Kilim Rug Prices in Istanbul

It will be a good bargain at approximately half of what they tell you the price is. Don't believe that the yarns are colored with natural dies if it's not at least 100 years old and they can verify the age.

As one who paid way too much in my early attempts, I have learned to not be in a hurry and to act casual and even somewhat disinterested. There are so many shops and so much competition, make that work for you. I know some owners and many really need to make that sale. Look around and don't be pressured. Even if you see something you love, take your time and make the dealer come to you. Head for the door, or leave and come back after looking around. Don't look eager! To give you an idea of prices and sizes, here's a link to a company from Istanbul that I have personally dealt with that shows Turkish kilims and prices to give you an idea. Most of these are more than middle of the road, but informative.

http://www.yurdan.com/yrdn/Browse.aspx?BC=YRDN_Kilims;Kilims_Turkish&node=1

I have bought some nice smaller kilims (2 1/2' x 4' or so) for around $100. In 2007 while in Cappadoccia (Goreme) I purchased 2 new beautiful kilims (3 1/2' x 7') for $185 each and had them shipped to the USA (by DHL) for $80. I took photos of the kilims and salesman during the purchase process and so everyone knew I was documenting and watching everything. There were absolutely no problems, they arrived at my home the same day that I did. They are wonderful additions to my home and great memories of a wonderful trip. Go to Turkey!

I would recommend that you get Rick's Istanbul guidebook. Istanbul is one of my favorite places, you will have a great time.

Thanks for your response. I do have Rick's book, and it's by far the best one I've found for the City. I'm really looking forward to my 5 days there.

I'd like to pick up a kilim or two, one for me, and one for my parents. I'm glad to see they can be had for reasonable prices. A 3x5 would be perfect, and $100-$150 is perfect. I just have to make sure I'm good with my haggling skills! I always feel guilty when I haggle, like I'm going to offend the salesman.

Just remember that the seller is trying to take you for every penny he can squeeze out of you. The method I've used successfully many times before is to start very low, maybe only 25% of the asking price, then sit back and watch him do his best 'you gotta be kidding me' act, then say I'm sorry, but I really can't afford much more than that. The 'much more' should signal him to tempt you with another offer, but it'll still be too much. Just be polite and say you're sorry, but you guess you'll just keep looking around. Show just enough willingness to consider another offer and he'll come down again. Keep repeating this interacion. Have your bottom-line price set in your head and if he doesn't come down to it make one final offer and leave. Chances are he'll stop you and agree. If not there are plenty of other rug shops all around you.

I forgot to mention that I've got a kilim hanging on my wall right now that was offered to me for $2800. I paid $1200 for it and had it appraised when I got back from Turkey for $3200. It works!

Since you are going to be there for 5 days I would suggest you save your major purchases for the last days, after you've looked around and gotten a feel for prices, etc. You can even tell the salesmen that you are not in a hurry, just looking around, and will be putting off purchasing until later--after you find the best deals to be had. Playing hard to get will reap big rewards. I was walking by a carpet shop and this guy started inviting me in--they all do. In Istanbul they will be approaching you wherever you go, so you will have to learn to be assertive and politely decline most of this or it can diminish your trip. Anyway, I told this fellow that I had already bought a kilim on my last trip and didn't need another one. Of course he was persistent and wanted to make a sale. I said ok, I would come in for a minute but I am really not interested. He started pulling out his kilims and unrolling them on the floor, calling out great prices because he was trying to impress me with his prices and knew that's what it would take to make the sale. At some point he threw out this amazing kilim (smaller one) like I had never seen before and said 60 Euros. I took 60 Euros out of my pocket and said ok I'll take that one. He then said he made a mistake and that was too little. I headed for the door, he chased me and handed me the kilim and I handed him 60 Euros. It is now hanging on the wall near my computer while I am typing this.

One other thing, I have met some wonderful carpet salesmen over the years. By and large they are friendly, open, engaging, interesting, amusing, and humorous. They are just trying to make a living--so relax, play the game, and enjoy the ride. You may even make a new friend to go along with your new kilim--as I have...

Thanks for the great replies!

As for getting it home...obviously unless I get a very small kilim, stuffing it in my suitcase isn't a good idea. Is it better to have the seller ship it home for you or buy it and take it to a post offer in Istanbul and ship it home yourself?

Leaving it up to the seller to mail it to you is always a risk but I've done it and there was no problem. I've also taken one to a local post office to mail it to myself. If you choose this option be sure not to seal the package until it's been inspected. There will be someone at the P.O. to help you get through the process. Just bring a box and all you packing materials with you.

In the case of the one on my wall now I purchased a duffle bag large enough to hold it and brought it with me on the plane as checked luggage. Because of the way a kilim is constructed you can fold them and not have to roll them up the way you do with a 'regular' carpet.

Thanks Lee. If you can fold it, and I'm only looking to get 2, I might do the same thing and just bring an extra duffel bag with me as carryon on the way home.

You said that you wanted two 3' x 5' kilims--they are flat woven (fairly thin) and pack down surprisingly small. Shop owners are expert at folding kilims. Have him do that for you and take a look and see if it's going to work to carry it along. I don't know how far you are still traveling on your journey after Istanbul so that should be considered. I travel light with just a carry-on size bag, so smaller kilims are the perfect item, if you have room. Two 3' x 5' kilims and more travel destinations ahead might be a bit much. DHL and UPS are used quite a bit in Turkey. I would advise against using the Turkish mail system, although I have gotten packages sent to me through them. They take forever, and the international shippers are reputable, inexpensive and quick. Most of my shipments so far have been done by shop keepers using DHL. I got a package from a carpet shop owner in Fethiye and also from Yurdan (the link I posted) and both shipments made it from Turkey to my house in 4 days! From Fethiye I bought some kilim hand bags that shipped for 43 Turkish Lira--a couple pounds of merchandise for about $30. For what you are buying, there should be no problem at all having the carpet shop do the shipping. Find a place that you feel good about, Rick makes some recommendations, there are many good ones to choose from. I think taking photos is a friendly and unspoken acknowledgement that you are documenting everything. No shop owner wants your photos on the internet posted with a negative story about their business. Sites like tripadvisor.com and the Graffiti Wall here at Rick Steves help make the world small and informed, and keep places honest-and, by and large they are. We are one big neighborhood. I have found the Turkish people to be really wonderful, as a solo traveler it is easy to connect and make friends there. It is a great travel experience, and among the best places to buy affordable high quality crafts, jewelry and many other types of souvenirs.

Thanks. Istanbul will be the end of the trip. I start in Athens and then head to Istanbul. I'll probably just carry them on on the flight home in that case.

You will be surprised how small they can be folded down to--the two larger kilims that I purchased ended up being able to fit into a fairly small container--smaller than a regular grocery bag. Have fun!

Don't bother to bring a duffle with you. You can buy them super cheap at the Grand Bazaar or someplace else nearby. It only has to last until you get home.

Hi Matt,

Also check out the Arasta Bazaar located behind the Blue Mosque. It's less overwhelming than the Grand Bazaar and it would be good place to comparison shop.

Always be prepared to walk away--when you start to walk out the door is when you'll get a better offer!

Enjoy the experience!

Thanks, I'm also really looking forward to the old book market near the Grand Bazaar. One of my personal pieces of pride are my books, which I think is a solid collection of about 500 volumes for a 23 year old. I can't wait to add to it with some old Turkish books! Those will definitely be shipped home though. After reading Orhan Pamuk's My Name is Red, I REALLY want to pick up some nice leafs from illuminated Ottoman manuscripts, even reproductions would be acceptable, and the word is that the book bazaar is a good place for them.

Matt, the book market is really interesting. Another great book to read before you go to Turkey is "Portrait of a Turkish Family" by Irfan Orga--if you haven't already read it...

Go to at least three "reputable" shops, sit, have some tea...and watch the show. Make a note of the rugs that you like and take their business card, then come back to the shop when you have made a decision. Start by offering half of the "asking" price and go from there. Remember, you don't have to buy a rug, so don't feel obligated in any way. Also, don't let anyone "lead" you into any particular shop. These people get a commission for drumming up business and so their fee will be tacked onto the price. Of course, all the rugs will be "top quality". They will never admit to selling anything less. Have fun!

carpets are all cheaper here in the states then in istanbul, and they are made in turkey

I have quite a few carpets and kilims in my home. Only one was purchased in the USA. It is a beautiful Persian carpet and it fits in a spot in my home where I needed something. I recommend to people who don't get out to where they are made, to consider one from a local shop to brighten up your home. I enjoy it, but it has no integral personal connection to my life adventure like the others. The rest all come with a personal memory and story that enliven my life. They are a part of me. My Egyptian carpet conjures up an afternoon spent with Muhammed Bakr in the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar in Cairo, laughing and making a lifetime friend. He still brings a smile to my face. My Goreme kilims bring back the mysterious landscape of Cappadocia and it's wonderful people, especially the time spent with Bilal Ikman and his family in their Caravansarai, sitting surrounded by exquisite carpets underneath the full moon. And of course, the precious hours spent in the carpet shop of Mustafa and Huriye Koca in Fethiye, who came to my rescue and pointed me towards new horizons on my quest--and filled an empty spot on my wall with color and life. All of these people are still part of my life through the carpets, kilims, bags, memories, and emails. There is a magic to buying something special overseas while on the trip of a lifetime.

Here's a great website from an American company selling carpets in California, and on the internet-- This link is entitled, Turkish Rugs: Buying Carpets in Turkey

http://www.internetrugs.com/blog/turkish-rugs-buying-rugs-in-turkey/

After taking the reader through the many pitfalls, traps, problems, and misinformation, he states:

"Most often, though, travelers buy nice rugs in Turkey for a third less than they would pay in the United States."

So, go to Turkey and have a great time. Do your research and go armed with good information and a relaxed attitude. You are sure to come home with a great souvenir and a lifetime of memories.

Yurdan.com seems to have disappeared from the internet in the last few days. This is very unfortunate, as I've bought kilims from them recently and I've yet to receive them. Does anybody have any info on Yurdan?

We were very disappointed in the book market. We were expecting a lot of older texts but it ended up being mostly college texbooks and a bunch of junk. Hope you have better luck

I had no problem accessing Yurdan just now. The website appears to be functioning normally.

I wonder if Matt S (original question) will update us on his Istanbul kilim experience...

As a follow-up to Matt's question, I will be in Turkey this summer and was wondering about buying carpets or kilim in Capadoccia. Are the prices better than in Istanbul, since they are often made in this region? Or should we wait to purchase them in Istanbul?

www.busracarpetandgifts.com
for kilim and turkish carpet best price quality carpets and kilims

Just came back from the Cappadocia area for my 2 weeks vacation and I bought a beautiful handmade Turkish kilim carpet for a great deal from a local factory in the region. I check the price (similar make from the region) in Istanbul and it cost me more.

Anyway, I made a hard bargain & with free shipping, I got a good deal. I have to thank Ali, the local driver who I talked to when I was taking the local tours from Rocktown Travel and he took us to a factory, Cappadocia Carpet. Great workmanship & I learned more about the types of kilim after the presentation. Thank God, I delayed my purchase on my initial stop to Istanbul or else I would have been cheated (cotton in lieu of silk). Whew!!!