Things I've Found That Just Work; Herman Miller Aeron Chair

Herman Miller Aeron Chair (Press Image)

This is another post in my series of things I've found that just work, work well, are well constructed and do their jobs flawlessly.

I spend a considerable amount of time in front of my desktop computer.  Between researching and writing these posts, uploading and editing my photographic images as well as taking care of other personal business, I want and need to be comfortable.  That means a good, comfortable chair that fits well, feels comfortable, has good lumbar support, rolls easily on the carpet protector, is well constructed and looks good.  

I had been looking for a new desk chair for some time.  I researched and looked at buying a chair for around $200-300 US, figuring an average chair as "good enough."  My old chair, which I bought from a retailer called Crate and Barrel in 2009 had served me well.  It was an expensive chair and was leather.  But after thousands of hours sitting in it for 10 years, the leather was coming apart and it was looking pretty shabby.  So, I started looking for a new one to take its place.

I wanted a chair that met all of that criteria but could not find one locally that I liked.  I didn't want to buy a chair without first sitting in it, but I was stuck.  A good chair costs quite a bit of money and I was really hesitant to buy a less expensive chair from Amazon as I've had experiences with chairs that don't hold up, become uncomfortable only after sitting for 30 minutes or so and the mechanicals begin to get loose and sloppy.  

However, I needed a new chair and just about the time I was about to make a purchase, I saw a short blurb on the web for "open box" Herman Miller chairs for about 1/2 price.  I then shifted my research to Herman Miller chairs.  I already knew the chairs were well regarded and rated as excellent.  I checked out the company that had them on sale. Everything pointed to it being reliable and purchased the chair.  The chair arrived in only a couple of days.  When I took it out of the box and assembled it, I couldn't find anything anywhere that showed any flaws or signs of use.  For all intents and purposes, it looked and worked as though it was brand new.  As with photo gear, maybe this was a demo model at a conference or from a shipment that was refused but it couldn't be sold as "new."  Whatever it was, I was delighted!

The chair is pretty expensive.  Quality costs.  However, I didn't pay full price for it.  In fact, I almost never pay full price for anything anymore.  There always seem to be plenty of sales or retailers willing to discount almost everything nowadays. You just have to find them.

I have to say this chair so far has exceeded my expectations.  It is very adjustable, fits me well, has adjustable lumbar support and rolls easily.  Now, if it lasts for 10-15 years my expectations will be completely exceeded!

Lessons learned many times in the past: you get what you pay for so just bite the bullet and buy quality.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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