Do you know your preferences?

Medium; full-size; no pillow top. That's all I know for now.

Get a cute salesman to help you test drive it.

Best suggestion EVAH!

I'm going mattress shopping. I've never bought one before. Any tips?

Wear comfortable clothing that won't make you feel weird when you lie down on the beds. Also, test the mattress in the position you normally sleep in. (If you sleep on your side, lying down on your back won't really help.)

My dad just sent me a long article from Consumer Reports about mattress shopping a few weeks ago -- their conclusion was that it's a big-ass racket. They suggested (a) going to a store with a big selection and setting aside a big chunk of time so you can test-drive the ones you want for a minimum of 10 minutes each; (b) not even attempting to keep track of model names because the manufacturers change them constantly and will sometimes send the same identical mattress to a half-dozen stores in your area under a half-dozen different names; and (c) noting the qualities of the ones you liked best (foam or coils or layers of each, how many coils, how firm) and then checking around for a cheap-ass demi-wholesaler, calling him/her up, describing what you liked, and asking what they've got that's comparable.

IIRC, the article specifically said not to even attempt to comparison-shop by maker or model (except to avoid the obviously cheap and crappy ones) because they're deliberately trying to confuse you.

I don't remember what the article said about cute salesmen, but admittedly I didn't read all the sidebars.

Since Nordstrom's has such a great shoe department, the Rack also has some good selection in their shoe department--I go there all the time for my gym shoes. That's the big downside to my sister moving away from Seattle; no more shopping at the big Rack store downtown, near Pike Place Market.

My favorite old-time-style department store is State Street Marshall Fields (even though it is now Macy's--feh!), with the wonderful Tiffany dome.

As for mattress shopping, make sure they provide free delivery and free takeaway of your old set.

Also, test the mattress in the position you normally sleep in

Does this mean I should bring my cat and put him in between my feet??

their conclusion was that it's a big-ass racket

Great. Thanks, though, that is helpful.

My plan is to go to a department store (Carson Pirie Scott) who is having a big 50% off sale this weekend and 2 discount mattress places (American Mattress and Bedding Experts) to try some mattresses out.

Consumer Reports says:

Despite the claims, there is no best bed for everyone. You'll need to spend time finding the mattress that's most comfortable and supportive for you.

Trying a mattress for 15 minutes in a store can predict long-term satisfaction.

The cheap mattresses featured in flyers are apt to be less durable than others; their padding may be so thin that you feel the springs.

Sales are frequent, discounts are steep, and no one should pay list price for a conventional innerspring mattress.

They also say that all but the cheapest mattresses have plenty of coils.

I totally know the bed I would like to buy because I've slept on it numerous times and never slept so well. It's the beds they have at the Westin. Sadly, they don't make that bed in the size I need so I'm SOL until I move to a new place. Which might not happen for another decade.

Fifteen minutes per bed? I'd go nuts.

I'm scared of the day I have to buy a new mattress. I totally lucked out on mine -- I bought it used (!! what was I thinking?? But it was nearly-new and perfectly fine) for $100 like 8 years ago, and it's still going strong.

Just got a nice thank-you call from my mom for her bday present, so that's good.

I have futon mattresses. I think they're great. I figure I'll keep going with them unless I find love in a Tempurpedic.