How To Buy A Mattress

Buying a mattress can cost you big bucks.

The Early Show ConsumerWatch correspondent Susan Koeppen turned to the experts at Consumer Reports for some advice on how to get the best value for your money.

Here are a few things she learned:

You don't have to spend a fortune on your bed.

High coil count isn't always necessary.

And finding the perfect mattress comes down to what you think is comfortable.

Nobody knows a good mattress like Charlotte Williams. She's been sleeping on the same one for 63 years.

And it stills feels great. What's so special about this Simmons Beautyrest?

The 82-year-old says her mattress is perfect because it's not too soft, not too firm, it's just right.

"It's not for sale," she assures Koeppen with laughter, "I wouldn't give it up for anything."

Everyone wants to find that perfect mattress, but how do you pick one that's right for you?

Koeppen went to see Tod Marks at Consumer Reports where they studied and tested dozens of beds.

In the magazine's June issue, they show you how to buy a mattress without losing sleep.

The most important tip: if you don't snooze, you lose. Give that mattress a 15-minute test drive.

Marks says, "We found that 15-minute trial that you're apt to do in store that we recommend is a really accurate predictor of long-term satisfaction."

So don't be afraid to kick off your shoes and actually get on the bed. Take a nap.

"Get a pillow. They have pillows," Marks says, "But if you have a special pillow, you may even want to bring that with you."

If you're worried about a bad back, experts say firmer isn't always better. The best bed is the one you find most comfortable.

Marks explains, "The fact of the matter is a rock hard bed is not necessarily good for you because you can wake up with aches and pains and stiffness. And especially as you get older, we become much more sensitive to pressure points. "

So what happens if you buy a mattress and hate it? Find a store with a good return policy. And understand what a "comfort guarantee" means.

Marks notes, "If you buy from a store that offers a comfort exchange, don't expect your money back. You'll be able to trade the bed in for equal or higher value, but it's going to cost you anywhere from $60 to $300 to make that exchange."

And that brings us to price. You should never pay full price for a mattress.
Marks says you should be able to get at least 50 percent off. Definitely look for sales, and don't be afraid to haggle.

"It's kind of like shopping for a car," Marks says. "When you go to the store ask them: Is this the lowest price you ever sell this mattress for? I know you had a sale last week, I don't see one this week. Can you give it to me now? If you're willing to do that, I'll buy from you."

But one bargaining strategy you can't use is comparison shopping. Mattress companies make it almost impossible because they give the same bed a different name at different stores.

Marks says, "It's bad news for you, the consumer, because it gives you much more limited options in terms of price shopping, because if you can't comparison shop, your hands are tied. "

That's why it's so important to bargain for a lower price.

Chances are you'll never get a price like this: $39.50. That's what Charlotte Williams paid back in 1942 for a mattress she thinks is priceless.

"I think it will last as long as I do," she says, "I think I'll take it with me when I go to heaven."

Consumer Reports says a mattress can last 10 years. But you should consider getting a new one,if you wake up tired or achy, or if your mattress looks saggy or lumpy. And don't wait until your mattress wears out to get a new one.