Herman Miller Aeron Chair – Price Differences & Grey Import Question

A female dog on 13/08/2025 - 12:32

Hey all,

I’m in the market for a Herman Miller Aeron Chair (Size C) and noticed some big price differences between sellers.

RRP seems to hover around $2,450–$2,600 (+ Shipping) at authorised dealers (e.g. Ergoport, Living Edge, Bad Backs, Sit Back & Relax).
Lower prices around ~$2,000 are popping up at places like:

  • Kelly’s Office Furniture (~$2,050) + shipping
  • Chair Dinkum (~$2,100) + shipping

When I asked Chair Dinkum, they said their stock is grey import, which means warranty claims go through them rather than directly to Herman Miller. My concern is:

  • Does this affect the actual warranty coverage or just the process?
  • How can one verify authenticity when buying from non-authorised sellers?
  • What happens if the store closes - am I left with no warranty?

I’m gutted I missed the earlier sale from an authorised reseller back in May, which was nearly $500 off RRP. Trying to find something close to that price now but not sure if grey imports are worth the risk.

Has anyone here bought an Aeron from a grey-import seller in Australia? How was your experience with warranty and authenticity? Any ideas on how to get a similar discount without having to wait til later in the year for BF sales etc? For clarity, specifically after brand new and not second hand units - do not want to trouble myself with potential knock-offs, haggling, etc.

Cheers.

Home & Garden Chair Herman Miller Office Chair

Comments

  • Shpox on 13/08/2025 - 12:44
    +1

    My understanding was grey is sketchy with warranty. If not buying new, Id buy second hand but you have to be forgiving about the options

    • A female dog on 13/08/2025 - 12:50
      +1

      That's my concern as well - the price difference is not too dissimilar but also is still a fair chunk of change.

      • apsilon on 13/08/2025 - 13:10

        Warranty is pretty clear, you'd go back to the retailer. If they were to disappear you'd need to go back to the distributor they purchased from which for a grey import isn't going to be the Aust one obviously. With a 12 year warranty that's certainly worth considering.

        Another point that may be worth mentioning is the warranty is onsite, ie they come to your home/office for any repairs. That's likely not going to be the case with the grey import. My first one the gas insert failed at about 11 years and was replaced no questions asked. With the new remastered model I feel the new materials are a small step down from the original and I won't be surprised if some issues comes up in it's lifetime.

        • A female dog on 13/08/2025 - 13:22

          Mate, this is exactly the type of insight I was hoping to benefit from - sage advice and very relevant, especially with the decline in quality and craftsmanship on almost all things. This is a big consideration and has been noted - I think I will stick with the authorised resellers on this alone.

          • apsilon on 13/08/2025 - 15:29
            +1

            @A female dog: It's only a small change, it's still a very good chair and I don't regret buying another but if the time comes to buy a third I'll be looking more closely at alternatives before making a decision whereas buying the second was a no brainer after my experience with the first and I didn't consider anything else.

  • Starlight8 on 13/08/2025 - 13:16
    +2

    I bought mine at Living Edge and if i was to buy another one would do the same. I wouldnt run the risk of buying from a grey import incase its a fake.

    • A female dog on 13/08/2025 - 13:22

      Yep, agreed, my thoughts exactly.

  • Drakesy on 13/08/2025 - 15:43

    These go for $500-$800 on marketplace lightly used.

    Plenty of offices turfing them as a lot have excess now that WFH is a thing.

    • eccaz on 13/08/2025 - 17:30
      +1

      That’s typically the older model.

      The current model goes for $1500ish new on marketplace, and closer to $1000 2nd hand.

      • Drakesy on 13/08/2025 - 18:02

        Out of interest what’s the difference between the old and new?

        • apsilon on 13/08/2025 - 18:11

          More plastic components and greater use (IIRC something like 90%) of recycled materials, some material changes and refinements to the mechanisms and fit system. There are also more options with the remastered model. Having had both, I think the original is the better chair.

        • jv on 13/08/2025 - 19:57
          -2

          what’s the difference between the old and new?

          smell?

  • apple2016 on 13/08/2025 - 16:38

    When I asked Chair Dinkum, they said their stock is grey import, which means warranty claims go through them rather than directly to Herman Miller.

    If its not fake, you dont have to worry about warranty! You are paying 10x the price for Herman Miller as it lasts for ever.

  • Wiadro on 13/08/2025 - 22:08
    +1

    i got a grey import in 2013, ive had no issues

  • SydStrand on 13/08/2025 - 22:19

    They're nice chairs, but $2500 is cooked. I picked up a couple from Living Edge's relocation only six years ago for $1100 each. Worth it? Yes. Would I pay over $2000 now? Absolutely not.

    • A female dog on 13/08/2025 - 23:20

      Can you recommend an alternative ?

      • SydStrand on 15/08/2025 - 10:30
        +1

        Ergohuman and Steelcase still sell good office chairs that haven't suffered as much COVID price inflation as HM.

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