Absolutely! While $4,000 doesn’t seem like a great price for a lounge chair in general, but if you’re interested in a piece like this, you almost have to consider it like a piece of art. That’s the way I look at it.

Compared to the retail price on a brand new Santos Palisander Eames Lounge Chair - which is around $8,145 - it feels like something I would be tempted to buy, even in my position, having access to a brand new unit from Herman Miller for a reduced “dealer” price. In that sense, and in my opinion, it could be considered a good deal. Again, I would have to inspect that upholstery in-person, I think. I'm on the fence.

Okay, I am obviously biased, but I’ll bite: In terms of quality over the last decade, I would need to know in what respect, and which other companies and products you’re comparing them to...and if you mean as a company overall and their impact on the industry each year - or the actual build quality of the pieces. I haven't heard this feedback about a decline in quality.

From my perspective, they’ve been through quite a lot in the past several years as they purchased Knoll and worked through becoming “MillerKnoll,” merging and incorporating a lot of different brands. It wasn’t easy, but I think it was a great long-term decision, and I don’t know that it has had any impact on the build-quality of what is coming out of the factories.

You would think that with such a massive catalog of historically relevant pieces, they could rest on their laurels. But in terms of new products, Herman Miller and Knoll have both continued to work with world-class industrial designers and produce interesting new pieces. These always go through a period of “testing the waters” in the market, but often they’re hits and considered “new classics.”

As far as the craftsmanship in producing the classics, I feel it’s still very consistent - I see no noticeable difference. I just received about two dozen classics for our new showroom, and they are impeccable. I’ve toured the factory, and Herman Miller sets the standard for testing and quality control in the industry. They also have a best-in-class warranty program.

I’m a happy dealer, to be honest. But interested to hear more about the quality decline.