Hi nms,
Have you read the tutorial post? There is a link there to a list there of some of the better online memory foam sources that I’m aware of and I would also make sure you’ve evaluated each one based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you including the specifics of their return policies.
You can read a little more about Amerisleep in post #4 here and post #4 here and its sister companies in post #2 here. A forum search on Amerisleep will bring up more information as well. It may also be worthwhile reading some of the issues they have had with issuing refunds in their BBB complaints. As you can see they are more of a marketing company than “mattress people” and while they are probably better “value” than some of the more mainstream options … they are probably the first one I would consider eliminating from your list.
I would also be very cautious with using online reviews to make a mattress choice (see post #13 here).
The next thing I would do is make sure you have had a more detailed phone conversation with the others so that you are confident that the mattresses you are considering would be a good match for you in terms of PPP. This is the most important part of the “value” of a mattress purchase regardless of cost or even quality because if a mattress isn’t suitable for your body type, sleeping positions, and personal preferences then no matter what its price it would have little value to you if you can’t sleep on it. I would make sure that you are confident that any mattress you are considering has a good chance of working well for you and this would include talking with them about any local mattresses that may be similar to the one you are considering and then testing it in person to get a better sense of the feel and performance of the one you are considering. Your local testing can be a very important part of your conversation with each one, deciding on the choice that may be best for you, and the success of an online mattress purchase in general.
Next I would make sure you are completely familiar with the return or exchange policies of each of them. Even with your “best judgement” and the “best efforts” of an online retailer or manufacturer … there is always a chance with an online purchase that you haven’t tested in person that your actual sleeping experience will indicate the need to return or exchange the mattress because it isn’t working as well for you as you’d hoped. One of the most important parts of your personal value equation is replacing hindsight with foresight and making sure you are comfortable with the return or exchange options you have after a purchase including knowing the procedure and any costs involved so you can factor this into your choice.
All of the remaining choices you have use good quality materials and there are no obvious weak links but I would also take your weight into account both to make sure that you are making a suitable choice and if you are in a higher weight range I would consider reducing the use of 4 lb memory foam for durability reasons.
Once you have taken all of this and any of the other parts of your personal value equation into account then you would be down to your finalists and be making comparisons between “good and good” and when there are no clear “winners” then post #2 here can help you make your final choice between them.
Phoenix