posted on April 28, 2001 11:35:26 AM new
Wow! Wow! Wow! I still didn't think garage sales existed like I've found the last couple days.
I bought an oriental rug for less than a dinner at a fast food resturant. The people were moving and wanted rid of it. Now, how do I tell if its old, etc? And is ebay the best place to sell it? How would I ship? I've never bought an oriental rug, and know NOTHING about them, so I'm really clueless. Any help would be appriciated.
(By the way, this was from the house near where I live "George Washington slept here."
Advice anyone? I'd have a ciggarette if I smoked. :-P
posted on April 28, 2001 04:24:39 PM new
Uhmm... you got it so cheap, makes me wonder about its authenticity. What size is the rug? Is it silk? Wool? Are their any markings on the back?
I just bought a 6 x 9 silk oriental rug yesterday. I got it on sale in Japan for about 1/3 off. I doubt I could even find the same rug in the US much less get it for the price I paid.
posted on April 28, 2001 09:55:55 PM new
I can't go on what I paid. I didn't see any markings and stuff on the back -- but I bought a car load of stuff at the same sale the other day for $10 that I will get hundreds of dollars for on ebay, so I can't judge its value on what I paid. I live in a very rural area where not many people have even heard of ebay.
It has a black background and looks old. Its probably 10x12, but haven't measured it for sure. Wool.
I am wondering if ebay is the way to sell or if I should sell another way
posted on April 29, 2001 01:36:02 AM new
From what I understand...if it is hand made the knots on the back will be uneven. If machine made all the knots will be uniform.
posted on April 29, 2001 12:51:01 PM new
I bought an old 12 X 9 Surook rug from a yard sale last year for $100. The knew nothing about rugs, except I could buy a new copy at Home depot for around $400. I went to have it cleaned and the guy at the shop offer to trade me some newer karastand carpets for it. The owner of the shop showed up and after some heated exchange of words in farce (Rainian), He Told me it was made between 1920 and 1930. In very good shape and Was worth around 4 to 6 thousand dollars! I can’t bring myself to selling it because it looks so nice in our parlor. I don’t let anyone walk on it unless they take off there shoes! I have learned a little about old rugs, and what to look incase I ever find another one. Find a local dealer that can give you an appraisal. I know dealers are selling rugs on ebay all the time, See if you can’t find a picture that kind of matches your pattern. You may have a real treasure there. Good luck.
I wasn't even going to get into this, because you need a good deal of knowledge to even determine if it's an oriental. Just because the design LOOKS like an oriental, means nothing. An oriental rug, by definition, is hand made.
K Mart sells them...discount stores sell them...machine made American orientals. A really good, hand-knotted Iranian oriental, has VERY even knots. That merely shows quality.
Take your rug to an oriental rug dealer...ask what he'd buy it for. You'll learn a lot. (but DON'T sell it to him, if he wants it!) Selling it on eBay, at this point...when you have no clue what you own, is just asking for huge trouble, IMO. This is not something someone can educate you about, online.
You could also (and this might be better) take it to the VERY BEST B&M auctioneer in your area...offer to consign it, and see what he says. If he tells you it's great and wants you to consign...that is probably your best bet. If not...consign it at a lesser local auction. I don't see how you could describe it well enough to legitimately sell it online.
