Great NYC RugLover tour shows buyers how to avoid getting ripped off

HomeNewsGreat NYC RugLover tour shows buyers how to avoid getting ripped off

NEW YORK—When Stephen “Dusty” Roberts and Barry O’Connell get together, talk invariably turns to rugs. So it was inevitable that Roberts, a rug care industry personal coach, and O’Connell, a world-renowned Oriental rug expert, would draw upon their mutual passion and expertise to create the Great NYC RugLover Tour—and, following the tour, to pass on the insight they gained leading a group of rug enthusiasts through some of the city’s collections of antique, high-end rugs.

The recent tour took participants to New York’s most prestigious showrooms, including those of Hagop Manoyan and the Nazmiyal Collection; New York’s leading antique Oriental rug store, and were invited to a Christie’s auction preview with leading Washington rug dealer Mark Keshishian and America’s top rug scholar Peter Saunders. The tour concluded with a look at the city’s oldest rug cleaning company, Rug Renovating.

“The Great NYC RugLover Tour gave participants an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the antique and high-end collectible rug industry,” O’Connell said. “Our group came away with specialized knowledge and advice from the world’s rug experts.”

Among that knowledge: How to spot a high quality wool rug. Roberts and O’Connell offered some tips to help rug buyers get what they pay for:

1. All wool is not created equal. “Scratch the rug’s surface,” Roberts advised. “If a little wool comes off, that’s fine, but if a lot comes loose, move on.”

2. Look at the back. “If you can’t see the rug’s pattern on the back, it’s glued together and will have odor issues in the future,” Roberts said. Only buy a rug if you can see the pattern all the way through to the back.

3. Beware of false sales. A store regularly advertising going-out-of-business sales or discounts of 50% or more is pulling a fast one, O’Connell said.

Other rug sellers to avoid: traveling auctions and online auction sites. “Play it safe and buy from a dealer with a real storefront,” Roberts said.

“Having seen some of the world’s most exquisite rugs, our Great NYC RugLovers Tour participants have an advantage when it comes to helping their clients purchase rugs in the future,” O’Connell said. “They know what to look for. The average consumer doesn’t have that advantage, but by remembering these tips anyone can make a smart rug purchase.”

For additional information, call 250.686.7847 or visit imaruglover.com.

Must Read

Flooring Sustainability Summit launches award program

Arlington, Va.—The Flooring Sustainability Summit announce a new initiative celebrating innovation and leadership in sustainable design. The Flooring Sustainability Summit Project Design Award Program...

FCITS unveils 2025 training schedule

Dalton—Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Services (FCITS) presented its 2025 training schedule created for retailers, sales teams, installation professionals and anyone seeking thorough flooring...

Damian Childress joins Novalis via ‘Hiring Our Heroes’ program

Dalton—As part of its ongoing focus on building a purpose-driven and people-first culture, Novalis Innovative Flooring has welcomed Damian Childress, a U.S. Army veteran,...

Mannington reinforces market stability with domestic production

Calhoun, Ga.—In response to recent global tariff announcements that have brought volatility to the flooring industry, Mannington Commercial said it has reinforced its long-standing...

Florim USA celebrates 25-year anniversary

Clarksville, Tenn.—Florim USA, one of the largest porcelain tile manufacturers in North America, is celebrating 25 years of operation at its facility here. Since...

NWFA celebrates 40 years of advocacy for real hardwood flooring

Charlotte, N.C.—The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) celebrated its 40th anniversary in grand fashion here earlier this month as attendance approached pre-pandemic levels. It...
Some text some message..
X