Side Travel Forum

Hi!
I am looking for infromation about carpets. We are visiting Side in October and wants to buy a carpet for the sittinggroup at home. The carpet has to be about 2m long and 1.60m wide.Can anyone tell me abot the prices? What is a good price and what is to expensive? Is it easy to find a good carpetshop in Side?
Greatful for your help!
KT

There's a VT'er with the user name blacksheeper who I believe works at a carpet store in Turkey. You might try getting in touch with her to see whether she can help you out.

Blacksheeper, if you read this I hope you don't mind the referral.

Hi !
I may highly recommend you to get some infos and maybe even brochures about carpets you may buy at home ( and it is the best to ask for Turkish carpets ).

You will see, that most of them are cheaper in YOUR country maybe.

And when you intend to buy a carpet in Turkey, as it is also ment as a special souvenir, you may dramatically push down the price in Turkey, when you are able to show them brochures of carpet-shops in your country with cheaper prices than in Turkey.

I was in a bustour in Turkey many years ago and plenty of people bought such "cheap and unique" carpets, that were sold for less than half price in germany.

Just get informed, go to Turkey, and there you may decide if it is worth for you to buy in Turkey and trust the company to ship it correctely...

KT
Don't worry. When you'll stroll in Side in the evening, the carpet vendor will find you.
It is difficult to say if it will be a good shop or a bad shop.
Is it possible for you, before you leave, to go to a carpet shop near where you live and see what kind of carpet you would like and its price? Can you do that?
Then, keep this price in mind when you are in Turkey.

Once in Turkey, everyone will invite you to come into their shop.
Some rules:
- start going to see carpets from the first day, but go to every shop and make sure the others vendors see it.
- touch the carpet, feel the quality of the wood, softness, colours, try to estimate the knots/cm2.
- never think of buying the first day, buy at the end of your stay.
- never be overexcited when they invite you to go in a shop, act as if you are doing them a favour.
- never show any excitement for a particular carpet.
- the good carpet vendor is a fine 'psychologist' and he understands english.
- when you ask a price, this means you are interested. notice that they will almost never tell you a price when not asked.
- if you know a price for a carpet, just say it is way too much, and if they show you something cheaper, just say it isn't at all what you are looking for.
- as a matter of fact, you'll never admit that you found what you are really looking for. the one you really like will just do for your interior.
- after setting the price, ask them for a last effort if you pay cash in US$ or Euro's.

Once I found a carpet I liked, I started to discuss at 30% of the asked price and never admitted to pay more than 50% of the asked price.

Have lots of fun. It is a very enriching experience.