If you want the soft, premium look of a Herman Miller Asari without paying full retail, buying used or refurbished can make sense. Here’s where to look, what to check, and how to avoid overpaying.

Is a Used/Refurbished Herman Miller Asari Worth Buying?
A used or refurbished Herman Miller Asari can be worth buying if you want a premium Herman Miller task chair with a softer, more residential look than models like the Aeron, Embody, Mirra, or Sayl. The Asari is not just a basic padded office chair. It is designed as an upholstered ergonomic work chair, so the value comes from the combination of comfort, design, lower-back support, and premium materials.
The biggest reason to consider a used or refurbished Asari is price. New Herman Miller chairs can be expensive, and Asari is positioned as a stylish, high-end option. If you find one in good condition, you may be able to get the same designer look, upholstered frame, and ergonomic support at a much lower price than buying new.
That said, the Asari is a chair where condition matters more than usual. Because it is upholstered, stains, fabric wear, leather cracking, odors, dents in the padding, and discoloration can affect the chair more than they would on a mesh chair. A used Asari with worn upholstery may still function fine, but it may not give you the clean, soft, premium appearance that makes the chair attractive in the first place.
A refurbished Herman Miller Asari is usually a safer choice if the seller has inspected the chair, cleaned the upholstery, tested the lift cylinder, checked the tilt, confirmed the arm function, and replaced worn parts when needed. However, not every “refurbished” listing means the same thing. Some sellers only wipe the chair down and call it refurbished, while better sellers will actually inspect, repair, sanitize, and grade the chair.
The Asari is especially worth considering used or refurbished if you are buying it for a home office, design-focused workspace, executive office, studio, or room where you want an ergonomic chair that does not look too industrial. It has a softer visual style than many performance office chairs, so it works well in spaces where appearance matters as much as function.
It may not be the best used-chair choice if you want the easiest chair to service long-term. Parts and used inventory for Asari may be less common than more established Herman Miller models like Aeron or Mirra. Before buying, make sure the chair is fully working, because finding exact matching upholstery, arms, or Asari-specific components may be harder than finding common Aeron parts. You can still browse general Herman Miller chair parts, but exact Asari parts may not always be available through normal retail channels.
Used vs Refurbished Herman Miller Asari: What Is the Difference?
A used Herman Miller Asari is usually sold as-is by an individual seller, office liquidator, reseller, or marketplace listing. The chair may be fully functional, but it normally has not been professionally restored. You may see light fabric marks, small scuffs on the base, signs of daily use, or unknown wear on the lift cylinder and tilt controls.
A refurbished Herman Miller Asari should mean the chair has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired before resale. For an Asari, refurbishment should ideally include upholstery cleaning, deodorizing, checking the PostureFit/lumbar support area, testing the tilt and height adjustment, checking the arms, inspecting the base, and making sure the casters roll smoothly. If the chair has new casters, a replaced gas cylinder, or freshly cleaned upholstery, that can add value.
The main difference is risk. A used Asari may be cheaper, but you need to inspect it more carefully. A refurbished Asari usually costs more, but it should reduce the chance of getting a chair with bad smells, weak height adjustment, sticky controls, or worn seat padding.
How Much Does a Used or Refurbished Herman Miller Asari Cost?
The price of a used or refurbished Herman Miller Asari can vary a lot because it is not always as widely available on the secondhand market as models like Aeron, Sayl, or Mirra. The final price usually depends on the back height, upholstery material, color, condition, seller reputation, shipping cost, and whether the chair has been professionally refurbished.
As a rough buying guide, a heavily used Herman Miller Asari with visible wear, stains, or uncertain history should be priced much lower than a clean refurbished one. A clean used Asari with no major stains, smooth height adjustment, working tilt, and good upholstery can command a stronger price. A refurbished Asari from a reputable office furniture seller will usually cost more because the seller may include cleaning, inspection, part replacement, shipping support, and sometimes a limited warranty.
High-back Asari chairs may cost more than mid-back versions, especially if they are in desirable colors or premium fabric/leather options. Upholstery also matters. A clean neutral color may be easier to place in a home office, while rare or bold colors may appeal to design-focused buyers but can be harder to match with a room.
When comparing prices, do not only look at the chair price. Add shipping, tax, return policy, and possible repairs. A cheap Asari that needs a new gas cylinder, replacement casters, deep upholstery cleaning, or a base repair can become less of a deal. For basic upgrades, you can compare items like office chair casters for hardwood floors, office chair gas cylinder replacements, and upholstery cleaner for office chairs before deciding if the deal is still worth it.
Where to Buy a Used or Refurbished Herman Miller Asari Online
eBay is one of the better places to check first because it often has listings from individual sellers, office furniture resellers, liquidators, and refurbished-chair shops. Since Herman Miller Asari inventory may be limited, eBay is useful because you can save a search, compare sold listings, check seller feedback, and look for different conditions such as used, open-box, pre-owned, or refurbished.
When shopping for a Herman Miller Asari on eBay, read the listing carefully. Do not rely only on the title. Check whether the listing says Asari, Asari Chair by Herman Miller, mid-back, high-back, upholstered, leather, fabric, or Maharam upholstery. Look at every photo and zoom in on the seat, back, arms, base, casters, and underside label if available.
For an upholstered chair like the Asari, photos matter a lot. Ask for close-up pictures of the seat cushion, backrest, side upholstery, arm pads, base, and any Herman Miller label or manufacturing sticker. If the seller only shows one stock-style image, ask for actual photos before buying. A real Asari listing should show the exact chair you are receiving, especially if it is used.
Also check the shipping method. The Asari is a premium chair, and poor packaging can lead to scratches, bent arms, damaged bases, or broken controls. If the chair ships fully assembled, make sure the seller has experience shipping office chairs. If it ships partially disassembled, ask what assembly is required.
Other Online Websites/Marketplace for Used/Refurbished Herman Miller Asari
- Facebook Marketplace: This can be a good place to find a local Herman Miller Asari because some people sell premium office chairs after moving, closing an office, or changing their home office setup. The biggest advantage is local pickup, which lets you inspect the upholstery, test the height adjustment, and check the tilt before paying.
- Craigslist: Craigslist can be useful for local used Asari listings, especially in large cities with office liquidators or design-focused furniture buyers. Search for “Herman Miller Asari,” “Asari chair,” and “Herman Miller upholstered chair” because sellers may not always use the full product name.
- Office furniture liquidators: Some liquidators sell used Herman Miller chairs from corporate offices, showrooms, design firms, or commercial furniture clear-outs. Inventory can change quickly, so check sellers that specialize in Herman Miller, MillerKnoll, or high-end ergonomic office seating.
- Chair refurbishing websites: Refurbished office chair stores may occasionally list the Herman Miller Asari, although it may be less common than Aeron or Mirra. Look for sellers that clearly explain what was refurbished, whether the upholstery was cleaned, and whether the chair includes any warranty.
- Local used office furniture stores with online inventory: Some stores list available chairs online but only sell regionally. This can be a good option because you may be able to see the exact Asari in person or request additional photos before buying.
Used or Refurbished Herman Miller Asari: Buying Tips & What to Avoid
- Confirm it is actually a Herman Miller Asari: The Asari has a soft upholstered look with a distinctive curved form. Ask for a photo of the Herman Miller label, underside tag, invoice, or product sticker if available. Avoid listings that only say “Herman Miller style” or “similar to Herman Miller.”
- Check whether it is mid-back or high-back: Herman Miller Asari chairs can appear in different back heights. Make sure the listing matches what you want because a high-back Asari and mid-back Asari can feel and look different in a workspace.
- Inspect the upholstery closely: Since the Asari is upholstered, fabric or leather condition is one of the most important buying factors. Look for stains, fading, shiny worn spots, scratches, peeling, stretched fabric, pet hair, smoke odor, and discoloration around the seat edge and backrest.
- Ask about odors: Upholstered chairs can hold smells from smoke, pets, food, storage units, or office environments. Ask the seller directly if the Asari has any odor. A chair can look clean in photos but still smell bad in person.
- Test the height adjustment: The chair should raise and lower smoothly and should not slowly sink while you sit. If it sinks, the gas cylinder may need replacement. That repair may be possible, but it should lower the price.
- Check the tilt and recline feel: Sit in the Asari and test the tilt movement. It should feel controlled, not loose, stuck, grinding, or uneven. If the tilt does not respond properly, ask whether the seller has repaired or inspected the mechanism.
- Look at the arms: If the Asari has adjustable arms, check that they move correctly and stay in position. Also inspect the arm pads for cracks, dents, stickiness, or heavy wear.
- Look underneath the seat: Photos from underneath can reveal cracked plastic, missing screws, bent brackets, rust, dirt, or signs that the chair was repaired poorly. A seller who refuses underside photos may not be worth the risk.
- Check the base and casters: Make sure the base is not cracked or badly scratched and that all casters roll smoothly. If you use hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring, you may want to upgrade to rollerblade office chair casters after buying.
- Ask if the chair was used in an office or home: A home-used Herman Miller Asari may have less daily wear than one from a busy commercial office. However, an office liquidator may have more accurate product knowledge than a casual home seller.
- Be careful with vague refurbished claims: Ask exactly what was refurbished. Was the upholstery cleaned? Was the cylinder replaced? Were the casters replaced? Were the controls tested? “Refurbished” should mean more than “used but wiped down.”
- Ask about warranty or returns: A used Asari from an individual seller may have no return policy. A refurbished seller may offer a short warranty or return window. This matters because problems with lift cylinders, tilt controls, or hidden upholstery odors may not be obvious from photos.
- Compare total cost, not just listing price: Add shipping, taxes, possible cleaning supplies, possible parts, and return shipping risk. A slightly more expensive local chair you can inspect may be better than a cheaper shipped chair with no returns.
- Avoid listings with only stock photos: For a used or refurbished Herman Miller Asari, you need real photos of the exact chair. Stock photos do not show fabric wear, stains, scratches, or actual condition.
- Avoid chairs with heavy seat compression: If the seat looks flattened, uneven, or saggy, the chair may not feel like a premium Asari anymore. Upholstery and padding condition are a big part of the chair’s value.
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Used vs New Herman Miller Asari
A new Herman Miller Asari is the best choice if you want full control over color, upholstery, back height, arm options, finish, and warranty coverage. Buying new also gives you the cleanest condition, no unknown history, and the least risk of odor, stains, worn padding, or hidden mechanical wear.
A used Herman Miller Asari is better if you want the Asari look and Herman Miller quality at a lower price and you are comfortable inspecting condition carefully. The main tradeoff is that you may have fewer choices. You might have to accept the available color, fabric, back height, and arm setup.
A refurbished Herman Miller Asari sits in the middle. It can cost more than a used one, but it may be cleaned, inspected, and repaired before sale. For many buyers, refurbished is the sweet spot because the chair can still be cheaper than new while reducing some of the risk of buying used.
If the price difference between refurbished and new is small, buying new may be the better value. But if you find a clean used or properly refurbished Asari at a strong discount, it can be a very good way to get a premium upholstered Herman Miller chair for less.
Herman Miller Asari Used/Refurbished FAQ
Is the Herman Miller Asari good to buy used?
Yes, the Herman Miller Asari can be good to buy used if the upholstery is clean, the height adjustment works, the tilt feels smooth, the arms are solid, and the chair has no strong odors. Because Asari is upholstered, fabric or leather condition should be checked more carefully than on a mesh chair.
Is a refurbished Herman Miller Asari better than a used one?
A refurbished Herman Miller Asari is usually better if the seller actually cleaned, inspected, and repaired the chair. It may cost more than a regular used Asari, but it can reduce the risk of upholstery problems, weak cylinders, dirty casters, or untested controls.
What should I check first on a used Herman Miller Asari?
Check the upholstery first. Look for stains, fading, odors, scratches, worn fabric, compressed padding, and discoloration. After that, test the height adjustment, tilt, arms, casters, and base. The Asari’s soft upholstered design is a major part of its value, so cosmetic condition matters a lot.
How do I know if a Herman Miller Asari listing is authentic?
Ask for photos of the Herman Miller label, underside sticker, product tag, invoice, or any identifying marks. Also compare the chair shape, upholstery style, back design, base, and controls with official Herman Miller Asari photos. Avoid vague listings that only say “Herman Miller style.”
Is the Herman Miller Asari easy to find used?
The Herman Miller Asari may be harder to find used than popular models like Aeron, Mirra, or Sayl. Because of that, it is smart to check eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and used office furniture liquidators regularly and save searches for “Herman Miller Asari.”
Should I buy a used Asari online without seeing it in person?
You can, but only if the listing has clear photos, the seller has good feedback, and there is a reasonable return policy. For an upholstered chair like the Asari, buying in person is safer because you can check smell, fabric texture, padding condition, and comfort before paying.
What is the biggest risk when buying a used Herman Miller Asari?
The biggest risk is poor upholstery condition. Stains, smells, worn fabric, damaged leather, or compressed padding can make the chair feel less premium. Mechanical issues matter too, but upholstery problems are often harder and more expensive to fix neatly.
Can I replace parts on a used Herman Miller Asari?
Some general office chair parts like casters or gas cylinders may be replaceable, but exact Asari-specific parts can be harder to find than parts for older, more common Herman Miller chairs. Before buying a damaged Asari, confirm whether the needed part is actually available.
Is the high-back Herman Miller Asari better than the mid-back version?
It depends on your preference. The high-back Asari gives a taller, more executive look and may feel more supportive for users who like more back coverage. The mid-back Asari can look lighter and more compact. When buying used, choose based on comfort, room style, and available condition.
Should I buy a cheap Herman Miller Asari with stains?
Only if the discount is big enough and you are comfortable cleaning or living with the stains. Since the Asari is upholstered, visible stains can lower resale value and may be difficult to remove completely. Ask whether the stains are surface marks, spills, dye transfer, or permanent discoloration.
A used or refurbished Herman Miller Asari can be a smart buy if you want a softer, design-focused Herman Miller chair for less. Just be picky about upholstery, smell, padding, tilt, and seller photos. A clean Asari is worth chasing; a rough one is usually only worth it at a serious discount.

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