Written by the Decomica Design Team — updated June 2026. We have been sourcing Eames Aluminium Group replicas since before the wider replica furniture market took off. This guide reflects what we have learned about what makes these chairs worth buying and what to watch out for.
If you are searching for an Eames office chair for sale, you are looking at three very different markets: licensed originals from Vitra or Herman Miller (€3,500–8,000+), quality replicas from specialist retailers (€250–600), and cheap copies sold via marketplaces (€80–200). This guide focuses on the middle tier — what a quality replica actually offers, where to find one, and what to check before you pay.
What You Are Actually Buying When You Search “Eames Office Chair for Sale”
The term “Eames office chair” in the resale and replica market covers a wide range of products. They share a visual reference — the Aluminium Group chairs that Charles and Ray Eames designed in 1958 — but differ dramatically in what they are made of and how long they will last.
The Eames Aluminium Group was commissioned for a private residence in 1958 and put into licensed production by Herman Miller shortly after. Key design features:
- Two curved cast aluminium side rails forming the frame
- Leather or mesh suspended or padded between the rails
- Five-star polished aluminium base with castors
- Pneumatic height adjustment
- Tilt mechanism with tension adjustment
Herman Miller holds the licence in North America; Vitra holds it in Europe. Everything else — from a €150 marketplace listing to a €500 specialist retailer — is unlicensed.
The Decomica Range: What Is Currently for Sale
Decomica stocks the following Eames Aluminium Group office chair models. All prices include VAT. All use genuine leather on a polished aluminium frame. All carry a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty and are available with free UK and EU delivery.
| Model | Back height | Pad type | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA117 | Low | Thin ribbed | Clean desk aesthetic, shorter sessions | €280 |
| EA119 | High | Thin ribbed | Architectural look, full-day support | €320 |
| EA217 | Low | Soft pad | Home office, creative studios | €320 |
| EA219 | High | Soft pad | Executive offices, extended sessions | €420 |
| EA108 | Low (dining) | Thin ribbed | Conference rooms, meeting areas | €260 |
Multiple leather colours are available across most models: black, white, cream, tan brown, dark brown, grey, and red. Colour availability varies by model; check individual product pages.
How to Assess Quality Before You Buy
When looking at any Eames office chair for sale — from Decomica or anywhere else — these are the questions worth asking:
1. What is the upholstery material, exactly?
Genuine leather (full-grain or top-grain cowhide) is specified plainly in reputable listings. “Eco leather”, “PU leather”, “vegan leather”, and “bonded leather” are all plastic-based materials that peel and crack within 2–3 years of daily use. If the listing says “leather” without qualification, ask. If the seller cannot confirm genuine, assume PU.
2. Is the frame aluminium or steel?
Polished aluminium is lighter, does not rust if chipped, and has a specific warm-grey visual quality. Painted steel is heavier, chips to reveal bare metal underneath, and costs less to make. Apply a magnet: aluminium frame = no adhesion. Steel frame = adhesion. Budget chairs in the €80–200 range almost always use steel.
3. What warranty is offered?
A seller confident in their product offers at least 2 years. A 30-day warranty or no warranty at all signals a seller who does not expect the chair to last. A warranty is only useful if the seller will still be trading in 24 months — buy from established retailers rather than anonymous marketplace accounts.
4. What is the returns policy?
You should have at least 14 days from receipt to return a chair that doesn’t meet your expectations. On a defective item, a reputable seller should organise collection at no cost to you. Change-of-mind returns should be available, with return shipping paid by the buyer (approximately €40–50 via courier for a boxed chair).
5. Who are you buying from?
Check independent review platforms — not just testimonials hosted on the seller’s own site. Decomica publishes verified reviews via Judge.me on-site and is independently reviewed on Trustpilot. Marketplace sellers with no verifiable history should be treated with caution regardless of their rating.
New vs Second-Hand Eames Office Chairs for Sale
Genuine Vitra and Herman Miller chairs do appear second-hand and are worth buying used if the condition is good — they are built to last decades. A used Vitra EA219 in reasonable condition typically sells for €800–1,800 depending on age, leather condition, and mechanism function. Verify the manufacturer label, check the tilt mechanism moves smoothly, and inspect the leather for cracking or peeling.
Second-hand replicas are a different proposition. Without a warranty, no knowledge of how the previous owner treated the chair, and no certainty about the original material quality, a used replica at €150 is rarely a better purchase than a new quality replica at €280–320 with a 2-year warranty and a 14-day return window.
Delivery: What to Expect When You Order
All Decomica Eames office chairs are dispatched within 1–2 working days of order. Delivery by DPD takes 5–7 working days from dispatch, giving a typical door-to-door time of 6–9 working days. Free delivery across the UK and EU (Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta excepted). Track your shipment at DPD Ireland tracking.
Chairs arrive in branded packaging with all components for self-assembly. Assembly typically requires 15–25 minutes: attaching the base, inserting the gas lift, and mounting the seat mechanism. No specialist tools required.
Decomica’s Guarantee at a Glance
- Warranty: 2 years manufacturer’s, covering defects in materials and workmanship
- Returns: 14 days from receipt; defect = free return; change of mind = customer pays ~€40–50 return shipping
- Delivery: Free UK & EU, 6–9 working days total
- Payment: Credit/debit card or PayPal (VAT included in all prices)
- Support: support@decomica.com + live chat, response within 24–48 hours
For a thorough model-by-model quality review, see our comprehensive Eames replica review. Browse all current stock: Decomica Eames Office Chair Collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I get an Eames office chair delivered?
Orders placed before midday on a working day are typically dispatched the same day or the following working day. DPD then takes 5–7 working days for EU delivery. Total time from order to delivery: 6–9 working days in most cases.
Can I buy a trade quantity for a fit-out project?
Yes — trade discounts are available for orders of multiple chairs. Contact support@decomica.com with the model, quantity, and delivery location for a quote. Decomica does not have a physical showroom; all sales are online.
Is a pre-order possible if a colour or model is out of stock?
Pre-orders for out-of-stock models can be arranged via support@decomica.com. There is no automated notify-me service on the website — email is the fastest route to confirm availability and lead time.
Can I see the chair before buying?
Decomica is online-only and does not operate a physical showroom. The 14-day return policy is the practical alternative: order the chair, assess it at home, and return it at your cost if it doesn’t suit. Product photography and detailed specifications on the product pages are intended to give an accurate representation before purchase.
