Kermit Chairs?

[kychris02]

I would like to buy a Kermit chair at the rally this year. In the past, the Kermit folks were taking orders, not able to sell chairs. Anyone know if they will have chairs for sale?

[John Brase]

While I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information, I read on some forum or other that he canceled on the rally because of the need to fill a bunch of back orders.

John

[wuli959]

While I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information, I read on some forum or other that he canceled on the rally because of the need to fill a bunch of back orders.

John

seems strange that he wouldn't want to add to the list

[jasonTDI]

Not really.....

As a Specialist of VW Diesels I can relate. I have to turn down a lot of quick good work as I'm booked for weeks. I have a 2 helpers but there is only so much you can do or want to do before you burn out. I worked 30 hours this weekend to get everything out the door and as a result I can't leave until tomorrow...if I get the bike together.....

[KGT1200]

I am sorry, but I specifically have NOT parted with my hundred dollars plus for this chair because I think that eventually someone is going to come up with a design that sets, looks , acts and packs just as good as this chair, all for $49.99. The makers of Kermit have no competition...Where o Where are you Helen Two wheels? the price reflects the captured market, and IMHO, if they want to keep a captured market, they better find a way to build them and sell them for what they are really worth, or have a line of chairs that arnt so nice, but still set and pack pretty good!!

Those of you that have Kermit chairs, please believe me, I'm envious of your great chairs, they look real comfortable over my sleeping pad/converted to a chair thingy! But I think the price is over the top for a camp chair.

For now, I will use the same chair I have backpacked with, toured with for many years!

Just look a little closer to the ground, and you will find me squatting there! Maybe this year, if they have a sporting goods store, maybe I'll go buy a $10.00 chair and give it away on Sunday morning to my Aunt who is having me over to Sunday Dinner in Johnsone City!

[wezul]

Red,
If you are very good I may just let you sit in mine sometime.
Sh#! costs. The good sh#! costs more. :whistle ;)

Just not this time. Sherpa Ted is bringing a chair for me! (I could get very used to this. I have all the stuff laid out and it's amazing when you don't have to drag camping gear how little you need.)

[kgadley01]

I got my first close up look at a couple of Kermit chairs at the Chicken Rally. I also got to try one... I did not care for it at any price. it sits too low to the ground, and is hard for me to get out of. I'll stick to the fold up chairs I can buy most anywhere. if you spend $20 to $25 for a higher end fold up chair, it will last for years. or as RED said, buy a cheap one and leave it....

[wezul]

Kermit will sell you leg extenders. Oh wait, we're already excited about the price.
I give up.

[Wkoppa]

I bought four versions of the cheap fold-up chairs looking for the deal before I did the right thing for me and bought a Kermit. I can sit in the thing for hours while the others are good for 30 minutes max. Could have saved myself a bunch of time and money by getting one in the first place.

Wayne Koppa
Grayling, MI

[tourunigo]

For me I think that they are way overrated and way over priced. Far too low to the ground ( uh.... what did they say the average age is here?). Maybe it's good exercise to get up and down from them I suppose but I see a lot more sittin' than gittin'. To each their own of course but me thinks the whole quest somewhat peculiar. -Bob

[37071]

My wonderful wife bought me a Kermit chair for my birthday. I love it. She is right - I am worth it.:dance

[DPeakMD]

I'm sorry to hear no Kermit chairs being sold at the rally. They might have tempted me. Oh well. I'm packing the fold-your-sleeping-pad-up-and-recline-on-the-ground type. If that doesn't work out, then I'll get the $12 Walmart special and donate it when it's over!

[98lee]

BMW rallies are THE market for Kermit chairs, and they aren't showing up for THE Rally???? What's up with that?:dunno

They might have a good product but they sure don't know how to run a company. If they have too many back orders, hire some (more) employees. The extra business and exposure should offset the investment.

Even if it's just a hobby, get some help.

I'll stick with my backpacking chair thank you.



:dance:dance:dance

[tourunigo]

BMW rallies are THE market for Kermit chairs, and they aren't showing up for THE Rally???? What's up with that?:dunno

They might have a good product but they sure don't know how to run a company. If they have too many back orders, hire some (more) employees. The extra business and exposure should offset the investment.

Even if it's just a hobby, get some help.

I'll stick with my backpacking chair thank you.



:dance:dance:dance

Maybe it really is a marketing ploy. You know: gotta have one of those real scarce Beany Babies or, gotta have one of those HDs (a few years ago). Does scacity breed desire.... no matter what the object?:dunno - Bob

[tghsmith]

kermit, doesn't own the chair company anymore,they are still made to the high standard and all amercan made, a simple phone call to the owner(add in the moa has the number) should make the situation clear, If he's bringing chairs to the rally I would reserve one!!!! years back kermit couldn't bring enough. my kermit chair is almost twenty years old and in perfect condition(I helped kermit put it together when the wood version was in testing) if you break done the price over time , these chairs cost about two beers a year!!!!!

[MIAirhead]

http://www.bluemaxinc.com/

I think if you want a nice chair, much cheaper then the Kermit: try one of these.

[kantuckid]

http://www.bluemaxinc.com/

I think if you want a nice chair, much cheaper then the Kermit: try one of these.

OR... I bought two new & blue LaFuma( high quality chairs!),small folding chairs and will bring both to the rally with the idea of selling one. They are the typical LaFuma mesh-both cool & comfortable, have a nice back rest and seat, with silver steel tubing frame.(We shipped one of the larger recliners to our son in Iraq 2 years ago!) They are close to the ground for the non-crouchers out there. The chairs fold to a flat, rectangle shape and are about 1 1/2" thick X 18" X 21 1/2" & weigh 44 ounces.
I bid an auction of two on eBay and I will sell one for $15 delivered to TN. Or... I'll also consider renting one for a one beer per hour fee x 3 nights(maximum of 3 beers per evening!)!:whistle

[r11rs94]

Here is another option. http://www.fullthrottlecamping.com/product.php?id=71
about the price of a kermit, sits higher and has a beverage holder already.

[kgadley01]

another thing I desire is a cup holder for my adult beverage. if Kermit has them I'm sure they cost extra...

[coalminer]

Kermit chairs must have something going on. Every time I see a "Kermit" thread on the forum it has a lot of us weighing in on the pros and cons. :fight

[redsky49]

It's a nice chair. Relatively low weight. Seems to be well made. And definitely worth at least $70.00.

Every time I sit in mine I can't believe I spent $125 for it :dunno

Yes, we need an alternative.

[98lee]

UPDATE:

I hereby retract my earlier post that was based on nothing but the statements posted earlier in this thread.


Just spoke with Tom (Kermit Chairs). He had rented two booths and a couple of motel rooms for the rally and was looking forward to being there with chairs (It's less than 300 miles from his house).

Two days ago his wife had a biopsy for possible reoccurring cancer. The results won't be in until Thursday. He has called MOA to cancel.

There are times like these that really show how low on the priority list of life riding motorcycles actually is.


Tom, I hope the news Thurs. is good. Our prayers are with you.



:dance:dance:dance

[wezul]

Wabbit Season.
DUCK SEASON!

Really, I am expecting a fist fight on Thursday at the rally.
"Hey man, where did you get the mouse"?
"At the Kermit chair 'discussion'". :p

The proprieties . . . . at all times.
And no patty fingers, if you please.

And yes, good thoughts for Tom's wife.

[KGT1200]

And yes, good thoughts for Tom's wife.

Same here..I always liked his chairs, I'm just a skin flint tight wad. I actually hinted to my wife to buy me a Kermit for my birthday; she forgot. Oh well I liked my other gift better!

My Best to Tom and his family.

Red

[37071]

I was really hoping to by a cup holder for my chair. They are not here for sale.:dunno:scratch

[a005473]

Yes, Kermit chairs are expensive. HOWEVER, there's more to it than many of these posts reflect. I had some time to talk to Tom at this year's Great Chicken Rally, and he shared some information with me that I can pass along. Perhaps it will be helpful.

Where did the back-orders come from??? Japan has discovered the Kermit chair, and they LOVE the product!!! Yes, it's short, but they prefer short chairs, and they recognize the quality. Large quantities of orders have come in from Japan in the last several months and overwhelmed their production capacity.

One post suggested that they should hire more people or automate production. Well, they have tried to automate the process, but this product is quite unique in our modern world. Instead of being designed to be next year's garbage, it is a finely crafted product that is intended to last a lifetime. The fit tolerances and construction require an extremely skilled craftsman, not just someone that can glue two sticks together.

How many cheap camping chairs have you thrown away? How much are you willing to pay for next year's garbage? There's plenty of options to choose from.

Another tip for anyone planning to attend a race at the Barber Motorsports Park... Take your Kermit chair and leg extensions! Use one pair of extensions on the front legs, and no extensions on the back legs. Either the short or long extensions will take care of just about any sloped surface the you would need to sit on.

Steve.

[35634]

Kermit used to make a long-legged model for old farts with BMWs :laugh
I got both and like the tall one much better. Seems like it was only $60-70
then. Might have a collectors item here?

[bjohnson]

http://www.rei.com/product/765270

[nugentch]

UPDATE:

I hereby retract my earlier post that was based on nothing but the statements posted earlier in this thread.


Just spoke with Tom (Kermit Chairs). He had rented two booths and a couple of motel rooms for the rally and was looking forward to being there with chairs (It's less than 300 miles from his house).

Two days ago his wife had a biopsy for possible reoccurring cancer. The results won't be in until Thursday. He has called MOA to cancel.

There are times like these that really show how low on the priority list of life riding motorcycles actually is.


Tom, I hope the news Thurs. is good. Our prayers are with you.



:dance:dance:dance

We spoke with Tom via cell phone Saturday. He was in Canada with his wife because that is one of her favorite places. I don't believe the news was good, but I could be (and hope I am) wrong. Our prayers are with you Tom.

[mloomis2]

I got my first close up look at a couple of Kermit chairs at the Chicken Rally. I also got to try one... I did not care for it at any price. it sits too low to the ground, and is hard for me to get out of. I'll stick to the fold up chairs I can buy most anywhere. if you spend $20 to $25 for a higher end fold up chair, it will last for years. or as RED said, buy a cheap one and leave it....

What and just leave on the ground? NOT!!!!

[robsryder]

I called Tom of Kermit Chairs just a minute ago. I mentioned the thread here and wished him and his wife well. He indicated that his wife was much better, but the reason that he didn't go to the MOA and RA rallys this year is due to a motorcycle accident.

His main injury seems to be a torn rotator cuff. We laughed about how that injury is going to affect his fast ball, but otherwise he'll be in fine shape soon.

Other than wishing him well I also had a comment. At the recent RA rally I discovered that I'd forgotten the leg extenders for my Kermit chair. As I've gotten older I find that I really like getting up from a higher position. The leg extenders are in a separate bag from that in which the chair is stored. I mentioned that it would be great if there was some way for the chair and leg extenders to be together.

He did some brainstorming and came up with an idea where a new bag would be made which is similar to the existing chair bag, but has an additional side pocket that could contain the leg extenders (e.g., two in first then two above). Thus, the bag wouldn't be any taller and just slightly "thicker" in diameter.

I told him that I'm ready to place my order. He was going to go to the shop and work up a design. I would expect to see some announcement pretty soon.

The link for Kermit Chairs is -
http://www.kermitchair.com/contact.tml

[Polarbear]

My wife did get me one, but it did not make the shipping time frame, before the rally in Redmond:(. Thats alright, as its the last chair I have to buy in this lifetime:). Its a piece of art, "wooden art" from the USA:). I even have my "Polarbear" embroidered into its back. I'm happy. I happen to like the short version, but my loss of a LOT of poundage(waistline) has made this an agreeable arrangement. Too many here probably have this issue and I certainly did and no more:). Get in shape folks and the shorty Kermit will be just fine. I've been looking at these chairs since they were originally built! 75$ and I said, wow, how much??? Now I pay 125+ embroidery, go figure. I'm older and wiser and will pay now for a few of those, rest of my life kind a thingy's. Quality:). ANYBODY know just what kind of wood that is? Oak, Hickory, Ash or just what is it? I suspect Oak. Tom, best regards to your family and the health issues at hand. Keep the quality "high" and folks will pay the prices for a great product. ITS not how many you can make, but HOW well you make them:)...Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear"Owens:thumb

[SIBUD]

I went to the local shop and had my name added to the back for $6.00.

[martinPH]

My wife did get me one, but it did not make the shipping time frame, before the rally in Redmond:(. Thats alright, as its the last chair I have to buy in this lifetime:). Its a piece of art, "wooden art" from the USA:). I even have my "Polarbear" embroidered into its back. I'm happy. I happen to like the short version, but my loss of a LOT of poundage(waistline) has made this an agreeable arrangement. Too many here probably have this issue and I certainly did and no more:). Get in shape folks and the shorty Kermit will be just fine. I've been looking at these chairs since they were originally built! 75$ and I said, wow, how much??? Now I pay 125+ embroidery, go figure. I'm older and wiser and will pay now for a few of those, rest of my life kind a thingy's. Quality:). ANYBODY know just what kind of wood that is? Oak, Hickory, Ash or just what is it? I suspect Oak. Tom, best regards to your family and the health issues at hand. Keep the quality "high" and folks will pay the prices for a great product. ITS not how many you can make, but HOW well you make them:)...Happy Trails, Randy"Polarbear"Owens:thumb

Looks like oak to me!
Had mine for over 10 years, Lets see, $125.00 divided by about 50 campouts and rallies, at say, 4 days each... well, they are almost free.

[Polarbear]

I've bought soooo many camp chairs over the years and now, with my "Last" purchase of the Kermit, I'm certain I've got past chair shopping:). Analogy! "Tent pegs". Just how many do you have to buy, before you find the good ones? A good chair and now, with my state of the art tent pegs(stainless, no bend), I'm set for life:). Randy:usa

[Rpbump]

Bought my Kermit Chair and leg extenders at Daytona Bike Week several years ago. The quality is first rate and it supports my 260lbs quite well. It packs small, is very well made, and tough as nails. Expensive Yes, but for me woth every penny.
Ride Safe :usa :usa

[DARRYL CAINEY]

I Broke my 15 year old Kermit at the Iowa Rally and when I got home I sent a message to them asking to buy 2 replacement parts.
They said they would not sell them to me!........... They would send them to me in Canada for free!

I repeated that I did not purchase the chair from them and that was not a problem.

$125 for a chair with a warrantee like that, priceless!