Steelcase Think Office Chair 465A000, Black

Which Think this is

Amazon gives this chair the model name 465A000 and part number 46540100. Steelcase's product data lists 465A000 as the style number of the Think Upholstered Chair, so the model name ties to a maker configuration. The part number 46540100 does not appear on Steelcase's page, so use 465A000 when you talk to Steelcase or a dealer.

Steelcase's page lists three Think back designs: upholstered, quilted upholstered and 3D knit. This listing's description names a black base, standard upholstered seat and back, arms that adjust for height, pivot and depth, hard casters and fabric, which matches Steelcase's description of the upholstered chair.

How Think adjusts

Steelcase describes Think as weight-activated: the back tension responds to your body weight as you recline, and a boost setting adds 20 percent more tension. The hang tag calls Think Steelcase's first chair designed with a weight-activated mechanism.

The hang tag's Comfort Dial has four recline settings: full recline, boosted recline, a mid-back stop and an upright back lock. The other controls are seat height, seat depth, height-adjustable lumbar support and 4D arms that adjust height, depth, width and pivot. The seat has flexible edges, and the back uses Steelcase's LiveBack flexor system.

Sizes: Steelcase's figures and the listing's

Steelcase gives style 465A000 a width of 28.5 inches, a depth of 22 to 24.25 inches, an overall height of 37.25 to 42 inches, a seat height of 16.5 to 21.5 inches and a weight of 35 pounds. Check the seat height range against your desk and the width against the space between desk legs.

Amazon's table lists two sets of overall dimensions, 27.5 by 21.25 by 32.5 inches and 25 by 27 by 41.75 inches, a seat depth of zero and a weight of 32.3 pounds. None of those match Steelcase's figures exactly, so rely on the maker's numbers.

Assembly and returns window

The Steelcase assembly sheet on the listing shows a short job: lift the seat depth handle and slide the seat forward, set the back frame on the seat, rotate it up until the back stops connect, and install screws on both sides of the back frame with the enclosed Allen wrench. The sheet lists the package contents as two screws and the wrench.

The same sheet asks you to keep the original packaging for 14 days to make a return easier, and refers to the warranty statement for details. That sheet dates from 2005, so check the seller's current return terms rather than relying on the 14-day line alone.

Weight rating, casters and recycling

Steelcase's page says Think supports users up to 400 pounds, and the hang tag says it is weight tested and warrantied to 400 pounds. Amazon's maximum weight field says 300 pounds. The maker figure is the higher one; if you are near either number, confirm with Steelcase before buying.

Hard casters are standard on Think according to Steelcase, with soft dual-wheel roll-control casters as an option, and the listing's description says hard casters. Steelcase's page does not say which floor each caster suits, so ask the seller if you have hard floors.

Recycling figures vary. The listing's bullets say 27 percent recyclable materials and 94 percent recyclable, while its description says up to 37 percent recycled content and 98 percent recyclable by weight. Steelcase's page says recycled content is over a third of the chair's weight and that Think can be taken apart in about five minutes.

Warranty depends on where you buy

Amazon's warranty field says five years. Steelcase's page and hang tag advertise a Limited Lifetime Warranty of 12 years, multi-shift, 24/7 parts and labour. Steelcase's Americas warranty document says it does not apply to products sold at retail to consumers, who are pointed to a separate consumer warranty we could not find.

Steelcase's store FAQ says the consumer warranty applies only to products bought from store.steelcase.com or a Steelcase Authorized Retailer by buyers in the US or Canada, and the Americas document lets Steelcase reject claims for products from unauthorised sellers, including unauthorised internet sites. Check that the seller is authorised and keep the receipt.