Hi joannj,
You are certainly right about this IMO and this is one of the reasons for the guidelines here which are designed to help people avoid the worst choices and outlets and the frustration and lack of quality and value that goes with them.
There is a step by step process that may help you in post #10 here.
The better manufacturers and retail choices that I’m aware of in your area are in post #7 here.
These should help you bypass most of the confusion and misleading information … and scanning the overviews may even make you more knowledgeable than many of the people that were trying to sell you a mattress.
Finding the “experts” that have the knowledge and experience to help you make your best possible choices and that carry high quality and value mattresses can turn mattress shopping from a chore into a pleasure 
Phoenix