What a bargain! €85 for a DSW chair instead of the usual €365. That would make any bargain hunter's heart beat faster. But look more closely at the supposed offer and it's quickly clear: it's a counterfeit. We've compared the fake with the original. Here are the most significant differences, along with a few tips on what to look out for before buying a design piece.
Our tips for spotting counterfeits:
- Original, reproduction and counterfeit – a recap
- The frame: cheap materials vs quality wood
- The seat shell: missing markings reveal the fake
- How to spot counterfeits
Original, reproduction and counterfeit – a recap
We explained the difference between an original and a counterfeit in an earlier article. To recap: what is commonly understood as an original is a licensed reproduction or so-called re-edition. As furniture is made for everyday use and designs are now often created only on a computer, manufacturers can acquire patents, licences and trademark rights.
At Connox, we sell these products – faithful reproductions of the designer's original designs. They come as close as possible to the original. The following comparison shows the difference between an original (right) and a counterfeit (left), using the Eames Plastic Side Chair DSW as an example.
The frame: cheap materials vs quality wood
At first glance, the wooden legs of the counterfeit (top image) look considerably cheaper. They are heavily lacquered, making the grain look painted on in places. The material also differs from the original (bottom image). The legs of the DSW chair, which Connox also sells, are made from high-quality maple or ash. Both types of wood come from responsibly managed forests in Germany. The cheaper version (top image), by contrast, uses plain beech wood with minor imperfections.
Vitra, by contrast, selects its wood with great care. The frames are chosen for their understated wood grain and high quality standards. This helps the wood last for a very long time, avoiding the need for replacements and helping to protect the environment.
Another difference is the glides. On the original (bottom image), they are made from high-quality felt that protects the floor. Vitra offers this version for the DSW chair when it is used on smooth hard floors such as parquet, laminate, tile or stone.
The counterfeit uses inexpensive plastic instead, and it does not fully cover the screws. In the long term, this version will not protect your floor. The glide also sits directly against the cut end of the chair leg, with no transition, giving a poor-quality finish.
The counterfeit also falls short of the Eames re-edition when it comes to woodworking. The original (bottom image) has neatly milled recesses, while the fake has rough corners. In these areas, it was almost impossible to remove the protective film from the frame legs, leaving unsightly packaging residue along the top edges of the chair.
The seat shell: missing markings reveal the fake
At first glance, the counterfeit (top image) looks very similar to the original. On closer inspection, however, the seat of the fake is a brighter shade of white than the original Eames chair. The difference is difficult for an untrained eye to spot.
A more reliable way to rule out counterfeits is to check the markings on the underside of the seat shell. Unlike Vitra's original, the counterfeit has no emblems at all.
For example, Vitra uses the material marking "PP" to indicate that the shell is made from high-quality polypropylene. There is also a seal certifying the chair's safety, as well as a label showing the Side Chair's place of manufacture and serial number. Note, too, that Vitra always delivers the original chair assembled. This helps the manufacturer prevent errors during assembly.
How to spot counterfeits
How do counterfeits reach the market? It's clear that many shops make a living from selling fakes. They copy design classics without a licence and use inexpensive, often inferior materials. Their business depends on customers not knowing what to look for.
How can you spot these shops before you buy? One factor is the country where the company is based. Such shops are widespread in England and Italy, where different design protection rules make it easier to produce counterfeits. It's also worth approaching a purchase with a healthy degree of scepticism. Prices for genuine products can naturally vary from shop to shop. However, if a product is more than 50% cheaper than at other retailers, it is rarely an original.
Counterfeits cause economic damage of several hundred billion euros each year, including €29 billion in Germany alone. One organisation taking a stand against brazen counterfeiters and copyists is Aktion Plagiarius e.V. Since 1977, it has presented the Plagiarius award to manufacturers and retailers responsible for particularly blatant counterfeits and imitations. The black dwarf with a golden nose is intended to raise public awareness and expose those who try to profit from other people's ideas and designs. Last year, a particularly blatant copy of the Kasimir cheese grater by Koziol was among the award winners.
Ultimately, counterfeits can be difficult to distinguish from the originals at first glance. In some cases, only certification marks or emblems reveal that an apparent classic is a fake. If you want to enjoy your Eames Plastic Side Chair DSW for years to come, choose the re-edition. This licensed version by Vitra combines high-quality materials with careful workmanship that reflects its price.
