Hi JMatt,
The better options or possibilities I’m aware of in the Raleigh / Durham area are listed in post #6 here. While there are hundreds of different latex or latex hybrid combinations possible so it’s not likely that you would find a latex or latex hybrid that would be exactly the same in terms of its design or PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences)… it would give you a good idea of the general “feel” of either Talalay or Dunlop latex (depending on which you try) which I think is a good idea.
It’s possible that you may end up preferring a local mattress that you test in person so I don’t see why a retailer would mind if you walked through their door to test their mattresses if they at least had a chance to win your business. If the mattresses they sell aren’t the best match for you based on the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you then that’s just part of a competitive marketplace. Every business knows (or should know) that you win some and you lose some.
Phoenix