Now with Lifeform

After yanking me around for almost two months, Soma finally quoted a cost for changing out the seat and backrest on my chair, and that was only because the very helpful ergonomic specialist contacted a local dealer on my behalf. I think I would still be going in circles with the owner of Soma if she hadn't done that.

The quote still isn't even for what I actually wanted, which probably would've cost more, but what they did quote would be $427. The chair only cost $762 in the first place. The last time I talked to the owner, he said I "don't need adjustable lumbar," even though that's what I'd really like to get. He didn't seem too cooperative, so I decided to just buy a new chair from a different company, since this one is so ridiculously uncomfortable.

I decided I need to buy from a company with an actual storefront here, so I went to Relax the Back. They're always super friendly there. Yelp reviews say that might not last if you need to return something, but newer reviews say they're now under improved management, so I guess we'll see. I got a chair with all the bells and whistles mine has - sliding seat pan, rocker tilt, 360-degree arms with adjustable height/width, and adjustable height/tilt back. And in addition, it also has adjustable lumbar!

The only downside is I can't have a contoured seat because I've got such a wide stance with the steno machine now, and Lifeform charges $150 extra for the flat seat since it's not standard. The standard arms are only 180-degree rotation, but they were having a special on the 360-degree pivot ones (which do more than just rotate), which is good since I was going to get them regardless.

I wound up paying $1200 for it, which is almost twice what the Soma chair cost, but I don't think I'd find anything better (Neutral Posture chairs are at least $1200, too), and there weren't any other places with a storefront here. Supposedly I can return this one free of charge for up to 30 days, which is a great deal if it turns out to be true (although hopefully I won't have to test it).

It's also a lot easier to make adjustments to the Lifeform chair than the Soma one, so it seems like a better-quality chair. I'm not sure if it will actually be any more comfortable in the end; I do like that the backrest is taller, so I most likely won't have a gap between the seat and the backrest anymore. The chair also lowers more than the Soma one (probably because the Soma is a split seat with super high springs), so I can add some kind of a cushion to it if I need to.

I ordered it in bright blue. I saw some Neutral Posture ones online in bright blue, and they looked so cheerful compared to this depressing black chair I have now. It's supposed to be here in 4-5 weeks, and they don't even charge for shipping or assembly.