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18 responses total.

I'm partial to futons, but not everybody is.

I you wind up getting a mattress, get be prepared to spend for the best!
We had a second from the best mattress for about two years and never really
liked it.  We were forced to replace it (aching backs) and got the best.
No regrets and it's been at least five years.

Go to the store and lie dow a lot.

Second that.  Don't be afraid to flop on a good-looking mattress and
try out some of your favorite sleeping positions.  
 
Anyone else been mystified by those so-called "best" mattresses that
put a thick cushy padding on top so that you feel like you are going
be rolled out of bed if you get close to the edge?  I don't think I
could get used to that.

(Boy, my first line in responce #2 sure makes a lot of sense :-/)
We found it a good idea to have a second person flop around on one
side while the other remains still on the other.  I don't like 
being bounced around in bed every time my wife moves.   I'm a rest-
less sleeper and now my wife doesn't get bounced out of bed anymore.
We also made sure that the mattress was good and firm right up to the
edge.  We avoided any padding, like Kent mentioned.  Padding gets
pushed down to nothing as soon as you put a couple of pounds on it so
it makes little sense to have it.

OK. New reccomendation: *both* of you go to the store and flop around a lot.

I think a mattress over a solid platform (without box springs) is called a
"platform bed" and these seem very comfortable.  Probably mattress quality
and cost go hand in hand.  Perhaps Consumer's magazine has rated mattresses?

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Then go to the Kiwanis sale.....

The real value of a good mattress (and box spring) is that when two
people sleep on them, they don't form a common depression into which
they both role, and spend the night climbing the sides. 

I have purchased mattresses twice in my life.  The first time was to switch
from a waterbed to a regular bed because (at the time) they did not have dual
heating controls.  My husband liked cool...so that my bones were aching and
I would wake up freezing throughout the night.  The temps I was comfortable
with were waayyy too hot for him.  We decided on a queen size bed.  I found
a frame I really liked and then began looking at mattresses and box springs.
I wanted a firm mattress and I happen to like the padding.  I went to a
billion stores and plopped around on a million beds.  I ended up not being
able to tell anything.  I went back to the original store and told them I
wanted the top of the line Sealy Posturpedic.  It had lots of padding on it
and was in a color I hate, but you cover it with sheets anyway, right?  It
cost a pretty penny, even after negotiating.  I was not disappointed.  It
always takes me about a week to get used to a mattress and this was no
exception.  That was 16 years ago and that bed was handed down to my eldest
daughter when she moved out on her own and we decided to upgrade.  The
mattress is still in excellent condition and still firm with no sagging spots
to be found.  Part of this is because the box springs have real springs and
are not just a box.  When I last visited her, I slept on that bed and it was
still quite comfortable (Feb).

When we upgraded to king size, I did the same thing.  Went and found the very
top of the line Sealy Posturpedic and began negotiating price.  That was 8
years ago and my bed is still quite comfortable.  These mattresses have a 10
year warranty on them, but they well exceed that limit.  This mattress also
has lots of padding and is an extra firm.

I recommend the Sealy Posturpedic, top of the line.  I have never had bad luck
with one.

This item has been linked from Consumers 66 to Intro 56.
Type "join consumers" at the Ok: prompt for discussion
of buying, selling, using, and all that.

 I once had a waterbed. I hated it. In spades.

That was the problem - spades are hard on waterbeds.

i love julies futon, it rules

Any luck yet Valerie?

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One of the best places to shop is Mattress Warehouse near Kroger's
on Washtenaw. Very helpful, low pressure sales people. Relaxed
atmosphere for shopping. 

Not to be confused with one with a similar name down the street.
Warehouse with salesmen who remind you of a used car salesman in
a checkered suit. For a sharp contrast, go there for five minutes,
then go back to Mattress Warehouse and breath a sigh of relief.

I recommend Simmons Beautyrest matresses.  Very comfortable,
and you don't have to buy top-of-the-line to get a decent
matress and box spring set.

As far as places to shop: I've found decent prices at the Art Van
on Eisenhower, next door to the Olive Garden.  Big selection, 
and they deliver on more days than most other stores.  

One thing to keep in mind when shopping for bedding: some mattresses
are made by one manufacturer and sold under different labels.   If
two mattresses look alike but one is Brand A and the other's Brand B,
chances are that they're both Brand X.

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