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Get the inside facts about buying carpets abroad

By: david henry

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Buying carpets abroad generally is a really fun experience... and actually, it needs to be as often for the experience and for the fun of seeing that carpet everyday in your own home that you should even contemplate this.

We've bought carpets in India and Pakistan. We bought Tibetan rugs in the refugee camps in Nepal. And that we bought a kilim in Turkey after we decided we weren't going to buy a carpet on that trip!
There are lots of countries around the globe which have been making hand-woven carpets for centuries... and they're available everywhere. It's easy to have a carpet buying experience, but beware. These carpet dealers have perfected their performance... and to call it anything else could be a mistake.

When you step into a carpet shop or show the slightest bit of#interest like looking in the window, the show begins. It begins slowly and subtly so as not to scare you off....
"Do you want to buy a carpet?" No, you are not in search of a carpet.
"I understand. Let me teach you about the carpets." Well, why don't you? You prefer learning about the folks, their crafts and their culture.
"This is not for buy, just to show." Sounds OK... no obligation, right?

Watch out. Now the salesman unrolls a carpet or two or three and shows you the patterns. He flips them over to explain about the knots. He shows you silk and wool carpets.

Then he leads you into another room... stacked high with more carpets than you possibly can imagine... and he says, "Sit, sit. Would you like tea?"

Uh oh, you're hooked... at the least for the magic carpet ride of a sales pitch. And it will take all of your will power to walk out with out a carpet!

The sales person will call assistants in... and they're going to unroll carpets of all sizes and colours and qualities with the pitchman extolling the virtues of every and trying to figure out what your tastes and budget are. (And probably soon knowing more about you than YOU do!)

Those assistants will roll those carpets out with a flourish.... then flip them in an intricate ballet so that you can see how they look from both angles... with the grain with the carpet and against.

The differences between carpet styles and quality is often mind boggling. Most actually will likely be handcrafted, but things get less obvious from there. The number of knots per inch? What sort of knots? Is the carpet silk or wool or cotton or some imitation? Unless you're an authority, you will easily be taken in.

Every one of the caveats for buying anything abroad apply to buying carpets abroad. Don't get trapped with your emotions of the moment. Try to look for a good dealer, not the taxi driver's cousin. Do your research prior to the trip if you intend on buying carpets abroad.... and remember your budget. Carpets can reach astronomical prices quickly.
Bargain, bargain, bargain. Walk away and return. If you are serious, this may wind up taking several days!

If you do buy a carpet, hand carry it home if youcan. We've carried the vast majority of ours, but we had no problems #with the# one large one we did ship home. Be sure you trust the dealer.
Do we now have fine, fine carpets? No... but we have had them for years.... We still love them. We've got very nice rugs and wonderful memories of buying carpets abroad.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

David Henry is a travel industry expert and has been providing discounted travel services and products for 25 years. A great selection of quality hotels and apartments in the worlds best holiday destinations can be found at holiday rooms direct Book online and make savings of up to 70% off normal rates providing the very best travel discounts around.

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