Does anybody know where one can find decent office chairs these days? For my office I've done it all, bought from Massmart (Game, Makro etc), bought from chains like Waltons, reps, Takealot, countless online office suppliers selling the same products under different branding etc. The end result is just all, horrible. Several of them, especially the Massmart ones, fell apart within weeks of use (armrests & backs breaking, tilting, massive squeeks, fabric tears). The others are just either hard as a rock (apparently the cost of padding is tremendous these days) or uncomfortable as hell. Some folks are now bringing their own chairs from home, that often are the standard stuff one used to get from the same retailers a decade ago for under R1k. They may look a bit weathered but are infinitely more comfortable than these new ones.
Got an Ergotherapy Solutions rep to bring samples of their stuff for a week. She brought three, two highbacks and one midback and left it for a week. The netted version had so many moving parts it felt like you were in a boat and all the little pivots squeeked, and the standard one was like sitting on a stone. The midback felt OK and some tried it for a while but eventually complained of back ache. When she came to fetch them they were already in the storeroom.
In total we must have tried around 15 different models (excluding the ones just ass-tested in stores that hold stock) and found only a single acceptable one a few years back that's unavailable anymore. The amount that got written off or gathering dust due to people refusing to use them is about 10%.
The prices all range from about R2000 - R5500.
What to do now? No point in going on Takealot reviews, and even if one could, I want something that's sustainably available preferably. No point in Googling for other reviews since none of the products are available in SA. The exception of a brand with some reputation is Herman Miller, but at a price point of >R15k.
Gaming chairs are far cheaper and perfectly comfortable but the look just will not fly in the office environment.
Any suggestions?
Got an Ergotherapy Solutions rep to bring samples of their stuff for a week. She brought three, two highbacks and one midback and left it for a week. The netted version had so many moving parts it felt like you were in a boat and all the little pivots squeeked, and the standard one was like sitting on a stone. The midback felt OK and some tried it for a while but eventually complained of back ache. When she came to fetch them they were already in the storeroom.
In total we must have tried around 15 different models (excluding the ones just ass-tested in stores that hold stock) and found only a single acceptable one a few years back that's unavailable anymore. The amount that got written off or gathering dust due to people refusing to use them is about 10%.
The prices all range from about R2000 - R5500.
What to do now? No point in going on Takealot reviews, and even if one could, I want something that's sustainably available preferably. No point in Googling for other reviews since none of the products are available in SA. The exception of a brand with some reputation is Herman Miller, but at a price point of >R15k.
Gaming chairs are far cheaper and perfectly comfortable but the look just will not fly in the office environment.
Any suggestions?
