apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What about this one?

http://claank.com/htm/index.htm

Has anyone used them for a piece of upholstered furniture? I had them quote on some slip covers for a B&B Charles, and they were less than 1/2 the price of the NY showroom (including shipping). I never ended up buying them, but they were very professional and responses (even with the time difference) were very prompt.

It might be worthwhile to look for a used one. The day after I bought mine ($1800 in 2003) I saw one in an antiques store for only $600. It was an original, but it was definitely "vintage" and showed some wear and tear. Had my credit card not already been charged for the new one....

I have not used Europebynet but one thing this person might want to consider before getting the Arco through them is whether or not shipping includes delivery *inside* her apartment or just to her front door.

That hunk of marble weighs 100lbs and it has to be assembled. The sliding mechanism in the arc piece is so complicated I have had to ask the guys from the shop I bought it to come back and adjust it a few times. If I ever move, they've promised to disassemble and move the Arco for me, so that I don't have to trust regular movers with it. These are just a few of the reasons I went local for this purchase.

I don't have much time to post or even read AT these days so I'll have to make this brief.

I bought my B&B Dadone from europebynet in Oct 2003 when USD was 1.69 to GBP. I also bought the Zanotta http://zanotta.it Greggy coffee table so the prices I'm going to list don't correlate exactly for just a sofa.

Dadone 237cm L section + Dadone 220cm main section (124" total length because L section is 96cm wide) in wool/cashmere = 3644 GBP = $6181

Greggy was 565 GBP = $959 (Moss was charging close to $2000 plus tax)

Customs and shipping for all three = 1400 GBP = $2373
This was air shipping to get it sooner (delivered end of December) and no inside delivery.
They shipped by Danzas which is the large freight arm of DHL and the local Danzas delivery guy helped me get everything into the building even though it was curb side delivery. I had to get a crane in the end because the sofa sections would not fit in the elevator but that's a different story!

So total cost savings, even with customs and air shipping (surface was cheaper but I can't remember by how much) included were about 30% as I have said before on AT.

Today's rate is 1.71 so you should still see very good savings condidering prices of B&B and other Italian stuff gets jacked up every year like clockwork.

BTW, they charge you 50% at the current exchange rates upon taking the order and 50% at whatever the exchange rate is when they ship.

Customer service was excellent during ordering and shipping. I can highly recommend europebynet!

So much for makign it brief!

Another BTW, I have found that as long as you tip the delivery guys well they are willing to deliver into your apt even if they officially only offer curbside.

Not sure how to convey that you are going to tip when you ask them but it somehow always works out!

that's cheap! I bought my black arco from ebay for about the same - and I thought that was a bargain.

And the arm is NOT complicated.
It's only 3 pieces of metal!

James

Maybe the fake ones are easier to adjust?

fake?
that would be why mine is signed, numbered and comes with the Castiglioni book & dvd?
ha!

James

Has anyone bought the fake ones? Are they visibily inferior to the real thing? Any comments from weary purchasers?

Wow all that exchange rate stuff seems complicated. How accurate is the price listed here if the rate is always changing?

Also, if you buy lighting from Europe, remember that their voltage is different. They kind of mention this on their site: "A 10% surcharge applies for 110V orders, for example for US" but leave out the fact that this is NECESSARY! And I don't see a way to add this conversion in the checkout process.

I'm imagining a lot of unhappy customers getting their discount lamp and not being able to plug it in. Or worse, starting electrical fires!

As an interior designer who just moved back to NYC after living in London for two years -- I really appreciate this site.

I don't want to get into a long diatribe about my opinions about "counterfeits" versus "buying from an authorized dealer" because it could get lengthy. But let it be known I'm not a "purist" when it comes to purchasing.

But I do want to say that this is an item that a lot of my clients love -- and I always stick to getting an "original" -- either new or used.

I'm aware of "www.clank.com" -- but unless they are going to let me inspect their version of the Arco lamp -- I wouldn't buy it from them.

This lamp is quite an architectural feat, for obvious reasons, and quite complicated to make and keep balanced.

I personally wouldn't trust a "copy" at all -- again unless I -- or if you know someone very familiar with this lamp -- can examine it carefully.

I basically agree with what Kathryn hinted at in her post above. If you can't afford a new one -- try to find a used one.

And thanks for the europebynet.com resource. Great!

I purchased a Toio Lamp from Europe By Net months ago (earlier this year). The lamp is nice, but it arrived with a bent base. After numerous e-mails to europe by net they finally were going to have the factory send a replacement base, however I have yet to receive anything. It's been over two months now since they promised the replacement base and I've been e-mailing them every couple of weeks, but I never get a response. Be aware when purchasing from these guys. I can provide e-mails they've sent me if anyone wants.

Good Luck.

Can anyone tell me how you tell if the Arco lamp is original or not. Is there a FLOS mark somewhere? Should the marble base be a prticular size? Can anyone tell me what this size should be please?

Thankyou.

You can tell if it's an original or not by the shape of the curved metal arm. An original has a rectangular tube arm, and a copy has a round tube arm.

I bought one of these from:

http://www.modernreproductions.com/product.php?productid=16170&cat=0&page=1

They are offering it in black or white marble for the same price and it had the square tubing like the original!

I bought one of these from:

www.modernreproductions.com

They are offering it in black or white marble for the same price and it had the square tubing like the original!

Sorry for posting that three times guys, it kept saying that it hadn't worked.

I found these Arco Lamps with either black or white marble base. They also have an Arco lamp with a flat round marble base and a flat round metal base.
You can see them at:

www.arcolamp.com

I found these Arco Lamps with either black or white marble base. They also have an Arco lamp with a flat round marble base and a flat round metal base.
You can see them at:

http://www.arcolamp.com

I almost bought a really good reproduction here in NY with the rectangular tube arm for around $400...but the thing is...it is definitely something you have to measure and figure if it will work in a small apartment.

Funny, thing, my friend told me to check out "Jacks"--the low price discounter stuff on 32nd Street and they have a downsized version of the Arco lamp with a round base for $50! I was so surprised. It's not bad for the money.

The arc/reach is much shorter--and it is chrome plated instead of stainless steel-- but it's an interesting solution for fifty bucks and smaller rooms and even smaller wallets.

The base on this fifty dollar item is heavy also.

HI,
I have one of these lamps in my barn waiting for a good home. I would rather someone come and pick it up (southern PA 45 min north of Baltimore Md) I could probably find some one to ship it but I'm not to confidant shippers would take care of it. If you know anyone interested in pics let me know. the round shade is kind of beat up replacement (350.00 +-) but the marble is in great shape and the stainless arc is good as well. I'm pretty sure this is the real deal not a repro.
let me know.
Kurt

OK.... so.. that would be dancie720@netzero.com sorry about that. I'm not an expert about these lamps but I can take as many pics as you need to decide if you are interested. Also let me know if this is wrong to be asking if anyone want to buy something here. I just stumbled on this site while searching for info on this lamp.
Thanks
Kurt

Very interesting triple post by "John Christopher". Interesting because that is the name of the main salesperson at www.modernreproductions.com.

Coincidence? Or shameless publicity/spam?

Im still deciding wether to buy or not an Egg Chair (designed by A. Jacobsen) in Europe by Net, the price is really low compared to other sites, about $4000, normally it would cost 6,000 or more. So, should I trust the site? Do the products come with a certain document that proves they are authentic? The extremly low prices make me suspicious.
BTW, I found my Arco on a shop in Rome (I live in Italy) for about $1000. Its origial,a nd I think the price was ok.

Im still deciding wether to buy or not an Egg Chair (designed by A. Jacobsen) in Europe by Net, the price is really low compared to other sites, about $4000, normally it would cost 6,000 or more. So, should I trust the site? Do the products come with a certain document that proves they are authentic? The extremly low prices make me suspicious.

I thank everyone on this site for the information. I just ordered the Arco lamp from Europebynet. Total cost was $1,646, including delivery to the US. This included the 10% surcharge for 110 volts and a 10% discount for a first time customer.

Don't buy from Modern Reproductions. They are a total rip-off. They took my money and never sent my furniture. I have tried calling EVERY day for the past 3 weeks and they won't return my calls or e-mails. They have a total scam operation running between them and JMC Trading Ltd. Modern Reproductions is just a clearing house for them and NEITHER will return calls. They do return e-mails saying that they will ship your stuff and then you wait until they are supposed to send your stuff and never send it. When you call back, they say they will refund your account. I think that you see the pattern.

They have someone on staff named John, so I would be willing to guess that the John above is part of the scheme...

Just a heads up. I would hate for someone else to get ripped off.

I found this website by dumb luck. It has some of the greatest prices in the whole world. Just recieved a brand new Flos Arco Lamp for a total of $1400 shipping and all. I did have to pick it up at the airport but I did not mind that. The shipping is only $200 from Germany to Dallas. the lamp was $1200. It is listed at $1400 on the website but you can get them to take out tax (VAT) which is 20%. It arrived in perfect form. And putting it together is a breeze. This place seems to good to be true. www.ambientedirect.com

Oh yeah, when they answer the phone and start talking in German just say hello and they will start speaking perfect english. I recomend calling the order in. It is the only way to get the tax taken out.

Don't buy from modernreproductions.com (modern reproductions)! They ripped me off and won't answer emails and phone calls. You've been warned!

We just bought (finally!! my dream lamp is mine!) an arco lamp from space in singapore, and they currently have a great deal on it. it was a third of the ridiculous price from my country (philippines). space was selling it for $1400 (total was $1600 including shipping to manila). check them out at www.spacefurniture.com. so anyone looking for a deal on this lamp in the south east asian region, space is a good bet.

I, too, have been given the run-around from Modernreproductions.com. I placed an order for two lounge chairs and one la chaise; my card was charged immediately, and I have been told it was being manufactured, or it was being shipped...still no item. I have just decided today to turn them over to my credit card company and hope I can get some relief. I was told in early August I would receive my furniture in a few weeks. It has now been 15 weeks! I believe the following companies are are operated by the same entity: JMC Trading Ltd/ JMC Company, JMC Furniture, Modernreproductions.com, Modern Classics Direct.

Modern reproductions are hopeless to deal with - certainly on after sales service. I am planning to take them to small claims court. My marble saarinen table does not seem to have proper surface sealing. They have no interest at all in helping on this.

Buying a fake one is a great a idea in order to save money but be careful... I had to return 2 of them because some websites advertise one thing and ship another. I finally found a local company here in Miami that had them in stock and I was able to check it out personally. It was an exact replicate to the original including the stem... (one of the ones I returned came with a rounded stem!)... These guys now have a website, www.mimodirect.com, (I paid $399 but one of my friends was just able to pay $299 from them..)

I'm now saving for a barcelona.. they go for about $500 with those guys... thats another product I would never buy a knock off without seeing it, (some companies on the internet are selling office depot "italian" leather as high quality leather... very very ugly..) back when dwr sold knockoffs they were pretty good.. now i think mimodirect.com is the way to go...



joan

I have the same experience. I nearly ordered one from a FEW online stores with the lowest price but later on find out that many of them might even use a photo of the lamp with rectangular stem but sell the ones with round stem!!

Thanks to this webpage, I know what to pay attention to and found one from modsage.com selling it for $490.50! It is the lowest price I could found with shipping included. Most importantly, the quality is good and the lamp has the rectangular stem, stainless steel finish and a foot dimmer.

http://www.modsage.com/product_arco-floor-lamp.html

Can't be happier since I received it in about a week and can't tell the different between mine as compared to my friend's original Flos version. They also have return and warranty policy for the lamp. Hopefully I don't need to use the warranty policy...

Anyway - just want to remind people that they should look at the price combined with shipping and the stem shape if they want a very close replica.

I completely agree with the comments above about ModernReproductions.com. They are shockingly horrible. Will not return any calls or e-mails, ordered an item many months ago and have no idea about the status. John is quick to take your order but once he has your money will not EVER respond. All the employees, including the receptionist, are all brainwashed, and recite the same lines over and over again ("I don't have any information to give you"). Once I finally got a sales person on the line, she hung up on me! Do not buy from them!!!

Thanks for this info on Modern Reproductions. com. I've had the exact same experience and I only wish I'd done some homework on them BEFORE I made the mistake of giving them my money. I haven't received anything in two months, and they never, NEVER return my phone calls. It's a total fraud set-up.

ive been looking for flos arco and have been dealing with a store called scossa found them om-line very freindly and helpful, try e-mailing them.

Does anyone know if the ones from ARCOLAMP.COM and MODSAGE.COM are *exact* reproductions?

Arcolamp.com does offer the option of the square tube for more $ which is still a good deal for a repro, but the arc span of the white-marble lamp on modernsage.com seems smaller & the shade does not seem to reach down as deeply as the original or even the black-marble version on the same site. I've already written them, but I was wondering if anyone else has ordered from either store and happy with the reproduction.

(Thanks for the warnings about modernreproductions.com. WHEW!

Here are links to both sites:

ArcoLamp.com:
http://www.arcolamp.com/product/WI-1001/Arco_Style_Floor_Lamp_with_Marble_Base.html

ModSage.com:
http://www.modsage.com/street-arco-floor-lamp.aspx?variation=17&product=777&edit=true

Not sure about arcolamp.com. I ordered from modsage.com and love my lamp. I was told that Modsage only sell the square tube version. Also, I know the Modsage lampshade reach down and go higher than the original and other reproductions since I called them about it before. Their customer service reps were very helpful and knowledgeable about the product, so just call them.

Be very careful with where you choose to buy your product! Don't just choose the lowest price. There is a lot of false advertising related to this product. My cousin bought this lamp online after he saw mine. He never asked me where I got it and thought that it's all the same online. It was shipped to him broken a FEW times! What's worse is that even if the company says free shipping, all of them charges the shipping fee if the item is returned, some even charges restocking fee. Not to mention that some companies uses the Flos original picture. When I bought mine and did my research, I remember seeing some website having a round tube version for their main picture while the "other views" picture shows a square tube! These dishonest companies also change their company names and websites after bad reviews are written. The situation is just aggravating!

Anyway, I just feel lucky that my purchase came out fine and wish others won't fall into these traps that my cousin did...