books, as he has done so many times before with other sleep chains. RB made a point of opening up as close to a Sleepys as possible in the last years especially in the Long Island and NYC markets. It is possible that Sleepys will take locations that were across the street from a Sleepys which is around the corner from a Sleepys that is near the new shopping center with a Sleepys!!! Again it is just another way to erode the commissions. So don't forget to push the KD Dormo
at the first tier and rip off another unsuspecting shopper.
PS look outside the bed biz........

Cordially, 20 ... etc

From article on web, 5/15/2007  8:04 AM

Rockaway Bedding to close five stores locally

By JERRY GLEESON
THE JOURNAL NEWS


(Original publication: May 15, 2007)
Rockaway Bedding Inc. will close five of its nine stores in the Lower Hudson Valley as the retailer continues a convulsive reorganization in federal bankruptcy court in New Jersey.

Rockaway will shut 121 of its 190 stores in six states. Fifty-five of the stores to be closed are in New York, and 26 are in Pennsylvania. The five local stores to be closed are in Greenburgh, Port Chester, Mahopac, and two in Yonkers

Rockaway, based in Randolph, N.J., filed for Chapter 11 on April 9, listing $18.9 million in assets and $20.2 million in liabilities. Unsecured creditors are owed $17 million, said attorney Hal Baume, who represents the creditors committee.

The court authorized Rockaway to begin 30-day liquidation sales on an estimated $4.25 million in inventory. It's unclear when the sales will start. Spokesmen for the company could not be reached yesterday for comment.

The creditors committee last week objected to the liquidation sales. At a hearing Friday, Baume said, representatives of the bedding retailer Sleepy's indicated that they were interested in acquiring Rockaway. Baume said Sleepy's needed time to research a possible offer.

"The committee is not convinced that (liquidation) is the best way to go for creditors," he said. "But the judge sided with the debtor on this."

A spokesman at Sleepy's, based in Bethpage, L.I., could not be reached.

Four Rockaway stores in Carmel, Nanuet, Rye and Yorktown are not included in the liquidation sales plan.

From The old 2254, 5/14/2007  1:07 AM

1454, I told "TKB" today, that if I am let go and his brother stays, that I will go to work for Matress Giant and I'll see to it that Rockaway goes into chapter 7. I am outselling his brother by a large margin 3:1. The thing with him is that once you put up big numbers regardless of where he puts you, that makes you the boss.

From The old 2254, 5/14/2007  12:56 AM

If sleepy's buys Rockway, I'll quit. I am way to good to work for such a dirty company.

From Guest, 5/13/2007  10:40 AM

rockaway salesmen, don't jump ship yet. if they close your store and you are out of a job, rockaway has to pay you a compensation package. if you quit, you get nothing. check into this.

From Guest, 5/13/2007  7:43 AM

So whats next. Is the home office going to lose there jobs. Maybe it's best those people can all start fresh with a more secure job.

From Guest, 5/12/2007  1:36 PM

Why was the venders not paid? Going out of busness sale.
What a shame!!! From almost 180 stores now going down to
60 stores.It's hard to imagine this happening.I'm sorry for the employees from the sales people and home office.
One thing is certain filing for chapter 11 doesn't happen overnight.It has to more then opening stores with
expensive rents, mismanagement,wrong ads in the papers.
I know it's not easy running a busness.That's for sure.
Does it come down to an owner with a gambling problem?
IT IS, WHAT IT IS...and it's a damn shame.

From Guest, 5/11/2007  4:53 PM

they just got approval to close stores. so its just a matter of time before we are all let go.

From time to say goodbye, 5/11/2007  11:56 AM

Sleepy's offers to buy Rockaway
$20M bankruptcy court bid sets hearing on its ear

Friday, May 11, 2007

BY GREG SAITZ

Star-Ledger Staff

A rather routine hearing in bankruptcy court regarding retailer Rockaway Bedding ended with a flurry yesterday when an attorney for competitor Sleepy's said the chain will offer as much as $20million to buy the floundering company.

The comments prompted an immediate response from Rockaway's bankruptcy attorney, who said he'd never witnessed such "chutzpah" in 42 years of practicing law. Rockaway attorney William Katchen called the approach of Michael Blumenthal, a lawyer for Sleepy's, unsolicited, unusual and unprecedented.



After the hearing in Newark, Katchen said Rockaway would review any offers to buy the business and noted Sleepy's is "not alone" in its interest. "We'll have prudent responses to genuine, legitimate interests," he said.

Blumenthal made his comments at the end of a 3 1/2-hour hear ing on whether Rockaway can hire Hilco Merchant Resources to conduct going-out-of-business sales at dozens of unprofitable stores and sell the leases. He said Sleepy's needs about two weeks to conduct due diligence, but "we know we want to make an offer for the entire enterprise" and that it would be between $15million and $20million.

Sleepy's, based in Bethpage, N.Y., is one of the nation's largest mattress retailers, with about 400 stores. Rockaway Bedding, with headquarters in Randolph, operated about 180 stores prior to filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month.

The chain has closed or decided not to open about 30 stores since the bankruptcy filing and wants to shutter or dispose of another 120 stores. Rockaway hopes to continue operating about 74 profitable locations -- 55 in New Jersey and others just over the state line in Pennsylvania and New York, according to testimony from Edwin Ordway Jr. with Capstone Advisory Group, which is Rockaway's financial adviser in the case.

The stores slated to be closed lost $2 million last year and another $2 million in the first three months of this year, Ordway said. After reviewing the chain, the conclusion was "we needed to close a large number of stores in order for the company to continue to be viable," he said.

However, Ordway conceded during questioning by an attorney for the unsecured creditors committee that Rockaway's vendors have changed their pricing and discount terms since the company filed for bankruptcy protection. And the prognosis for Rockaway was not good if the pre-bankruptcy terms were not available going for ward.

"This company needs to be sold if the vendors are not willing to support it," he said.

Bankruptcy Judge Donald Steckroth said he'll rule on Rockaway's request to hire Hilco for liquidation sales this morning. If approved, the plan calls for consolidating inventory to 47 stores and holding going-out-of-business sales for at least a month.

Greg Saitz may be reached at gsaitz@starledger.com or (973) 392-7946.

From Guest, 5/11/2007  9:02 AM

I hear that mattress discounters has sent secret shoppers around to see who past the test so that when they take over the ones that didn't pass, will be thrown on the garbage pile and the ones that did pass,will be asked to stay. Given the current atmosphere in the company, is it any wonder that anyone would pass? the moral is extremly low.
Having spent 45plus years around this business I can truly say it's as bad if not worse as the used car business with no bottom to price,sleazy TO's and with companies micro manageing and intimidation and very long hours if you want to make a living.
Most people don't know it but it all started with Geoge Wasserman (president of Georges discount) in DC. in the 1950's under the management of Herb Steifel (gen.sales mgr) A nasty bunch of people. the orig. people that started this present business were their employees. Ex. wally tietlebaum,litell,sam katz (TJB) that's what they named their company. They made no secret it stood for 3 Jew boys. These were/are the dregs as far as I'm concerned. They used to come into store take whatever cash there was, go buy some coke and party down.
These were your pioneers in the mattress business.Some legacy huh?

From Wesley, 5/11/2007  1:30 AM

I am sorry to say that I must disagree with "20 years exp.". Now is not the time to seek a new career as the economy is very shaky right now. If you can get out of rockaway and land a descent job within this field, then you may do just fine. Face it, with rockaway going bye bye there will be a need for more people at competitors like mattress giant and ,my employer, sleepy's to handle the extra traffic walking through the door. The trick is now to stop burning everything to a crisp and concentrate on rasing the average ticket to make more money for everybody including the salesperson. if you sell it for more, you make more. Pretty easy concept. The trick is to implement it at all competitors so we can all make a buck. That's just my .02 cents. Take care and good luck to all the current rockaway bedding employees.

From Wesley, 5/11/2007  1:20 AM

Inside Job,
It definitely was "TKB". He's more concerned with making sure pillows are up againts headboards than anything else. I TO'd a sale to him once after I walked one without a TO. He said, "TO it to me and we'll close the deal." So I did. All he could close was his mouth after the customer called him an a**** and left. Then he TO'd a twin ADV customer to me trying to get me back and they ended up adding on a King Size Comfort Solutions with it for next day delivery. The guy doesn't know his head from his ass. Be very careful of him Inside Job, he will stab you in the back so his brother Michael has a store to work.

From The old 2254, 5/11/2007  12:22 AM

Hey 1454. Was this pompus ass TKB? I know what you mean. I've posted over 90,000 in delivered sales to date this year, and I started with rockaway in late January. My first sale was on 2-21-07. This guy still has the nerve to tell me that I am "not in control of the sale." I can sell circles around this guy, and truthfully, I don't really care if he see this and figures out who I am. I'll just call Fred and ask him about company polocy on nepotism.

From Guest, 5/10/2007  7:22 AM

i agree we need an answer this not fair to any of us to wonder each day if we will have a job the next day. why were we lied to. we need answers. how must his family feel.

From formeremployee, 5/9/2007  11:57 PM

Beat the competition??? we did not beat the competition my friend, there advertising was better, and everytime someone came from sleepys and bought, there customer retention department took it back, sad to say I liked working at rockaway bedding but no one up there cared that we were getting slaughtered.

From steve periard, 5/9/2007  10:39 PM

the former vp and president just bought resnick;s mattress factory direct of the hudson valley. Anyone know about this?

From Guest, 5/9/2007  8:57 PM

I have read this message board over and over sometimes 4 times....MR "L" WHAT DID YOU DO? You beat the competion last year, how in the world do you have to file chapter 11 the the next year? Can you please give us an answer that we can understand? I have met you daughter and been in contact with another daughter a store rep. DO YOU REALIZE the affect what you done to families? DO YOU CARE?

From 20 years exp., 5/8/2007  4:20 PM

     Well kids, it is now time for the harsh reality of the truth, RB was mismanaged for years, from the bad leases in the Philadelphia area many years ago to the hiring of Phil Lang RIP (not).
The DMs were allowed to work from home????
When I shopped the RB stores it was very rare that the sales person behaved any better than a hack.
RB also hired a bunch of Mattress Giant rejects which did not help either.

     Now Sleepy's is recruiting all, so they can double and triple staff all of the stores, imagine that. Can you see yourself listening to HA and the posturing DMs and RMs on voicemail while waiting on a weekday for an up, then having to share it with a brand new guy.

     My best suggestion is to get out of the bed biz as the money is going to be watered down more than ever before.
There are lots of other careers that you can be happy in.
Like 1454 says the grass is green on the other side of the fence. Look out the front window, see the cars going by almost none of those people work for Giant or Sleepys.

Best Wishes, 20 years experience

From Wesley, 5/6/2007  2:19 AM

      Alright boys and girls, here's the deal. Rockaway is going to try and survive. Sleepy's and all the competitors are going to try and keep that from happening. In the meantime you have an owner "T" that loved poker and traveling. "T" had all his friends make stupid mistakes running his company. Now you have chapter 11.

      I worked for rockaway bedding for 3 1/2 years (SalesID# 1454). I worked in east windsor, cherry hill, langhorne, and lastly deptford, nj. It was a good company to work for when I was there, but slowly things began to be taken away. No more manufacturers SPIFF bonuses. The monthly bonus structure changed completely (went from having a $1500 bonus one month to a $300 bonus the next for about the same volume and percentage increase both months). Then slowly they would change commissions percentages to pay lower.

      I left because I did not see eye-to-eye with a pompous ass DM. I gave two weeks notice and bounced my happy behind over to sleepy's (yes sleepy's). The dark side. WHATEVER! I've been here since this past october and it's been a pretty good ride. I'm not going to blow smoke up your whowho and say I'm on pace to make 6 figures, but the money is good. The commission structure is better. And nobody BSs' you. Yeah, you have to wear a suit. SO WHAT! Professionalism is important in the business to earn trust and respect from a complete stranger that didn't trust you before he even walked in your door today. They deliver 7 days a week in jersey and the customer even gets to pic their own "estimated" 4 hour delivery window. These are all things that make a difference.

      As for rockaway bedding and what went wrong. First the advertising was very plain and didn't do much for a long time. The 1/2 price beds in the ad were always the wrong beds. You never 1/2 off a bed that sells at ticket normally! You 1/2 off a bed that's mediocre and step them up to something better and everybody wins. 1/2 off Perfect Response?! Are you serious?! that bed sold like crazy and they 1/2'd it. Stupid! 1/2 off on the Whittingham?! Another very stupid move. Truthfully, my heart goes out to all the employees and their families and anyone who knows me knows if you need a job I will definitely help you find a home at sleepy's and keep the paychecks going. You'll find out that even on the dark side the grass still grows. It may not be greener, but it grows nice and tall!

      Well that's about all for now. Good luck and god bless.

                               Respectfully,
                                      The old #1454

From Guest, 5/5/2007  7:29 PM

there will be 15 stores closed next week alone.

From No Name, 5/5/2007  7:12 PM

I heard a rumor that rockaway bedding will keep two of it stores open in staten island & that they will be considered part of their New Jersey stores is that true ?
or are they just using their Employees to sell off their stock from their brooklyn stores & then closing up
it has to be very stressful on those employees
working under those conditions never knowing
if they have a job tomorrow

they should just look for another job .

From Guest, 5/5/2007  6:28 AM

Who's ever fault it is really doesn't matter anymore.
It is, what it is. I wish everyone the best. One interesting comment someone wrote about last years production and how well we did, now filing for Chapter11
Closing stores in 5 states. Unbelievable turn around.

From Frank Rizzo, 5/5/2007  1:19 AM

Hello, McFly! Rockaway is going under! How long are you guys going to wait around for the hammer to drop? This is what happens when you don't run a business properly.

Don't even think about going to Mattress Giant to escape the doom. They are even worse! They will be the next to go. They already are having problems and have cut back their shipping days to only three a week without even notifying their salesforce. They do no advertising. Sealys has to pay for their commercials now because their beds are not moving there and the sales are so horrible. Salesmen only get a crappy 2% commission on most beds. Who would want to work there?

Looks like that only leaves Sleezy's. You may as well and go sell used cars if you consider that route. I don't know what company we could all say is the worse. They all treat their salesforce like kids.

From FLee on the wall, 5/4/2007  8:40 PM

Liquidator Company Reps have been secretly visiting all the New Jersey and Delaware Rockaway Bedding Stores THIS WEEK,look for a quick Rockaway Bedding asset liquidation exit to begin any soon.

From PURELY MISMANAGEMENT, 5/4/2007  7:06 PM

well that's true, i was also trained by one of the hardest dms that i ever worked with moises saladin a very respectable young man i wonder what's going to happen to him , with his wife and kids. all that T knows is gambling and poker. he should learn a lot from his competitor no wonder they are number one in north america.

From robertc, 5/4/2007  4:51 PM

I was trained by Junior C. I was wondering what would happen to him after all the years he made the comp. money?

From Matt, 5/4/2007  4:50 PM

The only one that should be fired is "T", period. We all have worked very hard and were loyal and what has he done? It is funny that for YEARS the mismanagement went on and he all of a sudden finds out now? Sorry, don't think so. Sound more like a falling out of friends that he trusted? Well, why didn't he run his own company like most owners? Now we all have to reap the consequences.

From sam, 5/4/2007  4:13 PM

why should we all be fired when all that "T" thinks is about gambling and poker.keeping employes in the dark,having non performing assets , cutting back on employees bonus, no advertisement, this is mismangement and ineptitude at its highest. rockaway bedding shouldn't have ended like this period

From PURELY MISMANAGEMENT, 5/4/2007  4:06 PM

iam surprised that people are are so self centered and do not care about employees. this is purely mismanagement. we were told last yearwe broke our record for the previous years in terms of sales. where was tony?was he aware that companys were located in no mans land? this has nothing to do with the sales force, we had hardworking dms like moises, burgos who were busting their ass to make sure sure that we stay in business.if leases were so high why did he deceided to open businesses in those areas. look at vyse ave, crackheads want stearns and forster for 120 dollars.no feasibility studies just trying to compete or what. i hope now they will cut their coat according to their size. please give some respect to the sales force and let them deceide their fate.they deserve to be in the know because we all have families.those thinking of making more money because dead stores are gone good riddence.

From you all need to get your facts straight, 5/4/2007  7:58 AM

non of you really know whats going on because your not there at the meetings with the courts. all you have is hear say. you have no idea how hard it is to own a business and trust people to run it and one day find out it was poorly run. now you have to file ch 11. you should all be fired for talking like this.

From The old 2254, 5/4/2007  3:08 AM

I am forced to agree. Rockaway had a markedley above average sales staff. No one can blame the sales people. Now what? The top sales people are leaving, and I can't blame them. I currently work in a NJ and PA store. I'm not sure if I will make it through, and I'm on pace for $550,000 in delivered sales, and I'm working stores that do less than 80,000 a month. You sleepy's people can take all the credit you want, but the truth is ROCKAWAY IS IT'S OWN WORST ENEMY. On the bright side, those of us that do survive this will be making a hell of a lot more money than we used to. All the dead stores will be gone. God's speed to all of you.

From PUREL MISMANAGEMENT, 5/4/2007  12:21 AM

i totally agreed with this   mismanagement gambling has all contributed to this. pls inform your employees so that they can think of somthing better

From They Failed Us, 5/3/2007  9:43 PM

It appears the end in nigh. I have worked here for about five years now and this is a sad day. I started off just thinking I'd fill the time until I found something better, and wound up with a career. I was one of the few who always did my best to stand up for the decisions being made whenever I could. Now however, looking out over a sea of failure, I can tell you this; it is all managements fault. 100%, there is no room for doubt. The micro management of a small company is simply not done the same way as one would handle running a corporation. As many have said, felt, or guessed, no one but Tony Licastro is to blame for the failing of this company. He let his friends run him into millions in debt before firing his incompetent staff, he leased every property, and that makes this his cross to bear.

Of all the bad decisions what bothers me most is that no one from the corporate office is talking to the employees. The stores that have already been closed were closed without notice, and the people were fired. So far, it seems the future closings will be done the same way. If Mr. Licastro reads this I would ask him to please find it in his heart to tell his employees; these people, my self included, have families’ sir. They have a right to know ahead of time, and should certainly not have to read about it in the paper.

From Wife of Employee, 5/3/2007  7:38 PM

as a wife of an employee at rockaway bedding you could imagine my concern for my family and what will happen in 4 months to us...we want answers, with a mortgage at almost 2 grand a month, we are really nervous..should we start thinking of career changes????

From update, 5/3/2007  1:08 PM

Rockaway to close or sell most of its stores
Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, 5/3/2007 9:43:00 AM

Will keep about 50 units in New Jersey, Delaware
RANDOLPH, N.J. — Rockaway Bedding is set to become a shell of its former self with the Top 100 chain looking to close or sell all but about 50 stores in New Jersey and Delaware.

The company, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection April 9, has asked the court to permission to hire Hilco Merchant Resources to run going-out-of-business sales, liquidating about $4.25 million in goods at 121 of roughly 180 stores.




It appears to be planning a complete or near-complete exit from the New York market —where it has about 55 stores — as well as Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and Virginia.

If the court approves, Rockaway also would liquidate about 12 of its New Jersey stores. That would leave it with about 50 stores, primarily in New Jersey, but also nine in Delaware if its Web site store count is correct. Hilco also would be responsible for disposing of the leases.

Upper Marlboro, Md.-based Mattress Discounters has bid $1.7 million for 18 stores in Maryland and Virginia as well as inventory and certain asset from seven other locations, according to court do(deleted)ents.

Furniture/Today estimates Rockaway did about $143 million at 185 stores last year.

From moving on, 5/3/2007  12:57 AM

I currently work for Rockaway Bedding. I am one of the Top salespeople for this company. I learned a lot from this company and will take what I have learned to my next employer. There are people in this company that have helped me a great deal and taught me a lot. However, I think its a shame that I see my peers at work frustrated that stock levels are so low, now we are "effective immediately" not selling mattress pads, pillows, futon covers, etc. We have to sit in the dark and wait for an answer? When is my new simmons line coming in? I can sell you a bridge, but when I have no stock what good is that??? My peers and I work in "TOP" stores. We are "TOP" salespeople that have delivered over 650,000 last year or more. Our closing ratio is 60 to 70%!!!. My peers and I have decided to leave. If you make us sit in the dark and not tell us what is going on then what goes around comes around.

From The old 2254, 5/3/2007  12:20 AM

Ok, getyourfactsstraigt, now that I have flushed you out as a sleepy's employee, (yeah folks, sleepy's never filed chapter 11, I wanted to see who was working for sleepy's). Fact : In 2004, Sleepys paid The state of New Jersey $750,000 to settle 137 consumer complaints over a period of 2 years. Fact : Sleepy's has 17 complaints on rippoffreport.com for the past year. Rockaway Bedding has been sued by the NJ department of consumer affairs, but the suit was later dropped.ÊÊÊFact : The industy as a whole lacks pricing integrety. Example - Stearns & Foster Manhattan - a sleepy's product. Price in Newtown - $2799 price in Cinnaminson/Delran - $2599 - price in Bensalem - $2499. This is real research I do on my own people. Make a few phone calls yourself. Oh, and if the pattern that I have been documenting is true, sleepy's is using some form of zone pricing, a tactic used by oil companies. Hey maybe Rockaway isn't the best matress company in the world to work for, is any company perfect? Hell no. Well, better to work for a guy with a gambling problem than for a guy who's own employee's refer to their own company as "Sleezey's"

From thats funny, 5/2/2007  11:18 AM

your right that sleepys did not file chapter 11 but the part about honest polices is so funny. they attack customers and every customer gets a different price... thats honest ???

From Mimi, 5/2/2007  11:12 AM

Anyone know how to get a hold of a list of assets they are trying to liquidate?

From Guest, 5/2/2007  10:51 AM

This message is directly sent to my name appears on the message board. I believe it's Fred. I have nothing to hide my name appears on this message board as well. I was a loyal and trusted employee with the company for close to 3 years and I was dismissed. I personally produced 500,000 in volumn last year. How many employees can say this? You go by case to case basis by laying off people however you stated this comment jobs come and goes and when your JOB comes and goes I would like your response?

From getyourfactsstraight, 5/1/2007  5:23 PM

hey selall,sleepys never filed for chapter 11.they are the most successsful bedding retailer in the country because of their honest policies and excellent service to their customers.they dont lie like rockaway.it is sleepys who has kicked rockaway's butt.unless rockaway changes theit lies and deception policies,their days are numbered.i cant see them last more than 6 months.

From Roberta, 5/1/2007  10:55 AM

SellAll

Where did you find a Chapter 11 filing for Sleepy's?


I can't find any record of it on the internet.

From wanted to help once, 4/30/2007  12:02 PM

"TT" was one of those super overpaid DM's that loved to work from home, and didn't know how to sell a mattress. There's poor management for you!!! I think she was in Philly.

From My real name appears on this message boa, 4/30/2007  8:04 AM

The hourly rumor is completely bogus. There has been no push to move certain employees because of the way they are paid. Layoffs were decisions made on a case by case basis, with the ultimate decision often decided by each employee's flexibility.   

But lets think about this rumor for 1 second, if an employee is being paid hourly they either (A. are a good salesperson in a "slow" store) or (B. are not a very good salesperson.) If A. is true the "slow" stores are most likely now closed. If your store closed then you might be let go. And if B is true then maybe this wasn't the industry for you. I know district 8 has been quoted as a place where there is only 1 hourly employee, call around this is not true in all areas.

From SellAll, 4/30/2007  1:07 AM

Oh, by the way, everyone's volume is being looked at. Rumor around these parts is that anyone on hourly will be let go. their is only one remaining hourly employee left in district 8. Also the bottom 25% of the sales force will be let go if need be. These people are the ones that likley have a closing ratio of less than 30%. Also, did anyone notice that Simmons is paying 6% regardless of price right now?

From The old 2254, 4/30/2007  12:53 AM

Tommy, I work at Rockaway. I have shopped Sleepy's. A company that filed chapter 11 in 1998, If anyone remembers that. Once upon a time, rockaway hired someone named "T". This person wasn't quite right in the head. "T" signed several long term leases in stores that could not keep up with the rent. In District 8 Bala Cynwyd is an example of this. Here was a store that wasn't blowing anyone away, but wasn;t horrible. About 45000/monthly sales, but the rent ate that right up. If you asume a G.P of 50%, that leaves 22500, If you are in a location that has rent of $15,000 a month, you are screwed.

From THE REAL F.LEE, 4/29/2007  9:24 AM

The message left by FLEE ON THE WALL dated 4-28-07 at 12.08 a.m. WAS NOT ME!!!!!

From SCOOBY DOO, 4/28/2007  10:59 PM

what is the teri toro nightmare? please explain........ does anyone have the latest updates? what are the chances that rockaway will survive?    

From Wanted to help once, 4/28/2007  5:02 PM

As I read all these comments and replies I see that nobody 's got it yet.The reason that Rockaway is going under is because they haven't been able to recover from the "TT" Nightmare.

From Guest, 4/28/2007  5:28 AM

You bring up a good point Scooby DOO,They should not leave the employees out of touch of what is happening.
They should have more respect and not ignore them and not keep them in the dark. But I don't think they know
themselves of how many will they need to close. I think the court board decides that. This may just be the tip of the iceberg. Any person who owns a busness should at least keep their employees up to date. Not just a 2 sentence email. How can anyone remain motivated and loyal

From SCOOBY DOO, 4/28/2007  1:01 AM

We are hearing so many opionions of what will happen going foward since the filing of Chapter 11. So many unknowns; will employees have a job, will they get paid,etc etc. I think that its time we hear from the horses mouth himself, Tony. All he could provide to his employees was a 2 sentence email stating the bankruptcy. If he values his sales staff and wants them to remain loyal and motivated, he should step up and assure what is and what will be now and in the future. Be honest, respect that these employees have families to feed and bills to pay, dont just ignore them and keep them in the dark. Dont you all agree?

From FLee on the wall, 4/28/2007  12:08 AM

Rockaway Bedding 32 million in debt, 22 million in assets, closing aprox 100 stores, leaving aprox 90 stores to satisfy the 32 million debt and attempt to still remain In A NEWLY REORGANIZED OPERATION and secure enough operating cash nedded to pay Its current obligations without selling off assets.
   I certainly feel this will become very Interesting to follow this business model closely to monitor the outcome, debt level too large to apeal to any ONE buyer, time will tell Rockaway Beddings fate.
    Each store closed will slow the red ink as well as much needed cash flow.I wish well for all at Rockaway Bedding employees but In the event of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy CONVERSION, vacation pay may be in jeopardy, pensions could be frozen for a few months from employee access. One would be well advised to see that all employee benefits, Insurances and contributions are being kept current by Rockaway Bedding.

From former employee, 4/27/2007  11:41 PM

The company failed because he spends his days at the gambling table while the competition crushed him.

From Interested, 4/26/2007  5:08 PM

If you would like assistance in your career search please e-mail me at deedeegirl95@yahoo.com

From Interested, 4/26/2007  5:05 PM

Is there anyway to find out which stores are closing? I would love to assist those who are losing their jobs or looking for a career opportunity in the retail field.

From My real name appears on this message boa, 4/26/2007  10:24 AM

Lots of companies make financial mistakes. It is a shame people are losing their job but that is part of life, jobs come and go. If Rockaway Bedding teaches a person with no sales experience how to sell something and that person is let go, they now have a skill to tkae to another job. I was told a long time ago, "There will always be a job for a salesperson." ("Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." - Chinese Proverb ) When the courts' board are done with their closings and changes and all of the dust settles Rockaway Bedding will still be open. Even if Rockaway goes back to 50 stores with the best 50 stores the company will thrive.

As far as all of the "experts" who claim to know so much about business, please go take out a loan, open Joe Schmoe Mattress and try to do what this company has done. It’s much easier to sit back and point out what you think are mistakes, then it is to make a business run, let alone open 200 stores in under 30 years.

From peter sniler, 4/25/2007  5:52 PM

i heard costco's pays their workers $17.97 per hour. lets all go there to work. the river has run dry here. nyc corrections is also hiring.

From CHARLES PETERS, 4/25/2007  4:15 PM

THE FISH ALWAYS SMELLS FROM THE HEAD. THIS COMPANY WAS ALWAYS TOO TOP HEAVY WITH THE HIGHER-UPS NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT WORKING IN THE TRENCHES. (deleted) AND (deleted) WERE A JOKE WAITING FOR A LAUGH. THE BIG QUESTION NOW IS WILL (deleted) STILL BE MOWING (deleted's) LAWN? THAT'S THE AGREMENT THAT WAS MADE IN ORDER FOR (deleted) TO GET HIS POSITION.

From Guest, 4/25/2007  1:52 PM

Since rockaway Bedding filed for chaptet11...how has busness been for the company? any responses?

From mgr, 4/25/2007  9:58 AM

This looks like Enron Bedding.
Weak management, weak CEO, CFO all equal disaster. Big Egos, Big Salaries, Big Rent, Bad Locations, Bad Marketing. Some companies feel that more stores equal more success. Ignoring rent vs. revenue is like digging a grave not to mention, again, the fat salaries.

From Langphil, 4/24/2007  10:04 PM

There's only ONE BIG PROBLEM at Rockaway Bedding, as soon as that problem goes away, the company has a chance to succeed. He's clueless and gutless.

From Guest, 4/24/2007  5:14 AM

To no name needed,How can that be? Closing 80 to 100 stores. That's more then half of what they have. Time will only tell if it's true. If it is they have a very
serious problem. I hanvn't seen nor heard of a commercial
or ad in quite sometime.

From No Name, 4/24/2007  2:17 AM

from what i've heard ...in the next two weeks Rockaway is closing between 80 & 100 stores that means they are even getting rid of District managers as well as sales people....

From tommy, 4/23/2007  11:42 PM

what does the computer do to you. sound good, does it work. did you try it. sellall what sleepys store do you work in.

From The old 2254, 4/23/2007  10:55 PM

Dazzled shopper, you should buy the bed that best suits your NEEDS. It totally depends on your situation. If you have fibro mialgia, or some other back condition, you need to find the proper FIT. I cannot stress that enough, what a bed costs and how a bed fits are two seperate issues. Sleepy's is using Voo-doo sales tatics that seem scientific with there computers and all that fancy crap. 81% of the population sleeps on their side. Why does there computer REQUIRE that you lay on your back? Does that make any sense to you? The computer always seems to recomend the $3000 bed too, doesn't it? The bed isn't worth anything unless it meets your needs, only when it does what it's supposed to do, it is worth anything. Some of the best NEED BASED Beds at rockaway start at $1099 in a queen.

From tommy, 4/23/2007  10:21 PM

bring in any ad sleepys beats the price by 20% always shop there last. i go al the other stores first then i go to sleepys. they always beat the price.

From sam, 4/23/2007  8:53 PM

well if you got your store in no man's land you know what iam talking about i guess probably all your referrals came back? it's time to be realistic and admit the truth.even people who have a 100% closing will all admit. how many people look into the half price flyers? despite this rockaway bedding is still a good place to work. it sucks to see the company go through this.

From Dazzled Shopper, 4/23/2007  1:02 PM

Comparison shopping for mattresses seems to be an impossibility. Every store's ad uses different model names for the major manufacturers. Given that reality, Sleepy's 20% offer strikes me as an advertisement myth. Now, Rockaway (having just recently opened a new store in South Brunswick, NJ) has filed for Chapter 11. That makes me very reluctant to purchase from them. Perhaps I should buy from Macy's or another of the established furniture stores. Anyone here that can offer sensible advice to a very confused shopper?

From The old 2254, 4/23/2007  2:11 AM

Districts 8 and 9 closings are complete. DM's Tom Boylan, Lee Brown, Joe Marucci, and Terry Shaw are all safe. Some of you working for Rockaway need to wake up. It's not the advertising that does anything, it's all about the referals. All of my customers leave the store with 5 business cards, and get 5 more in a thank you card in the mail about 2 weeks later. Am I the only one doing this? Anytime a customer gives a referal, it builds trust. Trust is the most valuable tool a salesperson can have. You people b***in about the lack of advertising need to step up and take matters into your own hands. I doubt any of you whiners have a +75% closing ratio. You with rockaway and you got a beef with what I'm sayin? Hit me up. I'm sales #2254.

From SAM, 4/21/2007  10:25 PM

well if they are to bounce back they really need some serious advertising. those half price per customer will not help, they need the stores in good locations. how can you hide a store in no mans land and expect volume.hey what's happening to vyse?

From No Name, 4/21/2007  9:29 PM

I heard they closed the chelsea store in new york
I also heard menlo park & woodbridge may close as well is that true?

this guy will close & give you no heads up I don't care how many years you got in the company
look out for yourself & get a job with a solid foundation this company doesn't have it .

From sam, 4/21/2007  11:38 AM

you are rite truth. i always say this, all that they have is just a flyer and they expect the money.please the dynamics of the profession has changed some serious advertising

From sam, 4/21/2007  11:31 AM

well youm know i know joe burgos very well it's sad that a company like rockwaya bedding is filing for chapter 11. well how about vyse ave, all that you see in the showroom is crackheads who want a belmont for 150.how about moises? rockaway despite everything is good place to work

From the truth, 4/21/2007  11:26 AM

The company is not going any where..it filed for chapter 11..Protection and re-construction of company is chapter 11..things were addressed,useless people,stores were let go...one thing that company needs to do is ADVERTISING..Sleepys is on every major network channel...tv and radio, i turn on the tv ,theres 3 sleepys commercials (even in spanish)rockaway has nothing,oh a flyer.. thats it..i used to hear that rockaway jingle everywhere..not anymore.. the company needs to bare down and get back to its old roots..go back to the days that made them money..

From paul, 4/20/2007  10:52 AM

It hurts alot to see a company like rockaway bedding filled for bankrupcy. Joe Burgos, one of the district manager is a great employee. Some salesmen there are getting married in a few months, another one's girl friend is pregnant. Sorry for the people. Good luck to you all

From The old 2254, 4/19/2007  12:55 AM

Bensalem (034) closed today. Good move, that store sees 4-6 customers on a good Saturday. Those of you still working at Rockaway. There is some serious cash out on the floors now. 10% Commision on all floor samples. 15% on King Koil. Yesterday I sold 2 Lyric Q sets with Instamatics. $130 commission on a $950 sale. Nice! Take advantage of the floor sample fire sale. They need to unload all that in a hurry. No T/O for 75% off A price. Let's make some serious bank people!

From aida, 4/18/2007  11:18 PM

I heard they closed a good store in NYC?

From Guest, 4/17/2007  4:58 PM

What did i just read?? People's pay checks bounched?
Am I reading this correctly or is this some joke?

From need a new job, 4/17/2007  3:28 PM

well peoples pay checks all bounces since they filed.

From Guest, 4/17/2007  9:07 AM

How has Busness been for the company, since they filed
Chapter 11?

From No Name, 4/17/2007  6:03 AM

how are we supposed to sell when can't even get the stock we ask for ? what's the deal with that ?...hellooonot everyone wants to come in for a $1500 Bed. I think everyone should cover their A... or you will be on the unemployment line.

From No Name, 4/17/2007  5:50 AM

Hey I wrote two Questions under Rather not say and if you choose to write something come up with another name ok thanx

From Homeydontplaythat, 4/16/2007  8:15 PM

What do they do with the mattresses they take back? did they really lay off people on xmas eve?

From Guest, 4/16/2007  6:32 PM

Everyone. Please try to keep the posts on this message board issue based and away from name calling and emotional outbursts. My experience (from the Levitz Bankruptcy and others) is that when that happens, the board degenerates into personal attacks and hurtful speech. Also that way I don't have to spend so much time editing out the posts. -Russell

From Henry, 4/16/2007  6:18 PM

Lets not forget about the layoff he did last year.I also heard that he let people go a couple years ago on Christmas Eve. What kind of person does that?

From George, 4/16/2007  4:05 PM

Jeff (above) you failed to mention how he failed to pay the manufacturers, he owes them all and can't get stock. If you work for Rockaway, get out now!

From Jeff, 4/16/2007  3:59 PM

This is the same company that closed a bedding factory two days before Christmas. Come on, the owner is s(deleted) and he will screw over every salesman and person that he can. Customers are already being told to bring in the rest of their deposits. No doubt he will run off with their money and close his Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania stores, not to mention some stores in New Jersey. Face it, if you are a customer of Rockaway Bedding or an employee you have lost a lot already.

From Rather Not Say, 4/16/2007  2:28 PM

These people are right! Higher ups making tons of money b/c of who they are buddies with and hiring their buddies at huge salaries. You can't tell me the owner wasn't aware of any of this. As far as the advertising lawsuit, again caused an overpaid arrogant higher up. I suppose the owner didn't know about this either. Was this higher up let go afterwards? No. These people should have been let go many years ago, and this company would not be in the shape it is in. The salespeople make this company their money and the focus to keep them happy was not the interest here folks! It was all about keeping the higher up users happy. I hope the owner learned a very valuble lesson in all this. What a shame to be so successful and let it fall to peices over poor judgement.

From does it matter, 4/16/2007  12:36 PM

The problem was they were trying to be the largest
by opening more and more stores and their heads got
a little too big, not to mention some of the higher
ups that got paid alot of money for doing nothing but
taking up space and making alot of salespeople pissed
off, when they should have taken care of what they
had, mostly the sales force of now and past. I was
loyal and stupid for a long time thinking things may
get better but they never did, but i got smart and
moved on to a better life some time ago with a better company and yes i do work for one of your competators.
So my reply is: Thats life in the big city, it is what it is so deal with it.

From Former employee, 4/16/2007  10:20 AM

I've worked for Rockaway in the past and beleive they are a very strong company with good values. I also beleive those sales people out there concerned for there jobs are not much of a salesperson. At one time I had taken what was called one of the worst stores in the company and more than doubled the numbers in the first month and continued to do so as long as I was there beating my monthly goal every month. Since that time the store has gone back down hill. And I am sure a good salesman would return this store back to it's top performance days. To all you people out there who don't beleive you and the current mangement team in place can keep striving forward each and every day just consider $8.00 an hour at 7-11 or Mc Donalds.

From cant say, 4/16/2007  7:27 AM

im not sure if any of you work for the company but you have wrong info and being out in the sales force you dont see what is really going on. maybe you need to visit the home office and really see whats going on.
oh and for the person who wonders where the owner was during all this...he has hired people to run his business that let him down. and caused things like this to happen. the lawsuit a few years ago was the fault of who was in charge of advertising. not the owners!this is a great company to work for and if people care about there jobs they will stick it out and do what they have to.

From Another rather not say, 4/16/2007  7:03 AM

Obviously the VP & Mr.President had no business running this place. Just hope the owner knows how to do it himself or hires someone who does. My question is where was the owner when the money kept going down? Who doesn't keep an eye on their company? Sounds like there is more to the story than being let on. The employees should find other jobs, I mean there are many other mattress companies out there, why stick around for this? Obviously they just let people go anyway, there is no loyalty and they don't care about them. Yeah, it's hard to start over, but this place sounds like a train wreck.

From Homeydon'tplay that, 4/15/2007  11:40 PM

Who keeps beating your prices fred?

From Guest, 4/15/2007  9:55 AM

Does anyone realize what happened in the past year with
Rockaway Bedding. First they let go the Vice president of the company, Just recently in the past 4 weeks the
President of the company is gone. There was 2 Regional managers now they are down to one. I'm sorry to say it
doesn't look promising. This company is going though more problems then they want to admit. I hope they can survive this.

From love my job, 4/15/2007  9:28 AM

people were trusted to do a job and they did it wrong...those people have since been let go. thatswhy rockaway is in the situation they are in now...

From me, 4/15/2007  9:25 AM

so far 8 nj stores have closed as for ny
no one knows until the day it happens. i think pa may be the next state they are closing. maybe they wont close any in ny.....see what they are doing is closing stores that dont make any money and have high rents.
each day is a surprize as to who gets let go. i believe in the company and will stay with it as long as possiable.

From to rather not say, 4/15/2007  9:23 AM

employees are usually the first ones the court takes care of. they have thier funding in place you should be ok until they decide what they are doing

From Guest, 4/15/2007  9:13 AM

I read that Rockaway Bedding employes about 460 people.
How many stores are they planning to close and how many employees are they planning to let go? Does anyone know?

From No Name, 4/15/2007  3:26 AM

How many stores will Rockaway bedding close ?
I heard the jersey stores will remain open
what about the stores in the 5Boros ?
how many will close ? & in what boro?

From me, 4/14/2007  8:54 AM

yes we will get our paychecks. and rockaway will recover. they will be stronger than ever.

From No Name, 4/14/2007  3:53 AM

will employees see thir next paycheck ?

From Barry, 4/13/2007  5:51 AM

I'm a former Rockaway bedding employee. I always found that they have one of the greatest delivery departments in the busness. They have gone above and beyond to get the merchandise in the customers home. Rockaway bedding
gave me a chance to succeed and i worked in one of many
stores in the Brooklyn NY area. One of my greatest feelings was to beat the competion,which I did in many sales. I believe that this is just a hurdle for them and they will continue to survive and move on in a more profitable and less costly operation.

From Someone, 4/12/2007  10:12 PM

Rockaway bedding will make it past this bump in the road. No salesman has ever been hurt at rockaway. Rockaway bedding has the best prices in new york, new jersey and does not scam people out of money. Maybe thats why there in trouble...

From Jim, 4/12/2007  7:25 PM

They will just use the employees until they close the stores and then the corporate employees will be scaled down too. Who would want to work for such an obviously mismanaged place? The employees should all find better jobs!I,'m sure this place won't be in business more than 6-8 months. Besides, look at all the postings in the past three years...pretty scary.

From fred, 4/11/2007  9:59 AM

HISTORY.. We are all going to be out of a job. I dont think we have a chance. Plus they keep on beating our prices. I dont want to sound negative but I think the bankruptcy judges are really tough on companies these days.

From michelle, 4/10/2007  10:12 PM

IT MEANS WE GO ON.ROCKAWAY IS A VERY GOOD COMPANY TO WORK FOR.I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM FOR OVER A YEAR.AS FOR ME AND ROCKAWAY BEDDING WE ARE HERE TO STAY.THEY ARE JUST GOING TO SUBSIDE A FEW STORES,AND WORK THROUGH EVERYTHING AND WE WILL COME BACK STRONGER THAN EVER.