Aeron Chair Recovery?

The only working deskchair at Gothamist's super-secret downtown headquarters mysteriously self-destructed at precisely 11:30am EST yesterday. While the investigation continues, there are no leads. Kartell, the company that created the chair, has indicated that they only do repairs at their Munich factory, and suggested that we simply buy another one, as the freight alone would be "much more than $500." We were fools to trust the Europeans!

The prohibitive price for repair led us to look for a new chair. Last time we checked, Aeron chairs were retailing on Craigslist for about $450, including delivery. No more! The current price is a solid $600, with extra for UPS. Clearly, a new technology bubble has begun. While we have not run a regression, the chart above makes the point: technology stocks move in the same direction as Aeron chair prices. For our part, we have decided to continue sitting on a milk crate and plow our money into the market. The hardest part is deciding whether to invest in Gawker Media or Weblogsinc. Quick: get Henry Blodget on the line!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

May 26, 2004 3:47 PM

Comments [rss]

Gideon Bravo

Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films, dies aged 84...

Craig Newmark

Hey, that is mighty interesting...

Craig

Phil Oye

Kartell did not design the Aeron. It was designed by Don Chadwick and Bill Sumph for Herman Miller.

And Aerons are totally worth it.

jen h.

Jake, if you really think they are significantly better than other chairs, and if you're sitting in the same chair day in day out, splurge on the Aeron. It works out to about a buck a day over a year. Do your back a favor.

Is the broken one still usuable in any way? If yes, sell it and subtract that cash from the $600.

Jon

11:30 EST? Wow, you really are isolated.

erika herzog

try a discount furniture outlet that sells refurbished chairs. i think there are a couple in chelsea

fyi, all aeron chairs come with a lifetime warranty -- if you get a snag or they get broken they can fix them for ya.

yojimbot

aeron chairs have a fatal flaw. the comfy arm rests are bacteria magnets and develop an obnoxious odor in a few weeks. make that days if you have sweaty palms.

Brian Van

Chairs? Isn't that what interns are for?

I mean, they're so comfy to sit on. Warm in the winter, too.

tien

seriously, i have an office depot chair. it was cheap. like $50 and it gets the job done.

Mase

Although pricy, the Aeron is fantastic. Far and away the best office chair I've ever had.

corie

Might I suggest the Mirra. Quite comfy. We couldn't afford them for my office, when it came down to it, but maybe you could find a used one online for a lower price. They're kind of like a scaled down Aeron.

jake

seriously though- we really do need a chair. any ideas?

tien

gothamist's "undisclosed brooklyn office" will have an office depot chair. if only krispy kreme wasn't foiled by the atkins craze, we could be resting on our doughnut enriched laurels.