Why buyers look for the Contessa
The Contessa is one of Teknion's recognizable task chairs, with a set of adjustments aimed at all-day desk work. Because it was specified for large corporate floors, it tends to come out of offices in matched groups, which is exactly what you want when you are seating a team.
Pre-owned Contessas vary more than you might expect. Configurations differ, and so does how hard each chair was used. The useful question is not whether a used Contessa is good. It is whether this Contessa is good. The rest of this page is about answering that.
Know the configuration first
Before judging condition, identify what you are looking at. Contessa chairs can differ in:
- Back material. Mesh or upholstered. Mesh breathes well in warm offices. Upholstered backs hide wear differently and are easier to judge for stains and seam tears.
- Arms. Fixed, height-adjustable, or multi-adjustable. Confirm the arm type on the full count before ordering.
- Adjustments. Tilt range, tilt lock positions, seat depth and lumbar support depend on how the chair was originally ordered.
- Frame and base finish. Matters mainly when you are adding to chairs you already own.
- Production version. Chairs from different years may look similar but use different parts. If you have existing Contessas, compare the underside labels.
Contessa inspection checklist
Take ten minutes with a sample chair. Work through it in this order, from the parts that are most expensive to fix to the least.
| Component | How to test | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt mechanism | Recline fully several times, adjust tension from loose to firm | Grinding, clunking, or no change in resistance |
| Tilt lock | Lock upright and reclined, then lean hard | Lock slips or will not engage |
| Gas cylinder | Set height, sit for two minutes | Seat sinks or bounces |
| Seat depth slider | Slide seat forward and back if equipped | Sticks, or will not stay in position |
| Back and lumbar | Press into the back, move lumbar if equipped | Sagging mesh, pulled strands, torn seams |
| Arms | Move through every adjustment, press down on pads | Wobble, cracked or peeling armpads |
| Seat cushion | Sit and feel for the frame through the foam | Bottoming out, compressed foam, stains |
| Base and casters | Roll on hard floor and carpet, check the hub | Seized casters, cracks near the center |
How A, B and C grades apply to a Contessa
Office Station grades every pre-owned chair. On a Contessa, here is what each grade typically looks like in practice:
Grade A: like new
Mesh is taut with no pulls, upholstery is clean, armpads show no wear, and the base is free of visible scuffs. Every adjustment works smoothly. Choose A for executive offices, reception and anywhere clients sit.
Grade B: very good
Light signs of use. You may notice faint shine on armpads or small scuffs on the base, but no tears, stains or pulled mesh. Full function. For most open-plan teams, B gives the best balance of look and price.
Grade C: good
Visible wear, such as fading, noticeable base scuffs or worn armpads. Still fully functional. C works for training rooms, call centers and back-office areas. With C-grade chairs, run the full checklist above on your sample, since heavier cosmetic wear sometimes points to heavier use overall.
Ask about available Contessa chairs
Fit it to the person, not just the desk
A task chair in good condition can still be the wrong chair. Before you order a full count, have one or two people who sit very differently try the sample: someone tall, someone petite, and ideally someone who reclines a lot.
- Seat height range. With feet flat on the floor, thighs should sit roughly level. Check this at your actual desk height, especially if you are pairing chairs with fixed-height workstations.
- Seat depth. You should be able to fit a few fingers between the seat edge and the back of the knee. If the chair has a depth slider, confirm it reaches both extremes.
- Arm height. Arms should let shoulders relax and slide under the worksurface when needed.
- Back support. The curve of the back should meet the lower back without pushing the sitter forward.
If most of your team works at height-adjustable desks, fit is more forgiving. If they sit at fixed workstations, the chair does more of the work, so adjustment range deserves extra attention.
Warranty and seller terms
Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized Teknion dealer, and is not affiliated with Teknion. Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned chairs. Ask what terms apply to the specific chairs in your quote and keep that in writing. For more on how we handle Teknion seating overall, see used Teknion chairs.
Ordering Contessas in quantity
- Count and configuration. Tell us how many chairs you need and which back, arm and adjustment options matter to you.
- Grade. Pick a grade, or mix grades by area to control budget.
- Sample. For larger orders, ask about checking one chair from the actual lot.
- Delivery. Greater Phoenix delivery is $195 central or $295 metro. Freight elsewhere is quoted per project.
Not set on the Contessa? Compare other brands and models in pre-owned office chairs, or see workstations and storage on the used Teknion office furniture page.
See all pre-owned office chairs
Questions about a specific chair? Email hello@officestation.com or explore our buying guides.
Average market rate Prices subject to availability and project pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a used Teknion Contessa chair a good buy?
It can be, if the mechanism and back are sound. The Contessa was built for commercial daily use, so a well-kept pre-owned chair can have plenty of service left. Test the cylinder, tilt, arms and back before you commit, especially on C-grade chairs.
What grade should I buy for an open office?
B, very good, is the usual sweet spot. It has light cosmetic wear but full function, and it looks consistent across a floor. Choose A for client-facing areas and C where appearance matters less than budget.
Does the Contessa come with a Teknion warranty when bought used?
Manufacturer warranties generally do not transfer to pre-owned furniture. Office Station is an independent reseller, not an authorized Teknion dealer. Ask what terms apply to the specific chairs in your quote.
Are all used Contessa chairs the same?
No. Contessa chairs were made in different configurations and over different production years, so back material, arm style, adjustments and finish can vary. When buying more than a few, confirm the configuration matches across the full count.
Can I try a Contessa before ordering a large quantity?
Ask about a sample. For larger orders, checking one chair from the actual lot is the most reliable way to confirm fit, configuration and condition before you buy the rest.
