Authentic handmade rugs are undoubtedly an investment on their own. However, if you are contemplating on buying one for your home – there are many things you should be aware of. Carpet buying is a risky business and many buyers are hesitant regarding the price, quality, and most importantly – the originality of the carpet.
All you need to know about handmade rugs
To avoid the guesswork associated with buying wholesale oriental rugs, here is a comprehensive guide that will assist you in making the right purchase decision.
Buying Guide for Handmade Rugs
- Handmade
Many dealers fool the buyers in purchasing a machine-made carpet in the name of handmade. However, do not be ripped off and consider all the aspects of the carpet before parting with your hard-earned money.
Remember, oriental rugs are handmade, regardless of their origin. To check whether a piece is authentic or not, simply turn it over. The knots aka the designs on the back will be identical to the front.
- Color
More often, the sly business owners of wholesale oriental rugs paint over the fabric to make them appear authentic. In order to assess the color of the handmade rugs, wipe a piece of wet cloth over the carpet. If the dye is transferred, then perhaps you should skip over to some other dealer.
- The Burn Test
Another foolproof way to check the genuineness of your potential purchase is to perform a ‘burn test.’ Most of you are well aware that fabrics like silk will slowly burn without releasing smoke whilst other ‘synthetic’ material catches fire immediately.
Ask the shopkeeper to provide you with a matchstick and conduct the burn test on a small piece of material. A carpet dealer who has nothing to hide will follow to your demand right away. However, there is a chance that the dealer is trying to hide something if he is hesitant or outright refusing to your request. Anyhow, the answer regarding the authenticity of the material used to make the carpet will show up instantly.
- Price
Price always remains a key factor in our every purchase. A genuine, hand-made rug can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000. And although, carpet dealers often bring out discounts and offers, do not fall for pressure sales or reductions that are too far-fetched.
The dealers who are making offers that are hard to refuse are often touted to be cunning and clever in their relevant industry.
- Be an Expert
Carpet sellers usually deceive those who appear to be novice or inexperienced buyers. To avoid falling for any type of counterfeit, make sure that you pose as an expert in the field. Be educated about the different kinds of rugs available, their texture, and the knot styles. Learn the terminology such as Kaba and Karak that describes the rug’s feel and Pushi and Zozar that determines its size.
Ask many questions and eye the carpet critically. An unpretentious carpet dealer will have no issues answering to your queries and will be more than happy to accommodate to your requests if any.
- Purchase from Reputable Dealers
Most importantly, always make the purchase from reputable carpet sellers. Avoid making online deals but if you do, check for references and reviews of the seller to ensure their credibility.
Additionally, keep refund conditions in writing on the rug allowing an expert to check the authenticity. If the professional deems it as a replica, make sure to get a full refund of the hoax product.
- After Care for the Rug
Besides being an investment and a decorative aspect, the handmade carpet requires responsibility from the owner. This means that continuous care and maintenance is necessary from your side for the treasured piece to remain intact for years to come.
Some tips to care for your handmade rugs include:
- Keeping the piece from direct sunlight
- Avoiding to keep heavy furniture over it
- Vacuuming using a suction-only appliance once a week
- Periodically vacuuming the back of the rug
- Keeping untrained pets away from the rug
- Wiping away spillage immediately with white paper towel or cloth
- Full wash the hand-knotted rug once every five years
Final words
Many amateur buyers fall prey to the cunning sellers and/or misuse the expensive carpets destroying their appeal with their lack of awareness. As they say, “knowledge is power.” Having sufficient data regarding the wholesale oriental rugs virginia industry will keep you safe from making any costly mistake.
