Okay, so you want a Herman Miller, huh? Good taste! But let’s be real, those things ain’t exactly pocket change. We’re talking serious investment, like, “should I buy this chair or a used car?” kind of investment. Luckily, the denizens of Reddit – specifically r/hermanmiller – are full of hacks and tips for getting your butt into a sweet, ergonomic throne without completely bankrupting yourself.
First things first, and this is a HUGE one, check out r/hermanmiller itself. Seriously. That subreddit is a goldmine. People are constantly posting about deals, sharing their experiences (good and bad), and just generally being chair nerds. You’ll learn lingo you never knew existed (like “rolling armrests” vs. “show clip ones”… more on that in a sec).
Now, the *absolute cheapest* option? According to the collective wisdom of Reddit, that’s hunting around for used chairs. Think Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, even your local office furniture liquidators. This is where you gotta be eagle-eyed, though. Know what you’re looking for, inspect it thoroughly (wear and tear, functionality of the adjustments, etc.), and be prepared to haggle!
But, and this is a big BUT, buying used can be a gamble. You might get lucky and find a pristine Aeron for half price. Or, you might end up with a wobbly, stained mess that smells faintly of cat pee. Buyer beware, folks.
Next up: Refurbished options. This is a slightly less risky route. You’re still getting a used chair, but it’s (hopefully) been cleaned up, had any broken parts replaced, and generally brought back to a respectable state. The r/hermanmiller crowd seems to have mixed feelings about this, though.
Here’s where things get a little murky, and frankly, kind of shady. One Redditor pointed out a potential bait-and-switch tactic with some refurb companies. Apparently, they might show photos of Aerons with those fancy “show clip” armrests on their website, but then ship you a chair with the less desirable (and seemingly cheaper) “rolling armrests.” It’s apparently possible to “prove” this, but honestly, I haven’t dug that deep. Still, worth keeping an eye out for! I mean, that is so annoying!
Now, what about buying directly from Hermanmiller.com? Well, it’s not usually the cheapest option, but it does offer peace of mind. The Redditor I mentioned earlier had a good experience, ordering an Embody and returning it (for a different color, so clearly a discerning customer!). Free return shipping and no restocking fee? That’s a pretty sweet deal, especially if you’re on the fence about a particular chair. Plus, Herman Miller owns DWR (Design Within Reach), so there’s some synergy there, whatever that means practically for discounts, I am not sure.
Okay, so where does all this leave us? Basically, there’s no magic bullet for getting a cheap Herman Miller. It’s going to take some effort, some research, and maybe a little bit of luck. My advice?
* Dive into r/hermanmiller. Seriously, soak it all in.
* Consider used/refurbished options, but do your homework.
* Don’t be afraid to haggle.
* Keep an eye out for potential scams (rolling armrests, anyone?).
* And if you’re feeling flush, go for the Herman Miller website, just for the peace of mind.
