Need advice on buying mattresses...
 

It's time for the missus and I to purchase a new mattress. Based on a stay at an upscale condo, we found we really liked a very firm Sealy tempur-pedic. Sealy and Serta both have versions of memory foam topped beds and apparently they have different proprietery technologies achieving the same end.

But I digress...we only need a queen mattress. Everywhere we go the sales people insist on only selling a queen set. And prices seem to be hugely marked up. Any suggestions on where/how to shop? I realize that good bedding is expensive but given the amount of time one spends in bed and how long they last that's fine. But $2000+ and having to buy a box spring we don't use is a bit pricey to me.

The salespeople use the excuse that the mattress and box-spring are a matched set. If you don't buy both, some will say it will void the warranty.
I think the real issue is that they buy them from the manufacturer as a matched set and will have a bunch of left over box springs at the end of the year.
Try to wait for a sale. They usually blow that stuff out at 50% off once a year. I figure at 50% off it is priced about right.

You do not have to buy a set, they just like to tell you that.

With Sealy and Serta you are paying up to 50% for marketing costs. Try to find some off brands that look well built. Try different furniture / department stores that carry off brands. I recently purchased an Englander brand bed for my son that we all love. Very comfortable and reasonably priced. Can't comment on how long it will last but has done well for a year now.

Sam's Club. Seriously. No Pillowtop.

glad to see you're looking at just a memory foam topped bed. I have had a standard Tempur-pedic King for 3 years now, and I hate it more and more each day. I will be getting a standard mattress ASAP.

It's like sleeping in a hammock....I'm sore everyday when I wake up. The best combo I've found is a firm standard mattress, with a 1.5-2" foam topper.

Gee, thanks red-beard...now I know where I can buy a mattress in Houston:rolleyes::D

I might be able to help you on a tempur-pedic or other memory foam mattress..

try this company call dormia i bought one 5 years ago the best mattress i've ever had no springs 100% latex 2 inches of virgin wool 2 inches memory foam and pillow top .. a little pricey at 2300 but well worth it 25 year warranty ...

Same with me. I was in the mattress store just yesterday trying to figure out what to do with my Tempur Pedic. Many of the new mattresses don't use a box spring, only a platform.

Best way to buy is know the prices and get in on a sale when the discounts are real. I buy from a private dealer, no commissions. My salesperson is the owner. He will bargain.

The search was for "sealy mattress internet" :p

We're not good enough for your bedroom needs? Car yes, but bedroom no? ;)

Apparently it recognized your IP address...first few results when I clicked were for Houston area mattress stores. Your 'puter is really smart;)

see the Consumer Reports article - not only are the big brands highly marketed, but they removed the ability to flip the things and make them last 2x as long -- the SAY you "don't have to flip" but really it is you cannot flip

I agree to wait for a sale - they make a fortune on these things.

going matt only will give the manufacturer a valid reason to void the warranty.

FYI. It's real.

rjp

Lots of good info on different mattress types here. Don't know what their shipping rates are, just posting the link for info and price comparison purposes.

Best Mattress - the South's Leading Custom Mattress Company

My dad likes the Justus brand mattresses... They have had theirs for a few years now and like it. They used to buy the cheaper Justus for my grandparents motels.... They held up well....

There's a lot of used mattress deals on Craigslist...

I'd sleep on a 4X8 sheet of drywall before I'd sleep on a used mattress.

That and a down topper, nice high thread count sheets, pure silk fiber filled comforter and some very good pillows.

A friend had a memory foam topper on her mattress. I checked it out. Didn't like it at all, too soft, like laying in rotten meat. I never had a bed when growing up, slept on the floor. I like harder mattresses. But my wife likes soft mattresses. We solved that with a Select Comfort.