I bought an Eames Hang-It-All from one of those invitation-only group shopping sites. You know… the ones I don’t typically like to shop at? And oops, I bought a knock-off. The tag listed it as a “George Nelson Timepiece” (huh?). It was cheap, yes, but I didn’t realize what I was buying, and for a knockoff it was pretty much the regular price.
That's a licensed Eames Hang-it-All. Mine looks mostly like it, but some of the colors aren't as vivid.
Oh well. It will be fine for the awkward stairway to the basement. We used to have some inexpensive hooks and a shelf from IKEA, but the contractors that worked on the basement remodel didn’t realize that we actually wanted them, so they were tossed. I guess they thought they were ugly relics that came with the house! Here’s an old photo of them in place.
I’ll make time to tackle installing the new hooks this weekend, and I’ll of course share photos after. If I don’t kick myself in the pants to get it hung, I’ll never get around to it! I’ve been meaning to do it for more than a month already.
Rebecca @ beautiful square feet
October 19, 2011 at 4:13 pmThat’s a shame Nicole! I’m sure it’ll still look good on your wall anyway. I guess the key is to try not to get annoyed everytime you look at it! I hate it when people get ripped off!
Nicole
October 19, 2011 at 4:28 pmeek! which site did you buy it from? i am on the list for a bunch of those invite-only sale sites and sometimes the prices are so great, but this is exactly what scares me. at least yours looks enough like the real thing that you can put it to good use and appreciate its charm. i have a hang it all and it really is so cute and brightens up little boring areas. enjoy yours!
Making it Lovely
October 19, 2011 at 10:08 pmIt was the Foundary (and that’s my referral code link). I don’t remember how it was labeled, but my receipt says “color hang anywhere), so I must not have been paying attention when I bought it.
Nicole
October 24, 2011 at 12:54 pmthanks for the tip. i joined that site but hadn’t bought anything yet. i will be extra cautious!
Tina
October 19, 2011 at 4:31 pmI’m very familiar with the need for hooks on basement stairs. My 102 year old house in Chicago doesn’t have a single closet on the main level! Sorry to hear about the fake.
Erin
October 19, 2011 at 4:54 pmI say good riddance! It was time for those red shelves to go, I think. And so what if it was a knock off? If you like how it looks who cares.
Molly @the waffler
October 19, 2011 at 7:20 pmSorry the hooks didn’t work out exactly as planned — but you have a good attitude about the whole thing. I bet the coat rack will still provide a happy burst of color to come home to.
Lindsay
October 19, 2011 at 8:40 pmI love the hang it all! We received one as a wedding gift last year. We recently bought a new house and the hang it all was one of the first pieces I found a home for. Yours will look great in that spot.
Susan Hazel
October 19, 2011 at 10:25 pmWe just bought one too! I love, love love it! Such a wonderful mix of practicality and fun, bright colors.
EvY
October 19, 2011 at 11:26 pmI kid you not just the other day I was thinking to myself, wow I want one of those Eames hang it alls, I wonder if a knock off version exists. Thanks for the hot tip.
julie.
October 20, 2011 at 6:48 amI also got burned once on one of those invite-only shopping sites. Never again!
elisabeth
October 20, 2011 at 9:21 amHhmmm….why not just return it? I would be annoyed if it was a knock off and I paid full price for it. Checked the website, allows returns, or was this a non-returnable item?
samarahuel
October 20, 2011 at 9:25 amCan I just say it makes me happy that you’ve been meaning to get it done for a month? Because it makes me feel not so bad about the pictures that aren’t hung in our house yet, the kitchen shelves that have been in the works for months, and other sundry projects that have been waiting on me for far longer than that.
Melanie @ Mailbox Journey
October 20, 2011 at 10:36 amI love how short & sweet your posts are.
M
October 21, 2011 at 1:05 pmTotally agree w/ Elisabeth; return the thing! It’s gonna annoy the heck out of you every time you see it.
We recently just got a real one off craigslist for $75 unopened in the original box. They’re out there; and you’re a great bargain hunter!
Don’t be a victim! They shouldn’t be able to get away w/ misrepresentation!
Michelle
October 23, 2011 at 7:08 amWe have a knock off hang it all from eBay. We knew it was a knock off when we bought it but we were renting our first flat and needed something colourful. It doesn’t bother me that it’s a knock off, but perhaps someday, when we have a kidlet, we’ll get a ‘real’ one for their room! :)
Modikin (Josh)
August 15, 2012 at 2:31 pmThat is a shame that it was misrepresented. We have our knockoff version which is very high quality, and at knock off pricing. available here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A1VBULXS1IXJF5
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