FINALLY!  You have selected a mattress retailer, found the mattress you want, and you think you got a fabulous price.
  The mattress arrives at your door and to your surprise, it's not even remotely what you ordered.
  Not only that, but it's got stains all over it.
  You call the mattress retailer and they tell you that your mattress was out of stock and so they sent you this mattress as a replacement (without telling you!).
Insert curse word here ____.
  What's the worst part? Unfortunately, you have thrown out your old mattress to make way for the new mattress.
  You're probably sleeping on the floor tonight.
Stories like this, believe it or not, are fairly common things to hear from customers as most people don't know how to shop for a mattress or choose the right mattress retailer.
It may even be you I'm describing in the previous paragraph.
  Buying a mattress can be a big investment and so it is important that you follow the these steps when choosing what mattress retailer you are going to buy from.
  While following these 7 steps may not completely eliminate the risk, it will definitely help give you piece of mind that you have gone with the right mattress retailer and not Shysters Discount Mattresses.
Step 1.
Ask your friends and family This is a good place to start.
  Often times you will know someone who has already been through the process that can recommend a good mattress retailer for you to shop.
Don't rely on this information alone.
  Just because your friend had a good experience doesn't mean that everyone else has.
    Step 2.
Look for valuable information on the companies website.
Do they have a professional website?  Many, but not all, of the reputable mattress retailers have a website.
  Look for something that says FAQ or customer support to get an idea of the retailers exchange, return, and cancellation policies.
  What fees do they charge if you want to swap it out to a different model?  Some mattress retailers have enormous fees.
  One charges a $250 restocking fee to exchange a queen set ($399 for a king) plus a $79 redelivery fee, plus the difference between the manufactures MSRP and the sale price.
  With the fees that some mattress retailers charge...
some of make you say to yourself..
..
"why not take my unborn child while your at it?!" Read the fine print! Step 3.
Type in the mattress retailers name into Google with the word "Complaints" or  "Lawsuits" next to it in quotes.
  This is to get an idea of what customers think of this mattress retailer and also see if you can find any governmental actions against them.
Every company, particularly if they are large, is going to get customer complaints.
  There is no way to make every single customer happy, however, a red flag should come up if 50 pages of complaints pull up on Google.
  One New York mattress retailer, has been sued and fined (so many times that I have lost count) for false advertising, selling defective merchandise, and using deceptive sales practices.
  You would never know this based on how trusting their commercials sound.
Trust me...
you would rather lay down on a bed of knives before dealing with this mattress retailer.
  Step 4.
Take mattress forums with a grain of salt.
  Because anybody can post on these, it's impossible to tell if the customers in the forum are really customers.
Many times they are retailers who are trying to make themselves look good or competing retailers bashing each others service/products.
  Sometimes you can find good info on here, but you need to know how to sift through all the garbage.
  If, however, you see an overwhelming amount of complaints about this mattress retailer, I would walk away.
Step 5.
Make sure the mattress salesperson has your best interest in mind.
  A good salesperson is is a consultant who is working on your behalf to help you find the right mattress.
  Everyone has different circumstances.
  They should be asking you questions to get an idea of what your specific needs are and then providing you with a solution based on your answers.
  Be wary if they are pushing you on to a particular mattress or they start "closing you" over an over again until you feel like smacking them (don't smack them...
I don't want to get letters).
  They should be answering your questions without sounding like they are putting on any kind of spin or evading your answers.
  Write down a list of questions so you don't forget to ask them (like what's the secret to life?..
no don't ask that one...
they might say "Buy lots of mattresses and only from me") Step 6.
Make sure to get everything discussed in writing.
  Honest sales people can be hard to find.
  That's why it's important to get things in writing.
  Write down the names of the mattresses and if possible the item number of everything you're purchasing.
If your getting a sale price or the company promises something that is outside of their normal policies, get it in writing so there is no confusion later should you have any service issues.
  Be wary of anyone who refuses to give you things in writing.
  If they're  promising you french fries with your order at no extra charge, it better say it somewhere on the invoice.
Step 7.
Inspect and test your bed before you sign anything.
  When it's delivered, make sure you are getting what you ordered by looking for the name on the mattress.
  Somewhere on the mattress it will have the name of the model.
  Check the bed for any dirt, tears, rips, stains, burns, or holes (this one is not a joke...
I've heard it all), and make sure it has it's law tag as these things will usually void the manufactures warranty.
  Following these steps will help make sure you are dealing with the right mattress retailer and make sure your transaction goes smoothly.
  If any red flags come up, be willing to walk away from the sale even if you think you are getting a great deal.
  Chances are, someone down the street will give you the same offer but blow you away with their service and reputation.