Following the phenomenal success of the Aeron Mesh Office Chair and its pioneering mesh upholstery there is now a wide choice of Mesh Office Chairs on the market. Some are excellent quality and others are just poor imitations and should be avoided.
So, what are the advantages of a Mesh Office Chair compared with a conventional Office Chair? There are several benefits to a Mesh Office Chair.
Probably its biggest advantage is in allowing air circulation around the user’s body when in contact with the chair, having said that with the ever increasing popularity and prevalence of air conditioning in offices today this may be a little overstated.
The other claim for Mesh Office Chairs is their comfort qualities as the mesh moulds to the user’s body shape and weight. However, an upholstered Office Chair, if properly designed will be no less comfortable than a Mesh Office Chair.
Lastly, a Mesh Office Chair can look very modern and stylish, so if image is important then this is definitely a reason for considering a Mesh Office Chair.
A lot of Mesh Office Chairs just come with a mesh back and have a more traditionally upholstered seat pad. For a lot of users this may be their favoured choice.
So, if you feel that you might like a Mesh Office Chair I would suggest you try out some different models at your local office furniture showroom. See if you can borrow a demonstration Mesh Office Chair for a few days to make completely sure that you are happy with it.
One of the must have features on any Office Chair is the ability to adjust the seat depth. Surprisingly, few standard Office Chairs have this feature although it becoming more common on new models of Office Chair, quite often as an optional extra.
So, why is it so important to be able to adjust the depth of your Office Chair’s seat?
Well, if you think about it we don’t all come in the same size, us humans. If your leg length happens to be the right length for a fixed seat Office Chair, all well and good. However, what is the right depth for the seat pad of an Office Chair?
The answer is quite simple, there isn’t one. Hardly surprising when one person can have a 28 inch inside leg measurement and another might have a 38 inch leg measurement, how could a fixed seat fit both?
This is why it is so important to be able to adjust the seat depth of your Office Chair. Just as the smaller built person doesn’t want to have to perch on the edge of their chair leaving their back unsupported, nor does the taller person want to find their legs stretching way out in front of them when seated at their Office Chair.
Most seat depth adjustment mechanisms allow for 6 to 8 inches of front to back length adjustment. This will cater for the vast majority of Office Chair users. So, when you next buy an Office Chair insist on having seat depth adjustment, you’ll be glad you did.
I am often asked should I buy a second hand Office Chair? And if so, what do I need to look for and avoid?
Here’s the advice I would offer.
If you are considering buying a second hand Office Chair it is likely that it will be from one of the following sources.
- Private sale from ad in paper or local newsagent’s window cards
- A friend or someone you know
- A second hand furniture dealer
Wherever you are considering buying a second hand Office Chair from there are some key questions you’ll want to ask, so do your best to get them answered.
- How much use has the chair had? Use your eyes and common sense
- What did the chair cost new? Have they the receipt as proof?
- Is the chair from a reputable maker and is it still a current model?
- Does the chair come with any guarantee?
- Why is the seller selling the chair?
Take a good look at the Office Chair, thoroughly try out all the chair’s functions and make sure they operate smoothly. Check that the chair’s upholstery and coverings are in good condition.
Look to pay no more than 50% of the original price no matter how good the condition seems, significantly less if there are signs of wear. Remember, it is likely that there was a good discount off the list price, so make sure you allow for this in evaluating the price of the second hand Office Chair.
Be prepared to haggle over the price, if you don’t ask you won’t get.
Unless you are offered a cast iron guarantee I would be wary of buying a second hand Office Chair over the Internet. Obviously, if the seller is local and you are able to visit and try the Office Chair out this wouldn’t be a problem.
Always try and confirm the original price of any second hand Office Chair you are looking to buy, bear in mind the seller is going to make it sound as good as they can. If it is an established make, ring round dealers or even the manufacturer to get an idea of its real value.
If you apply the above rules when you consider a second hand Office Chair you should minimise the risk of being saddled with a bad bargain. Happy hunting in your search for a second hand Office Chair.
