toldham

you may want to think about how large a rug you want. I took an empty suitcase and wa able to fit in a 4 x 6 rug. It was fun looking---i was in a beach town and went to the rug merchant every day for about 5 days. I finally decided to buy a konya carpet for $300 (this was ten years ago--I don't know how prices have changed with the devaluation of the lira

Anna

We bought a carpet in Turkey last summer, we bought ours in Avanos near Cappadocia. It is about 6 X 9, wool on cotton. We paid $2000 and it was shipped here via UPS without a problem. I looked at carpets in Chicago and Highland Park before we went so I could get and idea of price and quality. The one shop I went to said to expect to pay $75 per sqaure foot for one of the better wool carpets. If anyone is interested here is a link to our journal with a picture of our carpet. <BR>http://kerstentraveler.tripod.com/day6.htm<BR><BR>

Anna

Just to clarify, the $75 per square foot was at a shop in the US. Our Turkish carpet cost less than $40 per square foot.

kelly

Interesting discussion! Just to complicate matters a little more, does anyone know how Tunisian carpets compare to Turkish ones (or Moroccan...)? I mean in terms of quality, are Turkish carpets known to be quite better? I ask because I have looked at carpets in Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia, and finally bit the bullet and bought one last Dec in Tunisia. I paid about $375 USD for a wool, knotted carpet that is 2.58 x 1.63 meters, (8.46 x 5.35 feet) having 40,000 knots per m2. Also included shipping to France. This is quite a bit less per square foot than some of the posters have mentioned for Turkish carpets so I was wondering if anyone has any idea how they compare. I have a photo of it at http://www.advweb.com/kelly/tunisia/day4/index.shtml<BR><BR>Any feedback would be great, I might want to buy another one on my next trip!<BR><BR>

hamburg

How about buying turkish carpets in Germany, have seen a lot of them there.

Annie

Thanks for all of the great information and suggestions. I know it will be a difficult task to buy something that I am not very knowledgeable about and try to get a good price at the same time. I guess after reading all of the posts, my main concern now is receiving the same rugs that I select after shipping. I wanted to buy two large rugs, so shipping is the only logical way to go. Thanks again for the comments.

nat

My husband and I bought a carpet two years ago when we went. He's Turkish and from Istanbul. We went to a smaller local area in Istanbul and brought it in a small shop, we bought a machine made one for $135. canadian I liked it and because we have kids and we going to use it on the floor we didn't care that it was machine made. I have a friend that says if it is hand made it will not be semetric. There will be a "mistake" - one side will have a small difference. Also it is better to buy in a small town away from the tourist crowd if you want a good deal.

John G

If you are going to ship your carpet(s), take a photo of it so you can prove what you purchased if anything goes amiss. Get everything in writing also--and in English, not Turkish. If you spend alot of money, have the carpet insured. You would also be surprised how you can fold a thin silk carpet into a small square that you can carry home. I did this with a carpet I purchased in Jaipur, India.

kavey

You asked about what else you might buy as gifts?<BR><BR>I bought a few small and inexpensive items of jewellery, mostly amber set in silver, which were very popular gifts.<BR><BR>I also bought a few mass produced but pretty round tiles from the bazaar, these were really cheap, about &pound;1 for 3 with a thin layer of sponge glued to the base, and I gave some as gifts and kept one myself as a table mat. I wish I had bought more. It's a white tile with beautiful blue and turquoise traditional patterns. About 6 inch diameter.<BR><BR>Kavey

ally

Buying a carpet or rug needs to be careful in Turkey. Especially,if you are in tour, I am sure that you will go to a shop Where is paid a commission to tour operator and guide. So It will be very expensive(hidden costs). Even If you go to a shop alone, Seller will try to sell in a expensive price. If they are good sellers, You wouldn't know the quality of carpet,so You will try to reduce price. Then Seller will be a little bit angry.<BR>It is very important you have information about prices and carpets. There are several carpet&rug centers in Turkey. The most famous for carpets are Cappadocia and Isparta region. You can visit several rug-makers or carpet makers especially in Cappadocia. <BR>You can ask How I know these things. Because I am working in a tour operator. But We don't work with carpet stores Which gives us %30 commissions from sales like the other work with. I usually work with a carpet store in Avanos,Cappadocia that I trust in their quality and honesty.<BR>I had an American group in last summer. There was a guy from Berkeley,California. He bought a carpet sale price around 4000 USD after bargain HE paid 3000 USD including the shipping cost. That carpet was nearly 100 years old and hand-made. It has to be in a collection. And Even He try to find like that carpet in big carpet stores,He could buy it for 10000 USD. And,Carpet store paid me %10 commission. Even Though, They don't pay anyone from sales.After all,They earn money too. They are buying carpets from Uzbekistan,Turkmenistan,Afghanistan,different cities from Turkey. They bring an expert Who describes you the information about carpets. There are several carpet stores like these guys in Turkey. I gave you an exapmle from one of them.<BR>If you visit many carpet store,IF you learn prices and quality,You will have information about the prices. Don't buy a fabric-made carpet. And try to find a carpet which was made from a special paint. This is the strongest colour. Ask about the pain,hand-made or fabric-made and the age of Carpet or rug. And Where was made this carpet or rug in?<BR>I have tried to help you. Because I don't want that you have a bad idea about Turkish people coming out from sellers. They try to have money quicker. <BR>I am always here to help you in any topic or recommendation.<BR><BR>Have a nice trip for Heather and Annie.<BR>Ally

nancy

I boutht a carpet from a government run store not too far from Cappadocia; I did this because I could be sure of the quality and materials. It was a very small prayer rug of silk on silk and 400 knots per sq inch. It is a Hereke and signed. We paid $1500. When we returned I went to a carpet store here and was told it was a fair price and would gain in value. I loved the colors and design, so am happy.<BR> Some other things to buy are silver bracelets; painted tiles and painted ceramic eggs and plates. It is also fun to buy the harem outfits and little turned up toe slippers. At the spice bazaar you can get good buys on saffron and pine nuts. The Iranian saffron is of better quality and more expensive than Turkish. In Pamukale there are some interesting carvings made from meershum which is found only in this area. I bought a carved egg. Smoking pipes are made from this. Figs are wonderful there as are apricots. They harvest and dry these in the fall. In summer the cherries and peaches are outstanding!<BR> Have a wonderful time; we have been 3 times and are ready to go back!

Bay

I just returned from Istanbul last week and got some good information and the names of two carpet dealers. If wanted, please drop me a note. The key is to bargain, bargain, bargain whatever you decide to buy. It is a great place and I am ready to go back.

Barry

Hi Annie -<BR><BR>You have gotten some good advice here...<BR><BR>Let me add that we purchased 5 rugs while in Turkey... let me also add that if you don't REALLY like to bargain/negotiate you won't enjoy the experience... but if you do enjoy it, then you will!<BR><BR>One tip... MAKE them let you sign the label on the back of any carpet you have shipped home! Also, make a "big production" out of photographing the rug (preferably digitally) ... those two things will make it very hard to switch the rug on you (fairly common "trick") and you will have a record of it's condition if it were to arrive damaged, or not arrive at all!<BR><BR>We enjoyed the experience and everytime I walk through a room with one of the carpets in it memories of Turkey are right there!<BR><BR>We also should have bought all the silk scarves and leather jackets we could "say grace over"! Best prices on those of anywhere we have ever been... especially now that the TL is "in the toilet"!<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Barry

Josie

We purchased a rug July of 2000, Holland America Mediterrean Cruise. Did we get a deal? Nope. Did we get quality? I'm pretty confident we did not.Took forever to get to be delivered, think it was nearly 3 months.<BR><BR>It's fun to know that we actually purchased it in Turkey. Fun to tell the story of the hussle to our friends who ask about it.<BR><BR>Would we do it again? No way. <BR>We've placed it in the live and learn category a/k/a duh!

ttt

topping

sinan

Dear ANNIE<BR><BR>first,I hope you like Turkiye(Turkey). I am Turkish man who l have been in NY for 5 years and taking people who interested in going to Turkeyfor 16 days or more. I am also Archeologist. My recommendation is DO NOT BUY ANY CARPET if your are going to Turkey with tour group because the price really higher then normal price. I don't know where are you going and how you going but if you go by your self or the one you can trust you can buy othervise DO BARGAIN AT LEAST 50 OR 60%. If you send me your scheledue and I can send you some places you can buy cheap. I've been in Travel Businnes almost for 25 years. This year there are many tourist going to Turkiye from Europe so the price of carpets depent on place you go<BR>if you can go out side of touristic area you can get the best price that you have ever seen in your life<BR>by the way HAVE A NICE TRIP TO TURKIYE<BR>I can not check this page so reply to my e-mail IF YOU WANT. Free of charge.<BR><BR>M.Sinan Akdeniz

sinan

Dear ANNIE,<BR>Here is the web page you can find many carpet sellers and you may get some informations<BR>http://www.about-turkey.com/search/Carpets/<BR><BR>I hope you can find your TURKISH CARPET<BR><BR>M.Sinan Akdeniz

lea

The prices vary considerably, depending on quality, size, etc. We purchased a beautiful silk and wool Hereke carpet (8 x 10 feet), incredibly beautiful colours and densely woven, for about US$2,000. The Turkish lire has been devalued since, so I'm not sure what the price would be post-devaluation. We spent about 5 days in Istanbul and did a lot of looking around. There's a fabulous street leading off from the Grand Bazaar, which is lined with carpet shops. The salesmen earn significant commissions. Each salesmen would ask, "Which ship are you from?". People off cruise ships typically have an hour to shop and the salesman will take advantage of this. Nothing like being a "captive audience". When we replied that we were in town for five days and were looking around, the salesmen were visibly nervous, since they knew we were less likely to be taken advantage of. We are satisfied with our carpet purchase, and rather enjoyed the process. We were shown incredibly beautiful carpets! I'd do it again. A caveat - If you're off a cruise ship, don't say so (and don't parade around with obvious signs such as tote bags with the ships logo on it). Say you're from one of the hotels. I understand that it's next to impossible to purchase Hereke carpets outside Turkey, so that's what I would recommend!

Susan

We bought a Hereke carpet in Turkey and I love it. No idea if it was a good buy, but it's beautiful. It's quite small and I originally put it on the floor. One of my cats, who rarely sleeps on anything upholstered or on carpet, immediately ran over to 'claim' the carpet when we laid it on the floor - it is afterall silk! - so now I've got it hanging on the wall.

Murat

Dear Annie & Heather and Dear all,<BR>Very interesting subject " carpets " I am an accidental carpet dealer for a while while I am awaiting my company to finish the boutique cave hotel project in Cappadocia. The company I work exists since 1960 and they are also producers... To answer some of the questions I feel obliged to write here... Machine made carpets may look perfect but handmade carpets does too. It depens on the loom, weaver, material, density etc. For example there is no carpet ( almost ) to beat a Herek fine silk carpet in perfection and quality. There are so may type of Turkish Carpets & rugs and kilims. What does a Turkish Carpet so special ? Tribal designs, natural dyes when applicable, double knot technique found by Turkish and known as Gordes knot, durability and ofcourse art of weaving including the emotions put in by the weaver. Negotiation part is a different issue ofcourse. Unfortunately there might be salespersons who are not honost shame on them but there are experts who are in the business since years and they put passion and love into their business and take pride on what they do ( like my boss in this case, I am proud with my company ) having said that beeing a professional hotelier I never involved in carpet business due to stories but now I know there are people in business you trust and learn a lot. Prices may vary depending on the carpet and the quality.<BR>Before coming Turkey best to masure spaces you may wish to cover with an original Turkish Double Knotted rug and even check out prices at a local dealer. Why not. When we sell a carpet we supply with a certificate and if its home delivery we use Fedex or Ups so customers tell us when they want the carpet to arrive home, its insured ofcourse and after sales we ask customer to sign both the label at the back and also on the rug itself with a permanent marker. If customer wishes we also take a digital photo and e-mail. I dont understand why people should not send the item purchased ? I am also busy with travel consulting for Turkey for those who wish to have tailor made itineraries fully or partially. Anyone seek help welcome to drop me e-mail.<BR><BR>We are also starting a new project of Rug weaving class in Cappadocia supported by the ministery of educations spesific departmets. Also Turkish Home Made cooking classes while experiencing the local culture. <BR><BR>I would like to great everyone from Cappadocia "the land of beatiful horses"<BR><BR>The only thing I miss here is the sea since I was living on mediterranean but the land is really beautiful and full of history....