what are the best mattresses to purchase that $500 or less?
i need to buy a new mattress within mid range (can go up to 500 – 0) but all mattresses look and feel the same to me. I was wondering if anyone has any insight on best brands and types of mattresses to buy (quality and value)?

Do you have Denver Mattress Company where you live? They are in most of the southwest, but not sure where else. I bought a pillow top one for about $550 and it is fantastic!!!!
go to Leed’s or sears. Matresses can get very expensive, you get what you pay for, the difference is the firmness of the matress some people like it hard while others like a more firm mattress, so you have to take that into consideration.
Get a foam mattress! Forget the typical spring mattresses – those suck. I just got a fake temperpedic mattress from Overstock.com (believe it or not). It is a king size that cost me 600 bucks, and it is AWESOME! The real temperpedic cost like 2 grand for the king size, so definately look around. If you have a Brookstone store near you they have the Temperpedic ones there and you can check it out. It is sooooo comfortable.
I picked up mattress and box spring at Sams Club for 550.00.
Bragad mattress is a good one:
http://www.askaquery.com/answers/qn1512.html