I am a giant Costco fan. I love the company. I love their policies. And I love to shop there.

Not sure about these chairs, but most things online can be returned to any local Costco. So if they arrive and they don't work, you can send them back or drive them to you local Costco (if you have one). And they take back anything for any reason.

Is Costco one of those places where one must be a *member* to shop there?

FYI: Just checked costco.com and the price is now $249.

Fjorder - Yup, you must be a member. A yearly membership costs $50. My parents are so addicted to that place, I wish we had one in brooklyn!

Fjorder:

I wondered the same thing. According to the web site: "Non-members will be charged a 5% surcharge over the member's posted product prices (except for prescription drugs and gift certificates)."

You do have to be a member to shop at Costco (it's $50 annually now). But anyone can shop costco.com. You have to pay the non-member price which is 5% over listed, member price. Depending on what you're buying, a membership can sometimes be cheaper than the non-member surcharge.

It's SICK how much I know about costco!

There are plenty of knock-off Bertoia chairs and stools. These are at Advanced Interiors, and they cost less than costco's.

http://stores.advancedinteriordesigns.com/categories.bok?oem=Harry%20Bertoia

Amanda, there is one in Brooklyn. 3rd ave around 35th ish. Also a nicer one in Queens and if you're driving thru Staten Island -- or live there -- that Costco has a gas station. Costco's gas station's are great.

I have fakes ones and they are not even close to as comfy as the real ones.

thanks Julianna! Being carless, it would be hard for me to shop there though :( There was a rumor of one going in on Empire Blvd. near flatbush which is only a few blocks from me! I keep crossing my fingers!

There are many knockoffs of that style. I purchased 2 from ModernDose.com and was happy with what I received. I believe they were about $150 each but I got them on a 2-for-1 sale.

The shape varies from the real Bertoia. I believe mine (and probably those from Costco) are a big more upright and less 'buckety' which may actually allow to sit up more in them.

I think the knockoffs can be great, but shop around- Costco isn't your only option :)

Those vintage knoll chair is $148... although they are black coated. I've seen vintage knoll so often in both craigslist and eBay. Just wondering what the right price for those chairs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Knoll-Harry-Bertoia-Side-Chair-Black_W0QQitemZ270143436303QQihZ017QQcategoryZ63568QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I really don't like fake bertoias because i just don't like the balance of the seat back, which is too too tall on fakes. There's not much to a bertoia chair so a change in shape balance is glaring and unignorable to me.

Yeah Moderndose.com has a great deal at $149 each with free shipping plus a choice or black, white or red seat pad...I think they are doing a 2 for 1 sale on their "S" chairs too!

http://www.moderndose.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_30&products_id=153