Eames wire side table - real or fake?  

For $15 almost any table...
For $15, almost any table would be a good deal. If you are unsure about the table, sell the label.
From what I can see in the photos, there is nothing about the table that would make me think that it is not authentic.

As has already been said,...
As has already been said, for $15 you don't have much to lose.
With that said, I'm going to *cautiously* suggest (because I'm still somewhat new to this) that the table is not authentic.
I may have the same production full-size coffee table as your side table. Just a few days ago I decided my table (also a craigslist find) is not authentic. Here is why:
- major oxidation on the wire base suggests poorer quality
- badge is nailed on - I'm not sure, but I think the authentic badges were glued? I'm pretty sure that the newest production badges are only glued
- Count the number of plies in the plywood. I believe authentic to be 7 plies. My table has 13. I can't tell for certain from your photo, but it looks like more than 7.
If someone else can clarify if the above is correct that will help me ascertain whether or not my table is authentic as well. I was going to ship my table across the country because I'm moving but I won't do that if it is just a knock-off. I'll sell it instead, but I don't want to advertise it as authentic if it is not (which is what happened to me).
Which Craigslist city did you buy the tables from?

I Can't ...
I can't really see anyone going to the trouble to fake the badge on a fairly low cost item such as this ?
I think it's just paranoia.. who on earth would go to the huge cost of faking stuff then sell it on Craigslist for $15 ?
Enjoy your bargain

I bought the tables in DC. ...
I bought the tables in DC. The seller said she had purchased them from a co-worker and could not verify their authenticity. In the ad she said they were Eames-style. I agree, the legs are in pretty bad conditio, but I was not concerned because I knew I could shine them up fairly easily.

Your table is real
Are the knock-offs so pervasive now that people don't even think a piece is real when it is clearly correct and labeled? The seller obviously did not know what they had.

demp945
Your table is real also.

Tables in question:
Both are authentic I have them both, and I purchased at LIMN. My labels are nailed on not glued. Be happy you got a good deal.

Definitely those are real Herman Miller
Early 2000s production, the labels are tacked on and not glued. And yes 13 plys (not including the top and bottom laminates). I have 2 that I purchased directly from my Herman Miller rep. in 2002. They are the real deal.
As far as quality issues, upon reading this thread I checked my base for corrosion. No corrosion, however I was surprised to see the bottom layer starting to de-laminate at the corners.

Great, it's fantastic to...
Great, it's fantastic to know these are probably real (they also have 13 plys, etc...). Can anyone link to any tutorials or tips for how to restore the laminate top? The ones I've got are in decent shape but have a few noticeable scratches ... I'm wondering if I can apply some sort of wax to the table to hide the scratches without completely sanding and refinishing the top as it's generally in decent condition. Same with the wires. I was hoping to avoid sanding down the metal, applying primer and paint, but that might be necessary? It would be great if someone could link to some reliable tutorials for refinishing this type of furniture without completely destroying its value (not that I'd probably ever re-sell the tables, but hey).

For some reason
This thread and Schef's Eames threads - where authenticity is doubted in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary reminds me of Stuff White People Like #79: Modern Furniture
"When white people envision their dream home, a key part of the fantasy involves a least one piece of furniture designed by a famous architect from the 1930s.
*snip*
But as with all things, white people *will do whatever it takes to secure authenticity* including paying thousands of dollars for a small piece of furniture.
*snip*
Referring to a white person?s expensive chair as a ?chair? is considered poor form and will likely result in a loss of trust and/or respect.
The best strategy for avoiding this faux pas is to look for the most uncomfortable chair in a white person?s home and ask ?who designed that?? If they say ?Ikea? or ?Design within Reach? you can call it a chair, otherwise refer to it only by the name they give you.
It should also be noted that many white people are unable to acquire this furniture, but that does not mean you cannot use this information to your advantage.
In situations where you need to improve your connection with a white person, just mention how you hope to be successful enough to one day afford an original piece of furniture by . If they have heard of the designer they will nod in agreement, if they have not, they will also nod in agreement and make a note to look it up later.
In either case, your status will rise. "

Good news for both of us,...
Good news for both of us, Scooterj.
So the earlier-production side/coffee tables that were re-introduced in the 90s had 13 plies? The newest production tables have 7 plies as indicated at the Gabriel Ross link below. What did the *original* 1951 tables have, 7 or 13?
http://www.gabrielross.com/tables-15/coffee-tables-152/herman-miller-eam...

I'm not too sure, I can't...
I'm not too sure, I can't find anything on the Internet pointing to a 13 ply wire table ... everything I read is 7 ply. Each ply is 1/8" thick for a total thickness of 7/8" not including the veneer. I tried searching for 13 ply, 13/8" thickness, etc, and did not come up with anything.
Why would they change the number of plys anyway?

five
Plus top and bottom

Restoring
for the wire base, it's zinc plated steel. All you'll need is a little 0000 steel wool and a lot of patience. Once you've got it burnished up you can wipe on a furniture wax that will help keep moisture from corroding it again.
For the top, I'd say let it be. Nothing looks worse than a pristine just-out-of-the-box piece.
And, in general, in terms of maintaining value - original is best, restored is ok, and replaced is worst i.e your tabletop is worth more in original state with a few scratches than it is with a new laminate top.
If you insist on replacing the laminate you'll need to pry off the existing stuff, sand the wood, and have it relaminated. A counter-top specialist can do this for you.
As to why plywood changed - who the eff knows? Lots of things change in manufacturing as newer/better/cheaper materials become available. It doesn't mean much, and most large companies don't document every change they make.
With the Eames some people feel like the very first used materials are the best. IMO the spirit of the Eames was one of constant improvement and trying new things - making the best, with the least, for the most as Charles would say.