What's the Best Bed "Bang" for the Buck?

We're looking to replace mattresses this year (not convinced of the need to replace box springs though.) It's quite dizzying with all the S brands, the off-brands, the store brands, etc. Can some of you chime in and share what great mattresses you have had recent success with? We really don't want to pay a King's $2300+ ransom for big flat blocks of foam, we are open to mattress/topper combos or the ubiquitous "pillow top". I'm fully convinced that the mattress industry is corrupt and in conspiracy to cheat the public.
What are the best cost/value mattresses out there? Flippers or "non-flippers"?
Found a great website here: http://www.themattressunderground.com/our-articles/mattress-shopping-guidelines-finding-the-best-quality-and-value.html

Most will tell you the guarantee is not good unless you replace box springs as well. I would never use an old one with a new mattress. Out it all goes and replace with all new.

The best mattress I ever bought for the guests was a hotel/motel model that was extremely firm and added a memory foam topper. People continuously ask us for the manufacturer.
As far as I know, they don't make "flippers" anymore, you just turn.

I went thru this years ago, trying to figure out what makes the model at Macy's worth $200 more than the model at American mattress.
Then we had a guest stay who was a mgr at a mattress making facility. The difference? The fabric cover. So you can't compare prices, they put different covers on the same mattress and ship to different stores under different brand names.
So, pick a mattress you like, in a firmness you like and buy it for the price you like.
We have one set of original mattresses still left. 28 years in service. They are hotel grade from Sealy. (Again, all made by the same factory with different covers depending on store and brand.)
My new mattresses are locally made because I was fed up with playing the game. We call the factory they make and deliver the mattress we specify. The guy who made the last set of mattresses we bought also delivered them.
Our guests can call the store and say they want the same mattress as here and they will ship.
They are flippable. And I have a warrantee on them. If they are damaged by a guest, the factory will replace it for 50% off the original price.
If the factory is at fault (something doesn't hold up) they come to the house, take the mattresses away and repair them.
I buy 'firm' and then top with a thick mattress pad. You get the 'cloud' feeling without the backaches.
King set with frame ran me $1100 including tax.

Whatever you choose and wherever you go, be sure to haggle with them. I have never paid the full price listed on the showroom floor. Sometimes it's been 1/2 the price! The industry really does make it extremely difficult to compare one mattress to another as a previous post mentioned.
Fortunately, we have replaced all mattresses and get great comments. Ours are from a regional manufacturer and are on pedistals, not box springs. We first bought one for ourselves with a 101 night guarantee. After sleeping on it for a few nights, I didn't like it as much as I wanted to so they took it back, we got full credit and found another I liked. We then bought that for all our rooms.

COmplete report on mattresses in the Consumer Reports magazine that arrived today.

There is no warranty on a mattress purchased without the box springs, that is how it works, i believe. You buy them part and parcel, not without the other.

We have a company in the UK called mattre ssman dot com and they have a clearance section with sometimes damaged items. Obviously you don't want one with the frame bent out of shape but some just have tiny tears in the fabric. I've had a couple of bargains this route.
Worth looking out for.

Joey Bloggs said:

There is no warranty on a mattress purchased without the box springs, that is how it works, i believe. You buy them part and parcel, not without the other..

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WELCOME BACK JB! You must be feeling better because you are posting! Hope so!

Guests prefer to buy the best mattress is a hotel / motel mode, soft and durable, and add a memory foam hat.