Hi, I love this site but first time to post.
Non-IKEA furniture is extremely overpriced in Switzerland. My wish is to acquire a few classic pieces at a reasonable price.
For US readers note that the 670/671 combination costs about USD 3200 in USA, $9000 in Switzerland and max $1000 by an unknown producer.
Question: has anyone done this ? I understand the patents have expired but Swiss Customs may not be living in this century and will possibly DESTROY the furniture like a dodgy Rolex.
2) I could possibly quietly import in the back of a car. Do the Lounger and Ottoman safely and easily (for any unskilled person) break down into smaller pieces ? That would make life easier.
When I asked in Switzerland I was told to pay 9000. I'd rather spend that on a car than give it to Vitra.
THANKS-A-MILLION.
Edited by Design Addict: No links to reproduction websites please.
You might want ...
to check eBay.ch for what looks like numerous AUTHENTIC Eames loungers.
http://shop.ebay.ch/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1311&_nkw=eames+loung...
I do not want 'authentic'...
I do not want 'authentic' meaning labelled Miller or Vitra. Entirely overpriced. Both companies have made excessive profits and denied good design to the masses for decades. I have no wish to further line their pockets.
I can perfectly well 'afford' it but I see *no value* in a $9000 chair when another vendor provides the same utility and pleasing aesthetics for a TENTH of the cost. Never heard of globalisation?r
I'm neither criminal, thief, nor guest. I'll be paying a king's ransom in taxes and helping their economy out of the doldrums. What kind of guest is that ?
I ask if anyone has imported this furniture privately. Get off your holier-than-thou high horse. We're talking about taking a damn chair from one side of the road to the other, not exactly Escobar white powder conspiracies !
I've spoken with a dealer this evening and been advised that if I own it for 6 months before importing then there will be no duties or problems. That's the advice I was hoping to hear on here.
I think there are two separate things
going on here, Classics Monkey. First, if you want to know just what you can and cannot bring into Switzerland, you are on the wrong forum. You need to go to www.englishforum.ch which is the website for english-speaking ex-pats in Switzerland. That forum has covered bringing stuff in and out of Switzerland, ad nauseum, from your car to your household goods to packs of meat to the ever-elusive brown sugar.
Secondly, it seems as if you are also trying to make a point regarding genuine, licensed Eames designs vs. Chinese knockoffs. If that is the case, then prepare for the ensuant onslaught of feedback.
Oh please
Who gives a toss if he smuggles a chair? Lighten up, sheriff.
Now buying knock-offs? Blech. Seriously, if you are patient you will find a REAL used/vintage chair for the same price as a QUALITY knock-off. And it will keep its value and you will LOVE it. I feel like I type this same paragraph once a month 😉
No seriously
The whole stand on a mountain follow the law bit is getting under my skin. Listen, the law isn't the best indicator of ethics, I hope you can agree.
In the US many states have old, bizarre laws that have never been changed (and would never be upheld due to their bizarre nature).
In Mississippi we have the "rule of thumb" law. Meaning you can beat your wife with a stick as long as its diameter is no thicker than your thumb.
Oral sex is illegal. And, of course, so is same-sex sex.
The main street, called State St., is by law only supposed to be used by horses.
It's smuggling a f*king chair, for Christsakes. My only problem would be getting caught! Ethically, don't lose sleep over it.
For me Vitra or Miller are...
For me Vitra or Miller are not overpriced..you pay the quality. My parent's have a Miller lounge chair since nearly 50 years and still look beautiful!
After two year, a copy will be destroyed. 1000usd for 2 years is pretty much expensiv than 9000usd for 50 years 🙂
And you can resell your Vitra or Miller lounge chair. For exemple, in Switzerland, a Vitra (rosewood) can be easy resell for 5000 CHF...
Anyway, welcome in Switzerland (we really need you to save our economy :D)
ps: please excuse my english 🙂
It seems odd
It seems odd that when some people suggest that buyng unauthorized copies undermines legitimate companies and avoiding taxes burdens governments that they need to get out more. And when people from Mississippi suggest that "when breaking the law the only problem would be getting caught! Ethically, don't lose sleep over it". This is a good idea. What goes around comes around.
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