Mesh office chairs are the default task chair in a lot of modern offices for good reason. A suspended mesh back breathes, flexes with your spine and keeps its shape without the foam breakdown you see in older upholstered chairs. Buying them pre-owned from designer lines gets you that engineering at a lower price, as long as you know how to judge the mesh itself.
This page covers what we carry, how our condition grades apply to mesh specifically, and a checklist you can use on any used mesh chair before you buy.
Mesh chairs from pre-owned designer lines
Office Station sells pre-owned furniture from manufacturers including Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale, Teknion, Allsteel, Kimball, AIS and Friant. Mesh task chairs from these lines show up in inventory as companies downsize, relocate or refresh their offices. Specific models and quantities change with what comes in, so ask us what is available when you are ready to buy.
We are an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer for any of these brands. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture, which is exactly why inspection and honest grading matter.
Browse pre-owned office chairs
Mesh back, mesh seat or both
Not every mesh chair is built the same way. Knowing the construction helps you decide what fits your people and what to inspect.
- Full mesh (seat and back). The most breathable option. The seat mesh carries most of your weight, so it is the part most likely to show wear on a used chair.
- Mesh back with a foam seat. A common compromise. You get airflow behind you and a cushioned seat. Inspect the seat fabric and foam the same way you would on any upholstered chair.
- Elastomer or knit backs. Some designs use a woven elastomer or knit textile instead of a traditional mesh. They behave a little differently and can show pulls or snags rather than sag.
- Framed carrier versus stretched-on mesh. On many chairs the mesh sits in a removable carrier frame that snaps into the chair. On others it is attached more permanently. Carriers can make a replacement practical; fixed mesh usually cannot be swapped easily.
How condition grades apply to mesh
Every piece we sell carries a condition grade. Here is what each grade tends to mean on a mesh task chair.
| Grade | General meaning | What it usually looks like on mesh |
|---|---|---|
| A, like new | Minimal signs of use | Even tension across seat and back, no visible stretch, clean edges at the frame, all adjustments work smoothly |
| B, very good | Light, normal wear | Firm mesh with at most minor surface marks, light scuffs on the base or arms, mechanisms fully functional |
| C, good | Visible wear, fully usable | Mesh still supports properly but may show cosmetic marks, arm pads or casters may show wear, priced accordingly |
A chair with sagging, torn or unraveling mesh is not a good task chair at any grade. If you see those issues, the chair needs a new seat or back before it belongs in your office.
How to inspect a used mesh chair
Whether you are buying from us or anyone else, run through this list. It takes about five minutes per chair and will catch nearly every problem worth worrying about.
- Press the seat center. Push down with your palm. The mesh should spring back immediately. If it stays depressed or you can feel the frame underneath, the mesh has stretched.
- Sit and feel for the rail. Sit normally for a minute. On a worn seat you will start to feel the front edge or the side rails of the frame against your thighs.
- Look at the seat from the side. A healthy mesh seat has a gentle, consistent curve. A visible belly or dip in the middle means sag.
- Run your fingers along the frame edges. Mesh fails first where it meets the frame. Look for fraying, pulled strands, separation from the carrier or small tears at the corners.
- Check for snags and pulls. Belt buckles, keys and rivets on jeans leave pulled threads. One small pull is cosmetic; a run that is spreading is not.
- Inspect the carrier frame. If the mesh sits in a plastic carrier, look for cracks at the clips and corners. A cracked carrier will loosen the whole panel.
- Test every adjustment. Seat height, tilt tension, tilt lock, arm height and width, lumbar and seat depth if equipped. Each should move and hold without slipping.
- Check the gas cylinder. Set the height, then sit with your full weight. The seat should not sink over a few minutes.
- Roll it. Casters should turn freely without flat spots. Match caster type to your floor: hard casters for carpet, soft casters for hard floors.
- Look at stains and odor. Mesh can be cleaned, but deep stains in a light mesh often stay visible.
Buying a matched set for a team
If you are outfitting a department, a matched set of the same model makes the space look finished and simplifies adjustments training. A few things help:
- Specify a minimum grade. Tell us whether you need all A grade chairs or whether a mix of A and B is fine for your budget.
- Confirm frame and mesh colors. The same model can come in several finishes. Ask for the exact combination so a set does not arrive mismatched.
- Plan chairs with workstations. If you are also buying workstations, add chairs to the same request. Free space planning is included, and you can use the cubicle quote builder to get started.
- Know the delivery terms. In Greater Phoenix, delivery is $195 in the central zone and $295 across the metro. Elsewhere, freight is quoted per project.
Pairing mesh chairs with workstations
A task chair only works as well as the desk it sits at. If you are building out a new area, it helps to see how workstation options compare. For a 6'x6' workstation, furniture-only pricing is $615 liquidation-grade, $1,245 remanufactured and $1,920 new. Those prices exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation. Installation runs $95 per workstation with a $495 minimum, and volume pricing applies at 5% for 20 or more stations, 8% at 50 or more and 12% at 100 or more.
Lead times vary by tier. Liquidation-grade inventory in stock can ship in as little as 72 hours, remanufactured is usually 7 to 14 days and new is typically 4 to 6 weeks. You can read more about pre-owned options on our pre-owned office furniture page.
Replacing chairs you already own
If you are upgrading and have an office full of chairs to clear out, Office Station also handles corporate furniture liquidation. You get a written net offer, which is the resale value of the furniture minus the removal cost. When that number is positive, you are paid. Try the liquidation estimator for a starting point.
Ask what mesh chairs are in stock
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Do pre-owned mesh office chairs come with a manufacturer warranty?
Generally no. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized dealer, and manufacturer warranties usually do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. Ask about the condition grade and inspect the mesh and mechanisms before you commit.
How long does mesh last on a task chair?
Good mesh from a designer line can hold its tension for many years, but heavy daily use, heat and sharp objects all shorten its life. The seat usually wears before the back because it carries more load. That is why the seat is the first place to check on any used mesh chair.
Can sagging mesh be tightened?
Usually not in a meaningful way. Mesh that has stretched has lost its elasticity, and the fix is a replacement seat or back panel or carrier. If a chair shows clear sag, treat it as a lower grade or pass on it.
Is a mesh seat better than an upholstered seat?
It depends on the person and the room. Mesh seats breathe and suit warm spaces, while foam seats spread pressure differently and some people find them more comfortable for long sessions. Many teams choose a mesh back with a foam seat as a middle ground.
Can I order mesh chairs together with workstations?
Yes. You can request chairs as part of a workstation quote, and free space planning is included. Workstation prices are furniture only and exclude electrical, delivery and professional installation.
