October 31, 2007 Who’s writing about office chairs? 
I’m moving into an office November 1st. I’ve got an IKEA desk at home to bring in. I’ve got the computers already. I’ve got a set of chrome shelves, some computer speakers, and a few spare chairs for seating. I need to buy an Airport Express for wi-fi. I need to buy a good desk chair.
With two days to go, I’m no closer than I was two weeks ago. I’m not up for the drive to IKEA, or the shipping charges and blind faith required for an online purchase. I checked Staples: prices were low, but nothing grabbed me, and I’ve encountered too many online reviews that they fall apart after a few months of use.
I consider it a worthwhile investment, but I can’t afford an Aeron chair or a Steelcase Think, much as I’d like one. I swore earlier I was going to buy a Herman Miller Celle for $450, until I saw that adjustable arms and adjustable lumbar jacked the price up to $630.
I ordered an Office Star 2300 for $249, with free shipping. It had all the adjustable features I was looking for. I waited a day to find out just how soon I’d get it, and was told it was backordered til December. That explains why it’s out of stock on Staples’ site ($259). It was a gamble anyway.
I’m intrigued by the lineup at SitOnIt Seating, including the affordable TR2, but the few sites I find it for sale on offer myriad configuration options, making it difficult to figure out what exactly you are choosing and getting. And unlike the Aeron or Think, the Internet isn’t abuzz with positive opinions. Or epinions. Or countless other sites that don’t actually offer reviews but really just product descriptions and links to retailers.
Update: This ranking puts the TR2 in the top 10. I found one retailer with a Yahoo! store and priced one at $370 with the adjustment options I wanted. I’ve got a request to SitOnIt to inquire about ordering direct. I also came across an article citing a KI rep, who said paying anything more than $250 was paying for looks, so I’ve got a request in with them to inquire about their Impress chair.
Who’s writing about their experiences with these chairs? Who’s pointing to solid, reliable, comfortable mid-range products? Chairs that don’t cost $500-1000 for comfort and reliability. Jason Santa Maria asked for recommendations, and ended up with a Humanscale Freedom off Craigslist. My Craigslist searches haven’t proven so fruitful.
Can anyone recommend a site with recommendations on office chairs? (Or a non-office superstore in the area—Boston or the North Shore—to check some of these options out?)
Update: Just found this review of the Celle that was informative. Still $630 with options.
