Hi BWeech,
Step by step …
Step 1: First eliminate the worst choices. This article should help.
Step 2: Gather some basic information about mattress materials and construction which can help you ask better questions. Scanning the overviews in the mattresses section will help with this.
Step 3: Do some initial research into the local manufacturers and better sleep shops within reasonable driving distance. This article (or the fact that they are a member of this site) will help you identify them. For those who don’t know of any better possibilities in their area … feel free to ask on the forum and I’ll let know about any I may know of within reasonable driving distance.
In your case, you are fortunate to live where you do because you have some great choices in the area. Some of our members are very close to you which means that you have access to some of the best quality and value in the country. You will find them along with some of the other possibilities in your area in post #4 here. (for others who are reading this then a forum search for your city or question on the forum including your city or zip will give you the better possibilities in your area I’m aware of).
Step 4. Connect with the “experts” at the better outlets near you who will help you identify the types of materials and mattresses that may work best for you and fits your budget. Use their help and guidance to help you find the one that best meets your needs and preferences. This is what I call PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal Preferences). Choose your “top choice” at each manufacturer or retail outlet you are working with.
Step 5: Narrow down your top choices based on all the factors and tradeoffs that are most important to you (post #2 here may be helpful with this). At this stage all your choices will likely be good ones (and better than anything you would have found with a major brand or at a mass market outlet). While narrowing them down to one based on your own personal “value equation” can be difficult … in the end you may need to just close your eyes, grit your teeth … and pull the trigger. At this point you really can’t make a mistake and the one you choose may just have some fine detail that tips the balance.
In those areas of the country where there are no better quality and/or value choices available in your area … then I would look online and use the experience and expertise of the members listed in post #21 here who are all very experienced and knowledgeable and specialize in providing the type of help and guidance on the phone that can help you make good choices. Their detailed knowledge of their mattresses and how they fit with different body types and sleeping positions along with your feedback from local testing, a customer base of many people that they can use as reference points, and any exchange policies they may have can greatly lower the risk of an online purchase. They can also be a good “value reference” for local purchases to make sure that any “premium” you are paying for a local purchase (in exchange for the kind of “in person” guidance, service, and value that comes with dealing with a local retailer that can help you make more “accurate” choices that you have tested in person) is not too high.
Hope this helps
Phoenix