5 Smart Reasons to Consider Shopping Used In 2025
The search for that perfect office chair can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. You spot what seems like a great deal at a big box store, yet something holds you back from making the purchase.
Many smart shoppers choose pre-owned office chairs over their brand-new counterparts.Let’s look at five reasons why you might consider doing the same thing.
1. Professional Office Chair Materials Age Well
Think back to buying your first car. Most people don’t start with a brand-new vehicle. They opt for a quality used model that offers better value.
The same principle applies to used office chairs. A pre-owned chair from a respected manufacturer often brings more comfort and durability than a new, lower-quality option from a big box store.
What many buyers miss is the break-in period that comes with professional-grade chairs. Just like a premium leather jacket, these chairs adapt to use, becoming more comfortable over time. When you buy pre-owned, someone else has already completed this breaking-in process, giving you a chair that’s reached its optimal comfort level.
2. More Durable Structural Materials
Many big box stores sell chairs designed to hit specific price points rather than prioritizing comfort and longevity. These chairs might look sleek in the store, but after a few months of daily use, they can start showing their true colors. Fabric pills, faux leather pills, and the cushion gets smashed down.
Professional-grade ergonomic office chairs maintain their integrity far longer, which makes them excellent candidates for the pre-owned market.
The difference lies in the components. For example, big box store chairs often use plastic bases, which can crack under stress. Professional chairs are more likely to use reinforced nylon or aluminum bases, which are rated for use from eight to 24 hours per day.
The casters tell a similar story. Cheaper chairs rely on basic plastic wheels that wear quickly and can damage flooring, while professional chairs feature dual-wheel casters with polyurethane treads designed for different floor surfaces.
3. Your Office Chair Should Move With Your Body, Not Against It
Living with back discomfort adds another layer to chair shopping. Most big box store chairs offer basic lumbar support, but professional-grade chairs provide sophisticated ergonomic features.
When shopping for an office chair for back pain – whether you have it or want to prevent it – look for an adjustable lumbar support, proper seat depth, and customizable armrests. These are features more commonly found in higher-end chairs.
The science of seating goes deeper than most realize. Professional office chairs often incorporate synchronous tilt mechanisms, where the seat and back move in a specific ratio to maintain optimal posture throughout your range of motion. This advanced feature rarely appears in budget-friendly new chairs, but comes standard in many pre-owned professional models.
4. Each Used Office Chair Purchase Saves 72kg of Carbon
Selecting a pre-owned chair helps our planet too. By choosing a used chair, you’re extending the life cycle of existing furniture and reducing demand for new production. This choice becomes even more meaningful when you consider the environmental cost of manufacturing and shipping new furniture.
The numbers paint a striking picture: manufacturing a single office chair generates approximately 72 kg of CO2 emissions. Each pre-owned chair in use represents significant carbon savings – even carbon neutrality – making your choice a meaningful contribution to sustainability.
5. A Quality Office Chair Costs Less Over Time
Let’s talk numbers. A new, basic office chair from a big box store might cost $150 to $200 on the high end, lasting perhaps three years with regular use. Meanwhile, a pre-owned professional-grade chair priced similarly could serve you well for seven years or more.
Professional chairs retain their adjustability features longer thanks to better components. Their pneumatic cylinders use thicker walls and better seals, maintaining consistent height adjustment. The tilt mechanisms employ metal components instead of plastic, ensuring smooth operation year after year.
Making Your Final Decision
Choosing office furniture involves weighing numerous factors – comfort, durability, environmental impact, and cost all play their parts. Pre-owned professional chairs shine in each category, offering superior engineering and proven durability at prices comparable to new, lower-quality alternatives.
Next time you need office chairs, stop by our showroom at 8106 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park. We’re open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm, or by appointment to accommodate your schedule. Call us at (913) 901-8800; we’re ready to help you discover your ideal seating solution.