Ex-display and second-hand riser recliners: what to check before you buy
Costs · 4 minute read
Prepared and checked by Comfort & Recline showroom team.
The short answer
An ex-display chair can be good value when its size and action suit the user. Inspect the exact cover, frame, handset, plug and cables, then run every movement twice. Confirm the seller, condition, delivery service and guarantee terms in writing before paying.
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Who this guide helps
For buyers comparing an individually photographed showroom chair with a made-to-order or privately sold alternative.
Why ex-display makes sense
An ex-display chair may cost less than a made-to-order equivalent. Unlike a private purchase, a showroom chair has usually been inspected and photographed by the retailer.
The chair exists, so delivery is fast and the price is fixed.
The trade-off is choice: the cover, size and action are what they are. If they match your needs, the value can be excellent.
Try every reclining position
The mechanism is the chair. Cycle the full action at least twice: footrest up and down, back reclined and returned, and the full rise to standing.
Listen for grinding, slipping or hesitation, and watch that movements are smooth at every point, not just at the start and end.
Press every button on the handset, including reset. A chair that has stood in a showroom for months should still move exactly as a new one does; anything less is a negotiation point or a walk-away.
- Full action cycle twice, under load
- Every handset button tested, including reset
- No grinding, slipping or uneven movement
- Cables and plug intact, no taped joints
Check the upholstery and frame
Display chairs earn honest wear: arm pilling on fabric, sheen on leather, slight seat compression.
Decide what you can live with before you look, and ask for close-up photographs of arms, seat edge and headrest where hands and heads rest most.
Check the frame by sitting centrally and on each arm in turn: creaks or rocking suggest frame wear. On second-hand chairs from private sellers, ask about the chair’s history, including pets, smoking and storage.
Guarantees and paperwork
Ask what guarantee applies to the exact chair. Terms for ex-display and second-owner units can differ, so get the position in writing before paying.
Buying from a retailer rather than a private seller also means consumer rights apply to the sale, and the retailer can arrange proper delivery and installation rather than a lift on a driveway.
What we do differently
Every Comfort & Recline chair is photographed as an individual unit, its condition is described from those photographs, and price and availability are confirmed with the showroom before you travel.
You see the exact chair you would receive, not a representative picture.
Your showroom checklist
- Try the exact chair with the intended user
- Run every powered movement at least twice
- Inspect the cover, frame, handset and cables
- Ask about pets, smoke, storage and previous use
- Confirm the seller and guarantee in writing
- Agree delivery, setup and packaging removal
Sources and further reading
Chairs to explore
These photos show individual chairs in our showroom. Call Scott to confirm price and availability.
