Buying Teknion seating pre-owned
Chairs take more daily abuse than any other piece of office furniture. Someone sits, leans, tilts, spins and rolls in a task chair for eight hours a day. That is why buying a used chair is different from buying a used desk: appearance matters, but the mechanism matters more.
Teknion seating is built for commercial use, and it often leaves an office with plenty of life left. The goal is to separate chairs that are simply broken in from chairs that are worn out. Grading and a short function test do that.
Types of Teknion chairs you may find
Task chairs
The workhorse of any office. Look for adjustable seat height, tilt with tension control, and adjustable arms. Some models add seat depth and lumbar adjustment. The Teknion Contessa is one of the task chairs buyers ask about most.
Conference chairs
Usually simpler, with fewer adjustments, a mid or high back and a clean profile for meeting rooms. Matching finish across the whole table matters more here than on task seating.
Guest and side chairs
Four-leg or sled-base chairs for reception areas and private offices. They have few moving parts, so condition is mostly about frame, glides and upholstery.
Stools and lounge seating
Counter-height stools and soft seating appear less often and in smaller quantities. If you need them, ask early.
How used Teknion chairs are graded
| Grade | Upholstery and mesh | Frame and base | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Like new | Clean, no visible wear or pilling | No visible scuffs | All adjustments work |
| B: Very good | Light wear, no tears or stains | Minor scuffs | All adjustments work |
| C: Good | Visible wear, possible fading | Noticeable scuffs or marks | All adjustments work |
Notice the last column. A lower grade reflects cosmetics, not a chair that half works. If an adjustment does not function, that should be disclosed before you buy.
Warranty terms, stated plainly
Office Station is an independent reseller of pre-owned furniture. We are not an authorized Teknion dealer and are not affiliated with Teknion. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned chairs.
This is the reason the checklist below exists. Without a factory warranty, the few minutes you spend testing a sample chair are your best protection.
Seven-point test for any used Teknion chair
- Height cylinder. Raise and lower the seat. Then sit for a minute. If the seat slowly sinks, the cylinder is failing.
- Tilt and tension. Lean back through the full range. It should feel smooth, and the tension knob should noticeably change resistance.
- Tilt lock. Lock the back upright and at least one reclined position. It should hold without slipping.
- Arms. Move each arm through every adjustment. Check armpads for cracks or peeling.
- Back and lumbar. On mesh backs, look for sagging or pulled strands near the frame. On upholstered backs, look for tears at seams.
- Base and casters. Roll the chair. Every caster should spin, and the base should sit level with no cracks near the hub.
- Noise. Squeaks and clicks under load are often the first sign of mechanism wear.
Request current Teknion chair inventory
Matching grade to the room
You do not have to buy one grade for the whole office. Many teams split the order to put their budget where people will notice it:
| Area | Suggested grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Reception and client meeting rooms | A | First impressions, low daily wear afterward |
| Private offices | A or B | Seen by visitors, used by one person |
| Open-plan task seating | B | Consistent look at a better price across many seats |
| Training rooms and call centers | B or C | High turnover of users, function matters most |
| Back office and storage areas | C | Lowest cost for fully working chairs |
Whatever grade you choose, run the seven-point test on a sample from the lot you are actually buying.
Buying chairs for a full floor
When you are seating 30 or 100 people, consistency is the main challenge. Ask for the model, frame color, upholstery and arm style on the full count, and request a sample chair if you are unsure about fit. A mixed set can work for back-office areas, but most teams prefer matched seating in open-plan and conference spaces.
Installation is quoted with your project, based on the number of stations, building access and the complexity of the layout. Delivery is quoted with your project, based on your address, building access and the size of the order.
Compare Teknion with other brands in our pre-owned office chairs collection, or see the full used Teknion office furniture overview for workstations and storage.
Compare pre-owned office chairs
Clearing out chairs from an office you are leaving? Our office furniture liquidation service walks the space for free and recommends the best route for your furniture. Questions go to hello@officestation.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do used Teknion chairs have a manufacturer warranty?
Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned chairs. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized Teknion dealer, so buy based on the condition grade and the function tests on this page. Ask about any specific chair before ordering.
What does a B grade mean on a used chair?
B means very good. The chair shows light signs of use, such as faint wear on armpads or minor scuffs on the base, but it is fully functional. B is the best value for most open-plan offices.
Can I get a matching set of used Teknion chairs?
Often, yes, because chairs usually come out of a single office in quantity. Confirm the model, frame color, upholstery and arm style match across the full count before you order.
Do you sell other brands of used office chairs?
Yes. Office Station also resells pre-owned seating from brands including Herman Miller, Steelcase, Knoll, Haworth, Humanscale and Allsteel. Inventory changes as liquidations come in.
How are used chairs delivered?
Delivery is quoted with your project, based on your address, building access and the size of the order. Outside Greater Phoenix, freight is quoted per project.
