Beginers Guide to Oriental Rygs

Where to start?

A. How to pick a dealer?

Look for a dealer who has pretty rug where you do not feel under pressure to buy. Take your time look at rugs and feel as many rugs as you can. Early on my dear friend James "Uncle Jimmy" Keshishian A.S.A. told me there is one simple way to became a rug expert, feel 10,000 of each kind. There is a lot of truth to that. If you are having a tough time finding a good dealer post a question on my discussion board and you will get suggestions of good people to try in your area if possible.

A word of warning however, if it looks to good to be true it probably is too good to be true.

Avoid Short notice auctions
Avoid Hotel or in-store auctions
Avoid Going out of business(GOB) sales
Avoid 50% off sales
Avoid "As Is" sales, If they will not stand behind it run.

and any place where you feel under pressure. If you are not sure put a note on the discussion board and you will generally get some very good response. You may also want to check and see if any dealers in your area are on our Trusted Resource List.

B. Join some of the discussion lists on the Internet.
Other people have been asking many of the same sort of questions that you probably have been wondering about. I sponsor a list at Oriental Rug Questions.

C. Rug Societies can be a great place to learn about rugs and to meet people with similar interests.

D. Here are a few articles of particular benefit for beginners. Uncle Jimmy Keshishian wrote them as an introduction to Oriental Carpets for a trade magazine.