My mother's just moved into a retirement home, so we need a not-too-expensive, firm, not-pillow-top, and because I think the bed will outlast her, a non-flippable mattress, box, and frame.

There are 4 or maybe 5 million mattress retailers in souther California, not including the usual suspects -- Sears, JCPenny, and Macys.

Who should I avoid -- and which retailers does anyone here recommend?

Someone may be able to point you to an exceptional retailer, but offhand I don't think you can do better than Costco or Sam's Club for a good, midquality mattress set at a reasonable price.

I agree Costco and Sams club are great choices given their return policies.

Local and regional manufacturers also offer great value and well made mattresses.

What is your budget midrange (amount you'd like to stay under but would go slightly over if a mattress was worth it)?

What size are you looking for?

What city do you live in (I'll see if I can find a few manufacturers reasonably close if you like)

Phoenix

My apologies -- I forgot the size: Full. I'm in Pasadena, California.

And price is a consideration -- I want to keep it at about $500. (These retirement homes are mighty expensive, to the tune of $6K a month.)

Remember, this is for my 88-year old mother. Her only requirement is the mattress is firm. And at her age, I don't expect a 10-year warranty will be an issue.

I spotted a Sealy FULL POWDER SAND CF for just that price at Sit n' Sleep.

Sub-Total:			$485.00
Discount “SAVE10 ”:			($48.50)	Remove
Delivery to 91107:			$0.00
Sales Tax:			$42.56

Have to see if they'll throw in the frame and if I can wiggle out a few more bucks.

Here's a few local or regional manufacturers that make some lower cost lines and might be worth a call or visit to see what they have.

Some of them may even be in retail outlets in Pasadena

Phoenix

http://www.customcomfortmattress.com/showroom/

http://airdreamsmattress.com/contact/

http://www.comfortpedicmattress.com/locations/rancho_cucamonga_showroom_map.php

http://www.leadermattress.com/contact/index.html

http://www.royal-mattress.com/products.htm

http://www.samsmattress.com/contact.asp

http://www.acpacific.com/MATTRESSES_INDEX_PAGE.html

http://www.flexuscomfort.com/stores.php

http://www.stressopedic.com/contact.html