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Chair collapse
I own a Portal Pro chair. I love it for it's ability to fit almost every body (4' 10" to 6'10") while staying at a functional height for me. It does have one problem. I saw a slightly older model than mine collapse on a client... about a month after I bought mine. I called the company. They said there was a 300 lb weight limit. Without going into that... I decided to keep the chair. Been about 4 years. Last week mine collapsed on a beefy guy... about 200 lbs. He was okay. I had bought an extra cable for this possibility and was back in business in 5 minutes. But now, I'm wanting to confront the company and i am wondering if anyone has had a similar thing happen. any advice? What chair do you use and why do you like it. Thanks. Gary
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary tharler on
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Samantha... thank you for your reply. I have considered the Avila. It looks complicated to put together... but you find it easy hunh. The only other one i have considered is the Stronglite or is it Strongpoint??? It doesn't have the grace of adjustment of the Portal Pro, but it is quite solid, can carry 500 pounds, and has this wonderful feature... the knee pads remove, giving ease for clients with knee issues. Best, Gary
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Permalink Reply by Emma Torsey on
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Wow,I never hear of that happening.What part of the chair gave way?
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Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on
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I've never seen a chair collapse, but I HAVE seen a massage table collapse during a school clinic.
I want to point out that whether it is a table or a chair, it's just like a car---you need to do a little maintenance from time to time! Tighten up the screws and check the cables! I got on a student's table one time and it felt so rickety I jumped right off and made them tighten it up right then.
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There is a tension cable that maintains the distance between the fron and back support legs. that maintains the height of the client.
Emma Torsey said:Wow,I never hear of that happening.What part of the chair gave way?
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Thanks. This particular weak link is the kind of thing that just goes. What i will do is replace it every 2 years without investigating condition. (i.e, even if it looks perfect.)
Laura Allen said:I've never seen a chair collapse, but I HAVE seen a massage table collapse during a school clinic.
I want to point out that whether it is a table or a chair, it's just like a car---you need to do a little maintenance from time to time! Tighten up the screws and check the cables! I got on a student's table one time and it felt so rickety I jumped right off and made them tighten it up right then.
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Permalink Reply by Crystal Dawn Suovanen on
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I have had to purchase extra parts on my chair because they wear down easily, but never had one collapse! I would definitely confront the company and either ask for a new chair or your money back. If the client had been injured they could have sued.
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Crystal. Thank you for your reply. I have had my chair about 4 years. A month after I first bought it, i saw a similar thing happen to a friend with the same model a couple of years older. I contacted the company. They said she must have sat the upper telescoping tube on the little piece that goes into the holes. (My friend swore she hadn't.) They also said you shouldn't have anyone over 325 lbs, 300 to be safe, which sounds like a lot... but one out of maybe 100 people I see are up there. Not a lot, but it is not a pleasant situation. I have also had the gear on the face cradle wear out. I got a new one on warrentee... but. The thing is, i love the chair. I was shown a system where you can adjust the height for each client and it stays the same height for you... relative to their body. 4-10 to 6-10. with ease. The dolphin sort of can do it, but I think people sort of fall into the dolphin. Anyway, thank you for the support. Gary (N. Cal. Wine country)
Crystal Dawn Suovanen said:I have had to purchase extra parts on my chair because they wear down easily, but never had one collapse! I would definitely confront the company and either ask for a new chair or your money back. If the client had been injured they could have sued.
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First... i like this chatting. It's new for me. It's fun and a comfort to feel part of a community.
Second, we seem to be soul mates regarding instructions and all, the look of chairs etc. That;'s important to me as well. The thing about 300 lbs – you're right, not often. Maybe one in 100. But have to hurt or insult that one.
Thank you (may i call you Sam?)
Gary
Samantha J. Bennett said:Hey Gary- I do find it easy to take up and down. Yes at first I had to mess around with it for a bit to figure out all the gadgets and set it up properly (i know that's what instructions are for right?! nah....I like the hard way of trying to figure it out then look at the instructions after i think i've done something right..lol)....anywho once you've set it up several times it just comes second nature as i'm guessing your other chair was to ya. Like i said before the big factor why i picked the avila was because of the look (instead of all the straight lines it just flowed better to me) and because of the bigger selection of color choice. The StrongLite i was looking at when comparing them- just didn't have the "touch" the avila had. I can't even remember because i rarely take them off but i do think the padding for the knee rests comes off and of course the face and the sternum padding comes off as well, my chair also came with an add'l sternum pad I could change out for the larger breasted clients to give them better comfort. I guess it's a matter of your clientele when it comes to the weight issue- i rarely have people close to 300 lbs- so the avila works just fine for me. It's all a matter of what you like better and what best fits your clientele! you're figure out. good luck!
Gary tharler said:Samantha... thank you for your reply. I have considered the Avila. It looks complicated to put together... but you find it easy hunh. The only other one i have considered is the Stronglite or is it Strongpoint??? It doesn't have the grace of adjustment of the Portal Pro, but it is quite solid, can carry 500 pounds, and has this wonderful feature... the knee pads remove, giving ease for clients with knee issues. Best, Gary
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Permalink Reply by Choice Kinchen on
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I've been using Avila chairs for 9 years. I wouldn't use anything else. Pads are removable. Very easy to set up and take down. Very comfortable and adaptable for clients (I have two 6'7" 250+ lbs clients). Very easy on me. Customer service, when needed, has been great. Comes in a travel bag on real rubber wheels, not the crappy plastic ones. Very durable chair. Most of my business is corporate massage so I tend to give my chair a heavy workload and it takes it very well.
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Permalink Reply by Allison Kay Poteet on
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Years ago I 'splurged'. I bought a dolphin II. The thing is unbelievably versatile. It is practically a chair/table It is the most comfortable chair I have ever sat/lain on! Considerably more expensive than most chairs I could have chosen.Brilliant! light, and get this.....MADE IN THE USA!!!
When, and if this one croaks, there is no, I mean NO question....I will buy another one!!!! I have had this one for 7 or 8 years!
al
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Dolphin II made in USA. More expensive than most chairs but man it is awesome!
I have had mine for 7 years and it is so incredibly versatile. It is the most comfortable chair this side of a table. They have a table now that is 20lbs! I think the chair is 575.00. That is actually what i paid for mine years ago. I'll tell you this...if and when this one croaks....I will buy another....hands down! (yes! pun intended)
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Sam – I of course meant hurt someone's feelings. You know this person lives their life with weight problems and all the attendant guilt and derision. Now you, a health professional, have to add to that. I usually take them aside, explain I don't think the chair will work for them and offer to do neck and shoulders in a conventional chair. Some do. Some don't. Usually with a smile – but ugh... I hate it. And of course now I work with fear that it will go with any hefty person. So it gets into my work attitude. Instead of working effectively and with abandon... I'm cautious.
I will make some adjustments myself that will better protect the tension wire. And, i think i said this before, I'll change out the wire every year and a half or so. It's only about $15.
Happy T day Gair
Samantha J. Bennett said:lol my intent with the 300 lb standard wasn't one to possibly hurt someone- the ad for it said it holds up to 350lb.s so 300 was even a low estimate. :) tc...and yes you may join the crowds and call me Sam as well! lol
Gary tharler said:First... i like this chatting. It's new for me. It's fun and a comfort to feel part of a community.
Second, we seem to be soul mates regarding instructions and all, the look of chairs etc. That;'s important to me as well. The thing about 300 lbs – you're right, not often. Maybe one in 100. But have to hurt or insult that one.
Thank you (may i call you Sam?)
Gary
Samantha J. Bennett said:Hey Gary- I do find it easy to take up and down. Yes at first I had to mess around with it for a bit to figure out all the gadgets and set it up properly (i know that's what instructions are for right?! nah....I like the hard way of trying to figure it out then look at the instructions after i think i've done something right..lol)....anywho once you've set it up several times it just comes second nature as i'm guessing your other chair was to ya. Like i said before the big factor why i picked the avila was because of the look (instead of all the straight lines it just flowed better to me) and because of the bigger selection of color choice. The StrongLite i was looking at when comparing them- just didn't have the "touch" the avila had. I can't even remember because i rarely take them off but i do think the padding for the knee rests comes off and of course the face and the sternum padding comes off as well, my chair also came with an add'l sternum pad I could change out for the larger breasted clients to give them better comfort. I guess it's a matter of your clientele when it comes to the weight issue- i rarely have people close to 300 lbs- so the avila works just fine for me. It's all a matter of what you like better and what best fits your clientele! you're figure out. good luck!
Gary tharler said:Samantha... thank you for your reply. I have considered the Avila. It looks complicated to put together... but you find it easy hunh. The only other one i have considered is the Stronglite or is it Strongpoint??? It doesn't have the grace of adjustment of the Portal Pro, but it is quite solid, can carry 500 pounds, and has this wonderful feature... the knee pads remove, giving ease for clients with knee issues. Best, Gary
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