Why a New Herman Miller Aeron Chair Is A Better Decision Than Used In Australia
In Short:
Herman Miller being a household name that people recognise, pushes used prices high. Combined with low supply of used Aerons in Australia due to people loving and keeping them, results in there being much less of a price gap than you would expect, and making a brand new Aeron stand out as being excellent value.
More and newer features: Take into consideration the used Aeron Classic having less features, while the brand new Aeron being fully loaded with the latest features such as PostureFit SL Lumbar Support, forward tilt option etc.
Due to the volume of new Herman Miller chairs we sell, our business model allows us to provide exceptional value specifically for the Herman Miller Aeorn, Sayl and Embody, as these are the most popular.
For most purchases such as cars, iPhones and couches, purchasing used often provides much better value, however, specifically for Herman Miller office chairs, such as the Aeron, Sayl and Embody, despite the higher price, purchasing new actually provides better value, as I will share with 2 key reasons.
1. Strong brand recognition keeps used Herman Miller prices high
Herman Miller is one of the most recognised names in office furniture, and the Aeron has become a household name.
That recognition creates extremely strong demand on the second-hand market. Many buyers specifically search for a Herman Miller Aeron rather than simply searching for a high-quality ergonomic chair.
As a result, used Aeron prices remain unusually high.
This can be beneficial when you own one. Should you ever need to sell the Herman Miller chair you purchased new, perhaps because you are moving, changing offices or simply no longer need it, you can recover an excellent amount by selling it used.
That strong resale value helps reduce the true long-term cost of ownership.
A new Aeron is not necessarily a chair you purchase, use for a few years and then discard. It is a durable product that can retain meaningful value well into the future. You may sell it many years later, keep it for decades or eventually pass it on to one of your children.
2. Our business model allows us to offer exceptional value on new Herman Miller chairs
Curated Office Chairs can supply office chairs from brands including Steelcase and Haworth. Both companies produce excellent products that we are happy to recommend.
However, we cannot offer the same extraordinary value on those brands that we can on Herman Miller.
The reason is volume.
Our business imports and supplies large quantities of Herman Miller chairs throughout Australia. Because we move significantly more Herman Miller chairs, we can purchase and transport them more efficiently, spread logistics costs across a larger number of units and provide highly competitive pricing to our customers.
This creates a rare situation in which a new Herman Miller chair can cost surprisingly little more than a used one.
The difference between the price of an older used Aeron and a brand-new, fully configured Aeron may be much smaller than buyers initially expect.
That is particularly true when comparing a used chair with unknown history against a new chair supplied with clear specifications, support and warranty coverage.
Aerons can remain in excellent condition for decades
I have personally spoken with countless customers who still own Herman Miller Aeron chairs that are more than 20 years old and remain in excellent working condition.
One customer purchased a new set of wheels for his Aeron after more than 20 years of use. Apart from the wheels, the chair remained in excellent condition, and he still absolutely loved it.
Genuinely, aside from that single example involving replacement castors, I have not personally had a customer tell me that their older Aeron had caused them any significant problems.
That does not mean every Aeron will last forever without maintenance. Condition depends on use, care and environment. However, these experiences demonstrate why the Aeron has developed such a strong reputation for durability.
When you purchase a new Aeron, you are not simply paying for a chair in better cosmetic condition. You are purchasing the beginning of what may be a very long period of ownership.
A new Aeron gives you the newest design and features
Used Aeron listings often feature the older Aeron Classic.
The Aeron Classic remains a highly respected chair, but it was eventually replaced by the Aeron Remastered, which introduced updated materials, adjustments and support systems.
Buying new allows you to receive the latest design rather than older technology that has since been phased out of production.
A fully loaded Aeron Remastered can include features such as:
PostureFit SL back support
forward tilt
adjustable arms
tilt limiter
updated suspension and materials
the latest Aeron frame and mechanism design
PostureFit SL is designed to support the sacral and lumbar areas of the back. This replaces older lumbar-support designs commonly found on used Aeron Classics and reflects Herman Miller’s continued development of the chair.
A used Aeron Classic may still be an excellent chair, but purchasing new gives you access to the newest version and the features Herman Miller has introduced after decades of refinement.
Your back may thank you for that decision.
Fully loaded matters
Not every Aeron is configured equally.
Some used chairs are basic models without adjustable arms, forward tilt, a tilt limiter or advanced back support. Listings may also incorrectly describe the chair’s age, size or features.
A lower price may appear attractive until you realise the chair lacks the adjustments you wanted.
Buying a new, fully loaded Aeron allows you to know exactly what you are receiving. You can choose the correct size, frame, support system and adjustment package rather than settling for whichever configuration happens to be available second-hand.
For a chair you may use for eight or more hours each day, the correct configuration can be more important than saving a small amount upfront.
Used is not always cheaper in the way that matters
The cheapest chair is not necessarily the best-value chair.
When comparing new and used, it is worth considering:
the chair’s age and history
wear on the mesh, arm pads, castors and mechanisms
whether every adjustment functions correctly
whether it is the correct size
whether it includes the features you want
the remaining expected lifespan
warranty and after-sales support
its future resale value
Because used Herman Miller prices remain high, a buyer may save only a modest amount while accepting substantially more uncertainty.
By comparison, a new Aeron provides a fresh chair, the newest design, a known configuration and a very long expected useful life.
The same principle applies to the Embody and Sayl
The Aeron is the most obvious example, but the same value proposition can apply to other Herman Miller chairs, including the Embody and Sayl.
Each has strong brand recognition and high demand, which helps support second-hand prices. At the same time, our purchasing volume allows us to offer highly competitive pricing on new Herman Miller products.
With Curated Office Chairs’ model of importing large quantities of Herman Miller chairs into Australia, customers can access particularly strong value across the Aeron, Embody and Sayl ranges.
Why purchase from Curated Office Chairs?
Curated Office Chairs is the best place to purchase a Herman Miller Aeron, Embody or Sayl in Australia.
We place a strong focus on providing both exceptional service and exceptional value. Our goal is not simply to sell chairs at a competitive price, but to help each customer choose the right model, size and configuration for their needs.
We want customers to feel confident before, during and after their purchase.
Our large purchasing volumes allow us to offer some of the best-value new Herman Miller chairs available in Australia, without compromising on customer service.
Should you find another legitimate Australian supplier offering the same new Herman Miller chair, in the same configuration and on comparable terms, at a lower price, contact us through our website. We are happy to review the offer and, where possible, price match it.
We would be delighted to have you as a valued customer.
The long-term value of buying new
Buying used is often the financially sensible choice.
With Herman Miller chairs, however, strong resale values and unusually competitive new pricing change the calculation.
A new Herman Miller Aeron provides:
the newest chair design
modern ergonomic features such as PostureFit SL
a fully loaded configuration
no years of previous wear
support from a specialist supplier
strong durability
excellent future resale potential
You may use it for decades, sell it for a strong price in the future or eventually pass it on to someone else.
When viewed across its full lifespan, a new Herman Miller Aeron is not merely a premium purchase. It can be one of the best-value office chairs available.