Four years ago I developed a love for Turkish carpets and rugs. We are not talking about your mass produced machine carpets or rugs here. Traditional Turkish carpets and rugs are all handmade and just like the Cubans are famous for their cigars, the Turks are famous for their carpets and rugs.
Therefore it was no surprise to my friends, that when we were out and about for the day, I dragged them into a Turkish carpet and rug shop. It was the same shop that I had bought some carpets from four years ago and the sales man still remembered me. ( Turkish people never forget a face).
About Turkish Carpets and Rugs
The salesman proceeded to put on a show for me, and all the carpets and rugs came rolling out one by one. If ever you struggle to learn the Turkish culture, then just nip into a Turkish carpet shop as each carpet or rug comes from a specific area in Turkey and the symbols and motifs on the carpet all mean something. Some carpets take a couple of months to complete, others have taken 13 years. The process begins with collecting the wool or silk, then dying it. After the material is ready, the women will begin to make the carpet on a weaving loom.
I was so delighted with the softness of the carpet, I ended up doing a dance!
I was specifically looking for a carpet for my hallway, so this helped the salesman to narrow down the choice. The first of the Turkish carpets that he showed me was one that came from the Torros mountains in Antalya. It was made from sheep’s wool and would set me back 800TL, however the salesman had seen my delight and suggested that we open up the bartering process. Bartering over traditional carpets and rugs in Turkey is expected so you should never accept the first price that you are given.
This symbol is of the Christian cross.
I was not quite ready to open up the bartering process. Never barter with a salesman if you do not truly want the product. As the salesman had seen I was not ready, he continued rolling out carpet after carpet, while we all sat there and enjoyed the show. More often the not, sounds of ooooo were heard coming from our direction.
The five dots on this carpet refer to the five calls to prey, a day by the mosque.
Eventually, the salesman hit upon a winner with a Usak carpet. It was in the striking colors of cream and red and felt like heaven when you walked on it. The design was referring to a Tulip Garden and it measured 295 x 84 cm. This carpet had truly captured my attention and once again the salesman tried to open up the bartering process. This Turkish carpet was twice the price of the first one I had seen and whilst I could barter to get a lower price, I would still be taking money from my traveling fund. ( Currently saving for a trip to Cappadocia)
The carpet of my dreams. An Usak carpet
I was not that sure if I wanted to dip into my traveling fund so decided not to start bartering. I took the salesman’s telephone number though and promised to get back to him with an answer of either yes or no. It was at this point that the salesman decided to really try and surprise us with a pure silk prey carpet that would cost around 2000TL.
A pure silk prey carpet.
If you find yourself in the vicinity of Traditional carpet shops in Turkey, then take some time to pop and admire these works of art. The skill that can come from the human hand is at times truly amazing.
Sat on a pile of carpets enjoying the show.
Rasim, the salesman.
Lovely colors but not my style.
Wall to wall of traditional Turkish carpets and rugs.
I have purchased several Turkish carpets, mostly during my initial visits. With the exception of a couple of undyed kilims, they were older and were naturally dyed – subtle colours as opposed to the bright colours of synthetics.
With the benefit of hindsight and professional evaluation at home, I now advise my clients to enjoy the carpet-buying process but to be well informed about Turkish carpets before entering a carpet shop and even better informed before buying.
The salespeople are always helpful and very friendly, often bringing in lunch, dinner and always offering the customary glass of cay (tea). The show is lots of fun and provides some respite from the heat outside the doors.
However, the prices may be inflated. I found this to be the case in a situation where the price of one carpet I liked dropped from $3,000 USD to $800 USD as I walked away – and then I was told, when I showed the picture to another carpet seller, I could get that same carpet for $300 USD and that it was machine-made in China!!
I’m not saying do not buy a carpet in Turkey, but I am advising that due diligence – as with any investment – will go a long way to ensuring fond memories associated with that purchase after you return home.
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for your comment. I agree that the prices are 100% of the time inflated, this is I recommended bartering to all my readers. The salesman does expect the customer to barter.
I use a general rule, if the product does not have a price on it, then it is open to bartering. This applies when buying gold and silver as well. Of course you would not barter over something silly like 20 cents however when it comes to carpets, bartering will save you hundreds if not at least a thousand dollars. Only barter however if you are serious about buying the product.
The shame is a lot of travelers feel shy about bartering, and are then turned off buying a product they like. In this case, I ask travelers to remember that a Turkish person would barter over the price of a carpet so when in Rome do as the Romans do.
Such a shame that the salesman you meet was trying to sell machine carpets as traditional carpets. Don’t they realise this just gets them a bad name?
I like the idea of bartering. I like reading your blog Natalie. Keep it up!
Had some great times drinking apple tea and bargaining in around Turkey. Love the photos.
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Some beautiful carpets and rugs. I am sure after doing a dance on the carpet they will remember you for four more years, and probably forever.
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Love the colors and patterns in the rugs- esp. the green one.
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beautiful carpets… wish i could go to turkey and nearby middle eastern countries soon so i could visit the markets…
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We have lived in Turkey for 2 years now and we own 3 Usak carpets. They are my wife’s favorite.
Beautiful aren’t they Greg. I could fill a whole house with them