Choosing the Right Rug Store
CHOOSING THE RIGHT RUG STORE
This is the single most important factor in your rug buying decision. No matter how much you know about rugs, you have to depend on the dealer you choose for information, advice, and guarantees. You should get a feeling of honesty, integrity, experience, and excellent customer service. Choose a dealer that has been around a while, and has a substantial inventory.
There are five key points to consider when making your selection of rugs stores.
INDUSTRY AND PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Always go for a store that has been recognized by industry professionals (designers/interior decorators) and key associations (ASID, IFDA, Houzz). Friends and family can also offer referrals, and good word-of-mouth does go a long way in professional recognition, as do reassuring online reviews.
GIMMICKS – SALES
Most rug stores will have a “perpetual” sale on every rug, every day, of 50% to even 80% off. Don’t fall for these gimmicks, because you get the quality you pay for and when it comes to fine rugs, you don’t want to be making constant repairs. A great feature of handcrafted rugs is that you can find a rug to fit almost any budget. Even a large room size rug, made entirely with fine wool, can be acquired for a very reasonable price. Usually even for a modest budget, Alyshaan has the right rug for you.
RELIABLE SERVICE
A good area rugs store will always have the most professional rug advisors available on hand to address your every question and concern. In the case of antique rugs this matters even more. If you are going to make an investment, you want to be sure you have the best insight and advice from those with years of experience in the industry.
LIQUIDATIONS – AUCTIONS – GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALES
INFORMATION
These are the worst venues to acquire your handmade rugs. You are forced to make quick impulse decisions, you usually don’t get to try a rug out first, and the only guarantee you have is that the business you are buying it from will not be there to stand behind their product.
GUARANTEE
These are the worst venues to acquire your handmade rugs. You are forced to make quick impulse decisions, you usually don’t get to try a rug out first, and the only guarantee you have is that the business you are buying it from will not be there to stand behind their product.
Guarantees/Warranties are important in all products, but are imperative in handmade rugs, mainly due to two reasons;
- Rugs are a very complicated product and it’s very hard for a consumer to ascertain the quality and value.
- A lot of rugs made with low grade or dead wool are chemically washed to make them look nicer when they are new, but the first attempt to cleanup a spill (the chemical wash gives in) and you have a rug that looks awful in the spot cleaned area. Even worse, you may not find out about this problem until you get a rug cleaned professionally, and the whole rug loses its luster after being cleaned.
At Alyshaan we have a lifetime guarantee for every rug we sell, and this is the envy of the industry.
To know more, view our video below for expert advice on how to choose a reputable rug store.