Helpful information to make mattress shopping easier Mattress shopping Guide Though you may find bed-buying somewhat confusing – after all, you don't do it very often and it's not easy to see what's inside – research shows that the level of customer satisfaction with new mattresses is very high. The best way to ensure that you're a satisfied customer is to shop at a store you know and trust to give you good information, good service and top quality products. Look for educated salespeople who can guide you through the many choices. If you don't feel your salesperson is knowledgeable or helpful, take your business elsewhere. In most communities, there is an abundance of shopping choices – from furniture stores to sleep specialty shops to department stores – so you'll be able to find a store where you'll feel you're getting the right information and the right attention. And once your new sleep set has been delivered to your home, you'll probably be so happy with it that you'll wonder why you didn't buy a new bed sooner. Comparison Shopping for Mattresses If you're a shopper who likes to compare values from store to store, you should be aware that comparison shopping by model name might lead to frustration. You probably won't find the same model name in one store as you did in another. As with so many products on the market in America today – from apparel to fine furnishings – many retailers prefer to offer products that are exclusive to their store. So find a sleep set you like, and then see what levels of comfort and support you can get for the same amount of money in another store. Your best strategy for making a wise purchase is to go to a store where the sales personnel make you feel comfortable, are knowledgeable and helpful. Many will be able to show you illustrated or actual "cutaways" of the interior of the different mattress and foundation choices so you can see what's inside, where much of the quality is hidden. Don't forget to compare store services such as delivery, financing and removal of old bedding as well. When comparing, remember that a "bargain" mattress and foundation are no bargain when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. Shop for the best value, not the lowest price. And, buy the best you can afford. Considering that you'll probably be using your bed more than any other product you own – including your car, TV, computer or cell phone – the mattress you sleep on is one of the best cost-per-day values on the market today. What to Look for When Buying a Mattress COMFORT. Gone are the days when a mattress had to be hard-as-a-board to be good for you. A too-hard mattress may only succeed in putting your shoulders and hips to sleep. You'll sleep best when your bed helps you feel cradled in comfort, cozy and secure. Today's top quality mattress/foundation ensembles are built for superior comfort. Luxurious new cushioning materials and extra-soft surface treatments create a plusher, more comfortable feel. SUPPORT. Correct support is the essential ingredient for a healthy body. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips, and lower back—the heaviest parts. If there's too little support, you can develop back pain. But if the mattress is too hard for you, you can experience uncomfortable pressure. A word about "firm." Don't rely on product labels to tell you which mattress will give you the right support. One manufacturer's "firm" may feel harder than another's "extra firm." The only way to find out if the support is right is to lie down and try. DURABILITY. It's the quality of the materials used and how they're put together that determines how long a mattress and foundation will provide the comfort and support you bought them for. The best assurance of good performance over a good many years is to buy the highest quality sleep set you can afford. A word about the warranty. Don't look to the warranty to tell you how long to keep your mattress and foundation. It's there to protect you against product defects, not against the gradual loss of comfort and support. A sleep set may still be usable after 15 or 20 years, but it's not giving you the good night's sleep you deserve. SPACE. Cramped quarters can turn sleeping into a nightly wrestling match. A healthy sleeper moves anywhere from 40-60 times a night, including some dozen full body turns. You need freedom of motion while you sleep and to help you relax while getting to sleep. If you sleep with a partner, be sure to select queen or king size. Both are not only wider, but several inches longer than the standard "double" (full size), which offers each sleeper only as much space as a baby in a crib. (Source: Better Sleep Council, www.bettersleep.org) VIEW F.A.Q.'s