Considering a reconditionned Aeron chair

[TacticalCoder]

Hey all,

I may use some of my poker winnings to buy two things: a collectible keyboard (I already have a few Model M's) and an Herman Miller Aeron.

I do really badly need a new chair as I'm sitting nearly all day long at my home office in front of my computer.  I've used two different Aeron and I just love them.  

I found a place in Germany (I'm in Europe myself) that sells refurbished Aeron which look in very good shape.  Did anyone try them?  How can I know if they're trustworthy? The person/business is a powerseller on eBay with 100% rep which is good.

Put it simply: if you were looking for a refurbished Aeron, would you buy from here:

http://www.designcabinet.biz

(note that I'm not in any way affiliated to that website/person/company)

Basically I'm a bit puzzled: ordering from the website shipping is only 25 Euros mostly anywhere in Europe with shopping from eBay the shipping is a tad more expensive (around 40 Euros IIRC).  I'm kinda anxious seeing that shipping is "only" 25 Euros for such a bit thing.

It's not a big part of my poker bankroll but I don't wouldn't want to see 500 Euros or so (I don't need to pay the VAT seen that I'm in Europe and that I've got a VAT number) disappear or get me a lemon...

[khanable]

Something that is worth thinking about is the warranty on Herman Miller chairs.

I believe (don't quote me on it) that their standard warranty is 12 years.. and this is NOT transferable. So if you buy a refurb you will more than likely only be able to receive a warranty through whoever refurbished it.

Spending the extra $ to have a chair that will potentially last you 12+ years may be worth it.

Before I got my humanscale freedom I was going through a chair every year.. the extra money and the warranties will make your life MUCH easier later on down the road.

[Lpb45]

Im planning on buying a new chair soon and the leap v2 is at the top of my list, it has the best mix of price and features I want.

[TacticalCoder]

Im planning on buying a new chair soon and the leap v2 is at the top of my list, it has the best mix of price and features I want.

I'd consider another chair but I do definitely want the seat to be made of something similar to the Aeron's flexible mesh.  It's not just that I did get to use an Aeron in the past: I did love it and I do not like to be seating on other materials as much as that "weird" stuff the Aeron is made off (leather in my car is fine but I wouldn't want to seat all day on a leather chair : )

[TacticalCoder]

Something that is worth thinking about is the warranty on Herman Miller chairs.

I believe (don't quote me on it) that their standard warranty is 12 years.. and this is NOT transferable. So if you buy a refurb you will more than likely only be able to receive a warranty through whoever refurbished it.

Spending the extra $ to have a chair that will potentially last you 12+ years may be worth it.

I was sure the 12-years warranty was tranferrable

This is indeed a valid point.  Anyone I've got my own company so to the price is "before taxes and without VAT" so it's not too bad for something that shall last a long time but still the price is a little high.

I missed a group buy at -45%.  I'll try to see if I can find something decent for a new one.

Thanks for the info concerning the warranty (I'll double-check that : )

[Input Nirvana]

I have an Aeron, it's a very fine chair, but there are many great chairs. I'm always on the hunt for a better one.

FYI, there is a headrest option for under $100 USD available you may want to consider.
http://cgi.ebay.com/AeronHQ-Headrest-Herman-Miller-Aeron-Chair-New-/300553433577?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D300531712642%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D9171209386067158597#ht_1580wt_1019

[godofdeath]

i prefer the aeron due to the mesh metally thing over leather or frabric because that would eventually tear or rip or stain from spills

[TacticalCoder]

i prefer the aeron due to the mesh metally thing over leather or frabric because that would eventually tear or rip or stain from spills

Yup exactly.  That patented "pellicle" mesh or whatever you sit on is just great.  I wouldn't mind buying another brand or a cheaper chair if that "thing" existed.

Oh well, like khanable said, 12-years warranty (and on-site support) ain't transferable.  I'm biting the bullet and ordering two brand new ones.  Got quite a rebate.

But why oh why do these cost $599 shipped and all (about 420 Euros) in the U.S. and twice that in Europe (excl. VAT) : (

Will post a picture once I get the chairs and my new keyboard (Industrial Model M should be on its way soon

[hyperlinked]

I'm not into the mesh chair.

Another problem with mesh chairs are the dust bunnies. I built up a giant dust bunny the size of a shoebox. Dust bunnies hide under the mesh and multiply on top of the casing below the meshed seat pan. A giant dust bunny full of farts. Now that's beautiful. I nearly screamed the day when a strong gust of wind from a fan I just bought blew the previously hidden dust bunny off of my Aeron chair and I had this ginormous nasty looking clump of something awful looking at the foot of my chair. I was afraid it was going to move. I had no idea what it was.

I personally don't find mesh chairs to be very comfortable for extended use. If you're an 8 hour a day person, I think they're fine, but they're really uncomfortable if you shift your posture around a lot to get some pressure relief after you've been in the chair for way too long. There's usually only one or two ways to sit in them comfortably whereas other chairs you can find a few comfortable positions.

They're also not as good for some people who have pelvic asymmetries that are causing them pain. That's when one side is higher or lower or twisted forward or back. Almost everyone's got a bit of a pelvic asymmetry, but it's bad enough to be really painful for some people. Having a more "aligned" chair can help ease the bones back toward alignment when combined with good posture.

[verbel]

I really want to get on of the steel case chairs but I can't find someone who will ship to me.

[TacticalCoder]

A giant dust bunny full of farts.  Now that's beautiful.  I nearly screamed the day when a strong gust of wind from a fan I just bought blew the previously hidden dust bunny off of my Aeron chair and I had this ginormous nasty looking clump of something awful looking at the foot of my chair. I was afraid it was going to move. I had no idea what it was.

A giant dust bunny of f.... that you were afraid it was going to move?

• Cool story bro

[  ] Owns a vacuum cleaner

; )


(edit: the vacuum cleaner to regularly clean the chair I mean, not the stuff you had no idea what it was once it was too late)

[hyperlinked]

A giant dust bunny of f.... that you were afraid it was going to move?

• Cool story bro

[  ] Owns a vacuum cleaner

Ah, you see, the problem is that it's really hard to see the dust bunnies building up below the mesh seat pan of an Aeron unless you know to look for it. After I had my first gnarly encounter with the man eating dust bunny, I made sure to regularly wipe off the dust bunnies' favorite breeding ground.

It built up for years stealthily living amongst... er I mean below me. The only reason it got discovered was because we were going through a crazy hot summer and I went out and bought this ass kicking turbo fan.

The fan goes on, papers and other stuff in my office go flying, and the monster is unleashed. I didn't actually see it come loose. I left the room and came back to find this nasty looking blackish furry pile on the floor. It was so big and nasty looking I didn't actually realize it was just a huge dust bunny. For a second, I really thought it could have been a dead animal.

When I realized what it was, I still couldn't figure out where it came from. I actually had to go ask my wife if the big turd of dust on the floor of my office was supposed to be a twisted joke or something. She came to take a look and said, "What makes you think I did that? It probably came off of your chair."

Anyway... I should say something useful to the original intent of the thread. I no longer have that Aeron chair. I sold it to someone else when I got a Zody chair, but I got a really really good deal on my chair off Craigslist from a company that was liquidating office furniture from busted dot-coms. It was 2003 at the time and there were warehouses full of stuff from failed companies. I believe I got mine for $600 new.

[TacticalCoder]

Ah, you see, the problem is that it's really hard to see the dust bunnies building up below the mesh seat pan of an Aeron unless you know to look for it.

zomg.  I thought you were kidding about it.  But, well, one thing is sure after reading your experience: I can be pretty crazy about cleaning my desk (and keyboards) and carpet etc. in my home office.  I'll make sure now to pay attention to that mesh.  This is really crazy.  Your story is really cool and experience is most welcome : )

But these chairs are a bit like lego: you can take every part out.  So maybe there's even some creative way to clean them (like for example putting my Model M keycaps in the dishwasher : )

[Lanx]

zomg.  I thought you were kidding about it.

as a mesh chair owner, he's not kidding and on the spot about the dust pile.