http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-mattress

This is a pretty good little forum.

Use the search button for your questions and remember that a lot of the members are biased one way or another. But, you can get some good info and some good opinions on certain mattresses.

Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mattress Forum

1 - What do you think of the sleep number bed?

Not much, but some people love them

2 - What do you think of a tempurpedic or the Dormia brand mattress?

Tempurpedic is the real deal. They are the only ones that make their own visco, from a formula they developed. Dormia is imported from contract factories in China. Don't trust ANYTHING made in China thats chemical based. They'll cheat the formula to make a few extra bucks.

BTW, most visco beds are made in China. Yes, even Sealy visco mattresses are made in China. If you want visco, spend a little more for Tempurpedic.

3 - How can you really comparison shop for mattresses knowing how the business makes that impossible.

Its not impossible. Ask what questions to ask. If you don't like the answers, don't do business at that place. Don't try to save the last dollar.

4 - What brands besides Simmons would have a mattress where I would not feel another person moving on the bed?

Tempurpedic, Laura Ashley. Pure visco beds are really the best for this though. And king size is best for this as well, two people on a queen gives each person less sleep space than a twin. On a queen you'll feel the other person because he/she is just too close to you.

5 - Why does it seem like I can always get 1/2 off the listed price?

You're shopping at the screaming deal stores. You'll never know what you're buying there, because the staff doesn't know what they're selling. They do know which beds have SPIFs (Sales Performance Incentive Funds - basically a sales bonus).

Don't be afraid of people. Go to a regular furniture store. No not an Ashley store, a regular independent or mom-n-pop store. I promise the salespeople won't bite. If they do then go to a different store. Most will know what they're selling and don't have SPIFs to influence them.

Stay away from the Sealy pillow tops cause after only a few months, Me and hubby have our own little holes and indent from the weight of our bodies and I hate it. Already thinking of buying another mattress and it will probably be a Simmon dream sleeper like I had before.

Can I ask the price you paid, if its Posturepedic (will say on the label if it is) and if its queen or king? I sell Sealy and I've never had that problem, but I only sell the middle prices.

I bought a tempurpedic about 3 months ago, had back achiness every morning due to a cheap mattress I LOVE IT
very comfortable and i did research on the foam and it is true that it is made of high quality foam. made in china foam runs risk of cheap/substandard material yes temp. is more $$ but well worth the peace of mind for quality foam mattress and great warranty/guarantee imo good luck

To anyone looking for a mattress: Please read the forum linked in the second post above. You can buy a mattress equal to or better that a Temp. for less money. And you get to make all the choices. There is a lot of misinformation in the mattress business. Educate yourself and beware.