Friday, September 15, 2006

Local blogger discovers expensive chair plot

Here's an article from QCOnline (at least for a little while), and I assume also the Argus/Dispatch, about the new Moline Library spending over $600 each for Herman Miller Aeron chairs.

The Inside Dope recently took issue with these pricey chairs over on his blog, as part of a multi-page review of the new library. Apparently Dawn Neuses of the Dispatch smelled a story there, and contacted the library for their comments on the expensive chairs.

They basically said they're appropriate chairs, and that quality chairs will last longer and have to be repurchased less often. That argument does make sense, but I also feel like going all out and getting brand name Herman Miller chairs is probably over the top. I don't buy many office chairs, but I know in almost every other case when buying "the best name in... " you pay a premium for the name itself. I suspect there's a compromise between $600+ chairs and $20 IKEA chairs that might last fairly long.

The comments section of the article on QCOnline shows that Davenport isn't the only city around here with a negativity problem though. Its also interesting to see an issue brought up by a local blog get mainstream coverage, and most importantly, be cited for bringing up the issue. A lot of times I feel like the Times and QConline folks troll for articles on the blogs and then give us no credit.

1 comment:

cruiser said...

$600 a pop for chairs isn't excessive? Sure they stayed within the budget, but having a million to play with wouldn't make that too hard.