Once you've made the decision that you're going to get a new bed, people generally adopt one of several approaches to this. If you've enjoyed your bed for the last 10 years or so you generally will look at the manufacturers label on your existing bed and search out today's equivalent. As a task this is much easier today with the rise of the Internet trader and beds sold online make it possible to see what manufacturers currently produce at a glance.  The alternative is to contact the manufacturer and ask who your local stockist would be so you can go and try out their latest products in the flesh.
Another generally used method for making your decision on a bed purchase is to go straight to your local retailer(s) and try out their beds.  Inevitably this will lead you to price compare after finding your bed of choice and then it's back to the internet for the savvy buyer as they source the best priced product from the most credible supplier.

Understanding your purchase!

The argument that those not able to access and utilise the Internet for purchasing would become disenfranchised is definitely true when it comes to purchasing big-ticket items, and beds are no exception to this rule. With savings of up to 50% on some high street stores the Internet has provided choice and options to the consumer and allows the smaller furniture retailers the opportunity to compete on a level playing field with the large furniture and bed groups.
The power of the large groups though can never be underestimated and they have countered this shift in consumer trends more by good fortune than good planning.  The groups have always been under threat from discounters and the web is seen in the same light.  By using a screen of different names on products the consumer is distracted and often unable to recognise this, and the Internet has merely increased the significance of screening.  The devil is always in the detail and a simple specification match (usually using spring counts on beds) is the way around this for the savvy buyer.

Know whom your purchasing from

The furniture industry for the independents has been in terminal decline for years. From the 1970's when during the "Three Day Week" it was rumoured that firms in the industry siphoned out diesel from their heating systems to supply their delivery vehicles to the rise of the out of town super store groups and interest free credit. The modern era has welcomed the rise in retailing in its purest and most distasteful sense. A man with a van, a phone and a laptop is able sell and supply beds as long as the manufacturer supplies them. Once again the independents take the brunt of this new type of competition as they provide the bricks and mortar showrooms for people to see products that are being sold by the man with the van, phone and a laptop at a reduced rate without any overheads. A stark warning exists here for the consumer; If the retailer you purchase from has no showroom then they have no fixed address and subsequently you encounter this as a risk to your purchase and also the very distinct possibility that next time you come to buy furniture might not be able to see the products in the flesh.

The Delivery

The reason I mention this is because whilst it might be the most logical and obvious thing to consider when buying a bed, it subsequently makes it the easiest to overlook. The delivery service on any bed should be to the room of your choice. Take my word for it that you don't want the struggle of moving a 5'0" x 6'6" bed from your front door to your bedroom so make sure that it's included in the price.

A very quick word on price, springs and fillings

It's quite simple the more expensive a bed is, the better it usually is. If you're not happy with this as a summary and want more detail consider the spring count and the fillings in the mattress.