Are refurb chairs risky?

HangTime · 14 Sep 2023 at 00:18

I have £550 to spend on an Office chair (this is a hard limit, I can't spend more).
This will just about get a Herman Miller Aeron refurb, but over half a grand seems a lot of money for a second-hand chair that could have been used and abused for hours every day.

Anything to look out for in terms of the various resellers?

Oh Ed not again. · 14 Sep 2023 at 00:21

I bought one of the HM Logitech "refurbs". As new, been faultless.

Can always return it if you're not happy.

mattpj · 16 Sep 2023 at 22:34

HangTime said:
I have £550 to spend on an Office chair (this is a hard limit, I can't spend more).
This will just about get a Herman Miller Aeron refurb, but over half a grand seems a lot of money for a second-hand chair that could have been used and abused for hours every day.

Anything to look out for in terms of the various resellers?

I bought a Herman Miller Says refurb and have been suitably impressed. It looked new on arrival and it just happens to be the best chair I have ever used after countless "gaming" types.

Somnambulist · 17 Sep 2023 at 18:33

Getting a refurbed chair from HM is no more risky than getting a refurbished device from Apple. Great way to save a few quid and unlike buying used you’ll be hard pressed to see any wear.

ryu · 17 Sep 2023 at 20:20

Sit on one and see

The_Arbiter · 17 Sep 2023 at 21:06

Got my Stealcase Leap pre CV from a small company via courier. It was reupholstered and has done a great job so far. I'd happily buy another from a well reviewed site if needed. Though i can't see it breaking any time.

goldy6660 · 18 Sep 2023 at 00:38

Something like a Herman miller will never die...risk it

Troezar · 18 Sep 2023 at 10:42

Sitting in my Ergohuman Plus I bought used for £194 +VAT. Brilliant chair, build quality is very good. Best bet is if you can go to a place that sells used office equipment and pick one out. You can get a very good chair for less than a pretty basic new one.

sgavan · 18 Sep 2023 at 16:23

I managed to get a 2nd hand Aeron in 2018, lucky £340, still just as comfy. It seems to be that the base doesn't really soften.

Troezar · 18 Sep 2023 at 16:36

sgavan said:
I managed to get a 2nd hand Aeron in 2018, lucky £340, still just as comfy. It seems to be that the base doesn't really soften.

I presume mesh? My Ergohuman is still like new. Seems the mesh on the higher end chairs is really good stuff.

sgavan · 18 Sep 2023 at 16:58

Yeah mesh base and back, the back is a little softer but great quality

Slam · 19 Sep 2023 at 18:04

I got a Steelcase Leap v2 refurb a bit before lockdown, so glad I had a great chair to get me through the pandemic lockdowns, still in great condition. no regrets

goldy6660 · 19 Sep 2023 at 18:48

Troezar said:
I presume mesh? My Ergohuman is still like new. Seems the mesh on the higher end chairs is really good stuff.

Do they come with warranty when they are refurbished?

Troezar · 19 Sep 2023 at 19:24

goldy6660 said:
Do they come with warranty when they are refurbished?

I think that will vary but to be honest if it's a good chair and in good condition when you buy it they just last. The better ones also sell spares.

SqualidChimp · 23 Sep 2023 at 19:35

Look on facebay for a steelcase leap that needs some TLC. Essentially tanks, so should just be able to pop in some chair foam and reupholster all for well under £100 and some staple gun effort, and you get your choice of covering. Crandall (US refurbisher) has some good YouTube vids on how to do it, and your local Boyes or Dunelm or online fabric or foam shops are cheaper for materials than at least I thought they would be. £60 I paid for an old Leap v1 - nothing wrong apart from flat seat cushion. Good luck in your quest!

Removed User 345456 · 24 Sep 2023 at 18:13

SqualidChimp said:
Look on facebay for a steelcase leap that needs some TLC. Essentially tanks, so should just be able to pop in some chair foam and reupholster all for well under £100 and some staple gun effort, and you get your choice of covering. Crandall (US refurbisher) has some good YouTube vids on how to do it, and your local Boyes or Dunelm or online fabric or foam shops are cheaper for materials than at least I thought they would be. £60 I paid for an old Leap v1 - nothing wrong apart from flat seat cushion. Good luck in your quest!

MacGyver asf!

SqualidChimp · 30 Sep 2023 at 23:43

keef247 said:
MacGyver asf!

Honestly, check out the video - half an hour with a staple gun and some scissors, once materials are in hand.

Then onto adding the side-mounted rocket launchers from old bits of drainpipe and inexplicably placed household chemicals...

scarps · 30 Sep 2023 at 23:55

I got a Herman Miller refurb and its been fine, basically just scuffs on the wheels and base bit. Didn't come boxed or anything, delivery chap just handed me a chair.

Blackjack Davy · 1 Oct 2023 at 00:41

Steelcase Leaps are pretty much indestructible I think mine isn't even refurb'd it was just the cheapest tiredest looking one out there (£100 incl. delivery bloke delivered it out the back of a tired looking van) and over five years later its still going strong. Legend.

IanAG · 1 Oct 2023 at 11:24

Maybe it was just the vendor (who now no longer exist), but my experience with a Steelcase Please from 2ndhnd was disappointing. I wouldn't bother again unless I could see and test in person the specific chair I was buying. Decided it made more sense to go for the long term with an HM Mirra.