suggestions for affordable rolling desk chair (auctions included) thats not butt ugly?  

Kevi Chair. You can often...
Kevi Chair. You can often pick these up on ebay for under $100.00
Jorgen Rasmussen

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I love my
Aeron Chair, but you might think it's ugly.

hi
Aeron is certainly the best task chair for comfort, imo.
An upholstered Loose Cushion Armchair, Aluminum Group, or Knoll Saarinen chair might be a nice choice.

I have to agree
Love the look or hate it, the Aeron is a very comfotable chair for long duration sit-a-thons. I have NEVER had a chair that I find to be as comfortable to work in than that chair. It kind of looks like a high performance sports sneaker to me, but I don't care, my lower spine still loves me at the end of the day.

Eames
Eames Aluminum group can be had for about 500 on Ebay, cheaper on Craigslist at times. I very much like the Saarinen Executive chair on the caster base.

Knoll Life
I've had mine for about six months-- fabulously comfortable.
There's a good-looking one on Ebay now, fully loaded, polished aluminum frame-- and it might sell for a song. (see link)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Knoll-LIFE-mesh-ergonomic-office-chair_W0QQitemZ3100...|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14