Finding the Best Mattress Store to Get Your Money’s Worth in Sleeping Comfort

It's not every day that you get to choose the mattress where you sleep, which, in a sense, is part of the value of a good one: durability. This is not saying that it's the only consideration when buying a mattress, though. It is reasonable to expect, however, that with today's industry standards even the cheapest mattress will last quite a bit. This means that, once you make your purchase, it will usually take some time before it gets replaced (provided, of course, that it's high quality). Therefore, you should choose a product that is comfortable as it is durable, and one that enhances your sleeping experience. A ruggedly-built or inexpensive mattress that gives you backaches in the morning is more trouble than it's worth. Your comfort (and, by extension, your health) is still the top consideration when you go shopping at a mattress store to replace your old one.

If you're like some people, you might have little to no idea of how to go about with your mattress shopping. The following tips will help you make the best choice so that you'll end up with no regrets about your selection:

1. Shop at a store that you trust.

Finding the perfect mattress is not likely to happen in a yard sale, and a store with a dubious reputation won't help either. Remember: you want to buy one that matches your needs. Shop in a mattress store whose sales staff are not only friendly, but know their products, too. A helpful staff will give you satisfactory answers to all your questions; and even though they aim to make the sale, they should be more than happy to point out the best-suited item for your needs, instead of simply nudging you in the direction of the highest-ticket item in their merchandise lineup.

2. Before making a choice, "drive test" any mattress that catches your eye.

A good mattress is not about appearance (you'll almost invariably cover it up with a bedsheet anyway), so before you spend your precious dollars for the first attractive item that catches your attention, test it to see if lying on it will be something that you'd be comfortable with. Lie on it in a supine position and check how it provides support to your lower back. But don't stop there: turn on your side; lie down on a prone position, or any other sleeping posture that you know you assume at night. At each position, gauge the mattress for comfort. If you share your bed with a spouse, have him or her do the test with you. Buying a bed, in this case, should be a mutual decision, since it's a "mutual" mattress you're buying.

3. Shop for the best value, not the best price.

While, in general, a good product doesn't come cheap, said good product need not be the one with the highest price tag either. A steep price might mean the item just has a few minor advantages over the next one down the lineup, which probably isn't all that worth much, considering. Different stores have different pricing conventions, too: you might find that the mattress you favor buying is cheaper at another location. However, you also need to factor in logistics: the store carrying that "best priced" item you're eyeing may also charge extra for delivery, installation, or customization to your specs. It just might turn out to be a lot pricier than you initially thought it would. Don't trek to a store in another city and spend the gas, if only to shave a few dollars off the price tag.