Annie

I would like to get an idea of the carpet prices in Turkey. If you purchased any, please tell me the size, price and when you bought it. Thanks.

Heather

Annie, I'm going to Turkey in October and haven't found any good books/Internet sites to research Turkish rugmaking. Have you located a good source? I don't know if I'll even buy one, but I want to forearm myself in case one (many?) catches my eye.

Paule

Dear Annie,<BR>There's no one answer to this question; the price depends upon quality, your own knowledge of what the rug might cost (and therefore, give you an idea of what you might be willing to pay), your ability to bargain, and so on.<BR>Don't expect to get the bargain of the century; many of the reputable carpet dealers are very aware of pricing, and will only go so far. And certainly, there's a great range of quality of carpets, and the more you know, the better off you are.<BR>We aren't knowledgable about carpets, did some minimal research and just went with our gut with something that we liked. We bought a good-quality kilim in Konya (the area is known for kilims) and bought it for $375.00. We all felt like we did well by the sale. If you wanted to find a carpet for $50.00, you could; but you could easily pay a few thousand dollars, too. But learning what makes a quality rug will help you in looking at them, because there are countless rug dealers everywhere you go.

Didn'tBother

We were pestered so much all the time "I have carpet shop" etc. by EVERYBODY on the street that we didn't bother.

Patrick

I know that the main point of buying something on a trip is strictly for the memories, so it is fine if you want to buy one. But don't think that you can really get a spectacular deal on a rug in Turkey unless you are a true expert and even then it's very tricky as you are buying them from a dealer, not a manufacturer (those little looms set up are pretty much for demo purposes only). Have you ever met anyone who bought a rug in Turkey and then tried to sell it to a rug dealer at home for what they paid for it? <BR>I once had clients who bought one at what they thought was a fantastic price (and they were pretty knowledgeable about rugs). When they brought it home for their new place it just wasn't working and really didn't fit proportionately in the room. They tried to sell or trade it to a large rug dealer who brought one out virtually identical and the same quality. The price on his rug (retail in Naples, Florida no less) was actually less than these people paid -- even before having it shipped back to the states.<BR><BR>I mentioned once before that I had a long conversation one day in Kusadasi with a rug dealer who finally admitted that they sell rugs for twice the usual price to cruise ship people. They just start out twice as high and then act like the buyer is robbing them when they lower the price.<BR><BR>By the way, Annie, price has absolutely nothing to do with size of the rug, except of course that the exact same rug will cost more the larger it is. No one will be able to help you by internet learn enough about rugs to be a smart buyer. Just go with the attitude that if you want one, you see one you really love, and you can afford it, then buy it. But not before getting it for half the original asking price.<BR>

Heather

Patrick, thank you, as always, for the honest feedback. I had a feeling that your advice was probably the case. While I'm pretty darn good at haggling down prices, I certainly am not an expert in quality nor a great judge of what a true "bargain" would be. Thanks for the response!

Elsa

We bought 5 carpets in Turkey, and I don't really feel like we got a bargain. In retrospect, I think the "deals" do start off HIGH, and the dealers make you feel as if you REALLY are walking out the door with "such a buy." I also feel that you should be an expert in what to look for, b/c the salesmen can tell you anything and you'd probably believe it. We went to a store that the 4 Seasons Hotel recommended, so hopefully we bought some nice carpets BUT who knows??? I wouldn't do it again. Also, it is so!!! time consuming. They have you sit down, and then they bring out a zillion carpets for your perusal. A couple of years ago I brought 2 carpets home from a store about 40mins. away from my home to try out. The one I thought would be just perfect in the kitchen wasn't, and the one I felt would probably not work out was the one that did. You can't do that if you've purchased carpet(s) in Turkey.

Heather

Does anyone have a recommendation of things that are bargains to keep an eye out for? My friends and family always like receiving items that I bring them from my trips and I'm not sure what specialities from Istanbul are good deals and/or are really interesting. I was contemplating some spices from the market, but wasn't sure whether it's a good idea to bring baggies filled with herbs and spices through customs these days. Anyway, gift suggestions are very welcome. Thanks!

John G

You can pay $5 for a Turkish rug or $50,000. It depends on many things, mainly quality. You will also pay more for silk over wool. The thinner the carpet usually, the better the quality. The best way to determine the quality of the rug is to turn it over and count the number of knots per square inch. The top-quality rugs will have about 400 knots per square inch. Pull on the carpet, if it moves back and forth, it is of poor quality. The more knots per square inch it has, the more "stationary" the carpet will be when you pull it back and forth. It is also best to go to a merchant were you can actually see them hand making the carpets; this way you will know they are not made by machine. You should also see them shearing the carpets and washing them at these sites. A quality carpet, on that will become an heirloom and increase in value, will cost about $1000 US. This would be for a carpet 3x5 in size. 6x8 should be about $2500. Remember!!!! You get what you pay for. If you buy a poor-quality carpet, it will not increase in value. But, do your homework and do not pay alot for a piece of crap. Your best bet is to go to a merchant with a very good reputation. If you want to know more about how to tell a good carpet from a bad one, email me directly.

Diana

Heather,<BR><BR>When I travelled to Turkey a few years ago (while I was in the military), one of the things I purchased which I wish I had purchased more of was Christmas ornaments! I found painted copper ornaments (some of mine are just balls and others are bell shaped). Every year when we put up the tree, I always smile because they remind me of Turkey and I always get comments on them. I wish I had bought more for other members of my family. I also purchased some miniature brass lanterns for the tree.

PW

Hello,<BR><BR>I bought a carpet in Turkey....I didn't expect to but like my Lonely Planet guide says, "even if you don't intend to, you likely WILL buy a carpet in Turkey." <BR><BR>My 3x5 carpet cost $125 (talked down from $300). That's very cheap, so obviously I don't expect it to increase in value. I know nothing about carpets but I like and seeing it hanging in my bedroom reminds me of a wonderful trip and a beautiful country.<BR><BR>I bought my carpet in a small town between Ankara and Cappadoccia. So I was far away from cruise ship crowds. The man in the shop spent over an hour with me, showing me carpets, talking about the patterns and their histories while we had tea. Sure he wanted me to buy but if you just relax and enjoy yourself you'll have a good time. Looking back, I think the whole experience was worth the money alone. <BR><BR>Enjoy your trip. <BR><BR>PW

Sue

Heather,<BR><BR>You can get terrific deals on watches. Genuine fake Rolex, Gucci, etc. $10, $12.... they are extremely cheap and surprisingly they don't fall apart when you get home!<BR><BR>Sue

julie

Okay, when we were in Turkey, and passed rug places, if you look in the windows after hours, you can see them tinging and ruffing up the new carpets to give them a look of old. Also, can't be sure there in any silk in them. Better to buy them here from a reputable dealer, I think, and then you know what you get. A little late to complain after you get home.

gail

My mother was one of those tourists who did not plan to buy a rug in Turkey, but did. Of course, she made a million mistakes. She had it sent home and when it got here, it was a different rug than she had purchased (color, size). It also had a hole in it. She actually called the shop in Turkey and yelled at them and, of course, they laughed at her. Called around and found we could not return it since you can not "unimport" a rug since that is called export. Took it to a reputable rug shop to get hole repaired - they said it was a real rug, but taught us a lot about rugs and appraised it at about 30% of what she paid. She put it in dispute on her credit card, and eventually got full credit for the rug - and I still have the rug! Certainly a rip off, but we both have memories when we see it in my entryway.

Sue

PW, I liked your answer as providing the best rule of thumb on buying anything while traveling: never pay more than you think the experience is worth. A friend of mine bought something in Egypt (not a carpet) - the article itself turned out to be practically worthless, but she dined out for years on her story.

bobbie

I hadn't planned on buying a carpet in Istanbul but fell in love with a small prayer rug, from Herenz (sp?), all silk and the back is as beautiful as the front, I think I paid about $300 and have in hanging in the hall at home. Took it to a local merchant and he thought I got a bargain, nice of him to say that but the point is, it's like art work, if you see something you really like, and the price is reasonable for you, then go for it!

Heather

Thank you to all for your thoughtful responses. I will definitely keep all of the advice and ideas in mind on my trip. Now, if I could just stand the wait between now and then ... was it Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty who sang that "the wait is the hardest part"?<BR><BR>Thanks, again!

Debbie

As far as gifts for friends back home? We brought back "evil eye" things such as necklaces,wall hangings,etc. They also have some daring change purses that are minature "carpet" rugs.My son brought back a water pipe for a favorite teacher who made it into a lamp.Another favorite teacher(US HISTORY) got a set of stacking dolls of USA presidents from the Black Sea area.I had bought quite a few Pushima shawls(aound $12.00 there)All of these treasures we bought in the Grand Bazaar.<BR>Do go to one carpet demo for some great apple tea and the chance to learn about carpets-its a kick!!!We did bring back spices from the Spice Bazaar as they specially suck the air out of the packaging(somewhat like freeze drying)and are properly labeled. Have a great time-Debbie

Paula

We were taken to a rug showroom by our cruise ship after a tour of Kusadasi. They served tea and started rolling out all the carpets. A large silk one was $20,000.00. LOL. I told my husband if he did not keep saying how beautiful they all were they were never going to let us out of there! They could not believe that I was not interested in buying a rug. I had read a lot on these boards before going and knew that unless I was an expert I was not going to get any "deal" and would probably not even get the carpet I thought I was getting. The hassle is not worth it -- if you even admire something they think it is as good as sold. As someone else said, buy here from a reputable dealer.

sandy

I bought a rug (wool/cotton) in the Grand Bazaar, 3x5, paid about $450 and love it! I had a friend from Istanbul go with me and she said I got an excellent rug and price.<BR><BR>I receive a Christmas card every year from the merchant and he even calls me when he comes to the USA to see how my rug is doing and to see if I need anything.<BR><BR>Can't beat that!