What's New at Gator Office Furniture

5 Reasons You Should Choose Gator Office Furniture

2009-09-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me recently why Gator Office Furniture should be their choice over other local office furniture stores. I had a hard time answering this, because I thought the answer was so obvious. We are simply the best office furniture store in Jacksonville, FL. Still, just saying that does not really explain what makes us better. So, I decided to sit down and write out all the points that make us better than the rest.

We even have a Hot Tips section on our Website, a Twitter site and a Blog to help keep people informed and answer questions.

Our Jacksonville Tastecasting blogs and Business Card Referral Board are just the tip of the iceberg.

Take a look at the great businesses we have to recommend!

Don't let your antique treasures waste away. To find out what this beautiful piece looked like before we refurbished it, click here.

So, when you need office furniture, remember these five points. You may find other office furniture businesses that offer some of them, but I do not believe you will find any that offer all of them. Without a doubt, Gator Office Furniture is the best office furniture store in Jacksonville, FL. As always, you can contact us at (904) 724-6400, browse our Website, follow us on our Twitter site, and now you can email me at DWhite@GatorOffice.com.

Cubicles: Don't Box Me In

2009-09-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

Movies and television shows have convinced us that cubicles are boxes designed to kill an employee’s creativity and independent spirit. This simply is not the case. Cubicles, also known as workstations, are designed to give employees enough privacy to focus without completely isolating them from other coworkers. Cubicles are not meant to box in a brilliant flower of creativity, but to incubate the seed of productivity that it sprouts from. Below, we hope to visually portray just how useful cubicles are and how easily customizable they can be for any purpose.

As you can see, there are many different styles, purposes, and customizations for cubicles. They are suitable for most businesses and can fit easily into just about any floor plan. Gator Office Furniture can help you figure out just what your workstation needs are and help you arrange your office space. As always, you can call us at (904) 724-6400, visit our Website, or follow us on Twitter.

This Just In! Huge shipment of used furniture!

2009-09-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Prepare yourself. The used car salesman is back. Recently we purchased a very large shipment of previously owned furniture and we could not be anymore excited about it! Every office furnishing conceivable came in this shipment. Apparently, even people not working at the store are enthusiastic about these deals because many of the items I was going to blog about here have completely sold out! This stuff is selling faster than hot cakes! And, I’ve been told that hot cakes sell pretty fast.

We received a beautiful six foot long laminate racetrack conference table, which I am honestly surprised we still have. Pay $199 and it could be that impressive piece of furniture that gives you that air of distinction during meetings with clients.

We also received so many chairs that I nicknamed this shipment our “chair farm.” Three hundred forty-seven task chairs of all shapes, sizes, colors, and adjustments. I found one in the group that I loved so much that I traded out my brand new ergonomic mesh chair I was currently using for it. These chairs start at $29 and it has been my experience that every office needs a few extras. So stock up now! We also received fifty-five durable and comfortable stack chairs, but they are also going fast. Only ten are left and they are each only $15.

I think everyone’s favorite item we received in this shipment were the mobile panels. They are in perfect condition and move effortlessly. We keep thinking of new ways to use them. Make impromptu cubicles in office buildings, use them to tack up projects or artwork, create a dark quiet space for a child’s naptime, or simply roll one in front of your cubicles entrance when you want to concentrate on work. The singles are only $99 and the retractable doubles are $199. Get these now and keep them handy!

We were very pleasantly surprised to receive three refrigerators in the shipment. They are very gently used and only $125. Along with the six tables we also received going for $79, you could finally spruce up that break room!

As usual, you can reach our store at (904) 724-6400, visit our website, or follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with Gator Office Furniture! Ask us about our weekly email specials!

Giving the Right Impression with Your Reception Area

2009-08-27T10:01:00.001-07:00

When people think of office furniture, they think of desks and chairs. They think of what goes into someone’s office or cubicle. It rarely occurs to them that office furniture is really anything that goes into an office building. In fact, I would venture to say that the most important office furnishings for a business are actually the items placed in its lobby or reception area.
Think about it. Every time you have entered a new office building, the first area you enter is where you create your first impression of the business you are dealing with. Usually, this is the reception area. From the furniture to the décor to its cleanliness, everything about this room affects your opinion of the people who work there. Now think about how your reception area looks. What initial perception do you think your customers and job applicants have about your business?

A clean, well organized, and stylish reception area will immediately give people a feeling of ease. They will expect you to be trustworthy and intelligent. They will believe your business is successful and lucrative.

The first thing a person sees when entering a lobby or reception area is the reception desk, since they will be focused on talking to a person right away. The style of this desk will say a good deal about what sort of business they have entered. A traditional or old fashioned design will give a feeling of a business with a lot of experience and a deep foundation. A more modern style will give the impression that you have your finger on the pulse of today’s trends and abound with creativity. They will also pay attention to how your receptionist or customer service representative is positioned. Is there plenty of room to work? Do you provide them with comfortable seating and some privacy? In other words, are you a kind employer?

After speaking to the receptionist, customers look for a place to sit. Again, the style of the seating creates different impressions. No style is any better than another; just different. However, whatever style you choose, make sure that the furniture is clean, undamaged, comfortable, and professional. Your fluffy plump sofa at home would not be appropriate; no matter how much you enjoy sitting in it. Make sure that your sofas and guest seats are well coordinated if they are not from a matching set. If you have no eye for such things, ask your office furniture retailer for help or contact an interior designer.

What you place in your reception area also tells people much about who you are. So tables, bookshelves, and other surfaces are also a vital component of any reception area. A bookshelf filled with books by Voltaire and Rousseau will clearly give the impression that deep thinkers work there. Surfaces decorated with souvenirs from around the world will create the picture of cultured professionals. A coffee table with neatly folded financial and business papers available to read will create the belief that this business is always up to date with the business world. A side table with hot coffee and cold bottled water always available will help customers feel they will be well taken care of.

My advice for any business hoping to make a great first impression with customers and job applicants is to take a critical eye to your lobby or reception area. Look for scuffs, scratches, and tears in the furniture. Make sure everything is as clean as possible. Ask your receptionist or customer service representative how easy it is to work in their space and if they are comfortable. Sit in your seats and decide if you would want to sit there if you were the customer. Make sure you have enough surfaces and storage areas, and think about what impression you are making with what you display on them. Finally, ask yourself would you rather your customers perceive your business as mature and steadfast or young and vibrant. The impression your reception area creates will help determine the customers and employees you attract. If you would like to see what Gator Office Furniture has to offer for your reception area, check out our weekly specials on our site.

As always, you can call us at (904)724-6400, follow us on Twitter, or browse our website for more information.

Meet Marco Castillo!

2009-08-25T07:29:00.001-07:00

Gator Office Furniture is taking a break from sharing our great deals and helpful advice in this entry so that we can introduce you to our newest sales representative, Marco Castillo. Besides his warm personality, Marco brings his experiences with new business development and sales management to our showroom. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and also dabbles in many other languages. We are also proud to have a former Corpsman in a U.S. Naval Hospital in our store. He graduated with a B.S. from Southern Illinois University and is currently pursuing an M.B.A. with Webster University.

Marco is a big car fan! He enjoys going to shows and especially likes restored muscle cars. He and his wife also are animal lovers. They have three dogs and two cats. His wife volunteers for animal rescue groups.

Marco is most looking forward to getting into the new business development side of our business! So, if you are starting a new business, he is the man you need to talk to! If you drop by the store, please give a warm welcome to the newest member of the Gator Office Furniture family. We know you will like him as much as we do!

As always, you can contact us at (904)724-6400, follow us on Twitter, or visit our website.

Incredible Deals On Used Office Furniture

2009-08-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

Recently, we have had a huge influx of good furniture that we are able to sell for incredibly low prices. I suppose because I work in the used and new office furniture industry, these great deals have gotten me pretty excited. Tingly even. Still, I have held myself back from crying out “Hurry, hurry, hurry! For a limited time only, we’re selling this stuff for craaaaaaaazy prices!” Nobody likes hearing that and, except for used car salesmen it seems, nobody likes speaking that way. Still I feel like I’d be remiss in my duties as a blogger, if I didn’t share these super deals.

First, we have a used Hon 10700 Laminate U Group, going for $795. We’ll even throw in an executive chair and two guest seats for super low prices as well. All you need are a few photographs of your kids and you have yourself an entire office for only $1,399.

Then, we have available immediately 300 extraordinary high pressure laminate folding tables in grey and tan from Bevis and Virco. They are perfect for schools, churches, and community service centers. These are going for the amazingly low prices of $29 for six footers and $39 for eight footers!

Lastly, we also have 740 green padded stack chairs with a chrome sled base from Nightingale being sold for only $19 each.

Now, can you understand why I might be excited? It practically feels like we’re giving these away. Oh dear, there comes that used car salesman talk again. Still, I’m impressed and I hope that all of these items will find a home with someone who needs them. If you’re interested in learning more or have questions and comments, please give us a call at (904) 724-6400, catch us at Twitter, visit our website, or simply pop buy our office furniture store at 6160 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Duval County, FL 32216!

A Few Of Our Favorite Things

2009-08-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I asked everyone at the store to email me their favorite furnishings that we carry. The PL Series from Office Source won hands down. There are some very good reasons why too. Besides being quite affordable, their office furniture is easy to mix and match. For instance, the same office shelving that works for a new workstation could also be used for a new reception station. The laminate does not stain and cleans very easily. Their modern office furniture comes in a variety of pleasing color schemes, styles, and storage options. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, instead of describing our favorite pieces, I will simply display them with the photographs below.

Office Source's PL Series has a great variety of desk units and workstations!

These furnishings are appropriate for offices, cubicles, reception areas, conference rooms, and more! These are the items for a company that rearranges their workspace often.

The PL Series has many creative solutions for storage and shelving!

Follow us on Twitter as GatorOfficeFurn, explore our website or just give us a call with any questions or comments at (904) 724-6400.

What Tough Times Can Teach Businesses

2009-07-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

There is no getting around it. Times are tough. You simply cannot sugar coat a 9.5 unemployment rate and a volatile stock market. Being an office furniture company, we have seen first hand how badly hit our customers have been by this downward trend. Many have closed their doors or are close to it. Others have cut way back. Many regretfully had to downsize. It is all very sobering but we feel there are always positive points to concentrate on and constructive lessons to be learned.

Optimistically, Gator Office Furniture has been called upon to assist customers with ideas on how to redefine their office space so that the empty desks are not so obvious and employees can work in a more positive environment. More modular office furnishings are used and movable walls are employed. Coworkers are consolidated into one area of the workspace. We believe this helps a business keep afloat during this flood of negative business trends, while also ensuring they will be prepared to expand when the economy regains stability.

Still, why stop there? There is a term called “shadow space” which is the practice of subletting office space to smaller companies. Know someone who has taken up entrepreneurship after losing their job? Rent out an office or a desk to them for a nominal fee, their business services, or for the promise of a solid business relationship. For all you know, your helping hand might be exactly what this person needed to succeed. And, gratitude is priceless.

After all, business is not just about making money. It is about finding satisfaction and meaning in your life’s work. It is about being a contributing member of your society. It is about the relationships you make. We adamantly believe these things. So, the silver lining to these hard times is that it makes us all step back and see this bigger picture. Solidarity in the business community has always been very important to Gator Office Furniture. Now is the time for all of us to reach out to your colleagues and create bonds that will reimburse you throughout your life.

Follow us on Twitter as GatorOfficeFurn, explore our website or just give us a call with any questions or comments at (904) 724-6400.

Adopt-A-Workstation Drive Week 2!

2009-07-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Last week, Larry Scruggs Sr. and I toured the new Small Business Center on 3 Independent Drive and got to meet Sarah Boren of the Green Team Project. They will actually come to your business and consult you on how to run things in a more earth friendly way! Larry was very interested in them and mentioned that we recycle tons of used furniture a month. Since a great deal of this furniture is made of plastic, it would have wound up a permanent fixture in a landfill if not for us. So, once again, we would like to ask you to support our Adopt-A-Workstation cause that we wrote about last week, as well as help us find homes for our other used office furnishings.

Yesterday, Urban Jacksonville Weekly shared some photographs of what some were calling an “art project” on its Facebook page. The anonymous artist decided to take a stand and open our community’s eyes to the state of furniture homelessness in Jacksonville. Curbside tossings and Craiglist ads are easy to overlook. These photographs, however, bring attention to the squandered existence and unattractive ruin of these furnishings. Fortunately, from what I have learned, some of these items were adopted.

Still, it is sad that many were left out in the rain. We here at Gator Office Furniture are glad that we have an indoor area for our office furniture. The furnishings we are spotlighting this week are twins. They are two maple wood U Groups going for only $999. Perhaps you can help us find this pretty pair a home?

As always, you can learn more about our Adopt-A-Workstation cause and the many office furnishings we have available for adoption by calling us at (904) 724-6400, visiting our website, or following us on Twitter.

Tale of a Workstation

2009-06-25T12:22:00.000-07:00

I used to live in the headquarters for an asphalt company. But, one day the news broke out all over the floor that The Boss Man had decided to move to North Carolina to take care of his sick mother. He would be moving the headquarters up there. At first this was exciting, I assumed I would be moving with everyone up there. However, I overheard a phone conversation one day that troubled me.

“Yeah, we’re closing up this office.” I heard The Boss Man say.

There was a pause. I could make out just enough that someone was talking on the other end of the conversation, but I had no idea what that person was saying.

“Well, we have a lot of furniture to get rid of.” I heard the The Boss Man reply, “I don’t even know what to do with it all.”

This sent a shiver up my spine. I tried desperately to understand what the person on the other end was saying, but failed again.

“Sure, do whatever you want with it all.” The Boss Man said, “Toss it out in the garbage for all I care. Workstations too. Just as long as I don’t have to clear up this whole floor myself.”

This truly scared me. The Boss Man wanted this person to come by and throw us in the trash? I belonged in an office with air conditioning and interesting people to listen to all day. A dark, dismal future awaited me. I pictured myself lost forever in a landfill.

A few hours later, a man came in with a big smile. The Boss Man came over and shook his hand.

“Thanks for coming over Larry!” The Boss Man said, “Think you can help me get rid of this stuff?”

“I think I know the perfect place for these great workstations!” the man called Larry said. I waited to hear about the dreadful dump I’d be heaped in, but instead he said “There’s a business moving into a bigger location and these would be perfect for them!”

I was overjoyed to hear this news! I would no longer have to worry about my fate in a landfill. I was going to have a new home.

Sure enough, the man called Larry found me and my other workstation friends a great new home. I get to listen to a fantastic working mother named Ashley talk to customers on the phone every day. She often puts up lovely pictures of her children and their drawings. She also has a lot of cat jokes and Dilbert cartoons. I really enjoy getting to see her so much. I’m so glad The Boss Man called the man named Larry!

This is the tale of one workstation that we here at Gator Office Furniture were able to rescue. Unfortunately for many workstations, they really do wind up in landfills. Help us in our cause to continue saving innocent workstations and other office furnishings from such a harsh fate. Adopt an office furnishing from us at 6160 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216. To learn more about how we are doing our part to save office furnishings, follow us on Twitter as @GatorOfficeFurn. Visit our website or give us a call at (904) 724-6400.

Because, workstations belong in offices with people, not alone in landfills.

Telephone Ergonomics

2009-06-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

In our world of continuous contact, we often find ourselves using multiple forms of communication simultaneously. It is not uncommon for a person to carry on a phone conversation while typing a report and sending instant messages. Humans only have two hands and typing requires both. So, how do we manage our telephone conversations while working? Usually, the answer is we that squeeze the receiver between our head and shoulder. Not surprisingly, doing this leads to chronic neck, shoulder, and upper back pain disorders. People often purchase shoulder rests for their receivers, but these still require the user to bend their heads which is not ergonomically correct.

The good news is that there are alternatives to the head and shoulder squeeze. When you are not concerned with privacy or professionalism, using your phone’s speaker option allows you to do as you please while carrying on a conversation. For phone conversations you are not comfortable sharing with those around you, a hands-free headset is your best option. Placed securely on your head, this allows you to move around freely in your workspace. They are also easily available and inexpensive.

If you are in a situation where neither of these options is available, remember these rules. Do not squeeze the receiver with your head and shoulder. Use your hand to hold it up to your ear. Try to limit the length of phone conversations so that your arm does not grow tired. If it is a necessarily long conversation, switch ears occasionally so that one arm does not get over used. Position your telephone close to your main working area so that you never have to twist or reach too far. Have a pad of paper and a pen or pencil handy near the telephone for the same reason. Keep the wires untangled and out of the way to avoid leaning too closely into the phone or, even worse, workplace accidents. Many desks and workstations have inconspicuous grommet holes which provide cord management.

Follow us on Twitter as GatorOfficeFurn, explore our website or just give us a call with any questions or comments at (904) 724-6400.

Keyboard & Mouse Ergonomics

2009-06-11T10:49:00.000-07:00

Since our last blog was about monitor ergonomics, we felt keyboard and mouse ergonomics would be a good follow up. Improper positioning can lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other Repetitive Stress Injuries. It can also create strain in the neck and shoulders area, which leads to tension headaches and upper back pain. People that suffer Arthritis also need to pay particular attention to the way they use their keyboards. The following are very simple ways to make sure you are using your keyboard and mouse correctly.

HEIGHT: Your keyboard, mouse, and working surface should have the proper height and angle to prevent users from bending their wrists and lifting their arms too often. The user’s elbows should hang freely and keep close to the sides of the body. Forearms should stay parallel to the floor. There are three ways to make this easier. Install an adjustable keyboard tray, adjust the working surface to fit the user, or raise the user’s chair and provide a footrest if needed.

PLACEMENT: A user should not be forced to keep reaching for their keyboard and mouse. Those items to should be close, so that the user can keep a straight line between their hands their forearm. Mouse platforms that rotate above the users keyboard are a simple solution for this problem.

HAND POSITIONING: Wrists should not bend sideways, up, or down. They should remain straight. When not using the keyboard or mouse your hands should be at rest in your lap. Wrist rests should not be used while typing, since this will cause your wrists to bend. Keys should be pressed gently and not held down for extended periods of time. Track balls and touch pads are great ergonomic alternatives to a traditional mouse. There are also split keyboards that allow you to hold your hands in a more natural position when typing.

Follow us on Twitter as GatorOfficeFurn, explore our website or just give us a call with any questions or comments at (904) 724-6400.

End Upper Back Pain & Tension Headaches With Proper Monitor Ergonomics!

2009-06-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

WHAT PROPER MONITOR POSITIONING PREVENTS: At the end of a long day at our computers, so many of us experience nagging aches and pains. We hunch over our keyboards trying to read the text on our computer screens and the muscles in our face tense up as we squint at tiny letters on dark backgrounds. It is no wonder that upper back pain is becoming such a problem and that over 9 million people in America suffer tension headaches every single day.

DISTANCE: It is recommended that you stay at least 20 inches away from your computer screen. Experts would like it if you stayed back as far as 40 inches. For an easy way to estimate appropriate distance, just make sure you are an arm’s reach away. If you have trouble reading from the distance, adjust your computer so that fonts are bigger. Getting too close, will cause your eyes to converge and makes them have to work harder. This causes too much tension in around your eyes and in your upper back. Not only will maintaining a proper distance prevent this pain causing tension, it has been shown to increase production.

SCREEN COLORS: Contrast and brightness are more important than you may know. Contrast makes the eye’s job of discerning shapes much easier. Eyes also don’t like a monitor being any brighter than its background. Since a black background reflects more than a white background does, it is recommended that you read black text on a white background.

LIGHTING: The brightness of the monitor is not the only source of light you should be concerned with. Make sure to position your monitor so that glare from windows or lighting fixtures does not interfere with your vision. Blinds and shades can assist with diverting outside light. Investing in fixtures that provide indirect light will greatly improve your ergonomic environment as well. Keep light at a low, ambient level.

ANGLE: It may be tempting to tilt your monitor down to avoid the glare of ceiling fixtures, but experts are adamant that the top of a monitor should be farther back than the bottom. Our peripheral vision works this way, so our entire visual system evolved to perform better this way. This is why we position a book the way we do. Also, if you position a monitor downward, this will lead to neck discomfort, since you will be craning your neck for a better view. If tilting the monitor upward leads to problems with glare, consider the indirect light fixtures previously mentioned or a high-quality glass anti-glare screen.

HEIGHT: The rule of thumb about monitor height is that your eyes should be level with the top of your screen. Eyes are most comfortable with a gaze angled 15 degrees below the horizon and perform even better with an angle range of 20 to 50 degrees below the horizon. If you wear bifocals or trifocals, position your monitor accommodate your lower lenses. If you have a very large monitor, the top of its screen should be 3 inches above eye level.

EXTRA TIPS: First, remember the 20/20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, you should take a 20 second break from looking at your monitor and look at something else that is at least 20 feet away. Secondly, keep your screen clean! Lastly, the ergonomic rule that applies to everything, the best posture is the next posture. Change up your position once in a while!

MONITOR ARMS: If you have a flat screen monitor, you’re in luck. Monitor arms allow users to easily adjust the flat screen’s position. They can also reposition a monitor away from the center of your vision, when you need to focus on a coworker or client. We currently have three on display right now!

For tips everyday, you can find us on Twitter as GatorOfficeFurn. To view our furniture selection and services, please visit us on our website. You can call us any time at (904) 724-6400.

All You Need To Know About Ergonomic Seating

2009-05-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

What does Ergonomics Mean?

Ergonomics is the science of designing office environments and products to match the individuals who use them. The word ergonomics comes from the Greek “ergon” meaning “work” and “nomos” meaning “law.”

How Can Ergonomics Help?

Ergonomics can promote better health, improve body posture, and reduce absenteeism. It also provides relief from stress, fatigue, eye strain, headaches, blurry vision, back problems, and neck problems. Ergonomics can reduce the risk of Receptive Strain Injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.

What Should I Do?

No one can afford to miss work because of serious health problems that can occur from sitting the wrong way, so we feel it is important to share our knowledge on the subject. For today, the focus is going to be on proper seating. The goal of ergonomic seating is to make sure you are continually in a comfortable working posture that naturally aligns with all of your joints.

A sturdy frame makes a big difference for both durability and comfort. Most office chairs can handle weights of up to 250 lbs. However, 3.8 million Americans actually weigh more than 300 lbs. Fortunately, there are manufacturers out there making chairs that can hold greater amounts of weight comfortably and stylishly. Many, like the chairs over to the left can hold up to 500 lbs.

LOWER BODY: For your feet should either rest comfortably on the floor or you should use a foot rest. The seat should be well padded to support your hips and thighs. The seat should at least be 16 inches off the ground. Proper seat height determines how much pressure is placed under your thighs, which affects blood flow to your legs. The length of the seat pan should be between 15 and 17 inches and it should be at least 18 inches wide. The edges should be padded and shaped with soft, firm material. However, it shouldn’t be too contoured since this will restrict changing positions when needed. The depth of the seat pan should be adjustable for shorter or taller users. A waterfall seat edge helps reduce pressure at the back of the knee, contributing to good blood flow. Following these simple rules helps you avoid pressure under your thighs, easing blood flow.

BACK: It is important that the backrest of your chair corresponds to the natural curvature of your spine. Support for the lumbar region is vital! A good ergonomic chair should allow you to adjust the back height, which helps create proper lumbar support. If you don’t have access to an ergonomic chair, roll up a towel or use a cushion to support your lumbar region. Your head and torso should be in-line with the head bent slightly forward. Your shoulders should be at ease. The backrest should widen at its base and curve in from the sides, like the human back does. It should be at least 15 inches high and 12 inches wide. The backrest should also let you recline at least 15 degrees and lock into place if you need it to. It should go up high enough to provide enough support for your upper trunk, neck, and shoulders. Following these simple rules reduces the likelihood of back pain.

ARMS: Your hands, wrists, and forearms should be in a straight row and nearly parallel to the floor. The elbows should be close to your body. The bend of elbows should be between 90 and 110 degrees. The distance between the armrests should usually be at least 16 inches. It is a good idea to have a chair that has removable and adjustable arm rests. The length and width of the arm rests should be large enough to support your forearm. Armrests should also be firm and soft. Following these simple rules reduces muscular effort in neck and shoulders, minimizing risk of pain in these areas.

OTHER ERGONOMIC SEATING TIPS: Though the rules above may give you the image of a very stiff individual that is simply not the case. It is greatly important that you move around once in a while. It is not healthy to remain in one posture for too long. Remember to change your position occasionally. Adjust your chair and backrest regularly. Also, stretch your fingers, hands, arms, and torso throughout the day. Mesh chairs are becoming more and more popular. When purchasing a mesh chair, it is important to make sure the mesh offers proper support and is not too flimsy or stiff. Lastly, many health insurance policies cover special ergonomic chairs. Be sure to check if yours does too!

For more information on ergonomic seating, contact us at (904) 724-6400 or visit our website. You can also follow us on twitter: @GatorOfficeFurn

Buy Used Furniture to Look Great, Save Money, and Help the Environment!

2009-05-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

We enjoy providing our customers with quality new products, but we are incredibly proud of our reputation as a retailer of quality used furniture as well. Before accepting used furniture, we check out the pieces in person first. We want to be proud of every item we sell. You have probably seen the large selection of used items and file cabinets out front of our showroom, but have you seen the Aladdin’s cave of quality furnishing inside?

At Gator Office Furniture, we’ve clearly separated our showroom into distinct areas; one area for our new furniture and the other for our used furniture. Considering that so much used furniture has that “just bought” look, we wanted to make the buying process in our showroom less confusing. So much used furniture looks like it has never been used. So many businesses decide to completely refurnish their offices every year or so. Businesses downsize and decide to cut their losses. Businesses change locations and do not want to lug their heavy furniture with them. Some big guy replaces another big guy, and wants to replace his predecessor’s furniture.

Obviously, a good reason to buy used over new is its price. In today’s economy, everyone needs to be careful with their money. Still, this is not the sole reason why we recommend used furniture. We prefer people to purchase quality items rather than furniture that will fall apart after a year of normal use. Individuals with tight budgets often wind up buying an inferior quality new chair that will last a short time when they could have purchased a better quality used piece for the same amount of money. Also cheaply built office furniture may not provide you with the ergonomic perks a better quality used one would.

Another important reason we urge our customers to purchase quality used furniture is that it reduces our environmental impact. Often times we see furniture sitting by the curb in a residential neighborhood and in dumpster alleys near many businesses. It takes years to break down wooden furniture in a landfill. What about all the partitions and workstations that also get left behind? Gator Office Furniture can pick up quality used furniture from businesses looking for a quick way to become free of furniture they are no longer using, in order to prevent this from happening. When customers purchase used furniture from retailers like us the recycling process continues and we all take part in doing a lot of good for our planet.

Many times the perception of used furniture is that it will be damaged or outdated. This is not always true. We get a large amount of modern and contemporary items coming into our store all the time! Most of it has not been used for long and looks as if it could be new. For any furniture that may have some damage, we have skilled craftsmen who are adept at repair and restoration work. We also offer custom color matching services for furniture additions that don’t quite fit the rest of the room.

So remember, buying quality used office furniture is smart. It is a wonderful way to look great, save money, and to do your part for the environment!

You can reach us at (904)724-6400, visit our website, or follow us Twitter to keep up to date with what's new at Gator Office Furniture. Call to find out how you can also receive our weekly email specials!

Office Furniture Cleaning Tips

2009-05-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

Using the right materials and cloth is very important to clean any piece of furniture. Executive or office furniture should be handled accordingly so that they have long lasting functionality and use. Here are some basic tips you can use to keep your office furniture looking brand-spanking new.

Matte Wood Veneers Desks:
Clean with mild, soapy water, dry immediately.

Glossy Wood Veneer Desks / Home Office Desk:
Using a non-silicone furniture polish or mild soapy water, run in the direction of the wood grain. Always try to avoid any abrasives or wax.

Laminated Desks / Office Tables:
Cleaning regularly using a window cleaner or a non-silicone furniture polish. Always try to avoid any abrasives or wax.

Fabric Chairs or Lining:
Spot clean using mild, soapy water or a fabric cleaner.

Vinyl Chairs, Vinyl Tables, or Vinyl Storage:
Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.

Leather Office Chair, Executive Leather Chair, Leather Trim Office Desk:
Avoid cleaning solvents. For spots, stains or regular cleaning, use a damp cloth or sponge with mild soap. For oil-based stains, blot dry and allow the excess to absorb into leather. Do not use water.

The 3 R's of Keeping Your Furniture

2009-05-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

The three R’s environmentalists extol are reduce, reuse, and recycle. The three R’s we commonly use around here are repair, restore, and refinish. We are big believers in preserving quality furniture and for good reason. Furniture can hold great significance historically and sentimentally. It also makes great economic and environmental sense to make the best of the furniture you already own.

Upon entering our showroom, there is a chair that has been refinished, but only on one side. There is a clear difference between each side and we often hear amazement in the voices of those that take a look.

What seems to be magic is actually a service we provide on a regular basis. We provide hand rubbed finishing, water damage restoration, and antique restoration for both commercial and residential furnishings. We even do custom color matching to transform a motley collection of furniture into a more appealing and cohesive set. David and Terry, our skilled craftsmen, match the finest polishes and cleaners with modern technology to create breathtaking improvements. As always we offer pick up and delivery as well.

Though it often saddens our heart to see broken, damaged, and neglected furniture;

we enjoy taking on all challenges from small touch ups to a full strip and refinish project.

We take so much pleasure in bringing a good piece back to its rightful glory. If you have cherished pieces you would like to improve, please contact us at (904)724-6400 or email us at gof@gatoroffice.com . If you would like more information, please visit our site http://www.gatoroffice.com/ or you can follow us at http://twitter.com/GatorOfficeFurn for tips and customer support.