So, I have found a similar bed for $410, including shipping. The web site says it comes in a color called "golden sand" which is an off white. If it's not quite the right white, at this price, should I order it and spray paint it the color I want, or would you just buy the LL Bean version for $130 more and be done with it? I could probably paint the bed for less than $10. Thanks.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Oscar Bed

Have you considered Overstock.com?

mzdee - I did check Overstock, but didn't see anything there. Thanks for the idea, though!

Beautiful - try www.humbleabode.com. They have alot of beds, including wesley allen beds which are great quality and lifetime guarantee and they also have free shipping over a certain $$ (can't remember how much). or try your local furniture store for a wesley allen bed - might be able to get a break on the shipping which can kill ya!

Ask to speak to a manager when you call LL Bean to order. Tell them you want free shipping please. Otherwise, they will lose your business.

Ask nicely. Worth a shot.

Otherwise, I would probably either 1) pay it, what's $40 when you are spending $550 or 2) seek out something in the $300 range considering the usage you expect.

FWIW - it is beautiful.

Thanks for the additional ideas, ilanab and whenicit. I checked out humblebabode.com and found they have the exact bed, but it's even more expensive than LL Bean. Lots of other nice stuff there, though! And I'll definitely ask LL Bean if they can waive shipping - like you said, it's worth a shot!

Kimberly

I browsed with my sister when she was looking for a metal bed. We stopped in a couple of those mattress stores (in strip malls), they have quite a few and for less $. Also JC Penney has some in their Home Store and even local furniture stores have a handful of offerings. ;) Kings averaged in the $250 - $350 or so range (on sale, and they go on sale a lot). They seemed sturdy enough, weren't jiggly or wobbly.

Can anyone advise what the difference in price is between a $300 vs a $500+ iron bed?

Whenicit, you mentioned "considering the usage you expect" referring to a $300 price range. Is it your experience that the lower priced iron beds don't hold up as well, or move around more or make noise? Or maybe the finish doesn't hold up as well? I've been thinking I want an iron headboard for our master, probably not a footboard though. Any thoughts on this?