How to Save Money on a Mattress: What I learned from Saving $300 on a brand new mattress

 How To Save $300 or More Buying a Brand New Mattress

Are you in the market for a new mattress? Purchasing a mattress can be a major investment, and you will spend time with a mattress like no other piece of furniture. Markups on a new mattress can be upwards of 100%, with each store carrying different brands and different models to discourage and prevent comparison shopping between stores and mattresses. the following website: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/17/how-to-buy-a-mattress/ contains many tips, including:

1. Mattresses are expensive. A great deal on a bed will still cost many hundreds of dollars, expect $600 or more after final discount and taxes. We are looking for savings from "sticker" (retail) price. 
2. Mattresses last 10 years. Expect to sleep on this purchase for the next 3,650 nights. Even if you sell your house, your mattress will most likely move with you to your next property.
3. Purchase Mattress Pads or Warranties at a discount. Very likely you can negotiate a discount on the Mattress Pad or Warranty at the same time purchasing a mattress.
4. If you don't like it at the store, you won't like it at home. Lay on the bed for 2-3 minutes or longer to give the bed a "test" sleep. 
5. Do not purchase an inexpensive bed. You will be using this bed for the next 10 years, it's worth a few extra hundred dollars.

 Trusted Mattress Brands:

• Sealy Posturepedic
• Simmons "Beautyrest" or "Black" lines
• Tempurpedic
• Stearns & Foster 

Online Mattress Stores

• 1-800-Mattress
• US-Mattress.com 
• Tempurpedic Direct From the Factory (www.TheFoamFactory.com) : King Sized 4 lb ViscoPlush memory foam for 340.99.

How To Save Money Buying a Mattress

1. Research prices, features, and compare companies online. What type of bed are you looking for? What is your price range?
2. Scope out the particular mattress you want to purchase before a sale. 
3. If you are visiting a mattress or big-box store, attend a "Half-Off" sale during president's day, Labor Day, Black Friday.
4. Purchase using a credit card that has return protection.
5. Find out which bed you want online. Call other online retail/manufacturers to see if they will match that price. 
6. Purchase directly from the mattress manufacturer. "The Original Mattress Factory Locations" If you live in a city with a company like this, you can save 70% or more by purchasing directly from the manufacturer. 
7. Buy from Costco or Sam's Club. Costco has the limitation that you must use a debit card, which negates the protection of a credit card. But costco has great prices on mattresses.
8. Take pictures of mattress and its "Law Tags" before putting on the sheet. Make copies of all receipts and warranties, keep in a safe place in digital and paper format.
9.  Your strongest negotiating tactic is your ability to walk out the door. Always be willing to walk away from the deal and you will discover the dealer's lowest price.
10. DO NOT purchase a second hand mattress or receive a "free" mattress from craigslist. Bed bugs are a huge problem all over the united states, and will infest your entire household (furniture, clothing, drapes, EVERYTHING) if you accept a "free" mattress. Don't Do It!!

Buying a mattress is a high-stress, high-markup investment that you will be spending 1/3 of your life in for the next 10 years. By performing your research and searching for the best deal available, you will enjoy a high quality mattress at a bargain price and included 10 year warranty.

Have you ever purchased a mattress, and if so, what was your experience and do you have any tips to share?

Other tips on saving money on a buying a mattress: http://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/1xjzjt/i_negotiated_a_mattress_from_1000_to_700_and_got/