Knock-off n: An unauthorized copy or imitation, Hmmmmmmmmmmm ??
When my colleagues and I decided that a Blog on design was something that we were interested in doing as a means of telling our story and giving Canadians (and anyone else that would listen) a place to read about and offer comments about the industry that we are involved in, I was hesitant about the idea of adding another “chore” to the list of things that I just don’t seem to be able to get done in my day. Having said that, (you’ll notice in the coming months that I will say those words a lot) I am also intrigued with the idea of putting my thoughts into print, as I truly think that this is an opportunity to really think my way through the decisions that I make on a daily basis.
So, having said that J, a question came across my desk today that I thought was worthy of my first post.
The question was, “I noticed on EBay that replica Noguchi coffee tables are selling for less than ½ the price of the real thing. The replica tables say they have ¾ inch glass and that except for the signature they are the same. Can you tell me the difference between the real thing and the replica please.
Thanks, Cathy”
My response was:
“Hi Cathy,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you regarding your enquiry about the purchase of an authentic Noguchi table versus a “Knock-off”
It is hard for me to explain the value to someone that doesn’t already see the value in supporting the original designers and authentic manufacturers, rather than purchasing from someone that would steal the designs of someone else in order to make a profit, but I will do my best. I would compare it to buying a Rolex watch made in China. You purchase it as a novelty, knowing that it isn’t the real thing. You pay $20 for the watch and it immediately has no value. You never really enjoy the watch because you know and everyone else knows, that it is just a cheap imitation. The company that actually went to the trouble of designing the item has been ripped off and potentially harmed by the fact that cheap imitations can sometimes take away from the value of the real item as well. The item will never bring you true pleasure, because you know it is a cheap imitation, so if you ever decide to buy the real thing, then the money you paid for the knock-off is lost, because now it is not only a knock-off, but it is a used knock-off. No one wins, except for the manufacturer that stole the design and sold it at a small profit. The other scenario is that you purchase an authentic design, manufactured by the authentic manufacturer. It is a piece that has value, holds value and that you enjoy and cherish the whole time that you own it. The difference that you pay for this seems negligible compared to the enjoyment that the item brings to you. 30 years from now, a knock-off Noguchi table is a used knock-off Noguchi table, but, 30 years from now, an authentic Noguchi table is a vintage Noguchi table. Good luck with your decision.”
So, in hind sight, I probably didn’t actually answer her question as to the physical differences between a knock-off Noguchi table and the “real McCoy”, but then, my feeling is that it doesn’t matter what the physical difference’s are. Even if someone were to come up with a better way to make a Noguchi table, what they haven’t done is design the object of desire. This was done many years ago by a fellow named Isamu Noguchi. He chose Herman Miller as his manufacturer of choice and the decision to buy anything but a real Noguchi table goes completely against the real reason for buying this object in the first place.
I could probably go on and on, trying to explain this in print, but I know that if anyone actually reads this blog, they are either nodding their head in agreement and understanding, or they are thinking, come on now, do you really expect me to believe this load of crap. So, for those of you who get it, welcome and for those of you who don’t, put your feet up on your Noguchi knock-off and read “Isamu Noguchi – Sculptural Design”. Maybe you’ll be inspired.
Until next time
April 4th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Hi
I dont like buying knock-offs but often the price is so tempting. I bought a red ‘Levis’ shirt in Thailand, once, that caused all my laundry to go deep pink when I washed it!
By the way have you heard the rumours that the Eames lounger from Herman Miller will be available in North America in Rosewood? Ive always wanted one.
April 4th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Hi Wendy,
Keep an eye on this post over the next few days. I definately plan to talk a bit about the upcoming release from Herman Miller of the Eames Lounge chair and Ottoman in Santos Palisander Veneer, which will be the new Rosewood version. This is big news as this also happens to be the 50th anniversary for the Eames Lounge chair.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Wow, that was possibly the most arrogant and condescending response to an innocent question I’ve read recently. I’d say your approach to customer service could definitely use a little "tweaking." You had the perfect opportunity to educate this person about the intrinsic value of an original piece of fine furniture — and possibly turn her into a lifetime customer — but instead you took the low road, hoping to make yourself look more important by belittling her. To be honest, I’m a bit weary of the BC "fine furniture" dealers who fancy themselves to be somehow more important than the rest of the world. And by the way, I ended up on this blog because I was about to purchase a Tolmeo mega floor lamp and an Eames molded plywood lounge chair for my condo from your shopping site, but I think I’ll head on over to your more friendly competition. John M Vancouver
September 5th, 2006 at 5:10 pm
In response to John M in Vancouver.
Well, it’s great to hear from someone that speaks from the heart, that doesn’t just mumble and complain under his/her breath, but that takes a stance that proves that by putting your money where your mouth is, you can make a difference in this world. I applaud Mr. M for taking a stand for what he believes in and making a decision that proves that even if he has to pay more for his Tolomeo Mega, dammit he is not going to support the kind of mindless, arrogant, condescending banter that he came across at Modernplanet.net. (This message is in no way meant to be arrogant and/or condescending - I really mean what I say)
When I wrote my original response to Cathy, it really wasn’t my intention to be arrogant. I guess being so close to the subject on a day to day basis, I view the subject of Knock-offs, like a candy store clerk might view a candy thief and in that regard, their opinion might be that if a thief doesn’t know why it is wrong to steal candy, then it is most likely beyond them to try and educate them. Keep in mind that the "arrogant and condescending" portion of what I said was a very small portion of what i had to say and from my biased point of view, was a very small part of my message. Luckily for me, Cathy was not as insulted by my comments as Mr. M.
Also keep in mind that GabrielRoss.com has a customer Service staff that far exceeds my own customer service skills, so before you write us off entirely, give them a try, they’re more than happy to answer any questions and more often than not, go above and beyond to make sure that all of our clients are satisfied.
We have plenty of letters from very happy clients.
On another note, this blog has been sitting idle for way too long, so I also thank Mr. M for giving me the kick in the ass that i needed to get back to punching the keys.
More to come in the way of another post soon. Let’s put the knock-off issue to bed.
December 6th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Sorry, but I’d really like a Noguchi coffee table, and it’s $1200!! I understand the rights of artists and designers, but can you not see the hypocrisy of charging over $1000 for some wood and glass? Should this table only be available to the very rich? What if I wanted to make one myself, is that wrong? I’m sorry but knockoffs, in my experience, only exist when something is ridiculously, hypocritically, overpriced, and the actual materials to make it cost so much less that it’d be stupid not to make a fake version, that would make my living room look just as nice, and that’s really all I care about, not if it’s got the right signature and I spent more money than most Africans make in a year on it.
January 31st, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Shouldn’t copyright/trademark or whatever expire after a time so that the masses can afford the piece? I mean drug companies spend millions developing drugs like xanax but after 7 years it’s open to anyone to produce the same thing, why should a designer hold sole title forever? To encourage the "eliteness" of the piece? Yes, true, but the original would still be an original. Has the ready availability of a Monet print decreased the value of the original? Then again, there is only ONE original painting. Maybe if there were affordable licensing fees for knockoffs, so that less rich consumers could afford to get, perhaps a somewhat lower quality but design inspired by the original? Just my 2c worth. I too very much love alot of these modern designs but cannot afford 4k for a chair.
May 31st, 2007 at 6:00 am
I am the proud owner of a knockoff Eames Lounge Chair. It is slightly larger, more comfortable and reclines, while looking like the original. So while not strictly a "copy" it is an improved adaptation of the original. As a person who loves space age modern furniture, I would go for the knockoff Noguchi table. The whole concept of modern furniture was to find simpler ways of producing furinture so that high style couid be available to a mass market. To pay $1500 for a table or almost $4,000 for a lounge chair is ridiculous and unattainable for a new homeowner like myself. After all, I am going to sit on the chair and use the table.
August 9th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Dear original poster, The fact that the original table was designed by noguchi and HM purchased the licensing does really mean much. In fact, your tables are more expensive simply because you can charge more for putting the name on the table, that’s it. The quality is in many cases equal to to less quality than may tables on the market. I was able to purchase a "knock-off" table which was actually heat treated for scratch resistance for less than $600. The real noguchi doesn’t even offer a scratch resistant option. What good is having a real scratched noguchi table in 30 years anyway when you will certainly be offering new ones in 30 years anyway? My advice is to get an unlicensed noguchi, they last at least as long and are half price.