Purchasing fine rugs while traveling ...

Anyone have any interesting stories about trying to purchase a floor rug while traveling overseas? Maybe in Morocco? Or parts of Asia?

Interested in rugs that get better with age. From the outside looking in, sometimes it seems as if rug selling is a bit of a racket. Did some research on this years and years ago but not finding anything, tonight, on a simple search.

Looking forward to the discussion!
Elisabeth

Anyone have any interesting stories about trying to purchase a floor rug while traveling overseas? Maybe in Morocco? Or parts of Asia?

Interested in rugs that get better with age. From the outside looking in, sometimes it seems as if rug selling is a bit of a racket. Did some research on this years and years ago but not finding anything, tonight, on a simple search.

Looking forward to the discussion!
Elisabeth Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

Grandparents used to buy them in Asia, India ( tech Asia) and the Middle East and either shipped them back like the stores that sell fine china worldwide or the Delft products in the Netherlands do all wrapped very well. Costs a little extra but many include shipping in price. When I was in Madrid I sent a ' house warming' gift to my sister in the USA and the tableware was a few hundred Euros and I think another 50 Euros to send anywhere in the world ( within reason)

Same with the rugs. When I was in Panama City took a tour of some Indian villages where they ( thru help of Panamanian government) sold rugs to support the villages and those rugs would be shipped back to the USA with a surcharge. All the above products go thru customs here as well; than gets delivered to your home.

I remember when in Israel the family buying a bunch of rugs in the Arab markets of Jerusalem and we had to drop them off at the ' oversize baggage' check in at Ben Gurian ( where they put them thru all kinds of security checks, normal for Tel Aviv) and pay a surcharge than you pick them up in your destination from the oversize baggage belt ( like you see skis on in Denver's DIA) baggage areas.

Istanbul and Morocco alike I am sure would happily welcome your business and be happy to assist you in taking your floor coverings home or getting them sent to you..

Excellent quality too for a fraction of the cost of buying them here, if take care of them last ages. My sister has all the floor coverings handed down over the years all still in great shape some over 20 even 30 years old! I know there are specific cleaning instructions as certain cleaners/products can destroy the coloring or break down the fabrics which is something I would add to your research and purchase a rug ( even if costs more) that will stand the test of time.

Happy shopping, for the right price everything and anything is for sale... Enjoy your travels.

I own several Persian and Turkish rugs. Of the ones I’ve purchase while overseas, the shipping back to the States is fairly straightforward. Most solid rug merchants know the ins and outs and will make sure all is well.

My most recent purchase was a Turkish rug purchase from a place just outside the Grand Bazaar. It is a large rug that occupies my entryway in my home. It is very elegant and well made. The merchant and I bargained on the price for about thirty minutes and I ended up getting a great deal. When you have cash in your hand and a car waiting outside things tend to go well.

It arrived a time my home about three weeks after I purchased it. Solid experience and I enjoy seeing the rug everyday.