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By BuyerZone.com Editorial Staff - BuyerZone.com
Introduction
Sitting down on the job can be hazardous to your health. Workers spend seven hours or more seated, and the wrong chair can distract them from the job at hand by causing pain in the back, neck, arms, and wrist. In some cases, experts in ergonomics say, a bad chair can contribute to long-term permanent injury, which can result in costly workers compensation claims.
Keep in mind that one size does not fit all. People come in different heights and girths, with different arm and leg lengths, which greatly affects whether they'll find a chair comfortable. The best chairs have adjustable heights, backrests, seat pans, and arm rests. Even then, plan on offering your employees a choice of more than one model.
This buying guide is designed to give you the facts you need to select office chairs for individuals or many people in your firm. You can choose to read this guide from beginning to end, or jump directly to a section of interest by clicking on the links above.
Finding a Chair
The best way to find a good chair is to have it tested by the person who will be using it.
To check for a proper fit, start by ensuring that the person's feet can rest firmly against the ground while the thighs remain level on the seat cushion. The chair should be rounded in front to avoid reducing circulation below the knee. The seat cushion, or seat pan, should feel comfortable, and the person's weight should feel evenly distributed throughout the seat. In addition, the back rest should feel comfortable; a contoured backrest will often provide greater lumbar support.
Also, check that a number of different seated positions can be accommodated comfortably. If the user often leans back, make sure that doing so does not result in any neck tension. To promote good posture when leaning forward, it can be helpful to have a chair that has a forward tilt, which will place the hips a few degrees higher than the knees. Finally, arm rests, if available, should be designed in a manner so the chair can be pulled up close to a computer keyboard or desk surface.
You should also consider the work environment in which the chair will be placed. There are different types of chair casters depending on the floor surface. While hard wheel casters are appropriate for a carpeted office, soft wheel casters are preferable for other floor materials to avoid damage.
Buying Multiple Chairs
If you are outfitting the entire company, it is not practical to provide each person with a custom-fitted chair. Instead, you will want to find a chair that is adjustable enough to fit most people in the firm. This means that the chair is capable of supporting different positions, tasks, and body shapes.
Adjustability can be accomplished in two primary ways. An active chair allows the user to fix the chair in various positions, while a passive chair adjusts to fit the body's actions. The superiority of each type has been a source of ongoing debate; you will need to decide which you prefer.
At minimum, the chair should be equipped with a lift that can raise and lower the seat height, as well as an adjustable backrest. Some models also include separate parts for the lower and upper back. Armrests can be made to move back and forth, as well as up and down. There are even chairs whose seat backs can be adjusted in and out to accommodate different leg lengths.
Buying From a Dealer
Most companies purchasing mid- to high-end furniture will go through a dealer to furnish their office. Dealers typically sell products from one of the three largest furniture vendors, and then complement this line with a select number of smaller vendor lines.
Advantages of working with dealers include their ability to obtain a wide variety of designs and to offer samples for prospective buyers to examine.
Companies planning to place a large order will even be able to bring a few models into the office for evaluation by your staff.
Buying Direct
Buying furniture direct is an option for companies interested in purchasing budget to mid-market furniture. Leading direct marketers include National Business Furniture, Quill, Reliable, and Viking.
Because direct vendors do not have the high overhead of maintaining dealer showrooms, seating is typically priced 20%-40% lower than the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Pricing becomes even better when you purchase multiple units.
However, buying direct does mean that you will be unable to try out the furniture before you make your purchase. At best, distributors will send fabric swatches and wood chips to help with product selection. If you are planning on purchasing seating through a direct vendor, make sure to try at least one chair before buying multiple units. Keep in mind that if you later decide that you want to return your purchase, you are likely to be responsible for return shipping. In addition, you may be subject to a restocking fee of as much as 15 percent.
Buying From a Superstore
Superstores offer many advantages for businesses buying low-end seating. These stores buy products in bulk, allowing them to sell at very low prices. In addition, models are available right on the floor, allowing you to try them out before you buy. Finally, superstores often provide immediate and free delivery.
Despite these advantages, superstores tend to be a poor choice for most firms. The furniture on display is generally designed for use in a home office, and does not offer the comfort or durability of better designs. In addition, selection tends to be fairly limited.
Pricing
Most offices should expect to pay $250-$350 for a good office chair.
While top-of-the-line chairs can cost as much as a few thousand dollars, they generally will not be substantially more comfortable than a $300 chair.
For the budget-conscious, less expensive chairs are available for around $100 per model. Leaders in the low-end market include Global and Wallace.
Budget seating is sold through direct vendors and superstores.
Buying Tips
Ask about repairs
Make sure to ask whether parts can be replaced in your office when repairs are required. If shipping is necessary, ask who will be responsible for freight charges, as they can be quite substantial.
Aggressive discounting is rampant in the dealer channel. Even if you are buying only one piece of furniture, you can still expect to receive about a 30 percent discount off the suggested retail price. As the volume of your purchase increases, the discount should continue to increase to nearly half the original list price.
In-house trials
If you will be buying many chairs at a time, it is fair to ask for a few samples to be brought to the office for an in-house trial. Employees can then vote for the chair they prefer. While a standard chair will be adequate for most people, it may be necessary to buy special chairs or chair accessories to support the needs of very short or very tall workers, as well as particularly heavy employees.
Industry standards
A chair that meets or exceeds BIFMA/ANSI standards is one that has been subjected to a series of tests for durability. This can be a good indicator of overall construction quality.
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