Several of the Turkish Threads (no pun intended!)have suggested that carpets are very plentiful in Istanbul but quite a bit over market prices as compared with other locations... Your suggestions please as to a better location for price with quality for carpet? Thanks, Jimar

That's like asking "I'm going to Frankfurt, but I've heard it's expensive to buy a clock there. Where else could I shop in Germany?" It all depends on where you plan to travel. But you'll definitely get better deals in Ankara. I've also know people who shopped in Konya because of better deals.

We were in Turkey several years ago and my guidebooks said that you can get better deals in NY and London.

Stories about people who have unknowingly made bad rug purchases in Turkey could fill books. One of my favorites is from clients of mine who did major studying and went to the "highest" recommended place in Instanbul and bought what was exactly the type of rug they wanted at a super price. When it arrived in the US, it was too big -- they had messed up the size. They took it to a major rug dealer at home seeing if maybe they could "trade" it or sell it on consignment. They found out their rug was not at all what it was supposed to be and virtually worthless -- they had paid big bucks for it. They ended up buying the type of rug they thought they had at a better price than they had paid in Turkey. Being overly cautious, they bought it on approval and immediately took it to another dealer for an appraisal. That dealer raved about the quality of it, so they knew they had gotten a good deal at home. Incidentally, they ended up giving the Turkish rug away to a charity function. I suppose they could have had some recourse with the company in Turkey, but they felt it was simply a lesson learned.

The moral, don't go to Turkey to buy a rug unless you really know what you're doing or you simply want a souvenir of your trip.

Google DOBAG. They specialize in rugs done by a cooperative in Turkey using traditional dyes and designs. Perhaps you might be able to find information on their web site that would lead you to reliable rug merchants (cooperative outlets?) either in Istanbul or the area where they are made, if you hapen to be in that area.

twice i have visited a carpet co-op on the road between izmir and bodrum....it was right on the main road and we found their prices to be excellent as was the quality...sorry i don't have more info...we flew both times from istambul and rented the car in izmir--very easy as is the driving from there

rhkkmk,
The area would suggest 'silk carpet'.. but of course doesnt have to be. Since you returned for a 2nd carpet I assume you 'know' you have both good quality and what it was as sold to you?

Can you give the location a better name, location, phone number, etc

Intend to go to that area....
thanks,
Jim [email protected]