The horror that is mattress shopping

I need new mattresses for my teenage son and a guest bed, but dread the mattress shopping experience (last time I went to Sleepys, the sales guys looked like vultures or vampires -- they literally gave me bad dreams). Any recommendations for either stores that make the experience less awful or specific models I could get online? Don't want to spend a ton but need something comfortable. Also, if I have serviceable box springs, can I just replace the mattress?

Have you tried Costco online? If you like the tempurpedic type foam, they have a mattress which I think has a top layer of latex foam to eliminate the heat of a tempurpedic. Highly rated as I recall. I agree that Sleepy's is a nightmare. Also I think you can put it on a box spring or on a platform.

No need to replace the box springs. I bought a mattress at Sears at the Livingston Mall recently. They have lots of models on the floor to see what you like best. Also, I think IKEA would provide a low pressure option

I had a nasty experience with Sleepys when I was in the same situation, and would never shop there again. Macy's is having a sale (as usual but this one might be better than some others). I'd go with something really reasonable rather than fabulous, and add a memory foam pad. (My strategy is to sort by price low to high and pick the inexpensive one that has lots of somewhat authentic-sounding reviews).

http://tinyurl.com/npy7z34

I see these ads on the PATH train - If I remember correctly, I think that the code "PATH" saves you some cash?

https://casper.com

Amazon reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Casper-CA001-01-GRY-4-The-Mattress/dp/B00M9CODDW

Ikea

Macy's has a good selection, good sales and I've never found them high-pressure

Agree - absurd experience and its next to impossible to compare from store to store. Costco online, and surprisingly to me JC Penney.

Then there's IKEA - if nothing else mattress toppers there are great and far less than Bed Bath Beyond.

Have had okay experiences with Sleepy's. The "trick" is to take your time and not to be intimidated by the salesperson. If you're not sure, leave the store, think things over, and do whatever additional research needed. We recently made a mattress/box spring purchase at the Vauxhall store for items to be delivered locally in California. The salesman (manager?) was very helpful, and all worked out without a hitch. Note: we negotiated the price down, too.

We used 1-800-mattress for guest beds. It was super-easy. We bought their brand in firm and a couple of our guests commented (unsolicited) that it was the most comfortable bed they had ever slept in.*

*Not sure what they were comparing it to but thought it was a resounding endorsement none the less...

Couldn't agree more on the experience...definitely requires a long shower afterwards... And the bespoke models per retailer are a sadistic touch and ridiculous.

However, we've had a very easy and pleasant experience shopping for our teenager's mattress here: http://keetsa.com/

The Soho showroom is pleasant and low-key -- you can try and feel all the models and then order online or in the store.

We also got a good deal last time by going into Sleepy's, getting 1-800-Mattress on the phone and getting each to lower the price on an equivalent model

Good luck!

Thanks! Tried IKEA which was, surprisingly, awful. Almost everything sold out and what was left expensive and low quality. Had great luck with 800-mattress for my daughter but wanted to try these out. Will try sears or Macy's....

Next time I need to buy beds, I'm going with BedInABox like Caspers. I'll bag the boxspring altogether and get nice platform beds.

I would never use any online service. I need to test out the mattress myself. I would love a sleep number, but when I went the salesperson was clueless. I'm allergic to latex and she couldn't tell me if it had latex or not. I had a decent experience at the Macy's furniture on Rt 22.

https://casper.com/nyc

NOHO showroom for Casper mattresses.

And you can send back if you don't like within 9 months.

Now thinking maybe a futon couch for the guest room instea dof a twin bed..any thoughts?

We got darling daughter a mattress from Saatva and are very happy with it. You have 75 days to try it out which is much better than a few minutes in a mattress store.

http://www.saatvamattress.com/

I understand about trying out a mattress before buying. Be careful

we,re no longer welcome at MaSH

In my experience a futon isn't at all comfortable as a couch OR as a bed. YMMV.

I had the same problem at Sleepys -- salesperson was like a mosquito. So I asked him to lie down on the mattress next to me so I could see what that felt like, and doing that made him uncomfortable enough to leave me pretty much alone.

We have a fairly ancient futon (Lands End, I think, probably about 25 years old) in our guest room that we use as a couch and as a bed when visitors come. Our guests have all said it's comfy, and ive slept on it many times and it was fine. I slept on the mattress in my baby's room for the first few months of her life, too. A mattress topper helps. My husband wants to get a nicer looking sofa bed for that room, but I feel like a sofa bed's mattress is ALWAYS terrible

Plus a full sized mattress, while squishy for two people, is much more doable than a twin, depending on if your guests come in pairs!

Saatva is highly rated...I might not choose for guest bed, but would for kid!

I've never experienced a comfortable futon.

We got a mattress from Nest Bedding . Its really kind of great. If you call w/ Questions, the owner will talk you through it. No pressure. They have show rooms, but only in California. You get 100 days to try the bed and can return in that time frame, no questions asked. Huge improvement over the our prior bed, which I think was more expensive(about twice?) and from Bloomingdales.

sac said:
I've never experienced a comfortable futon.

Futons have changed a lot. We have something like this in our basement. It was used by a visitor for about a month. I offered her to move up to the guest room once it became available (multiple visitors at the same time) and she refused because she really liked it. These are great because they actually look nice when not being used as a bed. We do use a pillow top on it to make it a bit more plush.

http://www.furniture.com/product/item/britton-futon-sofa-bed/1685960/1685946?regionid=3613&cvosrc=cse.google.virginia&cvo_crid=%7Bcreative%7D&gclid=Cj0KEQjw9o-vBRCO0OLi2PfPkI8BEiQA8pdF4BOBrzbBFJ_8dmMTkK7nUAGmB_yFtrn7A21Wt-lUiloaAjn08P8HAQ

deborahg,it might be worth the trip to Shovlin Mattress Factory in Fanwood. They are a small local business, craftsmen, really. Their prices are competitive, and it is very low pressure. They also have Futons. http://shovlinmattress.com/new-jersey-matrress-beds-accessories/

Furniture.com looks amazing! Is it really that cheap? And good quality

Hot damn I love that futon!

pc richard has also just entered the mattress selling arena. fyi. we have not used them.

oots

@pmartinezv and @afa I totally want to buy the same futon!

ETA: Done! I used a coupon code DELIVERYFORYOU to get free shipping (savings of $299). You have to remove the default discount, which is $40. Their online chat people walked me through it. Very easy.

Thanks MOL mavens! I will keep you posted!