Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about buying refurbished office chairs, desks, and storage from us. If your question isn't answered here, contact us directly — we're happy to help before you order.

About Refurbished Office Furniture

What does ‘refurbished’ mean?

Refurbished means the chair or desk has been previously used, then professionally cleaned, mechanically inspected, and restored before being offered for resale. This is different from ‘used’ (sold as-is, no process) and different from ‘second-hand’ (typically sold without any restoration). Every item we sell has gone through a defined refurbishment process at our UK workshop. The result is furniture that performs like new and, in Grade A condition, often looks very close to it.

Is refurbished furniture as good as new?

For ergonomic performance — yes, entirely. The lumbar support, tilt mechanism, mesh suspension, and adjustment range of a refurbished Herman Miller Aeron or Steelcase Leap V2 are identical to those of a new one. The engineering doesn't change. What may differ is cosmetics: a refurbished chair may have minor surface marks that a new chair wouldn't. Our Grade A chairs have minimal to no cosmetic wear; Grade B chairs show light signs of use but are fully functional and presentable.

Where does your stock come from?

Primarily from office clearances, corporate relocations, building redevelopments, and end-of-lease fit-outs across the UK. When a company moves office, downsizes, or updates its furniture specification, perfectly functional premium chairs are often cleared in bulk. We acquire this stock, restore it, and make it available to buyers who can use it. Many of our Grade A chairs have seen only a few years of light use before being cleared.

Why are premium chairs refurbished at all? Were they faulty?

No. Premium ergonomic chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron and Steelcase Leap are built to last 15–20 years. The vast majority of refurbished examples on the market were cleared because the company moved, restructured, or updated their furniture specification — not because the chairs failed. Office furniture is an asset that depreciates on a corporate balance sheet; when it's cleared, it's often because it no longer fits the company's space, not because it no longer functions.

What is your grading system?

Grade A — Minimal to no cosmetic wear. Looks close to new under normal conditions. All mechanical functions fully operational. Typically sourced from short-tenure clearances or lightly used corporate environments. Supplied with a 12-month warranty.

Grade B / B+ — Light signs of prior use visible under close inspection. Fully functional and presentable in a professional office. Excellent value for performance-focused buyers. Supplied with a 6-month warranty.

Choosing the Right Chair

Which ergonomic chair is best for lower back pain?

The most consistently recommended ergonomic chairs for lower back pain are the Herman Miller Aeron (PostureFit SL lumbar support), the Steelcase Leap V2 (LiveBack flexible spine), and the RH Logic 400 (forward-tilt seat for open hip angle). All three are used and recommended by occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and DSE assessors across the UK. The right choice depends on your body type, sitting habits, and any specific clinical guidance you've received. Contact us — we're happy to advise before you order.

What’s the difference between the Herman Miller Aeron and Embody?

The Aeron is the most widely used ergonomic chair in the world and excels at providing structured lumbar and pelvic support across long working days. It uses 8Z Pellicle mesh and PostureFit SL to distribute body weight evenly and maintain spinal alignment. The Embody is designed specifically around cognitive work — its 104-point Pixelated Support backrest and BackFit alignment system are engineered to support the body during deep focus sessions, reducing the physical tension that accumulates during intensive mental work. Both are exceptional; the Aeron suits a wider range of users, while the Embody is particularly valued by those whose work demands sustained concentration.

What’s the difference between the Steelcase Leap V2 and Think?

Both feature LiveBack technology. The Leap V2 is the more comprehensively adjustable of the two — with Natural Glide recline, upper and lower back firmness control, and 4D arms — and is best suited to a dedicated user who will configure it precisely to their needs. The Think is more intuitive and agile — designed for hot-desk environments and shared seating where multiple users need to sit down and be immediately comfortable without adjustment. If you have your own desk, the Leap V2; if you share a desk or hot-desk, the Think.

What size Aeron do I need?

Herman Miller makes the Aeron in three sizes: Size A (Small) for users under approximately 5'4" and under 65kg; Size B (Medium) for the majority of users — typically 5'3"–6'0" and up to 115kg; Size C (Large) for taller or larger users, typically over 6'0" or over 100kg. Size B fits most people. If you're unsure, contact us and we'll advise based on your height and build.

Which chair is best for someone who runs warm or works in a warm office?

A full-mesh chair is the right choice. The Humanscale Diffrient World and Orangebox Air both feature mesh seat and back, providing maximum airflow and preventing the heat build-up that occurs with foam or fabric upholstery. The Herman Miller Aeron also uses 8Z Pellicle mesh throughout. All are available in our mesh office chairs collection.

I’ve been advised by an occupational therapist to get a specific chair. Can you help?

Yes. If you have a DSE assessment recommendation or OT prescription for a specific model, contact us before ordering. We can confirm current stock, condition, and configuration options, and advise on setup once the chair arrives. We supply chairs to occupational therapists and their clients regularly and understand the specific adjustments that matter for clinical use cases.

Do you offer ergonomic advice?

We can guide you toward the right chair based on your height, build, sitting habits, and any specific requirements. We are not a clinical service and cannot replace a formal DSE assessment or occupational therapy consultation — but we know our products well and can tell you which chair is most likely to work for you. Contact us before ordering if you have questions.

Ordering and Payment

How do I place an order?

Browse the collection, select your preferred variant (size, colour, configuration), and add to cart. Checkout is handled securely through Shopify. If you need a specific configuration not shown, or want to discuss a bulk order, contact us directly before ordering.

Do you offer trade accounts and bulk pricing?

Yes. We supply facilities managers, office fit-out contractors, HR teams, and procurement departments on a trade account basis. Bulk pricing is available for orders of 5 or more chairs, 5 or more desks, or mixed furniture packages. Contact us with your requirements and we'll provide a written quotation with trade pricing.

Can I get an invoice for my business?

Yes. All orders generate a VAT invoice automatically. For purchase order-based procurement or invoicing outside the standard checkout flow, contact us to arrange terms.

Do you accept purchase orders from public sector organisations?

Yes. We work with NHS trusts, local authorities, universities, schools, and other public sector bodies. Contact us to discuss purchase order terms and approved supplier processes.

Delivery

Do you offer free delivery?

Yes. Free standard delivery is included on all orders to mainland UK addresses.

How long does delivery take?

Most orders are dispatched within 2–5 working days. London orders can often be delivered within the same week. If you need a specific delivery date or window, contact us before ordering and we'll confirm what's possible.

Do you deliver to London?

Yes — across all London postcodes including the City, Canary Wharf, Shoreditch, Mayfair, Victoria, Farringdon, and all surrounding boroughs. Same-week delivery is regularly available for London orders. White-glove delivery (to room of choice, fully assembled) and on-site installation are available in London — contact us for pricing.

Do you deliver outside mainland UK?

Free delivery applies to mainland England, Scotland, and Wales. Delivery to Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and other non-mainland postcodes may be possible with an additional delivery charge — contact us before ordering to confirm.

Will my chair arrive assembled?

Chairs are typically delivered fully assembled and ready to use. Desks and storage units are supplied flat-packed with all fixings and assembly instructions. London white-glove delivery includes assembly as standard.

Warranty and Returns

What warranty do you offer?

Grade A chairs: 12-month parts and labour warranty covering all mechanical components.
Grade B chairs: 6-month parts warranty.
Desks and storage: 6-month structural warranty covering frame integrity and mechanisms.
Warranties cover mechanical failure and manufacturing defects. They do not cover damage resulting from misuse, modification, or normal cosmetic wear.

What if something is wrong when my order arrives?

Contact us within 48 hours of delivery with a description and photograph of the issue. We'll arrange a replacement part, repair, or collection and refund depending on the nature of the problem. We aim to resolve all issues quickly and without fuss.

Can I return a chair if it’s not right for me?

Yes. We offer a 14-day return window from the date of delivery. The item must be returned in the condition it was received. Contact us to arrange a return — we'll provide instructions and confirm any collection arrangements. Refunds are processed within 5 working days of the item being returned and inspected.

What if I need a replacement part?

Contact us and describe the part you need. For major brands like Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Humanscale, we can source replacement components including gas cylinders, castors, armrest pads, and lumbar supports. Parts within the warranty period are supplied free of charge; out-of-warranty parts are available at cost.

Sustainability

How sustainable is refurbished furniture?

Significantly more sustainable than new. Manufacturing a new premium office chair generates approximately 40–80kg of CO₂ depending on the model, materials, and supply chain. A refurbished chair avoids that manufacturing entirely. It also diverts furniture from landfill — where end-of-life office furniture commonly ends up when not specifically rescued. Choosing refurbished is one of the most straightforward circular economy decisions a business can make.

Can you provide sustainability documentation for ESG reporting?

Yes. We can provide written confirmation of the refurbished status of your purchase, estimated CO₂ savings versus new manufacture, and documentation suitable for inclusion in Scope 3 emissions reporting or circular economy disclosures. Contact us after your order to request this.

Are you suitable for B Corp or net-zero committed organisations?

Yes. Several of the brands we stock — including Humanscale — have strong sustainability credentials in their own right. Choosing a refurbished example of those products extends those credentials further. We can support procurement teams in demonstrating the sustainability case for refurbished furniture purchases within their reporting frameworks.