Handling and Value of Office Chairs from Closed Companies

The handling and value manifestation of office chairs from closed companies vary depending on the situation and require a comprehensive assessment based on legal, market, and ownership attributes.

1. Legality of Employees Retrieving Personal Items

If an office chair was purchased by an employee personally (e.g., Xi Heng spent 28,000 yuan on a custom Herman Miller Embody), even if payment was made through the company's account without reimbursement and the company is unable to repay debts during bankruptcy liquidation, the employee has the right to retrieve it. The key prerequisite is to prove that the item belongs to the individual and has not been legally disposed of by the company, such as retaining purchase receipts, payment records, or company confirmation documents. If proof cannot be provided, the item may be considered company property.

2. Significant Value Differences in the Second-Hand Market

After a company closes, office chairs often command a premium in the second-hand market based on brand and condition. For example:

• High-end Brands: When a Beijing-based education company closed, 30 Herman Miller Aeron chairs (originally priced at 3,000 yuan each) were purchased in bulk for 8,000 yuan, with each chair resold for 3,800 yuan, resulting in a profit tripling after deducting transportation damage and refurbishment costs.
• Ordinary Furniture: A 90% new executive desk was purchased for 120 yuan and listed for sale the next day at 980 yuan, with a markup rate exceeding 700%. Market value is greatly influenced by brand, condition, and demand, with high-end ergonomic chairs being more likely to retain value due to their scarcity and durability.

3. Prevalence of Low-Price Acquisitions by Recyclers

Recyclers often purchase assets from closed companies in bulk at extremely low prices. For example:

• When a Shenzhen-based cross-border e-commerce team closed, 11 IKEA-style employee chairs (used for less than 2 years, originally priced at over 42,000 yuan) were purchased in bulk for 1,800 yuan, with the purchase price being less than 4.3% of the original value. Reasons for low purchase prices include the bargaining power of bulk acquisitions, furniture depreciation costs, and resale risks.

4. Legal Risks Require Careful Assessment

Unauthorized removal of office chairs from a closed company may involve criminal liability:

• Theft: If the chairs belong to the company and have not been legally disposed of, removing them without permission and in significant amounts (e.g., multiple high-end chairs) may constitute a crime.
• Embezzlement: If the chairs are considered abandoned property but are taken with the intent of illegal possession and refusal to surrender, this may violate the relevant provisions.
• Legal Scenarios: If the chairs have extremely low value (e.g., severely damaged), are clearly abandoned, or have been legally authorized (e.g., approved by the liquidation team), then it does not constitute a crime.

It is advisable to confirm item ownership, liquidation procedures, and legal risks before taking action, and consult a professional lawyer if necessary.