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Q: What are the main characteristics of
a quality handmade
rug?
A: A quality rug should possess the following: Good
wool, design, colors and weave. Often people only look at the weave
or "knots per square inch" and ignore the materials
used. This is wrong since the quality of the wool or silk is
just as important, if not more, than the weave.
Q: What is a good rule of thumb when looking at different
rugs and their quality?
A: First of all, feel the wool. The softer it is, the finer it is. Kaoud rugs
are mostly woven using 100% New Zealand wool
which is considered some of the finest wool available. Secondly, feel
the density of the pile. The harder it is to separate the wool, the better
your rug will look over time as it will resist wear. The rug must also
be attractive and the colors should flow together peacefully.
Q: How does Kaoud insure consistent quality in their rugs?
A: Isam Kaoud is our buyer and he monitors our overseas looms. Kaoud has
looms set-up overseas and our weavers know what materials we desire. They also
know that if they "cheat" at all, we will reject the rug and they
will have to weave another one.
Q: What is the story with "going out of business" and liquidation
sales"?
A: You get what you pay for! These so called sales are a way for people to sell
rugs that have been rejected by dealers like Kaoud. Most of the rugs have
a problem and their value is considerably less than if they were without the
problem. Beware of these going out of business sales and auctions since what
you buy cannot be returned if you discover something wrong with it. If it
sounds too good to be true, it usually is! One very important thing to know
about these sales is that often people will try to sell a rug based on it
being silk when it actually is not.
Q: Which country makes the best rugs?
A: If this question was asked twenty years ago, the answer would be Iran.
Since then though, India , Pakistan , China and Turkey have
far exceeded quality standards and are now making exceptional qualities
after learning the trade
from Persian weavers. It is not dependent on the country, but rather on each
individual rug. Each country makes good, better and even better.
Q: What about all the huge discounts advertised for 60%, 70% and 80% off?
A: Common sense always tells us that regardless of the item in question, if the
retailer can always discount it 70%, then something is wrong with the tag price.
Kaoud holds four large sales a year where we discount up to 60% on either
discontinued items or overstocks. Throughout the year, we price realistically
and discount realistically. The bottom line is what counts and the wise
consumer should not be attracted to "inflated" discounts
all year long.
Q: In summary, where is the best place to buy a handmade rug?
A: Of course, we consider Kaoud to be one of the better places, but there are other
retailers who should be considered in your search. It is best to make sure
the retailer is established, reputable and not one that makes a habit out
of changing names or holding "liquidation" sales. Ask people in your area
and perhaps the local chamber of commerce.